Check out the featured Blog article about Two Little Fish via Northview Church! Thankful for their support and love!
Saturday
"Just keep swimming"
Whether your joyful, struggling, or simply lukewarm....My hope is this post will encourage you. I have felt like a floundering fish...for about the last year and a half. A fish that is being fed by the water and swimming amongst friends, then randomly tossed into the air, alone for a while, wondering how will I breath??, will I make it back into the water??, then with a splash...feel the warm water hug me once again to return to the safety of the water and swim my little fins off to catch up to the comfortable school I was swimming with before. The problem with this scenario is that I am never settled. When I am in the warm water swimming amongst the school, I am sad that I can't stay there, when I am tossed in the air, I am anxious as to how will I breathe? Maybe a hard illustration to follow...but I keep seeing nemo..fluttering and dori right there saying.."just keep swimming...just keep swimming" :)
Two Little Fish, that is the name that God gave for this ministry. A name derived from the gospels and the feeding of the five thousand, all because one little boy was willing to sacrifice everything he had. It seems like an easy story and when we hear the stories of others, we so easily read quickly through and say "wow", but what about when we are called to sacrifice? I feel kinda silly even comparing my situation to a sacrifice of everything we have because very few of us have been called to that level, but we have all experienced sacrifice. What do we do when God calls us to a life or a season that requires great sacrifice of what makes us comfortable?
For me, it was the sacrifice of a dream, of a life that felt good. I so often get upset with myself as I feel like the Israelite's....grumbling and complaining about all the things I miss about Egypt....well yeah, I was in slavery, but I had so much comfort surrounding me. To give a quick overview, for those who may not know my story, I was in a marriage that ended in divorce, yet during that time I was surrounded by an amazing church and friends who were like family. I had sisters and brothers in Christ who lifted me up everyday, the blessing of two small children, and the ability to stay at home with them. After the divorce, God provided a miracle in my life of an amazing God filled man, which required my family be moved to Lafayette. New friends, new church, step mom to four grieving kids who lost their mom. I had clearly heard God's call to take this new life on...and I charged forward with obedience...not expecting the pain and grief that would ensue with this new life he had called me to. I was in God's will....without a doubt...but the water was not calm........I was the fish...swimming in warm water one minute and floundering in the air the next...could this be god's promise after obedience? The challenges of a step mom are the hardest I have faced, throw grief and divorce on top of that and I was buried...... I was asked to do this in a new place..without the close comfort of my friends and church.
That's what brings me to today's writing...for those of you who are sad, dismayed, struggling, having a hard time breathing......there's hope. I found myself outside with the book, Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore. This is a book I read many times through my divorce and goes over topics with lists of scripture. I found myself in the chapter about Overcoming Despair Resulting from Loss. Here is the encouragement I found that I would like to share with you......
God CAN restore abundant life, but NOT if we form a stronghold after loss, which is the continued unwillingness or presumed inability to LET him do so!
Psalm 27:13-14 I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 126 Those who sew in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of Joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
THAT'S ME!! To and fro weeping...that's the fish...floundering in the air...constantly weeping whether I am to or fro!!! But notice .....all the while carrying his bag of seed. Carrying the bread and life that God has called you to carry, DOING in obedience even though weeping.....Doesn't that encourage you???? God's word continues to say that it will indeed come again with a SHOUT of joy!!!!
This passage is saying that as we cry and suffer...we are promised that we will be returned to joy as long as we continue to carry that bag of seed, trusting that God has called us to OUR story and that THROUGH our tears, he will faithfully bring us through!!! AMEN
Now does that mean that we should do everything with grumbling, no...that's why I felt convicted to write this post....it's the condition of our heart that God is interested in. Don't use this verse as a license to grumble...but a grace filled hug that God understands our sorrow and calls us to simply trust HIM and "Just keep Swimming!"
So, I love how humorous God is because now when I am feeling defeated, I will close my eyes and picture that God is swimming right next to me, just like Dori, singing "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"
Praying you find your way to joy today amidst the sewing of tears...it is God's promise.
