Kingdom Living: A Risky Business

In my last post, I mentioned that Mr. The King and I have made some counter-cultural decisions, some decisions that many people will not understand. Well, today, I want to share a little bit about this new phase in our life.

 For several years, I have been on a steady decline both physically and mentally. I've been overwhelmed, stressed out, anxious and depressed while trying to juggle the demands of home, ministry and a full time job that I am not really suited for. For quite a while, I was trying to do it all on my own, and I felt like a complete failure! I had no joy in life, and serving Jesus was no longer a pleasure or privileged, just another obligation. Well, two weeks ago, I took a risk...a giant step of faith. I quit my full time job, the one that paid the bills... and made me completely miserable.

After, I had made the decision, I began to feel some fear and confusion creep in. Oddly enough, I wasn't fearful regarding our financial situation, but I was fearful of how people would perceive my decision. Thoughts began to fill my mind.

"People will think you are lazy and don't want to work," I thought. "People will think that you are being financially irresponsible. People will think you are stupid to quit a steady job in this economy."

All these thoughts crowded my mind and filled my heart with anxiety on that first day of my decision. I was in such a state that I couldn't sleep, so I did what I know to be the best thing for my restless soul, I opened my Bible. I prayed for the Lord to speak to me, and this is the story he gave me:

Matthew 25:14-30 

¹⁴ “Again, the Kingdom of Heaven can be illustrated by the story of a man going on a long trip. He called together his servants and entrusted his money to them while he was gone. ¹⁵ He gave five bags of silver to one, two bags of silver to another, and one bag of silver to the last—dividing it in proportion to their abilities. He then left on his trip. ¹⁶ “The servant who received the five bags of silver began to invest the money and earned five more.¹⁷ The servant with two bags of silver also went to work and earned two more. ¹⁸ But the servant who received the one bag of silver dug a hole in the ground and hid the master’s money. ¹⁹ “After a long time their master returned from his trip and called them to give an account of how they had used his money. ²⁰ The servant to whom he had entrusted the five bags of silver came forward with five more and said, ‘Master, you gave me five bags of silver to invest, and I have earned five more.’ ²¹ “The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ ²² “The servant who had received the two bags of silver came forward and said, ‘Master, you gave me two bags of silver to invest, and I have earned two more.’ ²³ “The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’ ²⁴ “Then the servant with the one bag of silver came and said, ‘Master, I knew you were a harsh man, harvesting crops you didn’t plant and gathering crops you didn’t cultivate. ²⁵ I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’ ²⁶ “But the master replied, ‘You wicked and lazy servant! If you knew I harvested crops I didn’t plant and gathered crops I didn’t cultivate, ²⁷ why didn’t you deposit my money in the bank? At least I could have gotten some interest on it.’ ²⁸ “Then he ordered, ‘Take the money from this servant, and give it to the one with the ten bags of silver. ²⁹ To those who use well what they are given, even more will be given, and they will have an abundance. But from those who do nothing, even what little they have will be taken away. ³⁰ Now throw this useless servant into outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

I had read this passage many times before, but this time it hit home in a new and timely way. As I thought about the two faithful servants who invested their masters money, I realized that there was a certain amount of risk involved for them. The third servant was not willing to take that risk, and because of that, he hid the money thus wasting an opportunity to earn more for His master. The master then took away his portion and gave it to the the first servant because the first servant was faithful with what he had been given.

When I spent some time in honest reflection, I realized that I have not been faithful with the gifts that the Lord has given me. I have been so concerned with seeking security for myself that I have wasted opportunities to glorify God with my life. After reading this parable once I again, I was assured that I had made the right decision. Trusting God and living for His Kingdom requires risks on our part, and I believe that my step of faith was just the step I needed in my life to propel me into a deeper spiritual walk and a more meaningful ministry. God is confirming more and more everyday that He honors our faithfulness and willingness to take risks for the Kingdom.

We've learned that Kingdom living is risky business, but the reward is greater than the cost. Since our step of faith, I've experienced a peace like never before. We don't know what is coming next, but we are open to what God has for us. I am excited about the possibilities for the future, and I know that God is going to take care of us. I feel no fear, only hope and joy!! 

This song by Switchfoot based on the Lord's Prayer has been a great source of peace and comfort for me during this time of transition. I hope that you will find it comforting as well.

