Be Glorious!

 May 25, 2008

Dad opens with Gathering song Praise Him Praise Him (Guitar and Violin)

 4:45 Guests are introduced around

5:25 Camp forms by sister

Track 2 -- silent?

Track 3 McPherson College graduation referenced along with Birthdays, etc

1:01 Piano prelude

10:? Children's story with DM?

19:50 Sister shares a reflection on Memorial Day from a radio program: a father and son place flowers on graves to remember the people who helped him during his life. 

23:30 minutes of standing silence to remember those who have touched our lives

24:30 Joys and Concerns led by sister -- followed by prayer

41:14 JL? reading scripture -- "...tomorrow will have enough trouble of its own..."

43:24 Sister amazing sermon 'Act like you have some sense' title by Lane (Live/Act? Like Jesus is Your King), church goers are often seeking the answer, "Is it true?" That was my problem -- how can I be sure I'm not just a Christian bc everyone around me is a Christian? I spent the first half of my life as a worrier. Mostly, I was worried that I wasn't good enough, and about the things I said, and that the things I read about God weren't true. So I looked at other studies about other religions. I stopped thinking as much about whether it's true. Somewhere in my mid-twenties, I had to make a choice whether I was going to be a Christian or not. Is it a true question, as referenced in the above scripture from Matthew -- if you seek first God's reign on earth, you will have all he promises, eternal life, etc. In the end, what matters is what we say or do/believe, etc. But if all those things are true, then we need to act like it. Not necessarily to save the world, but we need to know it for ourselves. If we're not living it, then we don't believe it. ...Jesus preached the Kingdom of God...Romans 14:17-19 Righteousness/Peace -- I decided to act like it is, and see what happens. A big consequence was a break from worrying. I started back to church, and I quit my not-right job. Very quickly, I got a new job and met my now-husband. God said, 'Don't worry.' I challenge each of us to take steps of faith and see where that leads as we serve together.
1:02:30 Joyful Joyful We Adore Thee


Hello Readers,
Today's sermon, given by my sister, is very on point with events in my life over the last few weeks. Before I listened to the sermon, I titled today's blog. The inspiration for the title was from the lyrics to Four by Ryan O'Neal, and how I have found them to serve as a release of what I've been holding on to and a reason to accept what's in front of me. I have let go of the long-term goal I've had for the last 20-plus years to work in higher education. Pursuing this goal has included a second graduate degree, teaching online and face-to-face adjunct courses, and supervising student teachers. After realizing a couple of weeks ago that I would not be getting the job I had most recently interviewed for, the one that could only have been listed more with me in mind if it mentioned my birth certificate, I was sad. I had known of the job since January, and I had allowed myself to hope. All through the process of waiting, I realized that if this doesn't work out, that's it, there will not be another chance. I live life with this feeling of urgency, similar to the theme in the musical Hamilton, and how he writes like he's running out of time. Honestly, just writing this gives me a sick feeling in the pit of my being.

But Joy Commeth in the Morning, and today, as I write, it is Good-Friday ---and with this dark day of Christ Crucified we know, or as my sister says, we can decide to live like we believe at least, that Christ will Rise Again, and so the pain of the cross is also one of hope and even joy. The Saturday after my Wednesday interview, I let my sadness lead me to another job listing. [I haven't actually been told I didn't get the college job; a sloppy email circumstance led me to my conclusion.] To cut to the chase, I am beyond excited to be returning to band and a rural public school. My plan is to go all in and give it my all. No need to think about building a resume. I'm going to give them my all, with one focus: Be Glorious! 


For a moment, we get to be glorious
Get to be glorious
Get to be glorious

What if we already are
Who we've been dying to become
In certain light, I can plainly see
A reflection of magnificence
Hidden in you
Maybe even in me

-Ryan O'Neal



Thanks for reading,
Stay well,
Amy BH




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