During the month of March, Grace Family Church is doing a series entitled, "I'm Afraid of ________." This week was "I'm Afraid of Failure." I filled my bulletin with a lot of tidbits from the sermon, so I thought I would share them.
To hear the full message, go to http://bit.ly/fRKps4. The link should be up and working Monday.
* Failure is not a person but an event.
* The question isn't will we fail, but how will we handle it when we do.
* "I'd rather fail at doing something great, than succeed at doing nothing."
* We can't let our past failures define who we are.
* Failure is NOT final. God is not finished with you.
* Fear of failure will keep you from experiencing what God has for you.
* You may gave given up on yourself, but God hasn't given up on you.
Hope this is an encouragement to you as it was for me.
"Though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again." Proverbs 24:16a
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Saturday, March 5, 2011
A Proud Wife
Last weekend Josh preached at our church's main weekend services. He did a great job! He preached from a passage in Jonah. Below is the link to hear his whole sermon. He preached the message 3 times in the course of 18 hours. WOW! Let's just say I would dig my own grave and die before attempting that.
http://bit.ly/gD5ifb
I am so proud of my husband. He is a great spiritual leader for me, and I know that one day, he will be an outstanding leader for our family. He seeks God first and aims to please Him above all else. In the past 8 years that I've known him, he has been committed to following God's will for his life and that has led him to 4 different states and 4 different ministry positions. I know that God has been preparing him along the way to take on more and more responsibility. He may be an unlikely candidate (a farm boy from Virginia) to preach God's words to thousands of people, but God uses those who surrender themselves to him.
http://bit.ly/gD5ifb
I am so proud of my husband. He is a great spiritual leader for me, and I know that one day, he will be an outstanding leader for our family. He seeks God first and aims to please Him above all else. In the past 8 years that I've known him, he has been committed to following God's will for his life and that has led him to 4 different states and 4 different ministry positions. I know that God has been preparing him along the way to take on more and more responsibility. He may be an unlikely candidate (a farm boy from Virginia) to preach God's words to thousands of people, but God uses those who surrender themselves to him.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Frustrated
Today has been one of those terrible, horrible, no good, very bad days. Ok, well it hasn't been horrible I guess, but it hasn't been the best either. It all started when I was headed out of the apartment to go to school, late at that. I have a 45 minute drive, so I have no room to be late. As I was walking out the door, equipped with my 50 lb. backpack, another bag for books, my gym bag, lunchbox and coffee, Roddick (our black lab) decided this would be a great time for him to get a run in. So, he bolted out the door. Usually he will come back when you call him or at when you promise him food, but today when I asked him to come back in, he looked at me and headed the opposite direction. By the time I had dropped all of my crap (oops, stuff), he was already half way around the apartment complex. Thankfully, a kind neighbor grabbed his collar until I could make my way to him. The weird thing is that Roddick is not a runner. He loves to be home, with us and when we had a yard, all he wanted to do was lay by the door until we let him back in. But he hates this apartment; he hates dogs barking at him all the time, he hates the cramped space, and he hates being left home alone for an extended period of time. I think he was just trying to escape the apartment and wanted me to come with him. So that is how my day started...
The day only continued to get worse as I was 5 minutes late to class and had to walk in in front of everybody. Then while I was in class I got 2 emails that I have been waiting to receive for weeks. Since transferring to Stetson, I have been anxious to find out what credits were going to transfer from UK. Of course, I had a plan if it was not what I hoped and it was not. I received 36 transfer credits, meaning I lost 8 in the move from UK. Two of my classes I took last semester didn't count at all. For those of you who are in school, you know how precious those credits are. Not only am I now going to have to take summer classes, but I am also going to have to take out an additional loan and try not to dwell on the fact that 1/2 of my work last semester didn't count for anything.
