__________________________________________________
O for a closer walk with God,
A calm and heavenly frame,
A light to shine upon the road
That leads me to the Lamb!
Where is the blessedness I knew,
When first I saw the Lord?
Where is the soul refreshing view
Of Jesus and His Word?
What peaceful hours I once enjoyed!
How sweet their memory still!
But they have left an aching void
The world can never fill.
Return, O holy Dove, return,
Sweet messenger of rest!
I hate the sins that made Thee mourn
And drove Thee from my breast.
The dearest idol I have known,
Whate’er that idol be
Help me to tear it from Thy throne,
And worship only Thee.
So shall my walk be close with God,
Calm and serene my frame;
So purer light shall mark the road
That leads me to the Lamb.
__________________________________________________
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Community
__________________________________________________
Last night I happened to hear the last 10 minutes of a message from Chip Ingram on the radio. In this time he said, 'Christians live like Christians when Christians live in community'.
I know all the proof-texts about 'one another-ing' and I don't argue against them. However this statement seems a little defeatist to me. Maybe I'm just over-reacting, but shouldn't our vertical communion be so fulfilling that we 'live like Christians' regardless of the specifics of our horizontal community?
Admittedly, my personal testimony and experience is not one of arrival, but of continual longing for deeper fellowship with Christ! My fear is blanket acceptance of this doctrine leaves me a loop hole to fall through anytime I don't 'live like a Christian'.
Thots?
__________________________________________________
Last night I happened to hear the last 10 minutes of a message from Chip Ingram on the radio. In this time he said, 'Christians live like Christians when Christians live in community'.
I know all the proof-texts about 'one another-ing' and I don't argue against them. However this statement seems a little defeatist to me. Maybe I'm just over-reacting, but shouldn't our vertical communion be so fulfilling that we 'live like Christians' regardless of the specifics of our horizontal community?
Admittedly, my personal testimony and experience is not one of arrival, but of continual longing for deeper fellowship with Christ! My fear is blanket acceptance of this doctrine leaves me a loop hole to fall through anytime I don't 'live like a Christian'.
Thots?
__________________________________________________
Friday, May 8, 2009
Marketing Consultant
__________________________________________________
Unfortunately I didn't make the sales numbers they wanted to see from me this week. Fortunately God isn't bound to living within man's boxes and chose to give me the job anyway! He is good beyond my deserving!!
The ad director said she'd probably have me selling in a territory Monday. She seems to think I'll love territory sales even more than what I did this week.
__________________________________________________
Unfortunately I didn't make the sales numbers they wanted to see from me this week. Fortunately God isn't bound to living within man's boxes and chose to give me the job anyway! He is good beyond my deserving!!
The ad director said she'd probably have me selling in a territory Monday. She seems to think I'll love territory sales even more than what I did this week.
__________________________________________________
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Occupational Prayer
__________________________________________________
Lord, you're in control!
I am not brilliant enough, clever enough or talented enough to accomplish the goals set for me this week on my own. You know me, you know what I am made of, you know I am nothing but dust! That's why I can rest in your sovereignty over my entire life. If the expectations set for this week are requirements, your assistance will be the only way I accomplish them. If they aren't expected as insinuated, you know that also. You are in control! You move on hearts; you move hearts. If, Lord, this particular occupation is the one you've chosen for me, I give you the expectations and say, 'guide me, lead me, prepare a way before me'. If you haven't chosen The Daily Advocate as where you want me to serve, and you choose to use this 'trial week' to show me that, I give it to you! You're in control! I cannot do this alone! The giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me, reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed! But, Lord, you say that you are my God and if I open my mouth wide you will fill it!
Lord, I'm seeking nothing more than to be in your will. I look at my situation and conclude this opportunity seems to be the only option; you, however, know much more than I. You know ALL things! You're in control! Please, please, please Lord, guard me against attempting to take control in any situation, and especially in this situation.
If this opportunity is the hand-picked opportunity you intend to give me, you're in control! I don't have the ability in myself, of myself, by myself to accomplish it; but the opportunity is exciting and I'm willing to give it everything you give me!
Here we go Lord. You're in control! I only want to bring you glory....wherever, whatever.....no matter what!!
__________________________________________________
Lord, you're in control!
I am not brilliant enough, clever enough or talented enough to accomplish the goals set for me this week on my own. You know me, you know what I am made of, you know I am nothing but dust! That's why I can rest in your sovereignty over my entire life. If the expectations set for this week are requirements, your assistance will be the only way I accomplish them. If they aren't expected as insinuated, you know that also. You are in control! You move on hearts; you move hearts. If, Lord, this particular occupation is the one you've chosen for me, I give you the expectations and say, 'guide me, lead me, prepare a way before me'. If you haven't chosen The Daily Advocate as where you want me to serve, and you choose to use this 'trial week' to show me that, I give it to you! You're in control! I cannot do this alone! The giant's calling out my name and he laughs at me, reminding me of all the times I've tried before and failed! But, Lord, you say that you are my God and if I open my mouth wide you will fill it!
Lord, I'm seeking nothing more than to be in your will. I look at my situation and conclude this opportunity seems to be the only option; you, however, know much more than I. You know ALL things! You're in control! Please, please, please Lord, guard me against attempting to take control in any situation, and especially in this situation.
If this opportunity is the hand-picked opportunity you intend to give me, you're in control! I don't have the ability in myself, of myself, by myself to accomplish it; but the opportunity is exciting and I'm willing to give it everything you give me!
