Thoughts from a Quiet Starbucks

Finally getting around to posting this journal entry from 8/8/10...

I got to watch the sun rise this morning. Now I'm sitting at Starbucks (alone) with no particular place to rush off to. This was worth getting up early for.

This week, I've made it a point to have times like this. Times alone. Times where I'm not on the computer, watching TV, or playing with my iPhone. Times to read. Times to think. Times to pray. Times to wonder, brainstorm, or space-out. And it makes a difference.

I've gotten more work done, have spent more quality time with my kids, hopefully loved my husband better, and felt at peace with God. I worried less, yelled less, and felt less like a crazy person.

Of course this is true. Jesus made time to be alone. God tells us over and over throughout His Word to, "Be still and know that I am God," or, "Come unto me, all who are weary and I will give you rest," and still we forget. Or think we're okay without.

At any rate... it's been great. I've really been in prayer a lot lately for myself and for our family. There have been many prayers, but my biggest request has been that our faith, our passion, and our understanding of God would be taken to another level. Already, I see this beginning to happen, and it's so exciting. It's just time for change. Not that anything's been bad about our lives (that hasn't been the case at all), but there just hasn't been a whole lot of passion or reaching for more or... I just feel like God wants so much more from us.

Since I got up early with Aaron this morning (the kids are at Bill and Sandy's), I have several hours to kill before going to the 11:15 service at RCCC, so I'm enjoying an iced chai and then going to visit another church (Journey Fellowship) that is a multi-site concept. I'm excited. I think it's kinda refreshing to go to another church sometimes, especially for ministers. I do adore River City though, and the more churches I see, the luckier I feel being a part of it. River City "gets it" on so many levels. I'm excited to start the new campus, but will be sad leaving the Redland campus. It feels a lot like home.

Lots to be in prayer about these days. Passion. Balance. New Campus (location, people, etc.). Kids starting school. Neighbors. Family. The cool thing is knowing that God is in control and he's listening.