Last week our music minister, Randall, came to do the Devotion we have at work every Wednesday morning. I am so glad our Interim Director suggested this idea a few months ago and it has been an amazing way for those of us who work there to take time out of our crazy, busy, and sometimes draining work week to stop what we are doing for a few minutes to get some much needed words of encouragement. This last week Randall really knocked it out of the ballpark with his message.
Yes I know he is MY pastor, you might call me a bit biased in my opinion then. But seriously he was awesome and made me really proud to be a member of The Grove.
One thing he spoke about was that in our work, we serve as a "bridge" between the people we help every day and the programs and services that we have available to our community. I had never really thought about it that way but once he said it, it made perfect sense. I find myself repeating that to myself so many times now. I am so grateful that overall my part of the job is rewarding and most people are very appreciative of what we all try to do for them. Some don't and that can make for a tough day, but it only takes one person to come out with that look of joy or relief to make it all worth while. Sometimes a simple "thank you" can make it a much better day for us.
But outside of work I see how being a "bridge" to my friends and family is just as rewarding. I try to always remember that when someone calls on me where I can help, that it is pleasing in the eyes of God for me to do so and therefore, I always try to be that for them.
Then there are the times where my good intentions was that road straight to h-e-double hockey sticks. It just sucks when you can't see the difference before you go diving in that pool of "good intentions"
I finally figured out that for me the best way to tell the difference is look at the situation. If someone runs into hard times, or difficult situations that were unavoidable, or not by their own doing then yes, we need to do what we can to lift them up and help them out, because what if that was you or I, would we not look for the help and hope that someone was there for us?
Then I see those who just continually make bad choices and don't learn from it (What is that saying, "insanity is doing the same thing over and over, and expecting different results?") People who say and do things that makes their lives a mess, but blame anyone else for the pickle they have got themselves into.
There is where I draw the line. I have to remember that what I do not only affects me, but this young man that God has in trusted to me to care for, protect, and raise. If I spend one minute, one dollar, or one bead of sweat on someone or something that is just going to be a waste of my time, then I have taken it away from myself and him. That's not cool in my book.
So yea, Ill be the bridge, just remember drive all the way across and have a good destination once you get to the other side.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Sunday, September 25, 2011
Sunday Sermon
There are so many reasons I flat out love my church. Yes, of course the people there are awesome and I have never felt so welcome and accepted for who I am ever before. But I really love it because my pastor, Jeff, can preach the word in a way that really makes you think and makes it real world relevant.
Growing up my father was Mormon and as a child that is where I went to worship until my parents divorced. I was blessed as a infant in the Mormon church and I still have memories of it. I remember not being able to really understand what was being taught, but I remember having the bread and juice passed down the pews (wow snacks in church, yay!) and for some reason I can recall sitting in my Sunday school class and discovering I could stretch my foot to my mouth and chew on my black patient leather shoe. Why I remember that I have no idea.
After my parents divorced, my mom sent me to a traditional Southern Baptist church for awhile, but the kids were mean and I didnt like it. So I stopped going until I was an adult. It was in 1996 when I went back to a Southern Baptist church and was baptized into the faith on Easter Sunday of 1997 and I have been in church pretty much since then.
So today Jeff's sermon really hit on alot of things that I have seen over the years. One thing that has always boggled my mind is I had never in my life heard of churches "splitting" until I moved here. Its a concept that I just don't get the reasoning behind. If a church just doesn't work for a person or family anymore just gracefully depart and go elsewhere. This idea of congregations fighting and dividing seems so counterproductive.
Like Jeff said God and the Bible are the final authority in how we live our lives and how the church sets the standards that we need to all need to live up to. I have been in churches where it seems that Sunday mornings seemed to be a popularity contest rather than every single person comes in humbled and there to filled with the spirit of the Lord. Church is not a fashion show and a place to one up the person sitting in front of you.
I know I am not a perfect person and Ill be the first person to tell you of my faults and mistakes because there is no sense in lying about it, I live in a small town where everyone knows when you sneeze! But even if a few people don't it doesnt matter because God knows and you can't pull one over on Him and since He is the one I truly answer to anyway.
So its time to get real and know that just too much time is wasted in hiding our inperfections when every single one of us is not perfect. Some of us think of evil things, some spend money on wasteful things, we have moments were we lash out at those we love, we have addictions and downfalls.
And some of us chew our shoes.
Growing up my father was Mormon and as a child that is where I went to worship until my parents divorced. I was blessed as a infant in the Mormon church and I still have memories of it. I remember not being able to really understand what was being taught, but I remember having the bread and juice passed down the pews (wow snacks in church, yay!) and for some reason I can recall sitting in my Sunday school class and discovering I could stretch my foot to my mouth and chew on my black patient leather shoe. Why I remember that I have no idea.
After my parents divorced, my mom sent me to a traditional Southern Baptist church for awhile, but the kids were mean and I didnt like it. So I stopped going until I was an adult. It was in 1996 when I went back to a Southern Baptist church and was baptized into the faith on Easter Sunday of 1997 and I have been in church pretty much since then.
