Chances are, if you're reading this, it's already 2014. Unless you're just on top of this like butter and fish. Or something.
Anyway, wooo! Another year. I'm a bit down at the moment (maybe I should stop drinking the wine), but I am excited about the possibilities that this year holds. Impart, music, church - there are so many possibilities.
At the same time, I know this year will pose many challenges and difficulties. I already know that I'm going to face income issues, and there's a lot I don't know going into this year.
But I'm hoping - and I'm praying - and I'm trusting - that God knows what he's doing. And that he has a plan for me.
Welcome to the new year. I hope it's a great one for you.
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Monday, 30 December 2013
Self-writing.
I've been encouraged by a good friend to get back into doing this a bit more. So I shall have a go.
I've recently been writing out my testimony, because I've been asked by my church to do it as part of a sermon series they do in January, called "Real Stories, Real Faith". Essentially, it's people from the congregation giving their testimonies.
Now, I've given my testimony before, but giving a 5 minute talk to a couple of dozen school kids you don't know is very different to doing a 20 minute talk in front of thirty or so that you do.
And it's been quite an interesting process trying to get it all down. I had an original plan, that I haven't been able to keep to, unfortunately. I had it planned out which topics I was going to talk on, and for how long - but it didn't work. It was much too long. So I had to cut one out. And I think it was a good decision; I had a good spot to end on, and it makes it more manageable.
As well as the fact that the topic I cut out was essentially this year, which I still don't quite understand. It's only really just finished; I haven't had time to process it all yet. And from past experience, its always taken me a while before I've really understood something's significance, on this scale. Maybe I'll understand it this time next year; maybe a bit further down the line. I don't know.
I think I find it very easy to become disconnected when I start talking about myself. I'm hoping that that won't be the case here. It certainly seemed to be that way when I practiced it first today (I only just finished writing it today), but I don't know. Maybe I just need to practice it more.
It's actually one of the reasons I've stopped writing out my communion speeches word for word - so that there is that element of emotion, that improvisation and creation in the moment, that I think people connect with. But it's a bit tricky to do that when you've got a 20 minute speech. I mean, you want me to just talk for twenty minutes about me - sure, I can do that. But with structure, and clear points and such, introduction and conclusion - not so much.
But yeah. I think it'll be good. But I don't really know. God does. He's teaching me to trust him at the moment.
If you're interested, it's at Campbelltown Church of Christ, 65 Woodhouse Drive Ambarvale, 5th January at 6pm. I think I have a couple of people coming, but I'm not expecting too many.
I've recently been writing out my testimony, because I've been asked by my church to do it as part of a sermon series they do in January, called "Real Stories, Real Faith". Essentially, it's people from the congregation giving their testimonies.
Now, I've given my testimony before, but giving a 5 minute talk to a couple of dozen school kids you don't know is very different to doing a 20 minute talk in front of thirty or so that you do.
And it's been quite an interesting process trying to get it all down. I had an original plan, that I haven't been able to keep to, unfortunately. I had it planned out which topics I was going to talk on, and for how long - but it didn't work. It was much too long. So I had to cut one out. And I think it was a good decision; I had a good spot to end on, and it makes it more manageable.
As well as the fact that the topic I cut out was essentially this year, which I still don't quite understand. It's only really just finished; I haven't had time to process it all yet. And from past experience, its always taken me a while before I've really understood something's significance, on this scale. Maybe I'll understand it this time next year; maybe a bit further down the line. I don't know.
I think I find it very easy to become disconnected when I start talking about myself. I'm hoping that that won't be the case here. It certainly seemed to be that way when I practiced it first today (I only just finished writing it today), but I don't know. Maybe I just need to practice it more.
It's actually one of the reasons I've stopped writing out my communion speeches word for word - so that there is that element of emotion, that improvisation and creation in the moment, that I think people connect with. But it's a bit tricky to do that when you've got a 20 minute speech. I mean, you want me to just talk for twenty minutes about me - sure, I can do that. But with structure, and clear points and such, introduction and conclusion - not so much.