Two Little Fish, that is the name that God gave for this ministry. A name derived from the gospels and the feeding of the five thousand, all because one little boy was willing to sacrifice everything he had. It seems like an easy story and when we hear the stories of others, we so easily read quickly through and say "wow", but what about when we are called to sacrifice? I feel kinda silly even comparing my situation to a sacrifice of everything we have because very few of us have been called to that level, but we have all experienced sacrifice. What do we do when God calls us to a life or a season that requires great sacrifice of what makes us comfortable?
For me, it was the sacrifice of a dream, of a life that felt good. I so often get upset with myself as I feel like the Israelite's....grumbling and complaining about all the things I miss about Egypt....well yeah, I was in slavery, but I had so much comfort surrounding me. To give a quick overview, for those who may not know my story, I was in a marriage that ended in divorce, yet during that time I was surrounded by an amazing church and friends who were like family. I had sisters and brothers in Christ who lifted me up everyday, the blessing of two small children, and the ability to stay at home with them. After the divorce, God provided a miracle in my life of an amazing God filled man, which required my family be moved to Lafayette. New friends, new church, step mom to four grieving kids who lost their mom. I had clearly heard God's call to take this new life on...and I charged forward with obedience...not expecting the pain and grief that would ensue with this new life he had called me to. I was in God's will....without a doubt...but the water was not calm........I was the fish...swimming in warm water one minute and floundering in the air the next...could this be god's promise after obedience? The challenges of a step mom are the hardest I have faced, throw grief and divorce on top of that and I was buried...... I was asked to do this in a new place..without the close comfort of my friends and church.
That's what brings me to today's writing...for those of you who are sad, dismayed, struggling, having a hard time breathing......there's hope. I found myself outside with the book, Praying God's Word, by Beth Moore. This is a book I read many times through my divorce and goes over topics with lists of scripture. I found myself in the chapter about Overcoming Despair Resulting from Loss. Here is the encouragement I found that I would like to share with you......
God CAN restore abundant life, but NOT if we form a stronghold after loss, which is the continued unwillingness or presumed inability to LET him do so!
Psalm 27:13-14 I would have despaired unless I believed that I would see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the LORD.
Psalm 126 Those who sew in tears shall reap with joyful shouting. He who goes to and fro weeping, carrying his bag of seed, shall indeed come again with a shout of Joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
THAT'S ME!! To and fro weeping...that's the fish...floundering in the air...constantly weeping whether I am to or fro!!! But notice .....all the while carrying his bag of seed. Carrying the bread and life that God has called you to carry, DOING in obedience even though weeping.....Doesn't that encourage you???? God's word continues to say that it will indeed come again with a SHOUT of joy!!!!
This passage is saying that as we cry and suffer...we are promised that we will be returned to joy as long as we continue to carry that bag of seed, trusting that God has called us to OUR story and that THROUGH our tears, he will faithfully bring us through!!! AMEN
Now does that mean that we should do everything with grumbling, no...that's why I felt convicted to write this post....it's the condition of our heart that God is interested in. Don't use this verse as a license to grumble...but a grace filled hug that God understands our sorrow and calls us to simply trust HIM and "Just keep Swimming!"
So, I love how humorous God is because now when I am feeling defeated, I will close my eyes and picture that God is swimming right next to me, just like Dori, singing "just keep swimming, just keep swimming"
Praying you find your way to joy today amidst the sewing of tears...it is God's promise.
Tuesday
God's Provision
Definition of PROVISION
a : the act or process of providing b : the fact or state of being prepared beforehand
Have you ever thought about God's provision in your life? We say these words often I'm sure, but have we ever truly meditated on the supremacy and sheer power of this word?
The act or PROCESS of providing, the state of being prepared BEFOREHAND. God truly is amazing. He knows just what we need and he prepares us beforehand through a process. But do we trust him in this process, do we sit IN the process and allow his provision to fall on our life?
It's hard to sit in the process, because most of the time it hurts, it takes too long, or it's simply uncomfortable for us. The word provision came to my mind this morning due to the process that has been taking place in my own personal life and the development of Two Little Fish. It has been a year in the making..both of the above...and God's blessings and rewards are beginning to surface. We have been blessed to be supported by Northview Church and due to this support, we finalized a logo...pictured above with the help of the AWESOME Tish Reed, and given the opportunity to create an AMAZING promotional video by Jensen Productions. We received the first preview this week and were completely blown away with the possibilities...what God is going to do once we get on our feet and run with this Ministry...it is simply surreal.
