or·ches·trate

or·ches·trate [awr-kuh-streyt] verb

1. to compose or arrange.

2. to arrange, especially by means of clever or thorough planning or maneuvering.

I went to an orchestral concert last night. I enjoyed everything about the concert. It sounded amazing (especially to my untrained ears!), I had a few giggles over silly things with friends, and I was even able to relax and let the stress of the day pour off my shoulders.

Going into the evening, I knew I was tired. I had had one of those days that ended with the reminder that I always need more of the Lord and less of the world. So, I closed my eyes during the first number and asked the Lord to meet me there. I didn’t know what I was expecting, really, except that I know the God that I follow is a relational God and He will always meet us where we are and with so much more grace than we deserve.

I opened my eyes and enjoyed the concert all the way through the intermission…then as we sat down to listen to the next number (act? song? performance? not sure…), my mind began down a thought process that brought me to these beautiful reminders:

1. As part of the Lord’s orchestration in our lives, it is our *simple* duty to be obedient to the sheet music placed before us so those hearing the notes of our lives will be in awe of the Composer of the music we play.

I watched the beauty of the strings moving in unison across the stage. I saw the percussionist keep rhythm in the back. I felt the music within my very being as it overwhelmed the room and couldn’t help but stare at the beauty before me. I couldn’t help but be in awe of the composer who wrote this beautiful music and wonder if anyone else saw past the beautiful instruments and people on stage and were thankful for a man who may have lived hundreds of years ago for creating this stunning masterpiece.

2. As part of the Lord’s orchestra, we are to take our cues from the Composer before us. Read His movements, know what He wants us to do at any given time, study under Him and trust that He will lead us through the numbers with ease.

As I looked on, the conductor stood in the middle of the stage with ease and moved his arms in motions that these musicians understood. To myself, an unversed onlooker, they were just pretty movements that looked like hand-dances. To those playing on stage, they were the cadence of the piece before them and the reason they were able to sound so beautifully in step together.

They were obedient to the conductor before them. They had someone to look at, to follow, to watch…and they obeyed. They not only obeyed, but they proved during this performance, that they studied under this man and were able to do what he wanted them to do.

3. As a member of the Lord’s orchestra, we are performers not meant to take glory for ourselves but to point to the glory of the One who’s orchestra we are in.

Each musician on that stage wore black. Each person had an instrument that joined together to create beautiful sound. Each one of these people stood and offered respect to the conductor when he can on and off the stage and each one played with he was called to play and stayed silent and motionless when they had to. They weren’t up there as a soloist. None of them had their name highlighted in the fliers.

And, while each performer last night should have been given a spotlight because of the beautiful work they did, I was reminded that when I am a player in the Lord’s orchestra, I should never desire that spotlight.

Or, even though the conductor doesn’t technically have an instrument in his hand, I am reminded that without Jesus and His teachings and guidance in my life, I would be lost and the noise that comes from every action I take and every word that comes from my mouth would be as white noise if it weren’t for the Lord’s guidance showing me when to act, when to move, when to speak…when to play.

While the composer of the music from the concert is probably long dead and not given enough appreciation for the brilliance of his work, I think of those times that the Lord is not given enough credit for the work He does in my life and how He should receive all glory for the composition of His notes that create a beautiful symphony of grace, love, and mercy every day I live on this earth.

My performance, with the instruments He gives me to learn and under the teachings He has me study and the practice He asks of me, should only…ever…always…bring honor to Him.

“Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Eph 3:20-21

“for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” - Phl 2:13 NKJV

Thanksgiving Day outreach–beanie update

I emailed this out to some friends about a week ago and decided to share it on my blog as well.

Hi Friends,

Some of you may have already heard about a ministry opportunity the Lord has put on my heart. For those of you who haven't...the summation of the idea is that I am planning a trip to San Francisco on Thanksgiving Day to hand out beanies and Gospels of John to homeless people (you can read details about it here). A few months back I put a call out to see if anyone would want to come alongside this endeavor and help make beanies. The Lord has gifted us with all kinds of abilities and for those of us who can crochet and knit, this was a beautiful opportunity. I've definitely had a response and, although I don't know how many beanies I have yet, I know the Lord has multiplied what I could have made...and then some!

