Blog Count

How many blogs do you subscribe to?

Me, I'm up to an embarrasing 38 Feeds and I found 2 more today that I will add.

Maybe I need to seek professional help.

I'm a Blog Junkie

I haven't had much time for blogging lately - or for reading my bloglines. I've missed it so! It's like a tiny little conference on my computer. The only down side is that I have no idea what these people look like.

I was defending my blog habit to my sister (who thinks I'm crazy), and have decided that I don't have to defend myself. It's my party and I'll blog if I want to.

And so should you...so, blog on.

The Importance of Journaling

I pulled out my old journals last night. Before I get started in what I want to tell you I need to make sure you understand what a journal is to me. It is more of a prayer journal than anything else. It's a record of my walk with God and journey through life - acknowledging where God is, what He's doing and what it has to do with me.

The first one I looked at I had actually started a few days before I met Ricky (my husband). It was so interesting to see what I had been learning and thinking during that time and how much it spoke to my situation. I then read through the journal that I kept during the time that I was pregnant with my daughter. Then the one that I started right after she was born. Good stuff. Emotional stuff.

The one that I most enjoyed, though was the one that I kept during the time that my husband was diagnosed with leukemia. He has been in remission now for 5 years, so no need to be concerned. I am only sharing this because I noticed something in that journal that was different from the other journals. In that journal, I wrote every day. Sometimes multiple times per day. I wrote longer entries than in the other journals and I acknowledged and praised God more often. I noticed that during that incredibly difficult and depressing time - I noticed God more often than during the wonderful times in my life (meeting the love of my life - and preparing for the birth of our daughter). I knew God better during that time - obviously because I talked to Him more often. I made time for God because He was the only stable, solid and good thing in my life at that point.

This is the stuff that James was talking about in James 1 - (consider it pure joy whenever you face trials). It is during these trials that we find out more about God than the surface level stuff. We get to experience for ourselves the love of the Father - the comfort and the strength that He gives. That's why journaling is so important. Last night I was taken back to that time - through my own eyes. I remembered the emptiness I felt and the way God filled it with His love. It was like reliving the experience - but most of what I wrote focused on God - and not on me. It was like drawing closer to Him all over again.

Journaling is important - it helps us to remember the ways God has provided - it helps us to not make the same mistakes we did back then - to look forward and to be different - to be better.

Go find a journal and get started - I'll do the same.

Contingency Plan

I read a post today that I found to be terribly convicting. Check it out here.

I wonder what contingency plans I am holding on to. Something to think about.

What are you afraid of?

We started a new life group last night. It is called "KNOW FEAR" and was written by Ed Young. I'm really excited about it. I didn't realize I had so many fears. Next week we're talking about Fear of the Future. We even played a little "Name that Fear" game last night. Here are a few of them - see if you can identify them (and no cheating allowed!):

Gamophobia
Ecclesiophobia
Pentheraphobia
Aviophobia
Venustraphobia
Blennophobia

I'll post the answers on Monday.

Comments

Several people have told me lately that they have been unable to leave comments on my blog. I have discovered (thanks to Johnny) that one of my settings was off. Somewhere along the way I set it so that only members of this blog can leave comments. But I'm the only member of this blog. Since I don't ever really feel the need to comment on myself, I have fixed the issue and now anyone should be able to comment.

So, comment away. In fact, somebody should test it. Anybody?

Practical Worship

I read an article today by Rick Warren on the Purpose Driven website about 4 characteristics of worship. You can read the article here.

Basically, Rick said that there are 4 characteristics of God-pleasing worship:
It is Accurate - based on the truth of Scripture and reflecting who God really is (not just who we think He is or want Him to be).
It is Authentic - 1 Samuel 16:7b "Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart."
It is Thoughtful - "If worship is mindless, it's meaningless...You must engage your mind."
It is Practical - God asks us to give Him what we have. He doesn't require more of us than we can give.

The last one reminded me of something we talked about on Sunday. We were studying the story of the widow who's husband left her deep in debt and her debtors were threatening to take her children as slaves to pay back the debt. She went to Elisha and asked for help. The first thing he said to her was "What do you have?" All she had was a small bottle of olive oil. He asked her to gather as many bowls or pots as she could from her neighbors and family. Then he told her to pour the olive oil into the bowls - there was enough from that small bottle of olive oil to fill all the bowls she had gathered.

