Counting on God

Yesterday was a day of mixed emotions.  Facebook statuses revealed that some people are elated to have Barak Obama as our next president, while others can't believe God would allow Obama in the highest office.  I had great conversations over breakfast and lunch with a couple of different friends, but in between talked with a wife who is going through horrible marital difficulties.  Of course, several other things happened during my day - some of which made me feel joy and others that left me bewildered. 

I think January is one of the hardest months to live through.  I blogged last year about the rise in depressed people during the winter months.  This past week we've had 3 people (ranging from a 14-year-old girl to an 80something-year-old woman) in our church family pass away.  One of the leaders I work with at New Covenant unexpectedly lost his job.  Lots of people seem to be facing physical issues.  It seems that if "life is hard," January only compounds the difficulty.

I've been listening a lot to the latest CD of worship music to come out of New Life Church in Colorado Springs, CO.  They are the church that in 2006 had to release their senior pastor after a sex scandal.  A year later they endured a shooting on their property.  And now they are about to be chastised in a documentary film.  That's a lot for a church family to go through.

That's why their latest worship CD is so powerful.  It is called "Counting on God."  The words of the opening song have been stuck in my head for weeks.

So after talking with a hurting wife yesterday, seeing the various reactions to Obama's swearing in, and thinking about the difficult situations many people find themselves in right now, I thought I'd share the lyrics here in hopes that they might encourage someone to keep trusting God through whatever it is they are facing.

VERSE
I'm in a fight not physical
And I'm in a war 
But not with this world
You are the light that's beautiful
And I want more 
I want all that's Yours

PRE-CHORUS
Joy unspeakable that won't go away
Just enough strength 
To live for today
So I never have to worry 
What tomorrow will bring
'Cause my faith is on solid rock
I'm counting on God

CHORUS
I'm counting on 
I'm counting on God (repeat 3x)

BRIDGE
The miracle of Christ in me
Is the mystery that sets me free
I'm nothing like I used to be
Open up your eyes you'll see


Words by Jared Anderson
© 2007 Vertical Worship Songs

From the Album "Counting on God" by New Life Worship

The Fuzzy Life of Michael Clayton and Me

Last night, LeAnn and I watched Michael Clayton as part of our weekly date night. Other than the crude language, I thought the movie was absolutely excellent. A very fine film.

One of the techniques the directors and screen writers used effectively was what I'm going to call the "fuzzy" technique. Not fuzzy like a teddy bear. Fuzzy as in "hazy, difficult to see or perceive clearly." The overall film, like many good flicks, is "fuzzy" throughout, but slowly begins to crystalize and become clear by films end. However, there were many smaller fuzzy moments. From the very opening scene which leaves you a bit confused and lost, various parts begin to take shape and make sense. It was sort of like a puzzle that has many different elements in its image - each section of the puzzle begins to make sense as you put it together, and as each portion comes together, the whole puzzle moves from fuzziness to clarity.

I've notice that God sometimes does this in life. As I read through Genesis right now, I see God giving "fuzzy" moments to some of our ancient heroes of the faith:

• I expect life seemed fuzzy to Abraham and Sarah as they aged with no son being born to them like God kept promising.
• I'm sure it did not make sense when God told Abraham to sacrifice Isaac, the promised son.
• I'm confident Joseph felt life was quite fuzzy while sitting in prison when he thought God was going to have his brothers bow down before him as told to him through dreams.

While serving as the worship director at a church in the Denver, Colorado area, I felt God calling me into a more pastoral role. But the picture was fuzzy. I knew it was to be in the midwest. I wanted to be part of a church staff that had a strong team. I didn't want to be the "lead" guy, but I knew I needed to teach, counsel, and lead others. And I didn't think any church would hire me without a seminary degree, but I clearly felt God saying not to complete my degree. Things were VERY fuzzy, to say the least.

But everything crystalized. I am now the young adult pastor at a fantastic church in the midwest where the Equipping Staff isn't just a team, but family. I have had many opportunities to teach the Scriptures, to counsel young adults, and lead various ministry teams. And while I still desire to go to seminary, I am growing, learning, and being used by God in the lives of others.

I find this memory immensely helpful as I find myself in another fuzzy situation. Right now in one particular arena of life, a lot doesn't make sense. I keep trying to figure it out, seek counsel from trusted friends, read the Scriptures and other books, and pray about it. But just as I think something is beginning to crystalize, the fuzziness returns.

Do you find yourself in the midst of a fuzzy situation? Maybe it's your job. Maybe it's in a relationship. Maybe it's in your identity. Maybe it's in a specific ministry role. I don't know where it is. But I do know this - God is not surprised at your "fuzziness". And it isn't fuzzy to Him. He sees exactly what is going on, what will be accomplished through this time, and where you will end up.

I can't guarantee that everything will make sense in the end, but usually God allows us to emerge from the fog and see things clearly. Because when that light goes on in the dark of our minds and we see clearly, we can't help but be in awe of God and His plan and worship Him for His sovereignty.