My second email was from a professor who had requested a Research Assistant to help her with an adoption law project. I was very excited about this opportunity because I want to go into adoption law. So I submitted my application with high hopes and I prayed that God would grant me this desire. The networking possibilities would be great, the extra income would be great, and the job would go into the summer. But alas, I was not chosen. This morning I had prayed that God would provide news on these two things and He did, it just wasn't what I wanted to hear.
"And we know that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8: 28
We trusted God's call to move to Tampa; we trusted him with our finances, we trusted him with out future, and we trusted him with my law career. Now I just have to patient and wait for him to work it all out.
The day only continued to get worse as I was 5 minutes late to class and had to walk in in front of everybody. Then while I was in class I got 2 emails that I have been waiting to receive for weeks. Since transferring to Stetson, I have been anxious to find out what credits were going to transfer from UK. Of course, I had a plan if it was not what I hoped and it was not. I received 36 transfer credits, meaning I lost 8 in the move from UK. Two of my classes I took last semester didn't count at all. For those of you who are in school, you know how precious those credits are. Not only am I now going to have to take summer classes, but I am also going to have to take out an additional loan and try not to dwell on the fact that 1/2 of my work last semester didn't count for anything.
My second email was from a professor who had requested a Research Assistant to help her with an adoption law project. I was very excited about this opportunity because I want to go into adoption law. So I submitted my application with high hopes and I prayed that God would grant me this desire. The networking possibilities would be great, the extra income would be great, and the job would go into the summer. But alas, I was not chosen. This morning I had prayed that God would provide news on these two things and He did, it just wasn't what I wanted to hear.
"And we know that all things work together for the good of those that love God and are called according to His purpose." Romans 8: 28
We trusted God's call to move to Tampa; we trusted him with our finances, we trusted him with out future, and we trusted him with my law career. Now I just have to patient and wait for him to work it all out.
"I Have a Voice"
The blog is going through yet another transformation, which I think is only fitting that the blog display the changes in my life. Josh has started his own website (www.joshhawk.com), which you should definitely check out! Since he has made the transition from couple blogging, I felt like it was only fair that I do the same. It's not like this was ever really a couple blog anyway, unless you count Josh's 3 contributions!
In addition to this blog being authored by me alone, there will also be a change in content. After I started this blog a couple of years ago, I was always worried that no one would read it or that nobody cared about following what we were doing. The same was true in my life. For the past couple of years, I have felt somewhat invisible. I have realized that I have been content to live in my husband's shadow because I thought nobody cared what I had to say. You still may not care, but I am going to share anyway because I have discovered that I too have a voice.
For those of you who saw "The King's Speech," you will remember the scene in which a stuttering King George VI (Colin Firth) yells at his therapist (Geoffrey Rush) after having been asked why he was in the therapist's office, "Because I have a right to be heard. I have a voice." That scene is so powerful to me because not only did I realize that I have a voice, but that everybody has the right to be heard. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where some voices are louder than others. Those voices drown out the voices of injustice and discrimination and because of those thundering voices, many choose to remain silent.
I am not going to use this blog to make a political statement (well not often), but rather I am going to speak what is on my heart. I have found that it is not in who listens or reads my thoughts, but the importance is that I fight the comfort of invisibility and use my voice. So this blog will be a journal of sorts, though not that personal, a way for me to find my voice. If you choose to listen, I will be honored; if you don't, I will speak still.
In addition to this blog being authored by me alone, there will also be a change in content. After I started this blog a couple of years ago, I was always worried that no one would read it or that nobody cared about following what we were doing. The same was true in my life. For the past couple of years, I have felt somewhat invisible. I have realized that I have been content to live in my husband's shadow because I thought nobody cared what I had to say. You still may not care, but I am going to share anyway because I have discovered that I too have a voice.
For those of you who saw "The King's Speech," you will remember the scene in which a stuttering King George VI (Colin Firth) yells at his therapist (Geoffrey Rush) after having been asked why he was in the therapist's office, "Because I have a right to be heard. I have a voice." That scene is so powerful to me because not only did I realize that I have a voice, but that everybody has the right to be heard. Unfortunately, we live in a culture where some voices are louder than others. Those voices drown out the voices of injustice and discrimination and because of those thundering voices, many choose to remain silent.