Your Love is Strong - Switchfoot

Feeling Fabulous Friday: A Fresh Start

It has been such a long time since our last post, and so much has happened! I don't have time to share it all with you now, but I wanted to post anyhow to let you all know that we are hanging in there and anxiously awaiting a fresh start that is coming soon.

Here is what I posted today on Twitter:

Fridays Fight: Fight to live your life in the center of God's perfect will. Stand up & don't back down, even if it seems crazy to everyone.

We have made some decisions lately that really don't make sense to the world or our own fleshly minds! We have shaken up our priorities and set some things straight. It's scary! It's exciting! But most of all, it is right! We are being set free day by day.We have so much to learn still, and so much to heal. So, your prayers would be greatly appreciated.

I want to share a song with you that describes my life over the past year and a half. It's a song by Jason Gray called, For the First Time Again. I can really relate to the second verse of the song at this particular point in my life. Give it a listen, and I hope that you will learn that it is never too late for a fresh start...for new life again! Don't be afraid to take a risk and step out into all that God has for you.

For the First Time Again

Jason Gray

I am ready for that new beginning again! 

Jesus, I pray, remove from me all doubt and fear and fill me with a new joy, vitality, and love for You!

Ministry Monday and The Sunday Sermon Review: The Here and Now

It seems like it has been ages since I posted on the blog, and I would like to start out today's post by apologizing and telling you that I am working on simplifying, prioritizing, and managing my time more efficiently. I am currently searching out the will of God regarding everything that I am involved in, and I am asking Him to show me what I need to let go of in order to be more effective in life and ministry.

Last week was a very busy week, and Mr. The King and I did not get much rest. We have been working late nights trying to prepare for the upcoming Youth Conference that our company is organizing and putting on in connection with the radio station he works for. We have also been trying (unsuccessfully) to get our house in some sort of order! Add to that our normal ministry duties at church, and you have a chaotic week for sure!

This past weekend, we decided that we needed a little time away from all of those responsibilities that were weighing so heavily upon us and some time to seek the Lord regarding some decisions that we will soon have to make. So, we loaded up our SUV and headed to the mountains for a weekend of camping with a couple, who we consider our mentors, and our former pastor and his two kids. It was a good trip, and we gained some much needed insight and peace of mind.

On Sunday, we were back at our church leading in worship under the guidance of our new Interim Pastor. It was a great service, and we are really looking forward to the future! In some ways we still feel unrest and uncertainty regarding the direction of our ministry there. However, we are excited to work with the new Interim and hear the direction that he has to give us. We are confident that the Lord is moving and guiding us toward the building of a powerful and effective ministry to the community.

The message that our new Interim Pastor delivered this Sunday was a very timely and poignant message for our staff and congregation. The title of the sermon was: That was then, this is now. He used the text of Hebrews 12:1-3 and the examples of faith in Hebrews 11 to provide us with 4 characteristics of a real Christ Follower.

¹ Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, ² fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. ³ Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. 

The 4 Characteristics of a Real Christ Follower:


1. They don't focus on past glories
2. They don't dwell on the agony of past defeat
3. They seek out God's will for the present
4. They focus on the Lord as our hope for the future

These points are so important for our church and for us personally. I was especially touched by point #2, not dwelling on the agony of past defeats. I think we all get caught up in that sometimes. The Pastor pointed out in the passage in Hebrews that the "sin that so easily entangles" is not always present sin. Many times, we are holding on to the guilt of past sins and failures that have already been forgiven. We let them trip us up and keep us from running the race effectively,but we are to look ahead towards Christ, to search out his will for the present and cling to His hope for the future. We must let go of past success and past failures. What a wonderful message for a new chapter in ministry!

Feeling Fabulous Friday: Getting Simple

I have found that the times in my life when I feel the most fabulous and have the most joy, are the times when my life is simple. In those days and moments, I am not rushed, busy, anxious or laiden with want. Instead, I feel content, relaxed, and focused. All of this results from a life of simpicity.

Simplicity is a spiritual discipline, one that I am trying to fully develop in my life. Richard Foster says in his book Celebration of Discipline:

 "The central point of the Discipline of simplicity is to seek the Kingdom of God and the righteousness of his kingdom first and then everything necessary wlll come in its proper order."

