More than a road trip

This weekend I am excited to hangout with some friends and family in Shaker Heights, OH.
I am excited to get out of Mount Pleasant more than 40 miles, out of Michigan even.
I'm looking forward to a great road trip and an adventurous weekend.

Along with that, Kassie and I have the opportunity to visit a church in Painesville, OH, called Crossway Christian Church.
This part of the trip is very exciting to me. You might be wondering "Why would you be so excited about a random church in Ohio? Is it a large church? Is the pastor famous? Is the David Crowder Band going to be playing there?"

Those are all valid questions; let me explain. First of all, it is not a large church, I don't think the pastor is famous, and the David Crowder Band won't be playing there this weekend as far as I know.

It all started in the beginning, when God created the heavens and the earth (or maybe even before that), but let me skip ahead to last Saturday. I was doing some online searching for worship leader positions, and I came across a church in Ohio. It looked like I church I might fit well with, so I emailed the contact person with my resume.

He responded within a few hours with an encouraging message but also a warning that they are not able to provide a full salary, and we would need other jobs to support ourselves.

I let him know that I would be willing to do that if this is what God wants. Also, Kassie made the suggestion that we could visit their church this coming weekend when I mentioned that it isn't too far from Shaker Heights, so I let him know about that possibility and told hiim I would call on Monday.

Kassie and I were immediately excited about the prospect of ministering at this church, for whatever reason, even though it is in Ohio, a State neither of us had ever really thought of moving to and even though it wouldn't provide a living wage.
During Sunday and Monday, we both talked and prayed about it together and individually. I talked with Michael Rice(from the church-elder or pastor) that night and grew more and more excited as the conversation went on and we talked about what they are doing with missions, possibilities for ministry among the population of Painesville, etc.

I think both Michael and I left the conversation thinking it would be a great match for Kassie and I to minister there. He did not say as much, although he did express his excitement at several points throughout the conversation.

Kassie and I have continued to be excited about it. I think that God has had his hand on this and that it is the right thing. We are going to be meeting with Michael on Sunday after the service, and hopefully can get things moving forward from there. Nothing is official yet, but we would appreciate your prayers especially for the meeting on Sunday and whether this is what God wants for us.

If you want more details of just want to talk, feel free to call me. 989 488 7378

Up in the Air

I am still working toward finding a worship leader position. I haven't sent out much to churches yet. I have sent resumes to a couple churches though. We'll see if anything comes of that. God opened me up to the possibility of moving anytime, whereas before we had planned on staying in Mount Pleasant until the end of the school year.

I don't know what's going to happen.

On the other side of things, I got another job here. It's just a temporary thing, though. I am going to be working at Pathway Christian Books in Midland for the month of November, filling in for somebody who had a family emergency. It should be a good experience and will provide a little more income. It could turn into something more than just the temporary position. We'll see.

I also had an interview with Staples that seemed to go well. They said they would be making calls soon for a second interview.

So, that's kind of an update on the whole job thing. Thanks for all of your prayers and support.

Preparing for the Future

Well, I think my last post was pretty depressing.

I didn't really know what to do with my life, but God has given me some direction. I am currently looking for a worship leading position. God has made it clear to me that worshipping him through music and leading others in doing so is a passion he has given me.

He has given me some ideas about recording some music and probably some type of video resume type of thing as well as creating a new blog with links to these things to allow churches to see who I am and what God has gifted me to do.

Moreover, I am blessed to have the encouragement and support of one of the pastors at His House (I could probably have the support of others but haven't really told them about it) and today we started doing some preliminary recording.

If anybody reading this has any resources or knows anybody that has resources that could be useful for recording music, making a video resume, making a "regular" resume, or something else that might be helpful, let me know. Also, if you know of any pastors or churches or people who might know of pastors or churches who might be looking for or know of somebody looking for me to be used by God to lead their family (church, congregation, etc.) in musical worship, let me know.

This process has been good for me for several reasons. It has given me a sense of purpose for my life now, has allowed/motivated me to connect with people that I wouldn't normally take the initiative to connect with or ask for help, and it will allow me to improve my musical, technical (sound,video, etc.) and other skills. Praise God!

I almost forgot, so this is a reminder to me as well as you that prayer is definitely a necessary part of this process, and I am asking you to pray, enter into God's plan, as I will do the same and cool things will happen.