I received the picture below this week from a friend that received her nursery bedding this week...
Here are some up close pictures of her set Confetti Pop: another set like this will be available by July!
Friday
SO EXCITED.....I can hardly stand it!
SO....ARE YOU READY?? You have seen all the "It's a Hoot" previews, which has to be by far my favorite girly fabric. Well after all the pattern making, sample testing, and vigorous washing to test my products, I have my first full sample set done!
I left the front of the Crib off so you can see the fabric completely. One of the COOLEST things about this crib set, besides the awesome cool fabric from Ghana, is that the bumper has been made to accommodate your toddler as they move up to their toddler bed!
The front is sewn as a separate panel! So as your child transitions into their toddler bed, their bumper can stay as part of their bedding. And there is more........are you ready?
It's REVERSIBLE! So this crib set is not only super funky and adorable, but is made with HAND batiked fabric from women in Ghana AND when you purchase a set you will also be sending a MATTRESS to an orphan in South Africa through our partnership with Horizon International. Steve and I are not making ANY profit from this ministry, ALL profits will be going back into global and local ministries that work to fight poverty as well as supporting the local church to support missionaries and raise up leaders.
So, are you convinced that Two Little Fish is going to be the COOLEST bedding supplier known to man?
If so.....here's how you can help.....
Are you looking to buy crib bedding or a new Twin comforter for your child? We are in need of 3-4 sample clients to purchase our bedding as a precursor to our launch. You will receive an introductory discount as well as the ability to CHOOSE which fabrics you want me to use for your set. This is a ONE time opportunity! Based on the availability of the fabric, our initial line of bedding will be listed for sale after it is manufactured....but you have the opportunity to choose your STYLE AND FABRIC FAMILY!
Looking for a new TWIN comforter? I have not shown any previews of those yet, but they are in the making. They will showcase appliques of the Ghanian fabric in fun and whimsical designs for boys and girls. You have the opportunity to CHOOSE your THEME AND FABRIC!
If you are interested in this opportunity, please email me at roseyswife@gmail.com. I will choose 3-4 WINNERS within two weeks.
Thursday
Gratefulness amidst the Chaos
It's finished! The room has been done for a couple months now...but I just now got it clean enough to show you on the blog! :)
AND my fabric is all tagged and inventoried thanks to some special girls at Northview WL!
This next picture I attribute to Jess Snell of Rockin B Design she has been instrumental in teaching me how to take my hobby to the next level of being a manufactured product. I love you girl! Thanks so much!
Here is a quick peek at some of the African fabrics we use in our bedding sets that you can find HERE at www.twolittlefish.com
.....and I just couldn't resist adding my favorite Marilyn Monroe picture that I purchased when I first graduated. I (used to) love to workout....and thought this was the coolest picture of Girl Power! Of course, now that I have aged (some) and have six children, it is inappropriate to grace my entry way...but perfect for my little home in the basement!
This next picture is the most special...I have never had an older wise woman teach me her sewing skills. I just adore older women that sew and LOVE the opportunity for them to teach me. Steve lost his mom at age 11, but still has her sewing machine, her sewing box and the picture on the left was her manual....HOW COOL. Her picture is on the right...even though I didn't get the opportunity for her to teach me, it has been really neat for Steve and I both to have a little bit of her presence in the room.
So....that's the finished product! I have had a day of feeling so blessed...to be honest though, I had to take a break from the ministry over the holidays....mostly due to the schedule, but also due to the fact that I needed a respite.....It has been REALLY hard balancing this task that God has asked of me with making new friends, helping out at church, being a good wife...oh and of course the six kids. But what God reveled to me in his timing, was that after the month of respite.....although I felt less tired and stressed....I also felt less fulfilled, less joy, less purpose. I realized that God knew I would be bored with the regular. Thus why he asked me to take on this task of creating a manufactured product line that would support local and global poverty...how else would I be able to saturate my children in a culture that is not ours? How else would I be able to sufficiently show my children the reality of poverty around us and around the globe. What better way to show my children how to live a life dedicated to obedience and service to God than to show them by my own behavior! God finally bestowed me with the wisdom that I am grateful for this opportunity and privileged that he asked this of me...yes it comes with more time management issues, more stress, more on my to do list...but I am GRATEFUL!