"For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known." 1 Corinthians 13:12 (English Standard Version)

Valentine's Gala

If you are married or engaged, are in your 20s or 30s, and live in the Cedar Rapids area, then consider coming to the annual Valentine's Gala. It's only one month away! It will be a wonderful evening for you and your spouse to dress up (time to put on that tie, gentlemen!), enjoy some appetizers and dessert while listening to live music in a cool venue, and spend an evening celebrating your marriage (or future marriage!). Consider going out for a nice dinner beforehand, secure a babysitter now (if you need one), and buy something special for your spouse to give to them at the end of the evening.

But don't just think of yourselves! The Gala will also be a great event to invite some non-church friends from work or your neighborhood. Allow them to enjoy the evening and celebrate their relationship as well!

Here are the nitty-gritty details for the Gala as being sent out by the sponsoring group (the Marriage Matters ABF (Adult Bible Fellowship) from New Covenant:

Date: Saturday, February 14th
Time: 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: ara Gallery (located near the NE/Marion Carlos O'Kelly's)
Tickets: $25/couple
Attire: Cocktail (What is "cocktail attire"?)

Live music is provided. As are appetizers and dessert. There will be door prizes to help you invest in your marriage. Tickets will be available to NCBC attenders and their friends starting Sunday, January 18th. Starting February 1st, remaining tickets will be available to the 20-30-something general public. Space is limited, so get your tickets quickly!

Let me "Send U It"

Austin Spooner just told me about this little web gem: SendUIt.

Hope you find it as helpful as I expect to!

Miscellaneous Thoughts

• I'm frustrated with Safari right now. Ever since upgrading to Mac OS 15.5.6, Safari on my MacBook Pro won't keep me logged in on any site, which basically makes Facebook, Gmail, Blogger, SXC, and other sites requiring you to be logged in basically useless. The Apple Discussion Forums reveal others are experiencing the same thing I am. I've switched to Firefox for the time being, but to me, Firefox seems a bit slower and bloated compared to Safari. (Safari works just fine on my iMac at home, which also is at 10.5.6 - go figure...)
  
• The water bottles were a hit last night at Celebrate! Glad I got to contribute the logo that went on them.
• Need to work through GTD again...
• Can't decide if I'll stick with Things (it's now out of Beta, so I have to pay for it), or go with Reqall.
  
• As a Christian nerd, I am thrilled to find this page, and yet scared and overwhelmed by it all at the same time...
• Been enjoying Matt Chandler's sermons lately...
• Tried a new podcast that combined faith and Mac computers, interviewed "famous" Christians using Macs, gave the latest insights or tips on Mac or iPhone usage. I was all excited when I downloaded it - and it was the worst podcast I've ever heard in my life. I couldn't even last 2 minutes - and I'm an extremely patient and grace-filled guy! When I could do a better podcast, you know it has to be bad...
  
• For the first time in my life, I'm going to read through the entire Bible in a year. Was going to use YouVersion, but I really like sitting down with a paper copy of the Bible, so I'm planning to use the "Tommy Nelson Method" of reading the Bible in one year. Simply see how many pages your Bible has, then divide by 365. The answer is the number of pages you are to read each day. Mine is about 3.5.
• I have a horrible long-term memory. I'm getting friend requests on Facebook from people I went to high school and college with, and I'm struggling to remember who they are. It's embarassing. I can remember someone's name I met last week just fine, but someone I grew up with is like a stranger to me.
• Speaking of forgetting, I had one more thing I was going to put on here, but I've forgotten...
  

What a Celebration!

Last night New Covenant had their 2nd annual "Celebrate!" night. And wow - what a celebration!

2008 was a hard year - floods, closing the Wash campus, pushing back our building project, and more. Yet it was so evident last night that God has been working in our church family! The highlight for me was hearing the testimonies of the Olsens and the Novaks, and how God has so completely changed their lives through Christ. I found myself praying that we would have tons more stories like these in 2009.

I also loved the PowerPoint and time-lapse video that let our church family see the incredible work our volunteers put in at the Wash Campus. I will miss the Wash campus, but I'm looking forward to connecting more with people at our 46th St. Campus, especially in the ABFs (Adult Bible Fellowships) I oversee.

(Speaking of ABFs, we will be launching a new ABF targeting unmarried twentysomethings (but anyone else is welcome to join us!) on March 1. I'll share more about it on here, so if you are a single young adult, or know one, keep watching for more info.)

Last night was wonderful. God was praised - as it should be. It is such a joy to get to be a part of something where He is obviously choosing to work. My prayer is that He would do even more than we could ever imagine in 2009!

New Issue of The Connection

I just finished up another issue of our young adult newsletter "The Connection".  This quarter's issue focuses on New Covenant's mission of developing "caring community members".  Kristin Snodgrass has written an excellent article with helpful suggestions on how to show care to someone who has gone through a difficult time based on her family's own life experience.  You also get a chance to meet a Jeremiah and Rebecca Inwards.  And finally there is an announcement about the annual Valentine's Gala.

Hope you enjoy Issue 5 (Winter 2009) of The Connection.