I have nothing but immense respect for a group of musicians, songwriters, and church leaders from a vibrant community of worship.
I first heard about them with their Advent Songs project (one of the best recordings of Christmas music I’ve ever heard), then was blown away by the first installment of Over the Grave – The Hymns of Isaac Watts, am in love with their split EP that was recently released, and now they’ve done it again. Continue Reading…
This is going to be a tough post to write. Yesterday was Resurrection Sunday, and what I took away from it was disappointment. Instead of joyously celebrating the most important event in the history of time (and non-time, for that matter), I performed, and poorly, at that. I put pressure on myself to perform in several ways and didn’t deliver the results that I expected. Thankfully, God doesn’t care about my performance but cares about my heart and gave me a good gut-check this Sunday.
However, there are several things I learned yesterday and wanted to pass them along: Continue Reading…
I have just recently upgraded my blog to the fantastic Standard Theme (affiliate). As much as I’m super excited to be using it, there will be a bit of construction dust around these parts while I upgrade and get the design the way I want. I also finally have some official branding and design elements that my good friend Mike made for me and I’m super excited to finally have an official “look”. Thanks for your patience and once the dust settles I’ll be getting into the swing of regular content again. Thanks for your support in the meantime!
I’m tired lately. I’m tired of waiting. I’m tired of God telling me to “be patient.” I’m tired of dreaming big dreams but not having the time or means to execute them. And I’m just plain tired physically and mentally.
And I’m wondering if it’s okay. I’m sacrificing sleep in order to both keep my house in order and do a second “job” that doesn’t pay me anything but provide the fuel for what I’m passionate about. I’m sacrificing my dreams and passions in order to provide for my family so that I don’t sacrifice our security.
It’s hard to balance life when certain sacrifices lead you to security but decreased involvement in what you’re truly passionate about and when other sacrifices lead you to a lack of sleep and rest but increased involvement in your dreams and passions.
Is this a life of worship? I don’t know. I just know that I’m doing my best to honor God in my 8-hour workday, taking care of my wife and daughter, AND in attempting to work as a passionate volunteer for the church. I’m trying to follow the command to “whatever you do, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” from Colossians 3. But I’m tired. And it’s hard lately. Maybe I’m missing something.
Question: How do you balance a full-time job, family life, and what you’re REALLY passionate about? Click here to leave a comment.
This post is part of the How to be an Offering series written every Wednesday. To participate, write a post about how you or someone you know is being a living sacrifice. Link back to this post within your post and leave a comment letting everyone know. Also, if you’re on Twitter, use the hashtag #livingsacrifice.
It’s a very tricky thing to write to people that you know are reading but you’re not sure who they are, what they do, or what they dream about. Today I’d like to know about you!
Would you leave one word or one sentence about who you are? Even if it’s who you are just for today I would love to know!
I’ll start: I am…ready for the weekend. Click to here to let me know who you are!
Ryan is a follower of Christ, husband, father of three, and Director of Worship & Creative Arts at Living Word Free Lutheran Church in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
