Last week was our Minister's Retreat for the NorCal/Nevada District. This is one of those events that if you go in with a bad attitude, it's going to be horrible, but if you go in with a good attitude, you'll love it. I had a great time, which was semi-surprising, but then again, that was my goal.
On Thursday night the Word was fabulous. Wayne Benson was the speaker, and he shared a strong message on the fire of God. After there was a great time of worship. During that time, God spoke to me saying, "It's time to stop being obedient, and start being passionate. Obedience to the call will get you through the day, but passion for the call will CHANGE the day."
I'm now being challenged by that, a week later. I'm fighting against just doing things out of obedience, and struggling to find the passion for the mundane. God's grace in this situation is what is so beautiful. When I begin to think, "Why am I doing this?" I have a moment of realization that there IS purpose beyond simple obedience.
Don't get me wrong--there is a time and place where obedience is all you need. That just doesn't happen to be where I am right now.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Sunday, September 2, 2007
Beyond friends.
My husband and I have a few people in our life that we would consider "beyond friends." This week, they are in our home. Having Brian, Tatina and Scott visit isn't like normal company, or even family visiting (although Tatina is my cousin). I made up the bed for Brian & Tatina, and left out some sheets for Scott to sleep on the couch, but other than that, no extra "company cleaning" was required. In fact, Scott started doing dishes not too long after he arrived.
Tomorrow we're headed to Lake Tahoe (we'll be passing all of the Labor Day people on their way home) for a few days of camping at the Lake. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to this. I'm going to do my best not to check my e-mail hourly on my phone, or even look at my phone for that matter. I love my life. I love my job, I love being a pastor and being blessed with the opportunity to have a front-row seat to watch God change peoples lives. But with these friends, I'm not Pastor Kathy. I'm not the over-achiever. In fact, they know more flaws of mine than I'll ever care to admit. And we laugh together, get frustrated with each other, forgive each other, eat off each others' plates at dinner, sleep side-by-side in a tent that's too small for the five of us...and love every single second of it.
I've known Tatina my whole life. Brian and I met the first day of classes, eight years ago. Scott and I met before classes started. Ben was his roommate. Here's to eight years of amazing friendship, and to eighty more.
Tomorrow we're headed to Lake Tahoe (we'll be passing all of the Labor Day people on their way home) for a few days of camping at the Lake. I can't tell you how much I'm looking forward to this. I'm going to do my best not to check my e-mail hourly on my phone, or even look at my phone for that matter. I love my life. I love my job, I love being a pastor and being blessed with the opportunity to have a front-row seat to watch God change peoples lives. But with these friends, I'm not Pastor Kathy. I'm not the over-achiever. In fact, they know more flaws of mine than I'll ever care to admit. And we laugh together, get frustrated with each other, forgive each other, eat off each others' plates at dinner, sleep side-by-side in a tent that's too small for the five of us...and love every single second of it.
I've known Tatina my whole life. Brian and I met the first day of classes, eight years ago. Scott and I met before classes started. Ben was his roommate. Here's to eight years of amazing friendship, and to eighty more.
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