The part of this story that I was reminded of today is where he first asked her "What do you have?" When we come to God wanting to serve and worship Him, but feeling that we are not equipped to serve Him. He first asks us - "What do you have?" then shows us how to use what we already have to serve Him. It doesn't matter if we're not good at speaking (think Moses) or if we have a terrible past (think Paul). Everyone is usable by God. God wants practical worship - he doesn't want you to try to be something you're not. Who you are is exactly who He intended for you to be.

What do you have? What can you do? What are you good at? Start there. God will do the rest.

Leave of Absence

I have been working extremely hard at work lately and have had absolutely no time for blogging - or anything else for that matter. I have also recently made the decision to change jobs, which means I will be working even harder trying to wrap up all the projects I've been working on before I leave. All this to say that I will probably not be blogging over the next few weeks. Big suprise, I know, because my blogs have been so frequent over the last month. :)

I am hoping that with the new job will come a little breathing room and a little more time for blogging. In the meantime, keep checking Johnny's blog and our church website @ www.compasswired.com to keep up to date on what is going on in the Compassphere.

Happy Friday, by the way!

Fear and the Absence of Blog

It's been almost 2 weeks since my last blog (sounds kind of like a confession, huh?). I've been so busy with work and church and other stuff that I haven't had much time to do anything else - like blogging.

I got the new Switchfoot CD - it's pretty good (not as good as the last one - but still good) and the new Audio Adrenaline CD - it's even better! I still need to get the new David Crowder Band CD - it will be the best of the 3 - I'm pretty sure.

I'm reading Ed Young's book, Know Fear - and it rocks! I didn't know I was so afraid until I started reading his book. We're going to start a small group study based on the book - which I'm very excited about. It always amazes me how many things I am afraid of. I hate horror movies just for that reason. As if I don't have enough to be scared about - they have to invent a whole new scenario to freak me out! I'm realizing that it is all in my head. It's a tool used to keep me from believing and trusting in God. When I'm afraid, I'm basically saying that my God is too small. I don't want that to be me anymore! I know who my God is and what He is capable of - now I need to remember to remind my brain of those things. Sounds simple - but it's not. It's hard to trust. I will take it one day at a time - and hopefully someday it will be a little easier.

Wanted: A few good musicians

We've added a musician page to our church website @ www.compasswired.com

Click on the Join our Team people at the bottom of the page - and check out the new stuff.

We're looking for a few rockin musicians to join our team. If you're a drummer, guitarist, bass player, singer or any other sort of musician (playing your nose doesn't count) - let me know. We're going to be doing some cool stuff in the very near future - it's a great time to jump on board!

Miscellaneous Thoughts...

I met with a few other worship leaders yesterday. It was a great meeting. There was a lot of talk about equipment - and other tech stuff - which was helpful. But the most helpful thing for me was a talk about recruiting musicians. I left encouraged and inspired. I also left with a huge list of to do's. But that's good. Right?

I feel crummy today. I stayed home yesterday but didn't do enough resting. I got distracted by my messy kitchen and a couple of boxes of pictures that needed to be sorted. I ended up strolling down memory lane for several hours and didn't even finish cleaning my kitchen. Oh well. I did find a few really old (and funny) pics of my pastor and a few blackmail-worthy pics of my husband. It was a productive afternoon!

Because of the weather from Rita and the increased traffic due to the exodus from the coast - my work is shutting down at 1:30 today and will be closed all weekend - possibly into Monday. So I may not blog again until Tuesday - we'll see.

Until then - Stay safe.

Boot Camp

My friend Brenda has been urging me to join her at Boot Camp group for at least 3 months. Well, she finally coaxed me into it. Except she is smart enough to know that the only way she can guarantee my attendance on a regular basis is to have it at my house.

So - tonight is my 5th day of Boot Camp.
Believe it or not - I'm actually really enjoying it. We do it 4 nights a week (M, W, F and Sat). I think what I enjoy the most is the friendships we're forming. Monday night there were 4 of us and we had a blast - at least I did :)

And before you know it we're going to be looking even better than our husbands!! (Who are also working out together regularly).