So today Jeff's sermon really hit on alot of things that I have seen over the years. One thing that has always boggled my mind is I had never in my life heard of churches "splitting" until I moved here. Its a concept that I just don't get the reasoning behind. If a church just doesn't work for a person or family anymore just gracefully depart and go elsewhere. This idea of congregations fighting and dividing seems so counterproductive.
Like Jeff said God and the Bible are the final authority in how we live our lives and how the church sets the standards that we need to all need to live up to. I have been in churches where it seems that Sunday mornings seemed to be a popularity contest rather than every single person comes in humbled and there to filled with the spirit of the Lord. Church is not a fashion show and a place to one up the person sitting in front of you.
I know I am not a perfect person and Ill be the first person to tell you of my faults and mistakes because there is no sense in lying about it, I live in a small town where everyone knows when you sneeze! But even if a few people don't it doesnt matter because God knows and you can't pull one over on Him and since He is the one I truly answer to anyway.
So its time to get real and know that just too much time is wasted in hiding our inperfections when every single one of us is not perfect. Some of us think of evil things, some spend money on wasteful things, we have moments were we lash out at those we love, we have addictions and downfalls.
And some of us chew our shoes.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Welcome to my little world! Have a seat, this might take a moment.
So here it is, trying to online journal again.
I have tried over the years, got bored because I felt "restricted" in what I might write. Or sometimes I just got too busy and sorta forgot about it.
So here is me in a nutshell. The good, the bad, the ugly, and sometimes the freaking gorgeous.
I was not born here but on the west coast. No not California (Gah, why do people think the only state on the west coast is California?) but in the crispy cold state of Washington. And no it does not rain there 328 days of the year. Well maybe in Forks it does but that is just to keep the vampires from sparkling too much and blinding the log truck drivers. But I grew up in Lakewood. Yes that Lakewood that you see in just about every episode of COPS that is filmed in Pierce County. But it was a great place to grow up and I would love to move back home.
I lived there until 2001, when my former husband joined the military and we were stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. It was one of the best places I ever lived and I loved every minute I was there. Jambalaya anywhere outside of Louisiana just isnt the same and the culture there is amazing. The only thing I didnt like was the humidity and the gators!
Moved here to North Carolina in 2002 to be closer to my mother's side of the family after we separated and been here ever since. I have grown closer to God and my faith, graduated from college, and seen my son grow into an amazing young man.
Currently I work for the county, attend an amazing, loving, and down to earth church, and become the person I truly believe God wants me to be. Some people here don't get me because I don't conform to the ways they live, but in the words of Lady Gaga "baby, I was born this way".
Some things you will need to know about me. I never try to be like anyone else, but I will be inspired by those who I respect and believe in. I love my Twilight. God and my son are the only 2 people I live my life for and answer to in the decisions I make and the actions I take in life. I live by the Army Spouse unofficial motto "Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see". If you don't take the time to know me, your opinion of me matters very little. I love the color green. I wear only scents from Bath and Body Works. I hate roses, most of all red roses. I have knee injuries from rodeo and 2 IV scars on my left arm.
Last but not least, I think that Matthew Grey Gubler is quite possibly the most gorgeous man currently on this earth. So is Jackson Rathbone. I would quit my job in a heartbeat to be a personal assistant to either of them.
As long as they moved to Washington State, I don't like California much.
I have tried over the years, got bored because I felt "restricted" in what I might write. Or sometimes I just got too busy and sorta forgot about it.
So here is me in a nutshell. The good, the bad, the ugly, and sometimes the freaking gorgeous.
I was not born here but on the west coast. No not California (Gah, why do people think the only state on the west coast is California?) but in the crispy cold state of Washington. And no it does not rain there 328 days of the year. Well maybe in Forks it does but that is just to keep the vampires from sparkling too much and blinding the log truck drivers. But I grew up in Lakewood. Yes that Lakewood that you see in just about every episode of COPS that is filmed in Pierce County. But it was a great place to grow up and I would love to move back home.
I lived there until 2001, when my former husband joined the military and we were stationed at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. It was one of the best places I ever lived and I loved every minute I was there. Jambalaya anywhere outside of Louisiana just isnt the same and the culture there is amazing. The only thing I didnt like was the humidity and the gators!
Moved here to North Carolina in 2002 to be closer to my mother's side of the family after we separated and been here ever since. I have grown closer to God and my faith, graduated from college, and seen my son grow into an amazing young man.
Currently I work for the county, attend an amazing, loving, and down to earth church, and become the person I truly believe God wants me to be. Some people here don't get me because I don't conform to the ways they live, but in the words of Lady Gaga "baby, I was born this way".
Some things you will need to know about me. I never try to be like anyone else, but I will be inspired by those who I respect and believe in. I love my Twilight. God and my son are the only 2 people I live my life for and answer to in the decisions I make and the actions I take in life. I live by the Army Spouse unofficial motto "Believe nothing that you hear and only half of what you see". If you don't take the time to know me, your opinion of me matters very little. I love the color green. I wear only scents from Bath and Body Works. I hate roses, most of all red roses. I have knee injuries from rodeo and 2 IV scars on my left arm.
Last but not least, I think that Matthew Grey Gubler is quite possibly the most gorgeous man currently on this earth. So is Jackson Rathbone. I would quit my job in a heartbeat to be a personal assistant to either of them.
As long as they moved to Washington State, I don't like California much.
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