Extraordinary Faith for Everyday Life
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So I’m experimenting here…added a small (literally small and also short) video of me welcoming you. The link is to the right under the Welcome to P2P section–imagine that. If I get really adventurous, I’ll embed it somehow.
So whether you’re new or have been here awhile, welcome.
Giving you a chance to skip a talk that involves poo…if you’re up for it, click for the extended version.
Late, late last night I posted my Thankful Thursday list…one of them being thankful for God’s mercy and grace when I screw up so much. This morning I was on the way back from taking the girls to school and just felt the need to be obedient to some recent pastors I’ve heard say we should listen to Christian music. Now, I definitely listen to secular music and like it. But I can admit my mindset is different after an hour of listening to it vs. Christian music. So I’m on no soapbox about not listening to secular music here. Anyway, this is the song came on the radio. It’s East to West by Casting Crowns. I’d never heard and it just seemed so perfect at the moment.
East To West – Casting Crowns
Here I am Lord and I’m drowning, in Your sea of forgetfulness
The chains of yesterday surround me, I yearn for peace and rest
I don’t want to end up where You found me
And it echoes in my mind
Keeps me awake tonight
I know you’ve cast my sin as far as the East is from the West
And I stand before You now as though I’ve never sinned
But today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
From You leaving me this way
Chorus:
Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west
‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been
Rising up in me again
In the arms of Your mercy I find rest
‘Cause You know just how far the east is from the west
From one scarred hand to the other
I start the day, the war begins
Endless reminding of my sin
And time and time again
Your truth is drowned out by the storm I’m in
Today I feel like I’m just one mistake away
from You leaving me this way
I know You’ve washed me white
Turn my darkness into life
I need Your peace to get me through
To get me through this night
I can’t live by what I feel
About the truth Your word reveals
I’m not holding on to You
But You’re holding on to me
You’re holding on to me
I am thankful for God’s guidance and provision in sickness. Specifically that Scott’s shoulder has healed so well, my Mom’s surgery went well and my grandmother’s cancer is operable
I am thankful of God’s mercy and grace when I’ve screwed up the 7,012nd time
I’m thankful that God provides patience and compassion when a certain youth member lies to my face for the 834th time
I am thankful for my family. Especially a husband who loves the Lord so much and knows how to lead a family.
I’m thankful that God accepts praises of even those who can’t carry a tune.
Nothing like a little thankfulness to breed a little humbleness.
OK I reported yesterday’s band practice was not too good but tonight turned out not too bad. I recruited a young but extremely talented female youth member to sing with us and she picked up on our new song the second time through! We’ve said from the get-go she would be great but she is a bit immature at times and says she gets nervous standing in front of everyone. Although she does solos in “big church” and in fact has this week’s choir solo so I’m not sure how much that is her needing reassurance from us or what but I’ll give her all she needs because she seriously could lead this. And she’s only in 8th grade so if needed, she could do it for several years to come. I all but begged her to come next Tuesday and plan to send her parents emails saying she did great and maybe even a note to her telling her how good she was. And yes, I’m kissing some major backside because we need her.
Are any of you familiar with iJustine? My dad of all people introduced me to her. Apparently she is one of lots doing lifecasting. She’s a twitter-er and blogger (among other things) and I think she’s kinda cool and if I were single, I’d probably be hopping on the lifecasting thing.
Not that I do anything cool as her like hook up my mac from an airport or chat with random people at coffee shops or even leave cute notes on my computer screen saying “I’m in the shower, BRB” but hey, it’d be like having my own reality show.
Except mine would basically be me without a shower before lunch staring at a computer screen for 7 hours a day and randomly shouting things like “Girls! Share!”
Band practice yesterday was the worst so far. We wanted to do four songs. We never did get through playing the first one after an HOUR. They were moving some sound board things around and it took forever to really get started. And I had to leave to go to the hospital so I think it put everyone in a tizzy trying to get it all done fast but not really doing anything productive. The second (new) song went well. We only went through it twice though. And then the 3rd one we skipped because I felt like everyone knew it enough. And the 4th, it is a song 2 of the guitarist had never played and they weren’t picking it up that quickly and the key was wrong for me and there was no time to switch keys when they didn’t even have the first one down. So I just said we’re only doing 3 tomorrow. So it could be a real mess tonight. The “backup” singing-guitarist didn’t help sing at all because he hadn’t practiced any songs through the week and couldn’t play and sing at the same time so it was even harder for me.
I’m planning on getting some youth up on the 2 songs we already know and only really leading on the new one we’re introducing tonight. I’m really second-guessing this singing thing. I’ve heard comments that some students want to sing, so I think I’m just going to go with that. I’ve realized I haven’t really been having fun doing it. It’s nothing but stress thinking about having to go to sing at practice and on Wednesday nights.
I really wish there was a student that could really step up and lead. Even if I had to go to the practices and help sing/lead the practice, I’d be fine with that. I don’t mind the practices themselves. It’s just I’m tired of embarrassing myself when I can’t find the right key on a song when I’m singing alone.
Hopefully tonight will turn out ok and they’ll by psyched about the new song.