I'm also trying to cut out soda and sweets - although today, I have to admit, I had a brownie (and it was marvelous!)

I'm finding that the more I concentrate on physical health - the more energy I have for everything else. I'm pretty sure that everyone else already figured this out - and I am just slow. Oh well - at least I'm doing it now! I fell fitter already!

Bumper Joke

I read a bumper sticker on the way home from work yesterday and thought it was hilarious. Perhaps you will agree - or maybe you'll just think I was unusually tired.

"I'm not myself today...maybe I'm you."

The other one said:

"You are just jealous because the little voices talk to ME."

Not as funny as the first - but at least it didn't offend me (as most bumper stickers do).

Happy Wednesday!

Changed lives change lives!

I just read a post from Steve Dilla called "Conceptually Speaking" (great title, by the way), and I wanted to share it with you. You can find it here.

In his post, he included the following quote from Erwin McManus: "people are not interested in sermons, they are interested in experiencing our experience with God."

He followed up Erwin's quote with this:

"Have you been changed by the Truth? If you have, you could sit down with me in any coffee shop, on any day, and tell me about that change - unprepared, unpracticed, just working verbally through what God is doing in your life. It is often the moment people experience the Holy Spirit working in someone else’s life that they long the most for it. It is when our public speaking comes full force from our spiritual journey that the doors swing wide open for life change."

WOW - really well said!

People won't take us seriously unless we speak from experience. Why should they? I wouldn't. Speaking from experience gives us a certain authority on the subject. I can dispute ideas and theories all day long - but when someone speaks from their own experience - from their heart - I am WAY more likely to care about what they are saying.
BUT - in order to speak from experience - my primary focus HAS to be on my personal relationship with God. Seems like a DUH right? In ministry, there are so many things that need to be done - that won't get done unless we do them - that our own spiritual health sometimes takes a backseat. When we make them our primary focus, we become less effective as influencers. When our primary focus is on God and knowing Him better and loving Him more - then we will be able to love and lead others in a real and powerful way.

Faith is...

"Faith isn't the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It's simply taking God at His word and taking the next step." - Joni Eareckson Tada

I think this is an appropriate quote for Compass Church. We are simply taking God at His word and walking step by step in faith. In fact, our pastor's blog is even named "The Next Step"!

Cool.

Leverage

I read a post today from Jason Berggren who has made a recent announcement about changing careers to pursue his passion. Here is a paragraph:

"Truth be told, the thought that in 10 years I could be looking in the mirror wondering why I didn’t try to pursue my passion more aggressively also haunts me. We have one life. Let me say that once again. We have one life. One life to leverage all that we can to make a difference with all that we have."

The above paragraph - especially the last sentence - really hit home with me. Not because I am realizing that there is something more that I am supposed to be doing - but because I'm doing it now. My entire life up to this point has been preparing me to do what I'm doing now. I am absolutely certain that God has put me in the place that I am "for such a time as this". (I've been really taken with the story of Ruth lately - incredible story - you should check it out.)

The underlying passion throughout my life has been music. I'm pretty sure I couldn't survive without it. Over the last 3 years (especially this last one) I've been learning how to worship through music. Really worship. When I'm worshiping in that way it's like I'm doing what I was always meant to - like it's the reason I was created - and that I'm preparing for eternity when I'm singing to God in worship. I am constantly amazed at how much I'm learning in the middle of this ministry. I am just SO honored to be a part of it. I don't understand why God has allowed me this opportunity - but I am definitely going to give it everything I have - for as long as He lets me do it (forever would be fine with me).

I've also never felt this sense of urgency before - that if I don't tell them about Christ - no one will! My husband and I prayed last night that God would give us scripture to pray for the people of Roanoke - we were drawn to the story of John the Baptist and the calling of the first disciples. When God said, "follow me" - they immediately did. Not because He looked cool, but because they already knew who He was and when He came to town they were ready to give their lives to Him. John the Baptist came first. To tell them. There was something different about him. He was wild and obviously passionate. He was constantly saying "I am not the Christ - but I can tell you that He's coming - and you won't believe how wonderful He is!" That's my passion right now. I want to connect with the people of Roanoke in such a way that they will know that I have passion - that there is something different about me. That there's something different about Compass.

