Hurricanes And Life Change

Wow....

I do love a good storm. We were just hit by a decent one this past weekend. Hurricane Irene. Our area (Suffolk) wasn't hit too badly thankfully. Some areas were hit worse then others. (Yep...that's a tunnel cars are supposed to drive through)

For the most part power is back in our area with a few spots still without. Some people are complaining about how over-hyped the hurricane was and in some areas that's true. I don't think the peninsula was hit too bad. Out west (Williamsburg and New Kent County) was the hardest hit of the areas.

In non-hurricane news, God has opened the door a little to my pursuit at Crossroads. I'm both shocked and amazed that it's actually going forward, but not guaranteed as of yet. Basically, I am looking to be one of the church's keyboard players; a role that for years the many voices from within have reaffirmed a suspicion that I am probably not good enough. My most significant and life-changing role's in the church have always been tied to the praise and worship section of it.

The funny thing about that voice of condemnation is that it subtly suggests I'm not good enough. Quietly whispering right along side my own self-doubts. that is, until I pursue. Then the voice screams I'm not good enough. Directly contrary to 2 Timothy 1:7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

In the process of the pursuit one of the things I had to tell myself was that the outcome of it is completely in God's control, not mine. If He wants me in this role I'll be there, or in another more suited to further His kingdom. As of now God has given the go-ahead, which is AWESOME because I have felt passionate about praise and worship for quite some time.

We will see where it goes!

Day 16 - A Song That You Used to Love but Now Hate

I don't hate this song so much as it has been filtered out of my song collection.

Without Me by Eminem.

Continuing the song challenge- I used to be a massive Eminem Fan. Why? Great question, not really sure. While talented at the construction of words in songs, most of his put you in a bad place mentally.

I think that's a point about music that a lot of people don't realize. What I listen to can and will dictate my thought life. This point reminds me of a quote from Mike Kelsey.....(Pastor at McLean Bible)

"They are a people who go astray in their heart." (Psalm 95:10) pay attention to your heart (thoughts, desires, affections) not just your behavior.

My music affects this greatly. What I once considered no big deal, God revealed that what I listen to is actually a very big deal.

UPDATE!

Lately life has been ridiculous and (like I always tend to do in these seasons) I ignore all things social networking/blogging....Sigh. Anyway,

-We finally closed and moved into our house. Wow, God has SERIOUSLY blessed us with this place. Everything is perfect (or darn near as such) and the process was (for the most part) Very smooth.

-We had some awesome help moving Saturday. Much thanks goes to my co-worker Jonathan, Mike, and my sister Christina.

-The same day we closed we also adopted a cat. Now, I like unique names, and wanted to somehow tie the getting of a cat with the purchase of a home. I was going to go with a really obscure legal term. "Alonge" and "Escrow" were my candidates, Jen was not a fan though (Escrow almost made it) and we settled on Oreo. Rest assured if this cat was mine...it'd be getting the name alonge :)

-We and some good friends from NoVa are driving to Alabama this weekend for Nick and Hannah's Wedding. This guy has instituted alot of life change in me, and I couldn't be more excited to see him and Hannah (finally) get married ;)

-Work is going very well. I'm growing and passionate about my position! God has blessed me with the tolerance (?) for the stuff I do (admin work plus other things) The more I dive into my position the more I see how some people just flat out hate this work. I don't though.

-Speaking of passion, I feel a particular calling to a role in my new church. I'm not sure if I am even qualified (I'm guessing no...lol) but just picturing myself in this role gives me a renewed passion in serving. I hope God (and the church itself) answer yes. I have pursued similar areas of service in the music department in churches past and they said no. We shall see...:)