(HALF EMPTY) We arrived in Orlando two days ago. People have begun to tell me to prepare and brace myself as the enemy will do anything to distract us and move us off course during this process. That many circumstances will arise and test me. Well they were all correct. This morning we awoke to this great surprise below…
Our friends had around $400.00 stolen from their car. We had around $1400 worth of stuff. We normally never leave anything valuable in the car, and it had to be on this night that we did. A new GPS system and a bunch of Tandy’s photography equipment for her business. Wonderful as insurance is, we have a nice little $500.0o deductible… got to love those. Right at a time when we are trying to get our house on the market to sell it, we have all these things popping up, using up every bit of money we need. Not to mention we had a nice little $150.00 fee of replacing the window this morning.
(HALF FULL) Right after this event we went completely on the other side of Orlando to get our windshield replaced. Upon arriving at some hole-in-the-wall windshield repair shop, we were two of only three people in the place. As we sat and waited a guy began asking me about my iphone. We began to engage in conversation. We told him we were both pastors, in which he began to joke about many stereotypes of church and pastors that he had. He had some very comical assumptions and some even funnier experiences. We talked briefly about those with him and truly enjoyed it. He then told us what he does for a living… he has worked at the University of Central Florida for 18 years! What? Right in the area we are looking at possibly planting. I told him about what we are looking at doing, and by the end of the conversation we had swapped emails and phone numbers!
James 1:2 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I awoke this morning with this exact verse in mind. I could choose to get upset (which happens a lot) or I could choose to look at the circumstance through a different perspective. Today I chose the later. Yes, we need money. Yes, we are about to start a church off of support. But I serve a big God, who can do “immeasurably more than I could ask or imagine.” I can’t go to bed tonight without wondering about meeting Greg Mason at the window repair shop. Could God be working even in the midst of a trial? Today I choose to see the glass HALF FULL!
Tags: church, church planting, church planting in orlando, Genesis Church, half full, James 1:2, trials
February 17, 2009 at 11:30 am |
[...] (HALF FULL) Right after this event we went completely on the other side of Orlando to get our windshield replaced. Upon arriving at some hole-in-the-wall windshield repair shop, we were two of only three people in the place. … Windshield Repair Tips… [...]
February 17, 2009 at 1:48 pm |
We’re praying for you guys.
February 17, 2009 at 4:02 pm |
After reading your blog and the scripture you shared, I could not help but think about the song that you used to rap when you were in middle school “Get SOLD out”… Remember the lyrics? … [ Count it all joy when you face temptation knowing that the test of your faith works patience, let patient have its perfect work, so put your hand to the plow and don't look back, GET SOLD OUT 100% GET SOLD OUT stop paying rent!] Scripture you memorized as a child…. It is so awesome how God brings back to our remembrance the right scriptures when we need them.. to encourage us, to direct us and to build our faith.. I know and I am believing that God has something” Amazing” planned for you, your family, and Genesis Church..
Love ya and so proud of you! ! Mom
“He who began a GOOD WORK is faithful”