LifeWalk 2011
Info about the Niles LifeWalk to benefit the Pregnancy Care Center of Niles, and info about how you can donate if you'd like. I'm walking in it, and playing in the Softball Tournament for Life that afternoon.
Monday, May 30, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
No and Yes
No Mexico.
We're not going to Mexico for a missions trip. When Sister Pastor called me, she said she had bad news. Then she told me the bad news: no Mexico due to safety concerns. Oh, okay. No wonder why I hadn't been focused on the trip for the past two months. It makes total sense to me. Am I disappointed? Actually, no. Crazy, but true. My youth pastor was even concerned that I'd be really disappointed, but I'm not. And I can already see reasons why we're supposed to be here that 10 days instead of in Mexico. My King is Awesome and Amazing. I'm excited to see what He has planned next. (The D.R. with our choir maybe? Hint, hint, sweet, Jesus, can we go? And soon?)
Yes softball.
We've played two games so far, without any practice. We've won both, but we still need practice. The first game I played right field, and last night I had the opportunity to share being catcher. That was fun. And I'm so ready for practice on Saturday (followed by my Uncle and soon-to-be Aunt's wedding). When I played softball 5 years ago, I had fun at first, but was definitely ready for the season to be over. This year, even before the season began, I knew it was different. I'm so excited and thankful I get to play softball. Five years ago I was a little nervous before games, and even practice. This time, I'm just excited and ready to play. In both instances my King told me, "You're playing softball," when I wasn't even thinking about playing. And Saturday can't get here soon enough...we finally get to practice! During both seasons, though, I've been so blessed to play on an amazing team. That's at least half the reason why I enjoy playing so much. I get to hang out with 14 amazing people while having church in the dirt. I don't care that it's almost ten at night, I'm ready to practice or play a game right now. Let's go.
Yes choir.
As I've seen a change in me in softball already this season, I've noticed a change in me in choir, too. I was in our church choir eight years ago. I enjoyed it. This year my King has said it's time to be back in choir, and I love it. That part hasn't changed. What has changed is that I don't hold back like I did eight years ago. Who cares if I don't get every note right. What matters is that I'm praising and worshiping my King, and that I'm giving my all and having fun. Our King is giving us so many opportunities to share Him through music--He's so amazing. I love my King.
Yes praise team.
I've thought about singing on a praise team before, and within the past few months my King has given me the green light and the opportunities. But why on a praise team instead of just singing with them during praise and worship? Number 1: My Creator King gave me a voice; I can sing. Not amazingly, but good enough. I should use what my King gave me for Him and not keep it for myself. Number 2: My King's giving me the opportunity, and I'm taking it. Now, singing on a praise team isn't much different than singing with the praise team as they lead during a church service. The small differences are that I have to be aware of what the others on the team are singing, what I'm singing, and where the lead vocalist is going. And it's a good thing to know the words. Other than that, there's no difference. I'm still praising and worshiping my King through song. It doesn't matter that I'm up on the platform instead of "in the pews". It doesn't matter that I'm holding a microphone. I can still lift my hands. I can still stop singing for a bit and simply stand in awe of my King. I can still praise and worship my King like I would "in the pews". I don't want the way I worship my King to be different just because I'm on a praise team. Because then it's about me. And it's NOT about me. It's ALL about CHRIST. If I lose sight of that, then I'd better kick myself off the the praise team. Because it's NOT about performing; it's ALL about praising and worshiping my King.
Let's see...any other NOs or YESes?
No mediocrity. Yes to kicking my own butt and adding more fuel to the fire.
No to the bear. Yes to slamming the door closed and bolting it shut and giving Christ the key.
No to wading in the shallows. Yes to jumping in...jump, cannonball, splash.
I love my King. Do you?
We're not going to Mexico for a missions trip. When Sister Pastor called me, she said she had bad news. Then she told me the bad news: no Mexico due to safety concerns. Oh, okay. No wonder why I hadn't been focused on the trip for the past two months. It makes total sense to me. Am I disappointed? Actually, no. Crazy, but true. My youth pastor was even concerned that I'd be really disappointed, but I'm not. And I can already see reasons why we're supposed to be here that 10 days instead of in Mexico. My King is Awesome and Amazing. I'm excited to see what He has planned next. (The D.R. with our choir maybe? Hint, hint, sweet, Jesus, can we go? And soon?)
Yes softball.
We've played two games so far, without any practice. We've won both, but we still need practice. The first game I played right field, and last night I had the opportunity to share being catcher. That was fun. And I'm so ready for practice on Saturday (followed by my Uncle and soon-to-be Aunt's wedding). When I played softball 5 years ago, I had fun at first, but was definitely ready for the season to be over. This year, even before the season began, I knew it was different. I'm so excited and thankful I get to play softball. Five years ago I was a little nervous before games, and even practice. This time, I'm just excited and ready to play. In both instances my King told me, "You're playing softball," when I wasn't even thinking about playing. And Saturday can't get here soon enough...we finally get to practice! During both seasons, though, I've been so blessed to play on an amazing team. That's at least half the reason why I enjoy playing so much. I get to hang out with 14 amazing people while having church in the dirt. I don't care that it's almost ten at night, I'm ready to practice or play a game right now. Let's go.
Yes choir.
As I've seen a change in me in softball already this season, I've noticed a change in me in choir, too. I was in our church choir eight years ago. I enjoyed it. This year my King has said it's time to be back in choir, and I love it. That part hasn't changed. What has changed is that I don't hold back like I did eight years ago. Who cares if I don't get every note right. What matters is that I'm praising and worshiping my King, and that I'm giving my all and having fun. Our King is giving us so many opportunities to share Him through music--He's so amazing. I love my King.
Yes praise team.
I've thought about singing on a praise team before, and within the past few months my King has given me the green light and the opportunities. But why on a praise team instead of just singing with them during praise and worship? Number 1: My Creator King gave me a voice; I can sing. Not amazingly, but good enough. I should use what my King gave me for Him and not keep it for myself. Number 2: My King's giving me the opportunity, and I'm taking it. Now, singing on a praise team isn't much different than singing with the praise team as they lead during a church service. The small differences are that I have to be aware of what the others on the team are singing, what I'm singing, and where the lead vocalist is going. And it's a good thing to know the words. Other than that, there's no difference. I'm still praising and worshiping my King through song. It doesn't matter that I'm up on the platform instead of "in the pews". It doesn't matter that I'm holding a microphone. I can still lift my hands. I can still stop singing for a bit and simply stand in awe of my King. I can still praise and worship my King like I would "in the pews". I don't want the way I worship my King to be different just because I'm on a praise team. Because then it's about me. And it's NOT about me. It's ALL about CHRIST. If I lose sight of that, then I'd better kick myself off the the praise team. Because it's NOT about performing; it's ALL about praising and worshiping my King.
Let's see...any other NOs or YESes?
No mediocrity. Yes to kicking my own butt and adding more fuel to the fire.
No to the bear. Yes to slamming the door closed and bolting it shut and giving Christ the key.
No to wading in the shallows. Yes to jumping in...jump, cannonball, splash.
I love my King. Do you?
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