Well, with Thanksgiving just around the corner (just weeks away), I wanted to ask each of you to pray about whether or not the Lord would want you to be a part of the actual outreach. The more i've prayed about it, the more i realize that this can't be something I do on my own. There are many reasons I feel very strongly about this: 1. I am a single girl and it would be foolish of me to put myself in such a vulnerable position by going alone. 2. In Luke 10, when the Lord sent out his disciples into His harvest, they didn't go alone.  3. I don't want to rob anyone of the blessing of serving the Lord simply by not asking.

If it is His plan to have this outreach happen on Thanksgiving, I trust that He will also provide the right people to join together for His glory. If He has other plans for these beanies, I trust He will show me that plan in His timing. Regardless, I will rejoice in Him and in His perfect plan for my life and for those He already knows will be getting these gifts.

If the Lord is leading you to be a part of this trip, i'd love to hear from you (erikamarie82@gmail.com). This email is only to a few people, but I know the list of willing servants is exhaustive! If you know of anyone who would like to be a part of this trip (or would like to be a prayer partner for this trip) please send on this email or refer them to me.

I thank you all in advance...first, for reading my email! and, second, for prayers regarding this ministry opportunity!

Then He said to them, "The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. - Luke 10:2 NKJV

On keeping calm…

I KNOW you’ve all seen the posters…

They have definitely made their presence known around the internet, on t-shirts, and in every other form of communication out there, including parodies. Here are a few other…”versions”…

Well…the other day, I found my favorite one. I wrote “keep calm and…” on my bathroom mirror and the next morning, I walked into the bathroom fully expecting a funny rhetoric in response. My roommate, however, surprised and blessed me with her answer:

Keep calm and carry on. Take a deep breath and step forward. It’ll all be over soon, just wait it out. It sounds so simple and reassuring, right? But that would also involve stepping forward in your own faith and hope for the best.

But with the Lord, we can trust that He WILL protect us, take care of us, and direct us through our next steps. So, remember…keep calm and TRUST in the LORD. He will carry you on.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. "Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Mat 11:28-30 NKJV

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. - Pro 3:5-7 NKJV

One year ago…

One year ago, I couldn’t find words to describe so much of what I saw.
One year ago, there wasn’t enough time.
One year ago, He was in the midst of teaching me trust.
One year ago, I was still suffering jet lag.

One year ago, He gave me the courage to overcome gripping fear.
One year ago, He gave me the words to give others courage.
One year ago, I traveled thousands of miles away only to meet family on the other side.
One year ago, I was blessed to add a myriad of names to my weekly prayer list.

One year ago, I was sad to leave my memories in the past and face a new day.
One year ago, I turned a page from one journey to another.
One year ago, I wore yellow dollies and stepped into a new path.

Because, exactly one year ago, I stepped forward from my journey and adventure into an unknown “after-the-happily-ever-after” chapter.

And, exactly one year later, I  don’t believe that chapter is closed.

He is still teaching me so much from my time in Scotland. He is still growing me and stretching me in ways I never would have been able to comprehend without my time with Him.
My prayers for those brothers and sisters connected to Scotland are still heavy on my mind and in my heart. My thoughts and dreams of going back and being used by Him there still weigh into every decision I make here.

And in one year from now, who knows what story I will be writing? Who knows where I will be, how I have grown, and who I have become?

“O LORD, You have searched me and known me.
You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.
You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.”
Psalm 139:1-3

Beanies for the least of these…update

It started out as a small dream and a humble offering of a meager 10 beanies from my hands. It has become a beautiful incense of worship to the Lord from many hands, many hours, and many joyful hearts combining to praise our Lord through the act of service.

Friends, I am so humbled and so blessed by the outpouring of love for this project. Already, I am blown away by the support. Off the top of my head, I can count at least 8 different people who have committed to help make this a reality.

As the Lord has gifted me with administrative qualities, I want to take some time to write out for you the “logistics” of this beautiful ministry endeavor.

1. I have committed to making ten beanies. Others have committed to making “as many as I can” or a certain number. Should you be wondering how many you "*have* to commit to: don’t wonder! Only do what the Lord is calling you to do and consider it worship as you do it! Making this a task would take our eyes off of the Lord and place them on ourselves. This is NOT something we want to have happen!

2. In order to keep heads and tails on the progress, I am asking anyone who would like to participate to just bring me their beanies by November 15th. There’s no need to keep me updated—although, I would love to know that you’re choosing to help, too, so I can be praying for you during this next month and a half!

