HORDERS BEWARE

(I probably spelt horders wrong but you all KNOW what I mean!)

Ok all you horders out there... you know who you are... the ones who keep this or that because they may need it some day... or the ones who just let things pile up because you just don't have the time or energy to clean it up and organize it. Yeah you know who you are, you're looking around right now to see if we can see you, no worries we can't... or can we?!?!?!? Wouldn't you LOVE to just get a little more organized? Wouldn't it be nice to actually know where the peeler is rather than having to go buy a new one? Isn't it way better to feel like you could actually find purpose for something solely because you can see it?

A few months ago a friend of mine Rosemary Osso started a new business... Prepared to Organize. She came to visit us at our church office a few weeks ago and began to undertake our filing cabinet, not so sure she knew exactly what she was getting into. She pulled that cabinet apart, and began her organizational madness... the next day though when we had to locate a file... we could actually FIND it!!!!

So HORDERS and unorganized individuals... it's ok... don't worry there is HELP out there! Call Rosemary for a consult and tell her the slightly unorganized crew at the church told you about her business! =)

Just walk....

I received a poem once from my childhood best friend when I went off to college...

"Don't walk behind me, I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me, I may not follow. Just walk beside me, and be my friend." Every time I looked at that poem I smiled, every once in a while there were a few tears when I read it but usually smiles. Why tears... well.. there have been some people in my life who have exemplified that poem who are no longer a part of my life for some reason or another. They were tears of thankfulness for what was and a few tears of sadness for what I missed. The things is though as I look at my life I am quickly realizing.... WOW I am BEYOND blessed! Not too many people have friends that they have known since they were in diapers that they have grown up their entire lives being able to share secrets, hysterical moments, and even some earth shaking moments with each other. I've been given an AMAZING opportunity to have friends that I have known since childhood. We've shared some great moments with each other and I have been so fortunate to have those friends stand by me in the hardest of times. Life is incredible and I am so thankful for amazing friends. I love that my friends (old and new) don't walk behind be but they do trust me to lead if need be.... who don't walk ahead of me although there are some that I would follow because I believe so strongly in them.... but they just simply walk right beside me and they without a doubt are just simply INCREDIBLE friends! Near and far, for years and years and for just a few moments I have been BLESSED beyond measure with some WONDERFUL friends! So thankful!

Silence is Golden.... or is it?

Its been a LONG time since this office has been this quiet.... everyone else was either off or working from a different location today. It's been strange to be here pretty much alone all day, with the exception of our amazing mail man and our accountant who stopped in it's been super quiet.

People say silence is golden, and while I agree because today has been pretty productive and pretty amazing, silence is also provoking. See when there's nothing else going on, you know no noise and no other people around to talk to there is a lot of room for you to have to do some thinking. Now although it's good to get some quiet time to process thoughts and be able to focus on some things it's been one of those days where thoughts have just cluttered my mind. I've never been really big into setting goals or thinking real far into the future because I always figured each day was a gift and we aren't promised tomorrow. Lately I am realizing that even if we don't ever see tomorrow we need to have a goal in mind.

Goal setting however has NEVER been a gift of mine. I've never really said things like... well by the time I'm 30 I'd like to be married and possibly have a kid or 2 in the works or already here. It's just never made sense to me because I figured if it's gonna happen it will and nothing I say or do can change that. But I am starting to realize that not setting goals is selling yourself and God short.... that one burned a little! (Stinkin silence creating time for me to think... lame)

So thank you golden silence as I think and pray and create goals and desires. Lists are being written, things that sounded so dumb to think about even a week ago are being thought of as hopes, dreams and desires. It's a strange step to be taking but... I guess this golden silence has caused me to see a few things a little differently.

On replay...

So with my thinking about goals and other such things I have been listening to some music, especially music that keeps me focused on the future and in that mind set. Among the play list is...

which I haven't listened to since I was in the dorm back at Zion

If you're thinking about the future... esp if you're single... this might be a good song to add to the play list!

Setting Goals...

So in a little over a week I get to experience my mid year review. With that comes a whole new job description... Children's Pastor Playbook was left on my desk a little over a week ago. I flipped through the booklet but skipped over a few things... sort of by choice. There's a portion in it that says I have to "set goals" ummm really boss man???? I'm without a doubt not the best goal setter. Not because I lack motivation and vision but a fear that I won't be able to accomplish the goals and once they are spoken it's hard to take them back. I got a little freaked out by the idea of having to set goals not just personally but ministry wise as well. So I started to think how I might be able to set realistic goals for myself and the ministry I over see. I started writing down some really dumb things that really had no value at all and then I realized that I really needed to put more effort into it.... So I went back to my "Bible College roots" and I began to pray and fast about these goals and my future in general. I gave up something and focused my attention where it needed to be focused. I'm 4 days away from the fast being over and let me tell you.... I'm getting some answers. My goals may not be glamorous or even remotely interesting to anyone else but that's why they're my goals. The things that would excite me to see happen may have no affect on others, but they excite me none the less. There's something to be said about this whole goal setting thing, but even more so on making sure that your focus is in the right place! I'm EXCITED to see what the future holds and ready and willing to follow some goals and dreams, even though I may fail... not trying is an even worse failure!

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.....

A few weeks ago we talked to the kids about REDEMPTION.... you know like recycling. Giving something that to others may seem like trash new purpose. Yup that's the business God is in... THANKFULLY! At THE POINT we teach our kids whatever the adults are learning and a catch phase at our church is "reaching your FULL REDEMPTIVE POTENTIAL." If not for redemption I know I would have been a lost cause, tossed to the side, forgotten about and NEVER given a second thought or chance, I am so thankful for REDEMPTION. Although I have not obtained my FULL REDEMPTIVE POTENTIAL and probably never will while I'm here on earth and without a doubt human I will continue to work toward that.... and continue to help others work toward that.

Part of helping other work toward that is setting an example others can follow. It's making sure I live with character and integrity. It's being sure those I look up to and follow live a life worth emulating. It's knowing when to ask for help. It's seeking God when I make big choices and even small ones. It's being willing to serve before I expect to be served. It's following HIS plan and not seeking mine. (And so much more)

I have an AMAZING job and I work for what I think is the BEST church in the universe. We don't always get it right and we are a bunch of imperfect people but the one thing we do have is a desire to see other peoples lives changed for the better. Over the last few months we have been renovating a building in Babylon and the 10 people who still faithfully attended this church have been such an asset to the Point Family. We've been painting, throwing things out, organizing, changing lighting, and just trying our best to get this building ready to be a light house for the community of BABYLON. The more time I spend in this building the more I see REDEMPTION and POTENTIAL.... it's so amazing what you can learn and feel as you do something so simple like throw out trash or slap paint onto a wall. Yesterday I spent time with 2 friends who I was honored to work hand in hand with. As we decluttered a space, broke desks with a softball bat, threw things out, scrubbed things down, and painted walls I could see and feel things I couldn't when we first walked into that building. (And no I don't just mean sore muscles, although that happened too.) As the three of us pounded stuff out (literally) and prepared an area for KIDS to be able to enjoy church I almost cried a few times. The potential for this building to reach KIDS, their parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles is INCREDIBLE!!!! I cannot wait to see what kind of FULL REDEMPTIVE POTENTIAL this building, these people, and this town have.... and it all officially starts TOMORROW @ 6:30 pm!!!!!

(So if you're free and just a little curious as to what I am rambling about come check it out... 54 George St, Babylon NY--> across from the post office// not the post office cafe)