Also, I started helping out with Crave, the youth group at Mount Pleasant Community Church and it has been cool to connect with some high schoolers as well as reconnect with people I met when I first came to Mount Pleasant who help out with Crave. Moreover, I have learned that the youth group people seem to start off every meeting with a meal. mmm.

Update on jobs

Well, I think that God either doesn't want me to find a job, is trying to teach me perseverance or has something else up his sleeve.
Whatever the reason, I have not gotten a job. It started with a couple months of applying with no more than a phone call from a company asking for more info about me.
In the past month I have had 3 interviews, none of which have been fruitful.
I think I have applied for about half of the places in Mount Pleasant and a few outside of MP.

I could use prayer that God would guide me in this time of joblessness. Also, it would be nice to know for sure if he doesn't want me to have a job right now, or what his plan is for this time.

This has been kind of discouraging. I know I am over-qualified for most of the jobs I have applied for, but for whatever reason, they haven't wanted me.

God has been teaching me some things, and we have had a pretty good relationship lately, but it seems to me like we could maintain that relationship even if I had a life.

Little things, big things, and sleepy things

First of all, Kassie and I are sleepy things because we got back from the His House Fall Retreat today. Despite our 3+ hour nap this evening, we are both still sleepy.

Do you ignore the Holy Spirit? Do you ever feel/act like prayer is powerless? Do you have a boring and/or unfulfilling life?

Those are all things God has been dealing with me about lately. Bryan, Ashley, Kassie and I have been doing a weekly Bible study/hangout/dinner thingy for a few weeks. Each week we pick scripture to focus on and part of that to memorize. Last week the scripture was Romans 8 and the memory verses were 26-27.

"In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And the one who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will."

That was written from memory and I didn't check it so there might be a couple mistakes but the overall idea is there.

Also, last week I took a bunch of books from my parents, and I read The Cross and the Switchblade by David Wilkerson, founder of Teen Challenge. It had some good stuff about prayer and the Holy Spirit, including times when David asked for specific signs to discern His will and stories of heroin addicts asking for the Holy Spirit and being filled, speaking in tongues, and becoming free of addiction.

Other things have happened too that have made me think things like, "maybe the Holy Spirit is an awesome part of the trinity who I need to know in order to really know God," and "maybe God can do stuff without me, much bigger stuff than what I can do."

I know those thoughts are a little bit shocking, profound, and revelatory. the most significant part for me is that they weren't just thoughts, they were realizations; not mental acknowledgments but actual realizations that can make a difference in my life.

As we were driving home from the retreat today and I was getting some of my thoughts out to Kassie, some things became clear and other thoughts became more complete. Based on those recent realizations, it became clear that seemingly mundane actions can be eternally significant. Take for example going to class. We might think that is boring and unfulfilling and seemingly insignificant, but God can do some great things with it if we are tuned to Him and living purposefully. To us it might not be a big thing to smile to somebody on our way to class, but I have heard stories of just a smile preventing a suicide. Maybe talking to somebody before class could lead to inviting them to church or talking about God or becoming friends or who knows what. Maybe the way you pay attention to the professor rather than slouching and drawing could show them that you care and make them feel better about themselves or something. The point is, God can take little things and make them into big things, especially if we are tuned into the Holy Spirit and have that daily, even moment-to-moment connection with God.
We aren't expected to change the world. We aren't even expected to change one life. God just wants us to be seeking him and listening and obedient. God is the one who changes lives, and I know he can definitely do that better than I can.

A couple more things:
Don't be discouraged by thinking about the times when you might have done the opposite of what God wanted and could have ruined somebody's life. Again, God's in control and he wants what's best for us. I don't think he would let our little mistakes ruin a person's life. Second of all, I messed up this weekend. It was our "quiet time" at the retreat on Saturday morning and I was reading and praying and there was a lady not too far away who was crying, seemingly broken by what God was teaching her and doing in her life. I felt like I should go pray for/with her. I didn't. Instead, I sat there for about 10 minutes trying to focus on what I was reading while really thinking about reasons not to go over and pray with the lady or ways to go about it. She eventually left, and I prayed for her by myself feeling guilty for not going up to her. I prayed that God wouldn't let my mistake keep her from finding him or getting baptized or something. That night, sure enough, the very same lady was one of those who gave their lives to Christ and got baptized.

