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Tuesday 31 December 2013

MMXIV.

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.

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.

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.