A Worshipful Heart

We All Have It - How Are You Using It?

You have it. I have it. My Mom and my Dad have it. The neighbor down the street has it. Some of us are aware of it and use it wisely and for good. Some of us barely realize it exists and do nothing with it at all. 

What is IT?  Influence. 

We all have a circle of influence, a group of people that we have the capability of influencing for good with our lives and choices, our time, our example and our love. It may not be as large as we'd like. It may not include all the people we'd like. But we all have the ability to influence certain people around us and invite them to join us in different places of the journey.

I saw this illustrated in a very vivid way this past week as we did the Supply Drive for Haiti. Without a home church, I had no idea who to contact first when I felt God prompting my heart to gather supplies from this area. So I posted it on facebook, emailed a few pastors, called the Madison Baptist Association, some medical supply places, and one of the news stations. And I got very little response. I got discouraged because I only had a few days and I thought over and over again "This is gonna fail. We're not going to gather much." I wasn't seeing much evidence that people I had contacted were choosing to get involved. 

But then a strange thing happened. After a few days I began to hear from individuals that not only wanted to give, but to ask their own circle of friends to give as well. From individuals to churches I began to see this thing grow and take shape, not because of MY influence, but because of a few friends and churches who chose to ask their friends to get involved as well. A few pastors said "yes" and asked their congregations to give - and many people got involved that I could never have even contacted, much less influenced. They gave thousands of dollars worth of supplies. Then my mom got her Sunday School class involved and they gave a huge chunk of change to buy supplies. And so on and so on. 

And so I learned a lesson. 

I may not be able to influence or inspire every person I know. But I can possibly influence a few. And they can influence and inspire a few more. And as the example, and invitation passes along, eventually enough people are mobilized to make a difference. 

So from the moment I posted my initial facebook request that garnered about 5 responses til the morning we pulled out of Madison with a truckload of supplies bound for Haiti til they landed in Haiti to be used, many many people not only gave but invited others to give as well. They not only chose to get involved but they chose to ask others to get involved with them. They set an example and gave an invitation. They used their influence for good. They recognized the power of asking others for help. And they made a difference that they could not have made alone.

You have it as well. 

What are you doing with it? Are you wasting it? Or are you using it for eternal purposes?

Yet Will I Praise You

"Yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation! The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He makes me as surefooted as a deer, able to tread upon the heights."

                                                                                        - Habakkuk 3:17

(A Haitian woman attends mass after the earthquake in Port-au-Prince, January 17, 2010)

Photo by Kena Betancour

 

G.O. Help Haiti

G.O. Help Haiti.

G.O. Help Haiti

If you'll click on the blue link above, you can see a wonderful video showing the work of G.O. Ministries, the group we are conducting the Haiti Supply Drive for this weekend. Read my post below "Help Haiti Now" to see what items are needed - these are the only items that can be transported. We'll be taking these to Louisville on Tuesday and they will be flown into Haiti from there. You can see the PROOF in this video of the remarkable difference these missionaries and church leaders are making.

You can drop off your items here:

Epic Church, Decatur

The Brook Church, Madison

Grant Pharmacy, Grant

Bethlehem Baptist Church, Hazel Green

First Baptist Church Madison, Madison

Trinity Baptist Church, Madison

We'll be picking up the supplies on Monday! Thanks for your help! Remember that Jesus said the greatest commandments were to 1)Love God and 2)Love your neighbor.

This is a great opportunity to LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF!

Where are you singing?

I had an Fellowship of Christian Athletes Sponsor in high school named Coach Taber. He used to take us around to speak and sing all the time. I sang at little churches and events and Lion's Clubs all over Marshall County, Alabama. However good or bad I might have been, he kept taking me. I probably had more gigs in a two year period than I've had since. My parents bought me this small Peavey sound system (we still use it occasionally to help rig something) which was a HUGE sacrifice for them and about the only thing I got for my 15th Christmas. 