Here we go Lord. You're in control! I only want to bring you glory....wherever, whatever.....no matter what!!
__________________________________________________
Saturday, May 2, 2009
New Job
__________________________________________________
I report to work at The Daily Advocate at 8 am Monday morning.
In a lot of ways this feels like my first REAL job. I have always had a previous relationship with the manager/owner prior to interviewing, some to greater degrees some to lesser degrees. Monday morning, however, I'm a stranger walking into a brand new world. I'm EXTREMELY excited at the possibilities and potential!
While the first week is considered a 'trial' week, I anticipate a fulfilling career with Brown Publishing and The Daily Advocate. As with any new position, I'm sure there will be many things which play out differently than I currently presume, but I don't expect any of these surprises to be much more than logistical. During this first week both they and I will get the opportunity to 'become acquainted'; they with me and my personality, I with them and their career opportunity. If on, or before, Friday some alarm or discomfort is realized, then neither they nor I have any further committment.
The specifics of the position (as I understand them) are really exciting to me. The position I fill will be responsible to design and format the special sections (fair book, readers choice awards, mature times, homes mag, etc). This will be done in partnership with my direct superior. I will also be responsible for securing 100% of the revenue needed to support these projects. This revenue will be received exclusively through advertisements. Simply put, I will sell advertisement spots in these special sections. I will further be responsible to get the projects prepared for print on (or before) print deadline, and establish distribution points.
Alongside the print advertisements in the special sections/projects, I will be responsible to sell advertising spots on the various pages of the Advocate website.
There is one more thing that gives this job an exciting edge that few other possibilities offered. We currently school, church, shop, live in the greater Darke County area. Now I also work in that same community! While I never thought of this as significant in our age of communication and travel, I am finding myself very, very excited to see my entire 'life' becoming intimately connected to my home community.
I guess all these little details point to one thing, our Father is a)watching, b)caring and c)in control of EVERYTHING!
Lord, thank you for another expression of your faithfulness and provision.
__________________________________________________
I report to work at The Daily Advocate at 8 am Monday morning.
In a lot of ways this feels like my first REAL job. I have always had a previous relationship with the manager/owner prior to interviewing, some to greater degrees some to lesser degrees. Monday morning, however, I'm a stranger walking into a brand new world. I'm EXTREMELY excited at the possibilities and potential!
While the first week is considered a 'trial' week, I anticipate a fulfilling career with Brown Publishing and The Daily Advocate. As with any new position, I'm sure there will be many things which play out differently than I currently presume, but I don't expect any of these surprises to be much more than logistical. During this first week both they and I will get the opportunity to 'become acquainted'; they with me and my personality, I with them and their career opportunity. If on, or before, Friday some alarm or discomfort is realized, then neither they nor I have any further committment.
The specifics of the position (as I understand them) are really exciting to me. The position I fill will be responsible to design and format the special sections (fair book, readers choice awards, mature times, homes mag, etc). This will be done in partnership with my direct superior. I will also be responsible for securing 100% of the revenue needed to support these projects. This revenue will be received exclusively through advertisements. Simply put, I will sell advertisement spots in these special sections. I will further be responsible to get the projects prepared for print on (or before) print deadline, and establish distribution points.
Alongside the print advertisements in the special sections/projects, I will be responsible to sell advertising spots on the various pages of the Advocate website.
There is one more thing that gives this job an exciting edge that few other possibilities offered. We currently school, church, shop, live in the greater Darke County area. Now I also work in that same community! While I never thought of this as significant in our age of communication and travel, I am finding myself very, very excited to see my entire 'life' becoming intimately connected to my home community.
I guess all these little details point to one thing, our Father is a)watching, b)caring and c)in control of EVERYTHING!
Lord, thank you for another expression of your faithfulness and provision.
__________________________________________________
Friday, May 1, 2009
Praise HIM in the Storm
__________________________________________________
This morning I was spending some time with the Father asking Him about the what's and why's of my current situation. I was confessing how much easier it was to talk about faith and believing Him to provide in every situation than to actually believe Him when the bills pile up and no one calls offering a viable occupational option. I was admitting to Him that I felt like I was 'at my end' and wondering if He really cared when He reminded me of this song:
PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM
Casting Crowns
I was sure by now that You would have reached down
wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
So I will, I'll praise Him, right in the middle of THIS storm. I'll raise my hands and PRAISE the God who gives, and takes away; because my help comes from the LORD. Even though I barely hear Him whisper through the rain, 'I'm with you', I will not doubt! I CHOOSE to believe Him and worship Him for His majesty, in spite of my circumstances!!
__________________________________________________
This morning I was spending some time with the Father asking Him about the what's and why's of my current situation. I was confessing how much easier it was to talk about faith and believing Him to provide in every situation than to actually believe Him when the bills pile up and no one calls offering a viable occupational option. I was admitting to Him that I felt like I was 'at my end' and wondering if He really cared when He reminded me of this song:
PRAISE YOU IN THIS STORM
Casting Crowns
I was sure by now that You would have reached down
wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes onto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm
So I will, I'll praise Him, right in the middle of THIS storm. I'll raise my hands and PRAISE the God who gives, and takes away; because my help comes from the LORD. Even though I barely hear Him whisper through the rain, 'I'm with you', I will not doubt! I CHOOSE to believe Him and worship Him for His majesty, in spite of my circumstances!!
__________________________________________________
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