We have had a great year of preparation and we are getting so close to having a website with products up for SALE... Please pray for god to continue to bring the right people to us for product brochures, web design and video production. If you know of anyone who has skills in these areas that may be interested in doing some contract/free lance work can you comment under the Facebook feed. It's gonna be soon peeps....at least we can say a definite launch of products in 2012! Hooray
Sunday
Gifts for jesus....Gifts from God: Advent activities for the busy mom
This post strays a little bit from the ministry...but it's christmas, so I am gonna post mostly about including jesus in our christmas celebration and how God reminded me of his goodness with a gift regarding the ministry.
I would like to start by showing you my imperfect eclectic collection of our advent activity!
I call it imperfect because when I began to look for an advent activity this year, I found many. Being real with you all, I knew it would be difficult to read a lesson and do an activity EVERY day. It's quite cantankerous when you have six children ranging in age from 13 to 4, school programs, basketball, husband out of town for work and early bedtimes.......I also found another post of activities called RACK'ed (Random Acts of Kindness) that I just loved! Again, 25 different activities.......Many of you, that would not rattle, you would just choose a few and move forward......Not the perfectionist....if I can't do it just as well as she intended then why even try......that was my former life :)
I will admit that I greatly enjoy the pottery barn life....everything in it's place, nothing broken and all things surrounding perfectly placed giving the illusion of warmth and comfort. Which is exactly why God hand picked me to live in the muck of eight people residing in one house with a dog and two cats! Only half of my "pottery barn" decorations have made it out of hiding...only then to be marred by children and covered in animal hair. My balloon drapes that I slaved to make adorned the windows of our dining room only to become a magnetic cat brush for our white cat hutch who loved to rub past them as he went to sit in the window....a MILLION times a day :) I write all of this to say, that God had to shake me and get me to the point where I now teter with acceptance that maybe I can't do every thing exactly they way I used to or similar to those around me with more emotional resistance or less children (big smile)...but I can create my own new normal...and it is good.
SO, I am very excited to bring you the Roswarski Advent Activity which is a hodge podge of what I really loved in others activites, scaled to fit into our life....with no guilt of it not being enough...because jesus is and I am doing my very best to etch him into the heart of all six of my beautiful children.
1. I did put 25 bags up, they were not stamped beautifully, just written with a sharpie, hole punched them and tied them to gold ribbon I placed on the wall with thumb tacks
2. My close friends and pastor at our church shared an activity that his wife had found on Pinterest LOVE that website. It was simply having everyone write something that they were grateful for on a small piece of paper and place it in a jar to be read on Christmas day. I adapted this a little and choose about 15 different items which included: What you love most about each individual family member?, what the best thing Jesus has ever done for you?, why do we give gifts on Christmas day?, what was your favorite memory of your mom at Christmas? (four of my children lost their mom as well as my husband), what are you grateful for today? (that one is held in the Dec 25th bag)
3. A friend on Facebook posted a link to this fabulous blog Random Acts of Kindness. She takes her kids out and does 25 different RACK's (Random Acts of Kindness) I already talked about how I knew I couldn't do all 25, so I picked out 7 of my favorite and lined them up for us to do on our weekends together or after school. Some of them include: taking their teachers their favorite starbucks treats, taking a plate of candy to the attendent working xmas eve and xmas day, taping quarters and notes about jesus to vending/toy machines, taking a gift to the local postal workers.....see below
I found these cute mugs filled with hot chocolate and ghiradelli goodies only 5$ a piece at Sam's! We are gonna take the hot chocolate mugs to the postal workers and the candy jars to the gas station attendants. And this next one, I am the most excited about.....
We are gonna take these cute little candy canes and pass them out to kids at the mall with a RACK note attached, you can find all her downloads here: http://tsjphotography.com/blog/rack-download-edition/
3. So for the part about Jesus.....A very dear friend of mine gave me the book one thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp. She is a mother of six who has made it to the new york times best seller list, writes for compassion international and lives a simple farmers life the rest of the time. Basically her book is about embracing your reality and being FULLY alive right where you are! Great concept huh! So as I began lookinf for advent ideas, I saw this author's name pop up! She also has a great advent activity called the jesse tree. She goes through and writes a story for each of the advent days and gives an activity for your children to do and a paper ornament for them to place on the tree. Click the word FREE below which will take you to her blog, subscribe to her feed and you can download the book for FREE!