Back then most of the smaller churches had no sound system and no one that knew how to run even a simple one so I loaded and hauled my system all over the place, setting up the sound myself. I bought tracks and sang at everything I was asked to perform at, including everything from "The Full Gospel Church of Deliverance" to Saturday Night Singin's. I shared my testimony all over the place. I sang by myself. I sang in duos and trios. I did every Amy Grant song ever written at the time and a few Sandi Patti tunes as well. I have no idea if I was good or not, but I was using what talent I had to my fullest extent.

Then I got married and moved to a larger city. Not huge, but bigger than the small towns I was used to. I didn't know a soul and I quit singing because I didn't know how to use my gift anymore. I was too embarrassed to tell the people where I attended church that I sang, and I think I worried that I was not good enough in a larger setting. So I worked with students for a while, but I did not sing. And I missed it.

A year or two later I ran into Coach Taber and he asked me one simple question "Where are you singing?". He said "Jan, you have a gift. Whenever I see you I'm going to ask you the same question: where are you singing?" His belief in me, and his encouragement paved the way for future ministry. He believed in me in a way that I never, ever believed in myself. I've sang ever since. Until November 2009. I have to confess I'm not singing right now, except for my cats or in the car. Sure I'm teaching, but I'm rarely using that gift. I love music so much. I miss it deeply. I was planning a time of teaching today and kept thinking of what songs I wanted to use with it! There's a hole in my life now. Coach Taber passed away at an early age. I'll never run into him here on earth again. But I know if he was still alive and that if I went home to Guntersville, and bumped into him on the street, he'd still ask me "where are you singing?" if I saw him today. I guess I need to think about that.

Who is the "Coach Taber" in your life? And what question would they ask you today?

Come Help Haiti Right Now!

We here in the Huntsville/Madison area have an opportunity to get to work this week and provide some much needed medical supplies for Haiti in conjunction with G.O. Ministries of Louisville, Kentucky.  This is the group I worked with in the Dominican Republic and you may have seen my many updates on what their missionaries have been doing in response to the earthquake. 

They are gathering supplies to be flown into Haiti to be used in Jacmel, Haiti where there is little aid being received. They've already taken in supplies for an orphanage there via boat, and today they transported 20,000 pounds of supplies. 

This is where you and I can easily help. G.O. Ministries gave me this list of medical supplies that are desperately needed. We will collect them through this weekend and Tuesday we'll drive them to Louisville for G.O. to fly into Haiti. 

 DROP OFF LOCATIONS:

Epic Church, Decatur 

The Brook Church, Madison

Bethlehem Baptist, Hazel Green

Trinity Baptist, Madison

First Baptist Church, Madison

Grant Pharmacy, Grant 

Sunday night, January 24 - I'll be speaking at Grant First Baptist Church at 6:00 pm. You can bring items then.

And a big THANK YOU to The Well, Americare and Ruth and Philip Owen for other generous donations making transportation possible! 

 - Call me at 256.348.5174  or email me at janowen@knology.net to get involved!

UPDATED HAITI SUPPLY LIST

Needed Medical Supplies:

Peroxide

Ace bandages

Bandages

gauze

gloves

masks

Scalpels

Adhesive tape

Antibiotic ointment

glucometers

bandages

tape

Medicines—we can only accept unexpired medications in bulk containers

Regular insulin

Anti-diarrheals

Tylenol/acetaminophen

Ibuprofen

Antibiotics

Food

Bottled water

Baby Formula

Pedialyte or other pediatric electrolyte supplement

Canned meats and sardines 

Canned pasta, already prepared

Protein bars

Peanut butter

Ensure bottled drinks

Supplies:

Tents (small and large)

Tarps

Blankets

Sheets

Rope

Candles

Flashlights/headlamps/batteries

Worship God by loving your fellow man!

Life is more than........worry

I worry about so many things and let so many things bother me.....

