commitment, conviction, journey

This morning, as I was enjoying a little SportsCenter and a cup of ghetto coffee (made at home, plain black), a commercial for the NCAA winter championships came on.  I listened to it and then backed it up to hear it again. As I listened for a second time I could have sworn that I was listening to a definition of amazing ministry.  

Commitment, conviction and journey were highlighted.  The commercial mentioned frustrating times, bumps in the road, changing direction, etc. You're with me aren't you????  No where did I see or hear, give up, quit, or walk away.  Like I said, ministry!!

The last word they used was difference.  Are we not called to make a difference in this world by making Jesus famous by our commitment to Him?   

Here's what the commercial said; "The bump in the road.....frustrating times...testing our commitment, our resolve.....forcing us to change direction, to charge forward with conviction...blaze a new trail, a journey to the unknown...but it might be where you find...the difference." 

Okay, seriously, read it again.  It does something to you doesn't it? 

are these ever right?

I took the 43 Things Personality Quiz and found out I'm a Spiritual Self-Knowing Extrovert

the end

This past weekend my husband and daughter were out of town at a volleyball tournament. They visited a church and were challenged to think about the past year. My husband loved the message and when he got home decided to pay it forward to the team of salesmen he leads on a daily basis. The response has been amazing! Most of his team members do not attend church on a regular basis, what a great "ice breaker" for my husband to share his passion for our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!!!

I asked him what the questions were and he handed me the notes from the weekend. What a wonderful man I am married to! I took a little time and answered the questions. I was challenged, maybe you will be too.

Where have you been this year?
What do I want to celebrate about his year?
What do I need to grieve?
What was life-giving and energizing to me?
What was life-draining or deflating to me?
Where have I seen God at work in my life?
Where have I seen evidence of God's care?

Where am I today?
How would I describe my current relationship with God?
What is my body been telling me about my life and pace?
What are people noticing about me?
What is energizing or exciting to me right now?
What obstacles or challenges are in front of me?
What am I saying to myself about them?
How might God's perspective be different than mine?
What do I sense that God wants to say to me today?

Where do I want to go?
Where do I sense that God is calling me to invest my life?
What will my life look like if I follow God in this area?
What are the steps I need to take to move forward?
How do I need to relate differently to others in my community?

Yay for 2009 y'all!!