Archive - December, 2006

press on

December 7, 2006 in Discipleship with 0 Comments

Do you ever feel like you just cannot go on? Or that maybe you shouldn’t? Or maybe you should go on, just not the same way you’re going now … Or maybe that’s an escapism and you’re just dealing with a willing spirit and weak flesh (Matt 26:41).

Do you ever feel like you’re doing everything you can (and maybe too much because you’re so tired that your daydreams go from Rome to one day alone in your apartment and seem just as wonderful), but doing nothing at the same time? How is that possible? It can’t be because you’re doing the wrong things because you have to pay rent somehow, and be faithful with little.

At the same time, have you ever just wanted to voluntarily and knowingly slip into compromise? I did a pretty good job yesterday using the wilderness temptation strategy (quote scripture at the devil), but its just all around you. Even at church, let’s not kid ourselves.

Have you ever strayed so far from God that you were embarassed to come back? The story of the prodigal son can be your favorite metaphor in the Bible, but it doesn’t make it easier. It makes it possible, but not easy. To even come back as a servant, knowing that He’ll make you a son again … Have you ever wanted to take a moment to weep at his feet for being so good and so merciful — and had to wait until your lunch break to do it?

Have you ever really had a revelation of strength in your weakness? Do we focus more on “I am strong,” or the prerequisite, “I am weak?” Have you ever really reconsiled yourself to being weak?

weak [week] -adjective
1. not strong; liable to yield; fragile; frail
2. lacking in bodily strength of healthy vigor, as from age or sickness
3. not having much political strength, governing power, or authority
4. lacking in force, potency, or efficacy
5. lacking in rhetorical or creative force or effectiveness
6. lacking in logical or legal force or soundness
7. deficient in mental power, intelligence, or judgment
8. deficient in amount, intensity
9. deficient in the essential or usual properties

When I admit I can do nothing in my own strenth – nothing that matters, nothing eternal – He becomes strong through my life by faith. I have to first accept that I’m weak, and stop trying to do it on my own. Ready, set, stop.

weekend without end

December 5, 2006 in Discipleship, Student Ministry with 0 Comments

Wow what a weekend. I wanted to wait and put pictures up, but who on earth has time to upload pictures? Not me.

Friday was great. I got to speak at youth in Pastor Tim’s absence and I’m told it went well. It didn’t go how I planned, but I guess it’s my fault for asking the Lord to hold my tongue when it should be held and speak when I should speak. Hopefully that’s what happened. I know it led to some good alter ministry time, so I call that success. Also encouraging was Pastor’s unintentional confirmation of my message Sunday morning. It was interesting, also, to worship from the floor on a Friday night instead of from a mic. I definately missed worship team, though. Definately.

Saturday was jam-packed. Timothy and I worked that morning (handing out flashing Santa hats to little kids – rough work), and then we had practice. I think I need to take more time to just thank God for the people he’s given us for a youth worship team. Those guys are some of the most dedicated teenage boys I know, and they’re good which is nice too. There are some things that need ironing out, but that’s true of all of us. We hung out with the Hoban’s for 20 minutes so I could work on a song with Tami (blessings on that woman, Lord, for all she does), and so Timothy could get Seany wound up. I may still post some of that video. That kid is just unreal.

Sunday was a great, great service: worship that had to be Holy Spirit-directed because otherwise people would have left (besides Dennis, who more or less left for a while anyway. Haha.), a challenging message, and wonderful alter ministry time.

Sometimes God can speak to you and its great because God spoke to you, but it’s still good when God speaks that same thing through someone else. Reminding and confirming. I never really doubted the word when He spoke it directly to me, but I cried when Pastor said it again. All day I couldn’t figure out why I’d cried like that. I’ve been very busy lately, and honestly it’s put a slight damper on my passion for my Lord. I’ve been fighting condemnation over it at every turn. At the end of the thing I think I cried – wept – not because I needed a reminder or a confirmation, but because He’s serious about me. I am important to the King of heaven. You know that, and I “knew” that, but … words can’t describe.

As I was sitting on the floor crying, little Sammy Johnson (I think he’s three) walked around in front of me, asked why I was crying, and gave me a hug. It’s amazing what a hug from a concerned toddler can do. After church we went sledding with a small group from Switch, but not for long because it was freezing cold. Pics pending. Then I went with my dad to find a little, no-one-loves-me Christmas tree. It’s so cute. Sunday night was the worship team Christmas party, which was just too fun.

And I’m done.

snow

December 1, 2006 in Uncategorized with 0 Comments


It’s snowing. It took me an hour to complete my normal 30 minute commute this morning. On the way I saw 11 cars in snow drifts, and another two just stopped on the side of the road with hazards on.

My car learned a new trick yesterday (the first time it really got below freezing) that involves not letting me in. The lock on the driver’s side door refuses to budget. Yesterday at lunch I was fighting it when one of my co-workers came back from her break.

“Is your lock frozen?”
“I think so.”
“Try heating up your key.”
“How?”
“With a lighter.”
“A lighter?”
“Ya.”
“Peggy, do you have a lighter?”
“No.”
“And why not?”
“Well I don’t smoke or anything.”
“Do I smoke?”
“No.”
“Then why would I have a lighter?! I don’t have a lighter.”

Our church organized a men’s retreat for this weekend. Pray the roads get cleared so they can go; I know a lot of them will be blessed if they can go. Our youth meeting is on tonight as far as I know, so pray for safe travel too please.

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