I am not going to use this blog to make a political statement (well not often), but rather I am going to speak what is on my heart. I have found that it is not in who listens or reads my thoughts, but the importance is that I fight the comfort of invisibility and use my voice. So this blog will be a journal of sorts, though not that personal, a way for me to find my voice. If you choose to listen, I will be honored; if you don't, I will speak still.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Sweet Little Avery Grace
This little girl is our friends, E.T. and Becky's daughter. She was born with a rare form of dwarfism that didn't allow her to survive more than a few days. I wanted to share their story of hope and faith and pray it impacts you as it has me. E.T. is Josh's friend from high school, where they were on a wrestling team together. We have kept up over the years and were thrilled to hear that they were expecting. A few months after they found out about their baby, the doctors discovered that she would be born with a rare disease, a form of dwarfism. Throughout the pregnancy, they were both so strong and Becky often posted on her facebook page that they were lifting up little Avery in prayer for healing. It seemed they were ready and prepared to handle whatever surgeries that Avery would face and the difficulties of raising a special needs child. There strength and optimism spoke volumes into my own life as they were facing such an uphill battle yet they were able to live in such joy.
Avery Grace Coley was born on Wednesday, February 9, 2011. It became evident that they had a more serious form of dwarfism than the doctors first thought. As time passed, it became clear that Avery wouldn't spend very many days on this earth. On Saturday, February 12 she left this world of pain and suffering and went to dance with her Lord. It is in times like these that it is so hard to understand God's plan, but Eric and Becky have been able to continue to live in joy. As Becky said in a note about Avery's life, she impacted so many in such a short amount of time. God's plans are not ours, his plans are higher than our plans, his thoughts higher than are thoughts. Even though Eric and Becky are living in the love of their Savior, I know they are struggling to make peace with the loss of their little girl. This morning in church, we sang "You're Amazing God," and as I was singing, I began to cry. I began to cry for Eric and Becky and the tremendous grief they must be feeling. This is my prayer for the Coleys and anybody else who encounters tremendous tragedy in this life. Although we suffer tragedy, we can triumph because our God is Amazing and cares about us enough to provide peace through our times of suffering.
You're Amazing God, Your'e Amazing God
You can bear the weight of every heavy heart
You can heal the pain, You can clean the stain
You can turn our tears into songs of praise
You're Amazing God
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Easy No More
I have decided I cannot stand the phrase, "It's just easier." The sad thing is all of us (including myself) sometimes choose the easiest route instead of the most effective one. When stuck between doing something hard that could be way more effective and bring God glory in the process or taking the easy way out, we bail! We bail and then wonder why our lives, ministries, and home lives are ineffective.
I admit I have lead out of this philosophy. In fact I did recently. I was staring this exact dilemma in the face when an employee said, "it will just be easier if we do this," and I caved. I could've said, "No, I asked for this to happen and even though it's gonna be harder, I know that it will affect and touch way more lives." I caved and bailed on an awesome idea! I have done this in coaching as well. There were times where it was just easier to let the runner who needed to be disciplined, get away with murder, because we needed his score to count.
Lets be honest, sometimes hearing, "it will be easier" because then we won't have to do this, this, and this is a relief because I know whoever I'm working with is happy and satisfied not having to go the extra mile and sometimes that's just easier to manage. But what if this, this, and this, would have been incredible? I just missed out on some amazing blessings because instead of leading, I just went along with it and said "whatever is going to be easier on you." I hate that mentality and never want to lead or think like that again!
I think God has called us to more than just the "easy thing," especially in ministry! So many churches and pastors just want to get by and take the "easy" route instead of the "harder" one, and look at how many are ineffective because of it. May God forgive me for taking the "easy" route. I don't want to ever say "if it's easier then do it," again! If the easiest route is the best solution, then that's fine. But may we get to a point where when faced to choose between the easy and the hard, even though the hard route may take more time, more energy, bigger resources, or even having to PLAN AHEAD, may we not just toss it aside for something that may work but is ineffective in the touching and reaching lives because we just wanted it to be "easy".
