Shaken, not stirred

So, I had a motorcycle accident last week. Broke my foot. It is amazing what you find out about yourself when you are subject to the assistance of others. I discovered there are some shaky areas in my life that I really need and want to shore up! I listened to Pastor Kirk's message from 3-8-09 today, and even though I didn't "see" the pic he used, I could see it in my head. It was a pic of a beach after Hurricane Ike. One house was left standing? Why? Because the owners had seen the destruction of hurricanes before, and they wanted their house to withstand one. The other home-owners on the beach did not list that as a consideration while building their homes...

I did not consider a motorcycle accident a "storm." I had no idea last Friday that walking out to that bike would be the last time I would "walk" for several weeks. I had no idea how to prepare for that. And, I had no idea how it would affect me! I was scared, antsy, drugged, fought little spurts of depression and feelings of uselessness. It was a heavier weight than the big boot on my foot...it was a weight on my heart. WOW!!!

There was a glimmer the morning after it happened. I contemplated the death of the dream to ride, and thought about some other dreams I've had to die to over the years. Then a line to a song came to mind and chopped through all that, well, crud: "All the dreams that I have do not compare to my Saviour's arms - you'll find me there..." Nothing compares to Him, and whatever dream dies He replaces with something that brings so much more than just satisfaction...

Then today happened - 1 week later. God's Word is a life-changer - a spirit-lifter - and hearing it from an anointed man of God like our Pastor is like breathing in fresh, mountain air. I felt scales fall from my eyes. I felt God lift me above this PASSING set of circumstances. He really does cause everything to work together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His purposes. I believe it. I believe there will be something taken from this storm that will re-set my world and others will benefit from the splashes. I believe it will be an adventure with regular discoveries and valuable moments with the King of Kings.

I look forward to this 6-8 week journey and pray I don't waste it...

2009

Well, since it's now 2009, I figured I should post again. I'm 2.5 classes into school; The Rock Christmas Eve Service was a complete blast; we've been to Florida and New York between then and now; Mega Worship was last Saturday and it was INCREDIBLE!!!; we've kicked off another fun, exciting, God-filled, purpose-driven, creative year at the Rock with 21 days of prayer and fasting...and the wheels on the bus go round and round!

What I want in 2009 - for me and everyone around me - is for this year to truly be one of passion. That may sound cliche, but if we're not decidedly passionate about it, why do it? Passion takes work and commitment - you aren't going to sustain it by accident. Pastor said Sunday, "The price you pay to have the presence of God in your life is time alone with God." Yep. Time is a passion-sustainer, and it's absolutely true for anything you have a passion for. To keep my passion for Dennis, I have to spend time with him. To keep my passion for the Bible, I have to make time to read and study it. To keep (or re-gain) a passion for the guitar, I have to spend time with it.

So in 2009, make the sacrifices necessary in order to build and sustain YOUR passions...and let God bring the best ones for you into focus. These are my main passions: God - His presence & Word; Dennis; life - living and loving it; the house of God; music - worship, leading, learning (and improving) instruments; people - loving and helping them see & achieve their potential; family - making time for them while I have them. What are your passions? What will you do to make the time necessary to sustain them?