SO....I loved all three of these ideas, so I combined them all...I will ATTEMPT to do the advent reading daily as I have placed the ornaments in the numbered bags, we will go as a family and do a few activities and we will list what we love about each other and what we are grateful for! Yup...I started late and I am sure with our schedule, I will have to double up on a couple days and that's OK.
So...I write this whole post to those busy mom's out there who want the focus to be on Jesus, but struggle with how. It's ok if you just do one activity...it's ok if you start your advent activties on the 15th.....just do something to focus your family on Jesus! You DON'T have to be perfect...just have a willing heart.
And for the ministry part :)
I had a bad week, I'll admit it and I was swimming in it. I never get to the place where I doubt God's love and provision for me, but I was there. I had tripped over too many rocks that day and this time when I fell, I floundered on the floor like a child, wailing and kicking my arms and legs, kinda like the scene in bruce almighty where he doesn't want to get out of bed
I LOVE that scene, I have actually re-enacted it on Steve, yup, I'm that girl :).....So, as I am kicking, as the above picture shows, about how hard all of this is......wondering if all this work I am placing into the ministry is going to be fruitful......my doorbell rings.....it's the UPS man with this......
It's the adored fabric that I got from haggling my way at the AIBI fabric show in chicago with my great friend Jess Snell, owner Rockin B Clothing. Basically they only sell fabric to their clients and to be a client you have to make a 120yrd order of fabric. That's around $600-800 depending on the price! So after talking with Jess at lunch, I decided to be brave and ask for sample yardage because I LOVED this fabric. To my surprise, the rep said YES! It had been about 8 weeks since the show and no fabric :( I had assumed it was a no go......so in the middle of my ranting, God had perfectly timed this present! As if to say, Nicole, I hear you and you make me laugh....You are right where I want you to be, have faith, I've got this!
The above picture includes fabric with super cool vintage cars, guitars, route 66 and surf theme. Ever been out looking for little boy baby or toddler bedding that was COOL and just couldn't find anything other than trains and animals....well, look no more! Thank you god for putting up with my "Jim Carey" rantings. I love that you love us Just the way we are!
I would like to start by showing you my imperfect eclectic collection of our advent activity!
I will admit that I greatly enjoy the pottery barn life....everything in it's place, nothing broken and all things surrounding perfectly placed giving the illusion of warmth and comfort. Which is exactly why God hand picked me to live in the muck of eight people residing in one house with a dog and two cats! Only half of my "pottery barn" decorations have made it out of hiding...only then to be marred by children and covered in animal hair. My balloon drapes that I slaved to make adorned the windows of our dining room only to become a magnetic cat brush for our white cat hutch who loved to rub past them as he went to sit in the window....a MILLION times a day :) I write all of this to say, that God had to shake me and get me to the point where I now teter with acceptance that maybe I can't do every thing exactly they way I used to or similar to those around me with more emotional resistance or less children (big smile)...but I can create my own new normal...and it is good.
SO, I am very excited to bring you the Roswarski Advent Activity which is a hodge podge of what I really loved in others activites, scaled to fit into our life....with no guilt of it not being enough...because jesus is and I am doing my very best to etch him into the heart of all six of my beautiful children.