So I'm through with the saying, "It's just easier," and maybe by taking this mentality, I will be a better man. Even it makes life a little harder, I will be a better leader, leading a more effective and satisfied team because we will be able to look back and know we conquered what some never could because they took the "easy way".
I admit I have lead out of this philosophy. In fact I did recently. I was staring this exact dilemma in the face when an employee said, "it will just be easier if we do this," and I caved. I could've said, "No, I asked for this to happen and even though it's gonna be harder, I know that it will affect and touch way more lives." I caved and bailed on an awesome idea! I have done this in coaching as well. There were times where it was just easier to let the runner who needed to be disciplined, get away with murder, because we needed his score to count.
Lets be honest, sometimes hearing, "it will be easier" because then we won't have to do this, this, and this is a relief because I know whoever I'm working with is happy and satisfied not having to go the extra mile and sometimes that's just easier to manage. But what if this, this, and this, would have been incredible? I just missed out on some amazing blessings because instead of leading, I just went along with it and said "whatever is going to be easier on you." I hate that mentality and never want to lead or think like that again!
I think God has called us to more than just the "easy thing," especially in ministry! So many churches and pastors just want to get by and take the "easy" route instead of the "harder" one, and look at how many are ineffective because of it. May God forgive me for taking the "easy" route. I don't want to ever say "if it's easier then do it," again! If the easiest route is the best solution, then that's fine. But may we get to a point where when faced to choose between the easy and the hard, even though the hard route may take more time, more energy, bigger resources, or even having to PLAN AHEAD, may we not just toss it aside for something that may work but is ineffective in the touching and reaching lives because we just wanted it to be "easy".
So I'm through with the saying, "It's just easier," and maybe by taking this mentality, I will be a better man. Even it makes life a little harder, I will be a better leader, leading a more effective and satisfied team because we will be able to look back and know we conquered what some never could because they took the "easy way".
Thursday, January 27, 2011
4 Weeks In
So as most of you know, Ashley and I have begun our new journey at Grace Family Church in Tampa FL! It has been an incredible time of renewing, awaking, and much needed fresh fire for our souls! So I wanted to take a few moments today to reflect on our first sermon series, "The Earthshaking Life" and to write about how God has been showing Himself to us since our move to Florida, four weeks in.
4 weeks in...
...How awesome it is to have an amazing pastor and people who believe in you and want the best for you. Pastor Craig is not just a pastor HE is MY pastor. I love listening and learning from Craig. He is genuine and truly cares about his staff, his vision for the church and my family. It is an honor to serve under him along with all the other pastors at GFC. They all are truly making me a better pastor and a better man.
4 weeks in...
... We had over 50 students give their hearts and lives to Christ over the past 4 weeks and THAT my friends is the most awesome thing EVER! I love seeing lives be transformed! May my heart for seeing peoples lives being renewed ALWAYS be at the forefront of my ministry, ALWAYS! If the ministry I lead is a holy huddle and not a life saving crew then there is a problem! Our leaders and students know that our services are for the sick AND the healthy. They can bring people in their lives who are in need of the great physician and also know that they are going to get a check up each week as well!
4 weeks in...
... God places us exactly where we need to be. Everyday He continues to confirm in my heart a spirit of settling. Not the type of settling where you stop doing great things for God and settle to just be. But the type of settling He told Jeremiah when he said, "Build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their produce. Take a wife and have sons and daughters... seek the welfare of the city where I HAVE SENT YOU... pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Never before have I felt such a call to stay and settle. I walk out and feel God is saying, "this is a place I designed for you and Ashley, plant yourself here, I'm through moving you, seek the welfare of the students and high schools. With the people you come in contact, build relationships, teach them and lead them to me". I was talking to my Sis-in-law Rachel the other day, and I compared this feeling to the feeling I had when I met Ashley. I told her how after Ashley and I had been dating for about ten months, I realized that was the longest I had ever dated anyone and I wasn't tired of her! Basically, every girl I had dated before her, after 6 months or so, I got tired of, but God had placed this desire for me to pursue ASHLEY! EVEN WHEN IT GOT HARD!! This is the same feeling and desire I can tell God is placing in my heart for Tampa and GFC and I can't wait to see what He does with this!
