Surrender. Trust. Peace beyond understanding.
As I will soon embark on a new course of study, I still don't know quite where that will lead me. Don't get me wrong - I'm not going into this totally blind, either. Will this lead to a new career? Will I go on to seminary? Get a CPE or MDiv degree? Will I be back in the choir at Central again? Only to leave again? What will I be doing a year from now? Five years? Ten years? I honestly don't know. But strangely enough, I'm not the least bit anxious about it, either.
This thing they call peace beyond understanding? I've got that right now. It just feels right. There is a path for me right now - it just hasn't been revealed to me yet and it won't be until the time is fulfilled. It's as if I'm strapping myself in and waiting for the ride to start. No problem...God's got this.
11 January 2014
09 January 2014
Chaplain's Log: 9 January 2014
Sacrifice. Sometimes the things in life require it.
When I was a freshman in college, a friend of mine (Chris) helped me to discover that I actually had a pretty decent singing voice. I eventually came to believe that myself as I allowed my skills to be honed under the direction of a series of brilliant conductors who taught was well as they led. I never would have guessed then the doors that would open up to me. Besides having fun and making new friends along the way, it brought me other opportunities such as international travel, marriage, and - most important - a relationship with Jesus Christ.
My singing brought me to Central United Methodist Church in 1992. With the exception of one year at Trinity United Methodist Church I sung there for over 21 years. Intertwined with that I also sang with our church praise band, in the ASU Choral Union, and was a charter member of the Phoenix Symphony Chorus where I sang for three or four years. At one time I figured I'd keep singing in the choir as long as there was breath in my lungs.
Then came my calling into the ministry. I ignored it at first. Then I could no longer ignore it. I knew it would take me away from the choir someday. I kind of dreaded that. I prayed on it a lot. Could I make the sacrifice?
As it became more clear to me that pursuit of my ministry efforts was not going to happen within the confines of United Methodist polity, I began to despair somewhat. But things became more obvious to me as I was being beckoned elsewhere.
I went to visit Pure Heart Christian Fellowship a few times during the summer of 2012; I found the worship and message quite refreshing. I was away from there for over a year when I was beckoned back. And then I learned that they have a chaplain program - and even held a chaplain school on their campus to prepare them. I had found my "Macedonia" (Acts 16:10) And I came to sense that the place I had been could no longer contain my spiritual needs.
I have now joined the Pure Heart family and in seven days I begin my chaplain training course. The time conflicts with choir rehearsal at Central, and so the time has come to move on. Christmas Eve services were my last performance at Central. I will fondly remember my many years in the choir and I am told that I will be missed. But I knew this day would come, and those who know me well enough know - as I certainly do - that this is where I now belong.
This is my sacrifice...and I'm okay with it. Excited and joyful, even.
When I was a freshman in college, a friend of mine (Chris) helped me to discover that I actually had a pretty decent singing voice. I eventually came to believe that myself as I allowed my skills to be honed under the direction of a series of brilliant conductors who taught was well as they led. I never would have guessed then the doors that would open up to me. Besides having fun and making new friends along the way, it brought me other opportunities such as international travel, marriage, and - most important - a relationship with Jesus Christ.
My singing brought me to Central United Methodist Church in 1992. With the exception of one year at Trinity United Methodist Church I sung there for over 21 years. Intertwined with that I also sang with our church praise band, in the ASU Choral Union, and was a charter member of the Phoenix Symphony Chorus where I sang for three or four years. At one time I figured I'd keep singing in the choir as long as there was breath in my lungs.
Then came my calling into the ministry. I ignored it at first. Then I could no longer ignore it. I knew it would take me away from the choir someday. I kind of dreaded that. I prayed on it a lot. Could I make the sacrifice?
As it became more clear to me that pursuit of my ministry efforts was not going to happen within the confines of United Methodist polity, I began to despair somewhat. But things became more obvious to me as I was being beckoned elsewhere.
I went to visit Pure Heart Christian Fellowship a few times during the summer of 2012; I found the worship and message quite refreshing. I was away from there for over a year when I was beckoned back. And then I learned that they have a chaplain program - and even held a chaplain school on their campus to prepare them. I had found my "Macedonia" (Acts 16:10) And I came to sense that the place I had been could no longer contain my spiritual needs.
I have now joined the Pure Heart family and in seven days I begin my chaplain training course. The time conflicts with choir rehearsal at Central, and so the time has come to move on. Christmas Eve services were my last performance at Central. I will fondly remember my many years in the choir and I am told that I will be missed. But I knew this day would come, and those who know me well enough know - as I certainly do - that this is where I now belong.
This is my sacrifice...and I'm okay with it. Excited and joyful, even.
07 January 2014
Chaplain's Log: 7 January 2014
A few years ago - when I was especially vulnerable to the prompting of the Holy Spirit - I awoke to a voice that stirred my very soul. Though there was no other person in the house, the message was as clear as was the One who sent it. Only these three words were uttered: Embrace your cross.
It was not long after that day when I finally accepted the call into ministry (yes, I had been called before but, like so many others, I chose to ignore/deny it). Despite that call, however, it has not been easy to get that particular rocket "off the launch pad" as it were. As it turns out, I was going about it all wrong.
I compare my experience to that of the Apostle Paul, who himself was pursuing his call in ministry. Believing he was being sent to the province of Asia to share the gospel, he faced one obstacle after another until he finally was led to Macedonia - where God intended. (Acts 16:6-10) It was not his intentions that were wrong - it was his direction.
I have faced obstacles in my own ministry pursuit - some out of my control, some of it my own fault. I had allowed disappointment to misguide me from grasping a goal I hoped to reach. However I have been pushed and pulled into a new direction, and I believe now that I have finally arrived at my own "Macedonia."
At last the next chapter of my life is on the launch pad, fully-fueled and counting down to launch. Next week I will be starting my education toward my ministry goals by attending chaplain school. It is not a full-fledged seminary but it is a start nonetheless.
So here we go...
It was not long after that day when I finally accepted the call into ministry (yes, I had been called before but, like so many others, I chose to ignore/deny it). Despite that call, however, it has not been easy to get that particular rocket "off the launch pad" as it were. As it turns out, I was going about it all wrong.
I compare my experience to that of the Apostle Paul, who himself was pursuing his call in ministry. Believing he was being sent to the province of Asia to share the gospel, he faced one obstacle after another until he finally was led to Macedonia - where God intended. (Acts 16:6-10) It was not his intentions that were wrong - it was his direction.
I have faced obstacles in my own ministry pursuit - some out of my control, some of it my own fault. I had allowed disappointment to misguide me from grasping a goal I hoped to reach. However I have been pushed and pulled into a new direction, and I believe now that I have finally arrived at my own "Macedonia."
At last the next chapter of my life is on the launch pad, fully-fueled and counting down to launch. Next week I will be starting my education toward my ministry goals by attending chaplain school. It is not a full-fledged seminary but it is a start nonetheless.
So here we go...
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