I have gone off on a tangent - I know. Here's one last verse from Jason's blog. At Compass we've come across this verse a few times in the last few months - it's really meaningful to me.

“And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; but now you also must complete the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to desire it, so there also may be a completion out of what you have. For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.” 2 Corinthians 8:10-12

Purpose for Today

On the Monday Morning Insight blog, there are a few recent quotes from Rick Warren, one of which really caught my attention:

"It doesn't matter how much you accomplish. If at the end of the day you don't know God a little bit more and you don't love God a little bit more, you have just wasted your day."

What a simple statement. But I'd never thought of it that way before. Any day not spent pursuing God is a waste. Cool stuff. What a great reminder that the only purpose I have is to know God and love God more - and to give Him all of me - all the time.

The Complexity of Jesus

I read a blog today from Randy Bohlender that was both intriguing and inspiring. Here's a small taste...

"I spent some time in John 2 this evening and found myself grinning at Jesus. We have simplified him so, primarily to make our Vacation Bible School songs rhyme and our stories to end in fifteen minutes…but this is one complex man...

...This great teacher – this complex man – was continually seeding the minds of his followers with a seeds of understanding that wouldn’t fully bloom until months and even years later. Even when he was confusing most people, he was teaching them. While most of us will do anything to be understood here and now, He invested his effort in maximum impact toward the purpose of launching a revolution in the spirit of man. He was willing to be misunderstood now if it meant being respected and honored later. He personified – even deified – delayed gratification.

This is not an ordinary man. I must know him better."

Check out the whole blog here.

What it's all about...

Tony Morgan had a post today about the incredible weekend they had at Granger Community Church. I was moved to tears looking at the pictures of the 400 people they baptized yesterday. 400 PEOPLE! That's it. Right there. The whole reason I'm a part of Compass. 400 people now know God that didn't before they came into contact with Granger. Those people have experienced a life change - they will never be the same. I pray that the communities in the Alliance, TX area will come to find something different at Compass. That we, as individuals and as a group, can lead them to the One that can heal, the One that cares, the One that can change EVERYTHING! That's what it's all about. Changed lives. I am just so grateful to be able to be a part of it - to give testimony of my own changed life. I know that we can make a difference. How could I not get excited about that?

From Boring to Weeeeeeeeeeeee.....

I read a blog today (from Tony Morgan) that made me laugh out loud. Mostly because we (Compass) have talked about several of these ways to make church more boring on more than one occasion. In fact - we were guilty of # 4 at least a few times in the early days. And I really think # 8 is funny!! Hee, hee. I can laugh now because we've come SO far since then. SOOO far. Seriously.

The leadership team met up last night at Starbucks (Chai tea latte - yum!) and there was an excitement among us that I can't even explain. Not only are we closer as friends than we've ever been before, but we're more passionate about our mission than ever before. It's so cool to be a part of a group where during almost every meeting I can be laughing so hard my head starts hurting and then nearly moved to tears just moments later. In one of Beth Moore's video series (The Beloved Disciple) she tells a story of her and her husband driving across a rugged terrain at a ridiculous speed in an open jeep screaming for joy at the excitement of the ride. Well - that's me.

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

www.seejanerock.com

In case you haven't heard - I'm putting together a band. The website is up - although there isn't much there yet. Let me know what you think.

If you know of any drummers - guitarists or other musicians that are looking for a place to rock - send them my way.

Compass Rocks

I've decided that Compass Rocks.
Hey, but don't take my word for it. Come see it for yourself. We're launching in January.
Can't wait 'til January? Me neither. That's why we're having Preview Services in November and December.
Still too anxious to wait? Me too. So we're planning a pre-launch, see what we're about, worship and fellowship together service in mid-October and one in a few weeks, too!