4 weeks in...
... I could go on and on, but one OF THE BIGGEST BLESSINGS has been that Ashley LOVES our church! In fact last week after an amazing worship service that Pastor Allen and the worship team at GFC poured their hearts into, she said after the first service, "I think I'm just going to stay for the second service instead of going home so I can hear the worship again!" I LOVE THIS! It floored me! When your wife is excited about where God has you, then watch out, GREAT things will happen!
Four weeks in, God is doing some amazing things and we are so thankful and humbled to be apart of this amazing journey! Everyday I say, "Who am I" and everyday He say's, "You are my child"!
Thank you God for saving me and making me your child. I am truly blessed to be able to live this journey out with YOU!
4 weeks in...
...How awesome it is to have an amazing pastor and people who believe in you and want the best for you. Pastor Craig is not just a pastor HE is MY pastor. I love listening and learning from Craig. He is genuine and truly cares about his staff, his vision for the church and my family. It is an honor to serve under him along with all the other pastors at GFC. They all are truly making me a better pastor and a better man.
4 weeks in...
... We had over 50 students give their hearts and lives to Christ over the past 4 weeks and THAT my friends is the most awesome thing EVER! I love seeing lives be transformed! May my heart for seeing peoples lives being renewed ALWAYS be at the forefront of my ministry, ALWAYS! If the ministry I lead is a holy huddle and not a life saving crew then there is a problem! Our leaders and students know that our services are for the sick AND the healthy. They can bring people in their lives who are in need of the great physician and also know that they are going to get a check up each week as well!
4 weeks in...
... God places us exactly where we need to be. Everyday He continues to confirm in my heart a spirit of settling. Not the type of settling where you stop doing great things for God and settle to just be. But the type of settling He told Jeremiah when he said, "Build houses and live in them, plant gardens and eat their produce. Take a wife and have sons and daughters... seek the welfare of the city where I HAVE SENT YOU... pray to the LORD on its behalf, for in its welfare you will find your welfare" (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Never before have I felt such a call to stay and settle. I walk out and feel God is saying, "this is a place I designed for you and Ashley, plant yourself here, I'm through moving you, seek the welfare of the students and high schools. With the people you come in contact, build relationships, teach them and lead them to me". I was talking to my Sis-in-law Rachel the other day, and I compared this feeling to the feeling I had when I met Ashley. I told her how after Ashley and I had been dating for about ten months, I realized that was the longest I had ever dated anyone and I wasn't tired of her! Basically, every girl I had dated before her, after 6 months or so, I got tired of, but God had placed this desire for me to pursue ASHLEY! EVEN WHEN IT GOT HARD!! This is the same feeling and desire I can tell God is placing in my heart for Tampa and GFC and I can't wait to see what He does with this!
4 weeks in...
... I could go on and on, but one OF THE BIGGEST BLESSINGS has been that Ashley LOVES our church! In fact last week after an amazing worship service that Pastor Allen and the worship team at GFC poured their hearts into, she said after the first service, "I think I'm just going to stay for the second service instead of going home so I can hear the worship again!" I LOVE THIS! It floored me! When your wife is excited about where God has you, then watch out, GREAT things will happen!
Four weeks in, God is doing some amazing things and we are so thankful and humbled to be apart of this amazing journey! Everyday I say, "Who am I" and everyday He say's, "You are my child"!
Thank you God for saving me and making me your child. I am truly blessed to be able to live this journey out with YOU!
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