But yeah. I think it'll be good. But I don't really know. God does. He's teaching me to trust him at the moment.
If you're interested, it's at Campbelltown Church of Christ, 65 Woodhouse Drive Ambarvale, 5th January at 6pm. I think I have a couple of people coming, but I'm not expecting too many.
Monday, 23 December 2013
Something New.
I haven't posted for nearly a month now; sorry about that. I've been away for half of it. Been pretty busy.
I finished up my job for the year on Friday. The boss brought in some arcade game consoles and a pinball machine for us to play on, and took us out to lunch. I showed them a video I made about the company - I think they all really liked it. I worked a bit more on a forum as well - something I've been working on for them for a while now. It's pretty much been my project. Been working on it in my own time and all. Just because I enjoy it.
But yeah, next year. So I know some parts, but not that much. Boomerang are keeping me on as a casual, possibly with some office work here and there - depending on a few things. I've been accepted into Impart, a course run through these guys: http://www.freshhope.org.au/ It's looking to be pretty awesome. Essentially, it's doing most of a Diploma of Christian Ministries, but as an intensive with only a few other people, in a community focussed setting. I think it's going to be really good.
In terms of work, though, apart from what I've already mentioned - and even with that, I don't know how much I'll get - I have no idea. Because of a couple of things I'm acquiring, busking and gigging (for actual cash dollars) are now potentially viable, but I don't know if you could call that a reliable source of income/ Which is quite annoying, because I was hoping to move out next year. But good luck renting a place without having a steady income.
It also means that my giving to the church is going to be affected, which troubles me as well. Largely because our church is looking to employ a Youth Pastor, but at the moment they can't because of the lack of funding - funding being essentially straight from tithes and offerings. For all I know, my pay per week could be divided easily in half, maybe more. Casual work isn't fantastic pay, and when it's not consistent, it's a bit tricky to budget and such.
I think God is either trying to teach me a big lesson in trusting in him to work this stuff out, or he's trying to give me a big kick up the backside to find a decent job. No idea which. Admittedly, I haven't been trying as hard as I could be with the latter.
Whatever happens, 2014 is going to be a big year for me. And a good one, I think. But then, I said that at the end of last year, before my hardest year yet. I guess we'll see.
I finished up my job for the year on Friday. The boss brought in some arcade game consoles and a pinball machine for us to play on, and took us out to lunch. I showed them a video I made about the company - I think they all really liked it. I worked a bit more on a forum as well - something I've been working on for them for a while now. It's pretty much been my project. Been working on it in my own time and all. Just because I enjoy it.
But yeah, next year. So I know some parts, but not that much. Boomerang are keeping me on as a casual, possibly with some office work here and there - depending on a few things. I've been accepted into Impart, a course run through these guys: http://www.freshhope.org.au/ It's looking to be pretty awesome. Essentially, it's doing most of a Diploma of Christian Ministries, but as an intensive with only a few other people, in a community focussed setting. I think it's going to be really good.
In terms of work, though, apart from what I've already mentioned - and even with that, I don't know how much I'll get - I have no idea. Because of a couple of things I'm acquiring, busking and gigging (for actual cash dollars) are now potentially viable, but I don't know if you could call that a reliable source of income/ Which is quite annoying, because I was hoping to move out next year. But good luck renting a place without having a steady income.
It also means that my giving to the church is going to be affected, which troubles me as well. Largely because our church is looking to employ a Youth Pastor, but at the moment they can't because of the lack of funding - funding being essentially straight from tithes and offerings. For all I know, my pay per week could be divided easily in half, maybe more. Casual work isn't fantastic pay, and when it's not consistent, it's a bit tricky to budget and such.
I think God is either trying to teach me a big lesson in trusting in him to work this stuff out, or he's trying to give me a big kick up the backside to find a decent job. No idea which. Admittedly, I haven't been trying as hard as I could be with the latter.
Whatever happens, 2014 is going to be a big year for me. And a good one, I think. But then, I said that at the end of last year, before my hardest year yet. I guess we'll see.
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