........having fat legs and looking horrid in shorts

........having grey hair and having to pay a bit of money to keep it a "secret"

........wondering if my rear looks extraordinarily large in my jeans.....or even if I can button my jeans

....... if my clothes match and if I have the right accessories for an outfit

........the house being a mess

.......missing my favorite show on tv

......getting aggravated at the jealous Auburn fan on facebook that writes stupid, annoying things that I'm tempted to answer but know I should not.

.......not hearing from a friend and feeling a bit left out and forgotten.

Sometimes my worries are a bit more valid and important and I get all wrapped up thinking about....

.....where will I go next?

......asking and wondering "Is God through with me?"

......worrying I'll never lead worship again.

.......should I go back to school so that my resume is more complete?

........where will we go to church?

.....will our house ever sell?

......wondering how I'll pay for the new brakes I had to have this week?

......how will I stand having all my kids out of the house? or across the country?

......not being able to pay for the things I could at this time last year.

......does anybody like me, really truly like me?

......how will I run a non-profit organization and raise all the money needed?

......what if I fail?

......will Phil still love me when I am older and grey?

.....will I get breast cancer? What if I lose a breast? What if I die young?

Some of these fears and worries are valid. Some of them are not. I can't change any of them by worrying about them. And most of them seem incredibly lame in light of the life and death situation played out in Haiti this past week. 

God is teaching me some important life lessons: 

1) "Life is about more important things than having skinny legs." (as nice as that would be!) I need to thankful I am strong and healthy and am well provided for. Everything else is a bonus. 

"So I tell you, don't worry about everyday life - whether you have enough food, drink or clothes. Doesn't life consist of more than food and clothing? ....Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? Of course not! ......And if God cares so wonderfully for flowers...won't he more surely care for you? You have so little faith." Matthew 6:25, 27, 30

2) "Obedience is saying yes to God in the small things every single moment of every single day." I may not know the big picture or the end result right now. But I can live in such a way that I say "yes" to Jesus and please him moment by moment. That is success. That may have to be enough. And that is alright.

What worry do you need to hand over to the King of the Universe tonight? Or what crazy obsession do you just need to say good-bye to forever?

"Don't store up treasures for yourself here on earth, where they can be eaten by moths and get rusty, and where thieves break in and steal. Store your treasures in heaven.....wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

Come Alongside the Brokenhearted

By now you've heard about the earthquake in Haiti. Friends in Santiago, Dominican Republic felt it strongly - and they are hundreds of miles away from the epicenter near Port-au-Prince. There is no doubt about it. This is a devastating disaster for the poorest country in the Americas. Haiti is a country that is poorer than you can imagine, what some call a "5th World Country". Poverty is rampant and there is a huge food crisis in this country already. Imagine - or try to - how these people will be impacted by this disaster.  

As you know, I worked with many Haitian pastors and friends when I visited the Dominican Republic in early November. Some live in Haiti and many others have family in Haiti. Family they have not heard from and are worried about. My heart hurts tonight as I think about these brothers and sisters in Christ. And tonight it's so easy to believe there is nothing I can do to help people on this island.

But you can do one simple thing tonight that will help many, many children and families in Haiti. You can give a gift to Compassion's Disaster Relief Fund. Your gift will help bring aid to those affected by this earthquake. Phil and I have sponsored children through Compassion for 25 years. I have seen their projects firsthand. They do an outstanding job working through the local churches. Your gifts will be well-used. 

Take five minutes. Give some hope and compassion today. 

 

Just One Book....

In a few weeks I'll be heading to India to help train pastors and musicians in the areas of leadership and worship. I'll be joining three other teachers to spend time equipping these leaders so that they can help their congregations learn and grow in new, fresh ways. We'll be working mainly with pastors that belong to the Dalit people group, better known as the "untouchables" of the Hindu caste system. Not only do they face severe disadvantages because of the prejudice of others and the lack of opportunity resulting from this, but they may face persecution - even to the point of death - for sharing their faith in Christ. Many are first generation believers in Jesus. They are not wealthy, and have few resources. To attend this conference may be a once in a lifetime opportunity for many of them. 

