New Beginnings

On Wednesday, I stepped off a cliff. I walked away from good paying job in a bad economy with nothing more than blind faith and a handful of freelance leads.

Crazy, isn’t it?

I am confident (audaciously confident) that God will provide for me and my family. He will provide.

Provided, that is, that I do my part. I need to take care of the precious gifts He has bestowed me: a great family, good friends, many talents, a free country, multiple church families, good health, and abundance that borders on obscene.

Other things I need to do:

• be grateful for all that I have and grateful that I have it so good.
• stop getting distracted by shiny objects and storefronts.
• be a good wife and mother (see Proverbs 31)
• accept this—and every—moment in time for exactly what it is.
• clean this house!!!

Day 1: Filling the Bucket — Bill Hybels-Style

My first day of freedom was spent at the Global Leadership Summit. The Willow Creek Association put together an outstanding speaker lineup. I was only able to attend one day, but the I came away with so many takeaways.

If you’ve never been to #wcagls, it is something to behold. People of all different backgrounds and denominations gathered simultaneously across the globe with one thing in common: Belief that GOD’s Word is still alive in GOD’s World. GOD IS still in control, He does Still Have the Power, and In Him, all things are possible.

Even in a venue of 125 or so people (of whom I knew four), it was still a very powerful, moving, magnificent, awe-inspiring experience. (Of course, such a bold international event can draw controversy, and regardless of what Bill Hybles says, I feel lead to boycott Starbucks...especially since I can no longer expense it on the pCard...)

Here are some insights I gathered from the day. These aren’t direct quotes, just random impressions:

• Everything is more powerful set to music. — Rev. Steven Furtick

• If you want to write, write. If you want to sing, sing. — Seth Godin

• The Holy Spirit will give you the power to do the things in his name that he has called you to do. — Rev. Brenda Salter McNeiil

• When someone says, “God told me” they are never 100% sure it was God talking. They are 55-plus-percent confident. — Furtick

• Start in Jerusalem (your community). Go to Judea (a little further down the road) learn the customs, learn from the people. Share Christ’s compassion. And if he calls you to Samaria (the place where evil reigns supreme), Go. Pray hard, but go.— Rev. Brenda

• Don’t just pray, fast and pray. And stand with others as they fast and pray. ... A bundle of sticks can’t easily be broken. ... What you see around you is a reflection of what is inside you ...When you clean up what is inside you, you can clean up your surroundings....There is no such thing as an obstacle, just an opportunity. — Cory Booker

• The new economy is based on entrpreneurialism. ... Anyone can be a success. Anyone can be a failure. ... People who succeed are those who know it is ok to fail. ... Be smart. Don’t invest more than you can afford to. — Lee Schlessinger

• If you want something bad enough, you will do anything it takes to get it. Sell the sofa if you have to. You will do what you need to and get the job done. —Bill Hybles

• Do what you enjoy ... Be your own boss. ... He who owns the machine, has all the power. — Seth Godin

• We are used to saying Please and Thank you. But with God it is Thank you than please. (And it might be nice to say it in that order with people as well.) — Furtick

• Follow God’s leading....Dig lots of Ditches...God will make it rain...Only God can make it rain. — Furtick (Elisha Rocks!)

• Our country was founded on the backs of righteous men and women who stood in the Gap. Who did the right thing.—Booker

• Just do the next thing....Don’t worry about the destination, just do the next thing...Don’t worry about what to do next...Do the next right thing...Make your next move...Move from here to there....Take baby steps....Lead where you are.

• God will guide and support you the whole way. Just stop and pray. Remember to stop and pray.

• No matter what you are called to do, give it all you've got....Even if you are called to be a stay at home mom, give it all you got. Be audacious.—Furtick

That was a lot to take in for just one day, right? I want to thank Gracepoint Church for their kindness and hospitality. Even though I came by myself, I never felt alone. I promise to come back and visit soon.

Now, to tackle the 8-months-worth of grime on the kitchen floor. God help me!