3. I have looked into making tags for the beanies (ones I can sew on the inside with a short scripture and reminder of Jesus’ love). Unfortunately, the more I look into it, the more I realize how unrealistic it is. The cheapest I have found is a little over $1 for each. That would end up being $100 or more in the end and…well, as I said before. I don’t have an abundance of money; I have an abundance of yarn. =) As a second option, I am looking into printing some small business card sized papers to give with each beanie and a Gospel of John.

4. I have been seeking the Lord on the right time to go up to San Francisco to hand out these beanies. I keep going back to doing it on Thanksgiving Day but, because of some insight from others who have done this sort of outreach, I am considering another weekend as well. If handing them out is something you are interested in, please let me know. I would love company no matter what day I head up there. =)

5. The question has been asked: why San Francisco and not your local community? I wish I had a really good answer for you. Simply put, it’s what I felt the Lord calling me to do. I am not at all against a local outreach of this same sort. It may come to that depending on what the Lord shows me. For now, I am still leaning towards San Francisco. It’s not a matter of WHERE so much as it’s a matter of WHAT and WHO: what are we doing? What is the purpose? Who are we doing it for? Who is receiving the glory?

Again, I am so blessed by each of YOUR hearts for this ministry. Continue to spread the word, should the Lord so lead you.

In Him alone,
Erika

never forget

“Daniel answered
and said:
"Blessed be the name of God
forever and ever,
For wisdom and might are His.
And He changes the times and the seasons;
He removes kings
and raises up kings;
He gives wisdom to the wise
And knowledge to those who have understanding.
He reveals deep and secret things;
He knows what is in the darkness,
And light dwells with Him.
I thank You and praise You,
O God of my fathers;
You have given me wisdom and might,
And have now made known to me
what we asked of You,
For You have made known to us the king's demand."
Daniel 2:20-23

Never forget to praise the Lord for answered prayers. Never forget to thank Him for clarifying confusion. Never forget that truth, revelation, and peace come from God alone.

Never forget that without the Lord, we are confused, unwise, weak and in the dark.

With the Lord, however, all that changes. With the Lord, He gives us wisdom, might, knowledge.

With the Lord comes peace.  

Clothing the least of these…with beanies.

“…for I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me.” Then the righteous will answer Him, saying, 'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe You? Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' And the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' Matthew 25:35-40

I’m going to put this out there. I’m going to ask for your consideration. I’m also going to be getting on my knees beside some of you and seeking the Lord on this.

When I think of the verses above…and consider the small and insignificant person that I am in comparison to the world around me, I am often overwhelmed at the thought of action. The idea of how much hurt, pain, hunger, and sickness in the world paralyzes me.

It should move me.

But I sit here and go through the faces I see on my way to work. I think about those that I have come into contact with as I walk the streets of Downtown SLO. I wonder at the stories of those asking for money outside the grocery stores. And I once again am overwhelmed – “surely, Lord,” I implore, “there must me something I can do to reach these people with Your love! I don’t have money, I don’t have a place to invite them in to warm themselves…and yet, my heart reaches out to them. What skill set have you given me that I can use to bring your Gospel to them?”

And, as I sat, waited, and listened to the Lord, I knew what that more was.

I am asking you to consider being a part of it – by making beanies.

(image found here)

There are an estimated 7,000-10,000 homeless people in San Francisco. My dream…vision…prayer…is that we can, together, make enough beanies this Autumn to be able to warm the heads of many of these people come Winter. I don’t want to put a limit on the Lord. He could definitely and supernaturally allow for us to make 10,000 beanies…I wouldn’t complain!

My personal goal is to make ten beanies out of the yarn I already have at home.

And then, on (or around) Thanksgiving, I want to drive up to the City and share the Lord’s love with these people. Each beanie that is made will have a tag sewn on the inside of it that points to the Gospel. Each beanie will have, wrapped up in it, a Gospel of John for them to keep.

Each beanie will be prayed over as it is being made, in hopes that the person who will ultimately get it will know how much he or she is loved by our Lord.

Will you consider being a part of this?

Will you pray about making a commitment to make some beanies?

Email me at erikamarie82@gmail.com or leave a comment below. Let’s see what the Lord can do through us – small, insignificant, people – and glorify Him in the process!