He goes on to say that the Discipline of simplicity is not just about living a less complicated life and letting go of material possessions, but it is also an inner spirit of trust, characterized by freedom from anxiety! Who couldn't use some liberation from anxiety??!!

Foster says that as we live in this world, "We are trapped in a maze of competing attachments. One moment we make a decision out of sound reason and the next moment out of fear of what others will think of us. We have no unity or focus around which our lives are oriented...We should take exception to the modern psychosis that defines people by how much they produce or what they earn." He says that simplicity is all about balance and right priorities. In my opinion, simplicity is about surrender!

I crave simplicity. I want to let go of the chaos and receive the freedom and joy that comes from total surrender! I'm not completely there yet, but God is teaching me to loosen my grip.

John 10:10 NIV 

¹⁰ The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

I know that I am not living life to the fullest right now. I need to simplify my life in order to experience joy on this journey.

On this Feeling Fabulous Friday, I am making it my goal to release my anxieties, surrender my control, put my trust in the Lord, and take practical steps toward simplifying my life.

Here is some good advice I found this week on the blog, Marc and Angel Hack Life. I don't necessarily agree with all of the things on the list, and it really wasn't written from a Christian perspective. However, I think it is a good list to ponder. I have emphasized the things on the list that I struggle with the most, so check it out and ask God to show you how you are wasting the life that He has given you.

50 Ways to Waste a Life

If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never get it.  If you don’t ask the right questions, you’ll always get the wrong answers.  If you don’t take a step forward, you’re always going to be in the same place.  Life is a journey full of choices.  Here are 50 wasteful choices to avoid.

1. Spend time regretting the past and feeling sorry for yourself.
2. Complain about problems and do nothing to solve them.
3. Follow the path of least resistance and quit when the going gets tough.
4. Ignore your passion and follow the money.
5. Setup your lifestyle so it’s dependant on your next paycheck.
6. Spend more than you earn and rack up lots of financial debt.
7. Try to control everything and then worry about the things you can’t control.
8. Focus on what you don’t want to happen.
9. Fear the things you don’t fully understand.
10. Let everyone else make decisions for you.  Don’t decide on anything, ever.
11. Let small issues snowball into big problems.
12. Be jealous of everyone else.
13. Hold onto anger.  Never forgive anyone.
14. Always be right.  Never let anyone be more right than you.
15. Seek external validation before you consider yourself good enough.
16. Make sure everything you do impresses someone else.
17. Lie to yourself and those around you and put up with others who lie to you.
18. Keep doing the same thing over and over again until the day you die.
19. Never finish what you start.
20. Stay in the same place forever.  Never travel.
21. Compare yourself unfavorably to those who you feel are more successful.
22. Belittle yourself and hang out with other people who belittle you.
23. Never learn anything new.
24. Never take responsibility for your own actions.  Blame everyone around you.
25. Don’t let anyone help you.
26. Be suspicious.  Trust no one.
27. Multitask, multitask, multitask!  Do everything at once.
28. Fill every waking moment of your life with commitments.
29. Don’t help others unless you have to.  Do only the things that benefit you directly.
30. Think about all the things you don’t have and frown.
31. Never exercise.  Only eat junk food and fried food.  Let your health rot.
32. Don’t say what you mean.  Don’t mean what you say.
33. Never tell anyone how you feel or what you’re thinking.
34. Never say, “I’m sorry.”  Never say, “I love you.”
35. Get involved in other people’s problems and make them your own.
36. Always put your own needs on the back burner.
37. Make others feel bad about themselves.
38. Watch TV for several hours every day.
39. Do lots of drugs.  Drink lots of alcohol.
40. Don’t play, just work.
41. Let your hobbies go.
42. Let your close relationships go.
43. Take everyone seriously and everything personally.
44. Remember the insults, forget the compliments.
45. Fail to plan.  Always wait until the last minute.
46. Let it all bottle up inside.
47. Always disregard other people’s opinions and suggestions.
48. Dream about your future goals and never take action to achieve them.
49. Fear change and resist it.
50. Work hard, do your best, and then condemn yourself for not achieving perfection.

If you’re guilty of some of the bullet points above, remember, no matter how long you have traveled in the wrong direction you always have the choice to turn around.