John 4
When we have an encounter with Jesus, He calls us out of the ordinary life and into an extraordinary life with Him. So it was with the Samaritan woman at the well. He waited for her, challenged her on her sin, reminded her of her inherited faith, and engaged her in conversation that pointed towards the Messiah. When He revealed who He was to her, she left to tell the town of whom she had encountered.
She left behind her water jar.
She left behind the ordinary.
She encountered something extraordinary.
She changed an entire community.
She left behind her water jar.
Perhaps she picked it up again at some point.
Life had to go on as normal.
But everyday as she went to draw water,
she remembered the Master who promised streams,
streams of living water.
Have you had an encounter with Jesus that stops you in your tracks? Have you left behind the ordinary, mundane things of life to tell others about Him and find out who He is for yourself?
Jesus takes our ordinary lives and transforms them into the extraordinary.
Wait. Challenge. Remind. Reveal. Transform.
Grace & Peace
August 21, 2011
August 15, 2011
Embracing Fall.
I just spent the last three hours trying to find my password and login to this blog so that I could write a memoir of what God has done in these last few months. Now that it is 10:41pm and I've become an old woman, my bed time is approaching quickly. So I'll leave you with a "quick" summary. LOL. Me write anything quick?
In the Spring, I felt completely overwhelmed by life's busy schedule. I couldn't find a minute to breathe, let alone pray. My life was consumed with work and ministry. My work was getting accomplished, my ministry was falling apart. Quite simply. I was exhausted. It's not that I was "burnt out" on ministry as many would say, O contrary. I was more in the place that I was determined to do anything to make it all work and it...just...didn't. I am humbled to say it, but I relied on my own strength and my own ability to make it all happen. In brokenness and sleepless nights, and through many tears later, I found a word that brought me the greatest JOY and the biggest sense of RESTORATION.
The word was simple: SURRENDER.
Sounds like a scary word to some, maybe an easy word to others, but to me it was LIFE. I laid my schedule and my life once again at the Master's Feet.
"Here Jesus. I surrender. If you want my Job #1, I'll quit it. If you want my job #2, I'll give it up. If you want my ministry, I'll surrender it."
Hey Kelly, Jesus called. He said it's His Church and it's His Ministry and you can trust Him with it now. He's been working on your behalf since the first day you chose to surrender. Be patient. Be still. God's about to do something that will blow your mind.
One month after my last day with my loved family at Dahlonega Assembly, I got an opportunity to take a group of teenagers to Washington DC to do missions. The things I saw and experienced reminded me to love again. The homeless, the broken, the less fortunate. The kids. The teenagers. Jesus. Seeds of love and moments of renewal awakened my soul once again to the deep calling God has placed within me.
That week in DC changed the students life, but it changed my life every bit as much. I have learned so many things about myself and about my Creator in this season of transition. He's my all in all. The very breath that gives me life.
One week after we got back from DC, the Elder board at NewSong Community Church asked me if I would like the opportunity to pastor part time with the very same students I worked with in DC. Me? I prayed about it, but really, I knew before they even asked that this was God's provision. I quit Starbucks so fast, it made my head spin.
So that brings us to today. August 15th at 11:01pm. Today is my first official day as the Youth Pastor at NewSong Community Church. Today is a day of celebration and rejoicing. God has made a way, where I couldn't see a way. God has filled in the cracks and the broken places, restored my soul, renewed my strength, and now I will rise on the wings of Eagles.
The Lord's goodness and faithfulness resounds so strongly with me today. He is worthy of all Glory, Honor, and Praise. I can't do this in my own self, but the Lord will by my light and my confidence.
NewSong Youth: I love you. God's got BIG plans for your life. Let's dive into HIS Word together and be led of His Spirit to do the good things He prepared for us to do since before the creation of the world.
Dahlonega Peeps: I love you. You are family and always will be. I'm only a phone call away. Thank you for letting me pastor and celebrate victory's and persevere through trials with you. It's an honor and a blessing to know that I'm always at home with you.
Father: I am blessed to be Yours. My soul rejoices in who you are. Help me to love without measure. Open my eyes to see all that you have for our families, our church, and our communities. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of your righteousness. We love you. In Christ's most Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Together - Let's Embrace the Fall.
In the Spring, I felt completely overwhelmed by life's busy schedule. I couldn't find a minute to breathe, let alone pray. My life was consumed with work and ministry. My work was getting accomplished, my ministry was falling apart. Quite simply. I was exhausted. It's not that I was "burnt out" on ministry as many would say, O contrary. I was more in the place that I was determined to do anything to make it all work and it...just...didn't. I am humbled to say it, but I relied on my own strength and my own ability to make it all happen. In brokenness and sleepless nights, and through many tears later, I found a word that brought me the greatest JOY and the biggest sense of RESTORATION.
The word was simple: SURRENDER.
Sounds like a scary word to some, maybe an easy word to others, but to me it was LIFE. I laid my schedule and my life once again at the Master's Feet.
"Here Jesus. I surrender. If you want my Job #1, I'll quit it. If you want my job #2, I'll give it up. If you want my ministry, I'll surrender it."
Hey Kelly, Jesus called. He said it's His Church and it's His Ministry and you can trust Him with it now. He's been working on your behalf since the first day you chose to surrender. Be patient. Be still. God's about to do something that will blow your mind.
One month after my last day with my loved family at Dahlonega Assembly, I got an opportunity to take a group of teenagers to Washington DC to do missions. The things I saw and experienced reminded me to love again. The homeless, the broken, the less fortunate. The kids. The teenagers. Jesus. Seeds of love and moments of renewal awakened my soul once again to the deep calling God has placed within me.
That week in DC changed the students life, but it changed my life every bit as much. I have learned so many things about myself and about my Creator in this season of transition. He's my all in all. The very breath that gives me life.
One week after we got back from DC, the Elder board at NewSong Community Church asked me if I would like the opportunity to pastor part time with the very same students I worked with in DC. Me? I prayed about it, but really, I knew before they even asked that this was God's provision. I quit Starbucks so fast, it made my head spin.
So that brings us to today. August 15th at 11:01pm. Today is my first official day as the Youth Pastor at NewSong Community Church. Today is a day of celebration and rejoicing. God has made a way, where I couldn't see a way. God has filled in the cracks and the broken places, restored my soul, renewed my strength, and now I will rise on the wings of Eagles.
The Lord's goodness and faithfulness resounds so strongly with me today. He is worthy of all Glory, Honor, and Praise. I can't do this in my own self, but the Lord will by my light and my confidence.
NewSong Youth: I love you. God's got BIG plans for your life. Let's dive into HIS Word together and be led of His Spirit to do the good things He prepared for us to do since before the creation of the world.
Dahlonega Peeps: I love you. You are family and always will be. I'm only a phone call away. Thank you for letting me pastor and celebrate victory's and persevere through trials with you. It's an honor and a blessing to know that I'm always at home with you.
Father: I am blessed to be Yours. My soul rejoices in who you are. Help me to love without measure. Open my eyes to see all that you have for our families, our church, and our communities. Holy Spirit, lead us in the way of your righteousness. We love you. In Christ's most Holy and Precious Name. Amen.
Together - Let's Embrace the Fall.
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