1. I did put 25 bags up, they were not stamped beautifully, just written with a sharpie, hole punched them and tied them to gold ribbon I placed on the wall with thumb tacks
2. My close friends and pastor at our church shared an activity that his wife had found on Pinterest LOVE that website. It was simply having everyone write something that they were grateful for on a small piece of paper and place it in a jar to be read on Christmas day. I adapted this a little and choose about 15 different items which included: What you love most about each individual family member?, what the best thing Jesus has ever done for you?, why do we give gifts on Christmas day?, what was your favorite memory of your mom at Christmas? (four of my children lost their mom as well as my husband), what are you grateful for today? (that one is held in the Dec 25th bag)
3. A friend on Facebook posted a link to this fabulous blog Random Acts of Kindness. She takes her kids out and does 25 different RACK's (Random Acts of Kindness) I already talked about how I knew I couldn't do all 25, so I picked out 7 of my favorite and lined them up for us to do on our weekends together or after school. Some of them include: taking their teachers their favorite starbucks treats, taking a plate of candy to the attendent working xmas eve and xmas day, taping quarters and notes about jesus to vending/toy machines, taking a gift to the local postal workers.....see below
3. So for the part about Jesus.....A very dear friend of mine gave me the book one thousand gifts by Ann Voskamp. She is a mother of six who has made it to the new york times best seller list, writes for compassion international and lives a simple farmers life the rest of the time. Basically her book is about embracing your reality and being FULLY alive right where you are! Great concept huh! So as I began lookinf for advent ideas, I saw this author's name pop up! She also has a great advent activity called the jesse tree. She goes through and writes a story for each of the advent days and gives an activity for your children to do and a paper ornament for them to place on the tree. Click the word FREE below which will take you to her blog, subscribe to her feed and you can download the book for FREE!
SO....I loved all three of these ideas, so I combined them all...I will ATTEMPT to do the advent reading daily as I have placed the ornaments in the numbered bags, we will go as a family and do a few activities and we will list what we love about each other and what we are grateful for! Yup...I started late and I am sure with our schedule, I will have to double up on a couple days and that's OK.
So...I write this whole post to those busy mom's out there who want the focus to be on Jesus, but struggle with how. It's ok if you just do one activity...it's ok if you start your advent activties on the 15th.....just do something to focus your family on Jesus! You DON'T have to be perfect...just have a willing heart.
And for the ministry part :)
I had a bad week, I'll admit it and I was swimming in it. I never get to the place where I doubt God's love and provision for me, but I was there. I had tripped over too many rocks that day and this time when I fell, I floundered on the floor like a child, wailing and kicking my arms and legs, kinda like the scene in bruce almighty where he doesn't want to get out of bed
I LOVE that scene, I have actually re-enacted it on Steve, yup, I'm that girl :).....So, as I am kicking, as the above picture shows, about how hard all of this is......wondering if all this work I am placing into the ministry is going to be fruitful......my doorbell rings.....it's the UPS man with this......
It's the adored fabric that I got from haggling my way at the AIBI fabric show in chicago with my great friend Jess Snell, owner Rockin B Clothing. Basically they only sell fabric to their clients and to be a client you have to make a 120yrd order of fabric. That's around $600-800 depending on the price! So after talking with Jess at lunch, I decided to be brave and ask for sample yardage because I LOVED this fabric. To my surprise, the rep said YES! It had been about 8 weeks since the show and no fabric :( I had assumed it was a no go......so in the middle of my ranting, God had perfectly timed this present! As if to say, Nicole, I hear you and you make me laugh....You are right where I want you to be, have faith, I've got this!
The above picture includes fabric with super cool vintage cars, guitars, route 66 and surf theme. Ever been out looking for little boy baby or toddler bedding that was COOL and just couldn't find anything other than trains and animals....well, look no more! Thank you god for putting up with my "Jim Carey" rantings. I love that you love us Just the way we are!
Thursday
Hu.mil.i.ty
Humility is defined as, "A quality by which a person, considering his own defects, has a humble opinion of himself and willingly submits himself to God and to others for God's sake."
These thoughts came flooding through my mind as I sat and watched the David Crowder Band concert, specifically the amazing talent of Gungor and the drummer for DCB.
I LOVE seeing people perform in the middle of their passion. When a person of God is doing something they are passionate about they exude joy and humility. Usually they get so lost in the joy and presence of God, there is little time to be proud.
It was so enthralling to watch the three musicians in Gungor excel in their own musical talents. They were each so different and each SO good. And together it created such a beautiful form of worship. As I watched them, I thought how each person was so important to the whole creation of music. The leader by himself would not have been as entertaining and powerful as all of them together. The musicians performed the gift and talent that god had given them humbly, they got lost in his presence and his joy. Each one was equally important. There was no pride, no competition for who's first name should appear in the band title.....just harmony. I love how even though David Crowder Band obviously has David Crowder as it's leader, I was completely enthralled with the drummer, amazed at his musical talent and found the most joy with him. An integral piece of the puzzle that creates the band.
Enjoy this clip of Gungor.....pay attention to the guy on the far right, he is actually beat boxing along with playing his string instrument.