There is one simple way you can help. You can buy a book. I've been assured that having a book as a resource will be something they will cherish and be very thankful for. My goal is to take enough books with me so that each church can have one copy of "Pure Praise". My friend and fellow worship leader Dwayne Moore is the author and he has graciously donated two copies for me to take and I'd like to add more to my suitcase. Send a contribution all the way to India!

It's easy. Just go to my AMAZON WISH LIST and buy a copy or two or three and then choose the shipping address entitled "Give Worship Project Books for Leaders". It will come straight to my house! There is a link in the left sidebar that will remain up so you can come back at any time and buy a book.

Help bless a pastor that needs encouragement and training! Invest in the church worldwide!

Why Does Church Hurt?

If you've attended church for any length of time you know what I'm talking about. Church can hurt, and hurt deeply. I'm not totally sure why church hurts have a particular intensity, but they do. And sadly, they seem unavoidable. We gather hundreds of people together from differing backgrounds, with their own opinions and perspectives, needs, desires, and dare I say - in some cases - agendas. We mix them all together based on one thing - our belief in Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. And we hope and pray that this crazy experiment called the church will work. That we will indeed show the world that we are HIS disciples by our love for one another.

So why do the inevitable disagreements and disappointments hurt so much? Why would we dare believe that you could gather a group of strangers together and everyone get along? 

I think it's because we think church should be different. After all, it IS a community of Believers, not just random people. These are not - supposedly - crazy family members we're stuck with based on genetics alone, but people who are filled with the Spirit of God, living out the fruit of that very Spirit. Isn't church a place where the idea of family is fully redeemed? Where the gathered family is HOLY and sacred, and becoming like Christ? Where our goal is one and the same - to grow in Christ and share the Good News of his love with the world? Arms linked, facing a common enemy - Satan and the forces of hell.

A really wise, older pastor once told me that church hurts are deeper because we never expect to encounter our enemy and hell within the walls of the church. We never expect those of forces of sin to invade the holy sacredness of a community of Believers. Yet they do, each and every day. And it is horribly disappointing.

We have such high hopes. We may enter into relationships wholeheartedly, putting aside our fears. We may share the deepest part of ourselves - our dreams, our fears, our struggles, our hopes. We make ourselves vulnerable to a group of people that we believe is always for us, always with us......because we're the Body of Christ, right?

And then we encounter the enemy - sin. It is still among us, and perhaps even more disappointing and discouraging, still within us. And our sin hurts one another. 

This is why church hurts so much. 

Why do you think church hurts are so much harder to deal with? Why have they been for you? No church or pastor bashing please!

Good-Bye 43!

 Tomorrow I turn 44. At sometime around 8:00 pm January 3, 2010 I'll for sure be in my mid-forties and squarely facing middle age. The past year has been a year of many ups and downs. There have been quite a few tears, but there have been so many moments that took my breath away.

In these moments I felt the touch and presence of God.....

*Meeting my sponsored child Dixy as I went to Honduras last year with Compassion International.

*Easter services at The Brook in April. 

*Participating in my son Daniel's high school graduation ceremony.

*Celebrating 25 years of marriage to my husband Phil. A breathtaking blessing!

*Working in Guatemala with friends. I'll never forget working in Yalu or singing to sweet Brenda. 

*Hiking in Yosemite with Phil and Daniel and seeing the sheer power of God's creative power. Unforgettable!

*Sitting on a beach in Maui, watching the sunset, holding Phil's hand. (our footsteps on that same beach are the banner for my blog)

*Having friends - and strangers - wash my feet during worship one morning.

*I felt a deep grace as I stood before my dear friends at The Brook and announced my resignation as Worship Pastor after serving for eleven years. It was one of the most difficult moments of my life.

*Starting training trips with the Give Worship Project, Inc. I'll never forget my first trip, teaching pastors and leaders in the Dominican Republic.

*Bama winning the SEC Championship!

*Experiencing Christmas in New York City! 

*Having all of my children home for Christmas.

I'm looking forward to all God has in store for me in the next year of my life.