Cool, huh? I'm so excited - and I just can't hide it. Okay, maybe I should save the 80's lyrics for another time - sorry. But really - I AM excited. For a number of reasons. Here are a couple:

1) Our message is authentic & relevant. Really. I mean it. I know that churches are always talking about relevance. But how many talk about authenticity? At Compass - you'll find the real deal. We are who we say we are. We really DO love people. We really DO want to help you with REAL life situations. We really are committed to kindness and compassion. I can't wait for you to come check it out in person (you can only learn so much from a website).
2) Our music is different. On purpose. I'm so excited to report that the kind of music that you would normally hear at a "contemporary" church in our area - you won't in ours. Our music is not only rockin' - it is in words that the normal person can understand. You won't hear too much "church language" in our music. There's a reason for that. There is a huge amount of people in our area that have never been to church. They don't understand the lingo that most churches use on a regular basis. Don't get me wrong. Those words are important to me too. I love to sing songs that talk about the worthiness and holiness and magnificence of God - but if you've never been to church before - chances are that you don't. Compass Church wants to connect with those people. We want to help them connect with who God is. We also want to make sure that our music is not boring. God isn't boring. God hates boring. Why shouldn't we sing to Him in a way that echoes back the creativity that He models for us? God is not contained, defined, or limited - neither should our music be.

Would you like a little sample of the stuff we play at Compass? Some of the music you'll hear is music from The Benjamin Gate, Newsboys, Starfield, Tree 63, Jennifer Knapp, Switchfoot, Lifehouse, Planet Shakers, the David Crowder Band, Hoobastank, Coldplay, Audio Adrenaline, Rock N Roll Worship Circus, Gavin Degraw, and anything else that we can honor God with (which, by the way, is a pretty big selection of songs).

Check out our website. Check out our pastor's blog. Check back often. So much is going on - I hope you'll stay in touch.

Blogger Laziness

Yikes! Has it really been 8 days since I last blogged? Sorry. It's been a busy 8 days. Here's the rundown:

* My sister got engaged! Cool!
* We're going to Cancun for the wedding - even cooler!
* I had a very cool weekend in Corsicana with my friends, the team, at Compass.
* I cleaned my house
* I watched INXS (I agree with Gary that Jordis is the next to go)
* I began writing a new song - it's almost finished.
* I played guitar while laying in a two-person hammock and watching the sun rise (definitely the coolest part of my week).
* I watched a few good (Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason - it made me cry) or not so good (Star Wars III) movies.
* I went with my sis and mom to look at wedding gowns - man she's beautiful!
* I ate at Logan's (yummy)
* I ate at I-Hop (for a wedding planning meeting with my sis and some other cool chicks)
* I got my voice back - YEAH!!
* I got some very cool new Office Depot gadgets at work
* I endured temperatures at work of over 90 and under 70 degrees (we are an office of extremes - apparantly)
* I decided that I must give up soda! (I'll start next week - how's that for wimpy)

That's all I got for now - I'll blog about real stuff later.

Growing Pains

My daughter, who just turned five yesterday, woke up this morning complaining about an aching leg. I told her that it was just growing pains (although it was probably just that she slept funny) and that because she is five now, she must be getting bigger. She asked if that meant she would need to go to work like Mommy and Daddy.
Isn't it funny that she thought that because she was getting bigger - she must already be "big". I tried to explain to her that there was much more growth that needed to happen before she needed to get to work. She asked if there were some things she could do now. "Of course" I told her - she can do chores and feed the cat. There are lots of things she is ready to do now - the size that she is.
I wonder if that applies to me? Just because I'm growing doesn't mean I'm ready for everything God has in store for me just yet. But I AM able to do SOME things. I just need to make sure that He is the One deciding what I am able to do - and not me. I also hope that I am able to do those things He's entrusted me with as enthusiastically as my daughter does her chores. She is so excited to be able to do things for me - hoping to make me proud. She never thinks about the things she is not able to do yet - because she considers it a privilege to do things I let her do. God is so much smarter than I am - he knows what I'm ready for and what I'm not. I need to remember that it is such an incredible privilege to get to do the things He allows me to do. He obviously doesn't need me. I'm not THAT important. But how great it is to be invited to be in on the God things that are happening around me.

Wisdom from a 4-Year Old

My 4-Year old has a unique understanding of things. Sometimes I wish that I thought the way she did. She started Kindergarten last week and is learning this week about Creation - specifically the first few verses in the Bible. So, she has been asking a lot of questions - and I am loving it. Yesterday, on our way to school, she asked me if Jesus was God - and if so, how.
Well, I explained to her that yes - Jesus was also God - and then gave her the ice/water/steam analogy in the simplest way that I possibly could. She then said - very matter-of-factly - "Oh, I see - His first name is Jesus and His middle name is God."