That definitely showed to me a few things. First of all that my mistakes won't necessarily ruin a person's life. Secondly, God can do work without me being present, without anybody being present. Along with that, God has definitely set in me a desire for unreached people groups to be reached. While I am obviously not among those groups right now, I can pray for them. It's hard for me to pray sometimes without seeing results, or even if I do see results, not actually seeing the one I am talking to is difficult for me. However, God has been giving me some good reminders that he doesn't need me to be present in order for him to do work. He doesn't even need to pray anything eloquent; The Holy Spirit can interpret my silly humanness. He doesn't even need me to pray; He can do anything. But he does want me to pray; he wants me to seek him and develop my relationship with him and know that my prayers are powerful and effective.

The Office Has Taken Over

Kassie and I have been watching the show The Office way too much lately. We have been going through all of the season consecutively, although we recently also caught up on the current season online.
It doesn't help that our good friends Bryan and Ashley happen to have seasons 1-5 on DVD. We are on season 4 right now.
I have noticed that everything that happens in real life has been reminding me of an office episode. For example, if anybody says the word "false" it of course creates a direct link in my mind to Dwight.
Also, you know how when you spend a lot of time with somebody, you tend to pick up some of their mannerisms? Yeah, it's bad. Sometimes, I make a Jim face but then realize there is no camera there. Moreover, while in my head I realize I am making a Jim face, it probably looks nothing like Jim in reality.
You thought I was done with that? Nope there's more. I have been kind of frightened (maybe not quite frightened...disturbed? concerned?) at how excited Kassie has been about Jim and Pam's wedding. We watched it today, so that might be over. We'll see. Sorry if I spoiled that for anybody, but honestly if you care at all about The Office you would have known anyway.
We do actually have real lives, apart from The Office, but I think I've written enough for now.

Connections: Small world and all that jazz

Yesterday, I was working at Cook's and a lady came in. As is encouraged, I asked the lady if she was or would like to be on our customer list. After her affirmative response to the latter, I noticed that her address was on Dover Rd in Clare, the same road my in-laws live on. So I asked if she knows the Bays or Ricolos. She asked which Bays, and I clarified. She informed me that she is family friends of Kassie's grandparents and also knows Kassie's mom. So, that was my excitement for the day at work.

Today, Grant(one of my men's house roommates both years I was there)'s parents were at church and they came up to me excitedly and explained that they were looking at Kassie and my wedding pictures on facebook. Grants dad was looking at them, for whatever reason, and got excited and called over his wife. As it turns out, he worked with my Grandpa Max for several years in Royal Oak. Pretty crazy. What a mind-blowing or maybe world-shrinking weekend.

*Bonus*
That's right, you get extra credit for reading this story, or something like that. It's about a dream it's real life correlations. I will start with the dream as well as I remember it:

I was sitting on a brick wall, a short terrace wall (like the ones going down to the lake at the cottage, except taller, for those who know the cottage), talking to somebody and I saw one of my SpringHill campers in a mass of people in front of us. She then left and went over to a field where people were partying and stuff. Soon after, I followed her to the field to see if I could find her, but most of the partiers had left. I was surprised, though, to see me friend Kristen kicking a soccer ball with somebody (not that she can't kick a soccer ball, but I just wasn't expecting her to be in the field or to be kicking a ball in the field). I asked her what she was doing there and if she was going to come to ____. I don't remember what event I was asking her about or inviting her to, but she informed me she would not be going because was about to go eat. I asked her why she was eating so late and she told me it was because she had been making a fake mustache earlier and hadn't had time to eat.

Connections with real life: I had been at Hot Dogs last night sitting on the swing on the men's house porch talking to Katie Bennett overlooking the mass of people getting hot dogs, playing lightning, talking, etc. I noticed one of my SpringHill campers there and saw her leave with a couple people and then come back. When I was leaving I looked for her but didn't find her. I also saw Kristen at hot dogs, but I don't know where the soccer ball or fake mustache come in. Also, last night I was walking home and had some kind of thought that I thought was nightmarish, so I prayed that I wouldn't have nightmares but would instead have a good dream that I would remember. So, I guess that was it. Cool