Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Monday, December 10, 2012
Friday, October 19, 2012
Ukulele
I have big news... No, I'm still single. No, I'm not moving. I have now learned how to play the ukulele! Surprised? I've gotten a variety of reactions, my favorite so far was, "I'm SO not shocked that I'm ACTUALLY surprised I didn't think of it first." (Thanks B)
I've been asking God for joy and in faith and for the fruits of discipline to be a result of the power of the Holy Spirit in me!
Here's the story: I've ALWAYS been jealous of people who can play the guitar. I want so badly to be able to go away, close a door and spend time worshiping the Lord! But the several times I've tried to pick up the skill... Well lets just say I didn't get far. So I thought about it, what could I play in worship? And it hit me! Ukuleles only have 4 strings and a MUCH smaller neck! So I set out! I was astonished that as I committed the time playing to the Lord, it didn't seem tedious, but exciting! I WANTED to push, I wanted to play till my fingers hurt so I could build callouses and play even better! God gave me the discipline and desire and in only 3 weeks I had a book full of worships songs that I could play and worship with!
Three weeks in I decided it was time to buy my own. (I had borrowed a friend's). I had Christmas/birthday money saved and it only took one trip to one store to find the beautiful instrument I now call my own. I decided I needed to name it! In the midst of all the transition in life recently, our bible study dissolved. Not for ANY bad reason, it's just that transitional season of life for those of us single in our late 20's. We are just finishing studying Isaiah and I decided I wanted my uke to be named after someone in the book of Isaiah! So I chose the name: Remaliah- meaning "Yahweh Adorned"
I now worship the Lord, on Remeliah daily! Excited to finally be able to worship Him in this new way.
All glory to Him as I find joy in faith and allow the Spirit to drive my discipline!
I've been asking God for joy and in faith and for the fruits of discipline to be a result of the power of the Holy Spirit in me!
Here's the story: I've ALWAYS been jealous of people who can play the guitar. I want so badly to be able to go away, close a door and spend time worshiping the Lord! But the several times I've tried to pick up the skill... Well lets just say I didn't get far. So I thought about it, what could I play in worship? And it hit me! Ukuleles only have 4 strings and a MUCH smaller neck! So I set out! I was astonished that as I committed the time playing to the Lord, it didn't seem tedious, but exciting! I WANTED to push, I wanted to play till my fingers hurt so I could build callouses and play even better! God gave me the discipline and desire and in only 3 weeks I had a book full of worships songs that I could play and worship with!
Three weeks in I decided it was time to buy my own. (I had borrowed a friend's). I had Christmas/birthday money saved and it only took one trip to one store to find the beautiful instrument I now call my own. I decided I needed to name it! In the midst of all the transition in life recently, our bible study dissolved. Not for ANY bad reason, it's just that transitional season of life for those of us single in our late 20's. We are just finishing studying Isaiah and I decided I wanted my uke to be named after someone in the book of Isaiah! So I chose the name: Remaliah- meaning "Yahweh Adorned"
I now worship the Lord, on Remeliah daily! Excited to finally be able to worship Him in this new way.
All glory to Him as I find joy in faith and allow the Spirit to drive my discipline!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
More thoughts on discipline...
I know in January I left a VERY open ended post as I wrestled with the idea of discipline. I had some thoughts then, but many of those got put on the back burner when other areas in my life were in need of some "pruning" from the Father.
Funny that this season's learning curve started with some of the same thoughts I had in January. Discipline. How to attain it. I've tried to be a more disciplined person, in all areas of life but it seems that in a few of them (waking up in the morning, healthy eating, consistency in the Word) I really struggle! Then, through a completely separate conversation I had a "duh Laura" realization. Discipline (self control) is a Fruit of the Spirit. I realized that this idea I had been trying to attain was something I cannot "attain" in and of itself. So how do I live in the Spirit (as Galatians 5 talks about) in such a way that would result in discipline in my life? THAT seemingly simple question has challenged me to the core and as birthed only more questions about what it is that keeps me from living a life of total surrender. What keeps me from FULLY trusting the Lord?
There are lots of answers to that question, almost all of the coming back to a humanly skewed understanding of God. So I've asked "God, teach me to walk fully in you so that I disappear and your glory is all that is seen." Honestly, terrifying prayer, because deep down we WANT to cling to our flesh, we WANT the glory for ourselves. So now God is teaching me. I've had some tough days with Him as things in life shift and he causes me to choose even greater dependence on Him. Growth is not normally comfortable, this is no exception. But I know that the other side of this is a better understanding of God, a deeper dependence on the grace of Christ and a path walked MORE in the Spirit than ever before.
So, thanks Jesus, for being greater than I am. For having a higher wisdom and understanding, for putting me through things that are uncomfortable and sometimes painful knowing that the result is faith, surrender, peace and ultimately a closer walk with you. Amen.
Funny that this season's learning curve started with some of the same thoughts I had in January. Discipline. How to attain it. I've tried to be a more disciplined person, in all areas of life but it seems that in a few of them (waking up in the morning, healthy eating, consistency in the Word) I really struggle! Then, through a completely separate conversation I had a "duh Laura" realization. Discipline (self control) is a Fruit of the Spirit. I realized that this idea I had been trying to attain was something I cannot "attain" in and of itself. So how do I live in the Spirit (as Galatians 5 talks about) in such a way that would result in discipline in my life? THAT seemingly simple question has challenged me to the core and as birthed only more questions about what it is that keeps me from living a life of total surrender. What keeps me from FULLY trusting the Lord?
There are lots of answers to that question, almost all of the coming back to a humanly skewed understanding of God. So I've asked "God, teach me to walk fully in you so that I disappear and your glory is all that is seen." Honestly, terrifying prayer, because deep down we WANT to cling to our flesh, we WANT the glory for ourselves. So now God is teaching me. I've had some tough days with Him as things in life shift and he causes me to choose even greater dependence on Him. Growth is not normally comfortable, this is no exception. But I know that the other side of this is a better understanding of God, a deeper dependence on the grace of Christ and a path walked MORE in the Spirit than ever before.
So, thanks Jesus, for being greater than I am. For having a higher wisdom and understanding, for putting me through things that are uncomfortable and sometimes painful knowing that the result is faith, surrender, peace and ultimately a closer walk with you. Amen.
Friday, March 9, 2012
Royal Servants 2012
Want to know where in the world Royal Servants is taking me this summer!? I'll be spending the month of July in..........
WOOOHOOOO I CAN'T WAIT!!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Discipline... take one.
I have many thoughts on this topic and intend to explore them. Maybe here, maybe just in my head. But before I do I'd like to see if anyone will take up the challenge to tell me what THEY think about the topic....
READY..... go.
READY..... go.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
