So, last night was Chris’ last night leading worship for our student ministry. I was running the media for the service, and sometimes when there isn’t a lot going on, I tend to zone out. But not last night! Scott was teaching on Identity, more specifically, acceptance.

He said something that really got me thinking…Instead of worrying about if people will accept you or not, focus on how you can show that you accept them. I know he said that teenagers usually worry about acceptance all the time. Well, bad news folks…It doesn’t often go away when you’re an adult either, as that is something I constantly worry about. Call it low self esteem…call it insecurity…call it whatever. I don’t always take those thoughts captive when I should, and it’s very selfish – very inwardly focused.

And over the last weekend, honestly, they are thoughts I have battled. Chris and I are going to be meeting a lot of new people this coming weekend. I’ve been thinking constantly about what they are going to think of us…if they will accept us as we are or not (I mean, come on – we are pretty goofy!) But Scott inspired me to take those inward thoughts and only focus on how we can love and encourage all these people we’ll be meeting.

Wow…talk about taking a load off. It’s amazing what a shift in thinking will do…

On a side note, please pray for Chris…he has finally caught the cold everyone seems to have. Hopefully, it will pass before our trip to Texas…

Ok…the mysteries can all be revealed. Here are some of the changes Chris and I are walking through.

This post isn’t about discovery – well, not overtly. There have been a lot of things happening in the life of Chris & Anne Jackson over the last several weeks. We feel completely swept up in a tornado…lots of grace, forgiveness…and uncertainty all at the same time. I’m not able to provide you with every detail at the moment. But soon…soon. And don’t worry. As dramatic as this all seems – trust me. It’s all very, very good.

I got this in an email from a friend of mine today. Wise words from a someone who’s not old enough to vote. :)

“The church will continue to lose people from the next generation if the don’t incorporate their visions into worshiping the God of all generations. That doesn’t mean just trying something “slightly edgy” every once in a while. It means grasping the way the young culture worships God, and transforming the picture of what “church” looks like. God is going to stay the same through all of it. It doesn’t matter if we’re worshipping in a new and different way so long as God’s getting the Glory.”

A long December…
and there’s reason to believe
maybe this year will be better
than the last.

(It’s been so long since I’ve seen the ocean…
…I guess I should)

Counting Crows

To read our January Prayer update on our missions trip to
Scotland, click here!

And to sign up to get these in the future, click here!

So, who is going to Origins in May?

(Origins is an amazing conference at Mosaic in LA)

I am not sure if I am going yet. I have asked the powers that be. And hopefully will find out soon.

This weekend, we are sending out prayer/financial support letters for our Missions Trip to Scotland coming up in the fall. If you would like to receive one, please email me by clicking the “Contact” button up top with your address!

We still need a LOT of people praying for this trip, for Scotland, for James & his family as well as around $2200 more in support (we have already collected/received pledges for $600!).

Thanks!

(Update: I just received a random email from my uncle (my mom’s brother). He has been researching their family name (Gillchrest) and it’s actually of Scottish origin. No wonder I feel drawn – I’ve got Scottish blood running through my veins. Also learned that James once dated a girl with the last name Gilchrist, which is a variation of Gillchrest!) How cool!

Throughout the history of the world, God’s used a lot of unlikely people in ways only He could have orchestrated.

Do you think God looks more for people who are passionate about something, or skilled in something? Or both?

I’d love to hear your thoughts and examples…I’ll post mine in a couple of days.

Have a great Sunday!

Gwen said this on Candyce’s blog.

“There’s nothing worse than contrived passion. It’s like an echo in an empty canyon, put forth with great effort and always returns but with a strange hollow sound.”

That’s amazing…what are your thoughts?