Oof:
Between shoveling snow yesterday and a 6 am wake up call this morning, I'm a'hurtin'. This whole "Texas John on tour" business is brutal, physically and spiritually. I think that leading worship and playing at multiple communities and events is starting to get to me. Don't get me wrong. I'm stoked to be doing the work I'm doing, but the quantity of the work ahead is bearing down on me and it's really easy for the line between work and spirituality to get blurred when your job is worship. I can see why priestly-types take sabbaticals.
Anywho, that said, we had a blast at various churches today and AND totally rocked house on Thursday. I've completely put AND in the God book. I have no control over it and I don't want it. We're gonna let God take this one. It's really amazing what happens when a ministry takes the time to invite God in to do His own work rather than railroad the job without really consulting Him. We've learned so much already, hitting crazy lows and pretty cool highs. And this is only our third week of operation. I'm constantly amazed at God's willingness to teach and use me at times when I'm most neglectful of Him. I really think that every moment and every one of God's "teachable moments" in life absolutely defines Grace. If I come under attack, it only lets grace reign and win. If our program goes swimmingly, it's clear that grace abounds. If I ignore that clear grace and get a little prideful (Pride? John? Shut up Andy.), grace lovingly reminds me that everything I've been given (and that is much) is for God and God's glory.
When I left Foxboro (at 7am; ugh) I was overwhelmed by the snow's beauty. Heavy snowfall yesterday left every last dead tree branch in inches of white bloom that I've never seen the likes of. I was utterly awed at the the change in landscape. And, of course, we read of Jesus' transfiguration today and the awe of Peter. It was like God giving me live sermon illustrations (although I wish He hadn't made me miss Maritime for it).
So I'm already feeling unlike myself due to my unnatural respect of the fallen snow. But to make matters worse, I had coffee with Suzy today where I mentioned my indentured OC servitude. She hadn't kept up recently and I'm embarassed to admit that I remembered names and plot developments enough to [gasp] fill her in on two weeks worth. Do I like the show? No. The problem is, I can't erase any small detail of what is apparently a mathematically perfected teen drama from my memory. See what I do for my students. Where's that sabbatical?
Hasta
Anywho, that said, we had a blast at various churches today and AND totally rocked house on Thursday. I've completely put AND in the God book. I have no control over it and I don't want it. We're gonna let God take this one. It's really amazing what happens when a ministry takes the time to invite God in to do His own work rather than railroad the job without really consulting Him. We've learned so much already, hitting crazy lows and pretty cool highs. And this is only our third week of operation. I'm constantly amazed at God's willingness to teach and use me at times when I'm most neglectful of Him. I really think that every moment and every one of God's "teachable moments" in life absolutely defines Grace. If I come under attack, it only lets grace reign and win. If our program goes swimmingly, it's clear that grace abounds. If I ignore that clear grace and get a little prideful (Pride? John? Shut up Andy.), grace lovingly reminds me that everything I've been given (and that is much) is for God and God's glory.
When I left Foxboro (at 7am; ugh) I was overwhelmed by the snow's beauty. Heavy snowfall yesterday left every last dead tree branch in inches of white bloom that I've never seen the likes of. I was utterly awed at the the change in landscape. And, of course, we read of Jesus' transfiguration today and the awe of Peter. It was like God giving me live sermon illustrations (although I wish He hadn't made me miss Maritime for it).
So I'm already feeling unlike myself due to my unnatural respect of the fallen snow. But to make matters worse, I had coffee with Suzy today where I mentioned my indentured OC servitude. She hadn't kept up recently and I'm embarassed to admit that I remembered names and plot developments enough to [gasp] fill her in on two weeks worth. Do I like the show? No. The problem is, I can't erase any small detail of what is apparently a mathematically perfected teen drama from my memory. See what I do for my students. Where's that sabbatical?
Hasta