Are you humble when you lead a group of believers or nonbelievers? Do they see you using your gift with humility and joy in the presence of God? What gift has God given you to add to the harmony of the church. It's not just about ONE person. None of us would function alone. It is about the song that is created with ALL believers in Harmony.
I will admit, I am the most humble amidst my passion of design and sewing. When someone complements me, I truly praise God for giving me the ability. I am confident because I know this ability is from him. I struggle more when I am placed in positions that I have to use aspects of my personality and abilities that are harder for me. Parts of me that I know my flesh has a tendency to take over. The flesh aspect of me wants to hear that I have done a good job because I am insecure about my ability.
So, at the end of the concert....I felt God telling me....That I don't have to be perfect, no one can excel in everything....and that would be no fun...what if David Crowder ran around the stage to play every part on his own! The harmony wouldn't have been acheived. God spoke to me about the importance of each role in the united body of Christ. That even if he gives me a job that I may not do perfectly, it's about my obedience to own that position in order for the song to be written.
So, how does this relate to the ministry? I have been so blessed by help, people coming along side me to make this ministry a reality. The other night my West Lafayette life group came over to have an Ironing party!! I had to wash all 250 yards of ghanian fabric because of shrinkage in my sample set and then iron ALL OF IT! I never would have been able to complete this task all on my own.
These thoughts came flooding through my mind as I sat and watched the David Crowder Band concert, specifically the amazing talent of Gungor and the drummer for DCB.
I LOVE seeing people perform in the middle of their passion. When a person of God is doing something they are passionate about they exude joy and humility. Usually they get so lost in the joy and presence of God, there is little time to be proud.
It was so enthralling to watch the three musicians in Gungor excel in their own musical talents. They were each so different and each SO good. And together it created such a beautiful form of worship. As I watched them, I thought how each person was so important to the whole creation of music. The leader by himself would not have been as entertaining and powerful as all of them together. The musicians performed the gift and talent that god had given them humbly, they got lost in his presence and his joy. Each one was equally important. There was no pride, no competition for who's first name should appear in the band title.....just harmony. I love how even though David Crowder Band obviously has David Crowder as it's leader, I was completely enthralled with the drummer, amazed at his musical talent and found the most joy with him. An integral piece of the puzzle that creates the band.
Enjoy this clip of Gungor.....pay attention to the guy on the far right, he is actually beat boxing along with playing his string instrument.
Are you humble when you lead a group of believers or nonbelievers? Do they see you using your gift with humility and joy in the presence of God? What gift has God given you to add to the harmony of the church. It's not just about ONE person. None of us would function alone. It is about the song that is created with ALL believers in Harmony.
I will admit, I am the most humble amidst my passion of design and sewing. When someone complements me, I truly praise God for giving me the ability. I am confident because I know this ability is from him. I struggle more when I am placed in positions that I have to use aspects of my personality and abilities that are harder for me. Parts of me that I know my flesh has a tendency to take over. The flesh aspect of me wants to hear that I have done a good job because I am insecure about my ability.
So, at the end of the concert....I felt God telling me....That I don't have to be perfect, no one can excel in everything....and that would be no fun...what if David Crowder ran around the stage to play every part on his own! The harmony wouldn't have been acheived. God spoke to me about the importance of each role in the united body of Christ. That even if he gives me a job that I may not do perfectly, it's about my obedience to own that position in order for the song to be written.
So, how does this relate to the ministry? I have been so blessed by help, people coming along side me to make this ministry a reality. The other night my West Lafayette life group came over to have an Ironing party!! I had to wash all 250 yards of ghanian fabric because of shrinkage in my sample set and then iron ALL OF IT! I never would have been able to complete this task all on my own.
This is Amanda....she is having her baby AS I TYPE......BOY OR GIRL?????? We shall soon find out!
As they ironed, I measured and folded. I was tuckered out at 9:00pm, but not my team of girls! They were determined to iron until it was all wrinkle free!!!!
I love the unity and harmony of the church when we unite in Hu.mil.i.ty. Thanks girls, i am so blessed and grateful to get to experience the Life Group that surrounded me at Northview Carmel, but now the group at Northview West Lafayette. I love you girls!
So, here is next Sneak Peek.....it's called Natures Baby
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