Getting Connected

Like I mentioned in a previous post, I've recently gotten back into the routine of going to church. It's been a really long time since I've felt such a deep connection and conviction to a church - I always seemed to visit churches on a "guest speaker" Sunday or just have a really hard time connecting with the message. The atmosphere and message at Austin Stone, however, has already in 3 weeks of going, led me to be more in tune with God than ever before.

I've started reading a book I bought with Raina at a conference a few years ago called The Modern Girl's Guide to Bible Study and it has provided me with strategies for studying God's word. As suggested in the book, I made plans to study the Bible everyday at a time that couldn't be cancelled or pushed off due to other circumstances. Like Matt mentioned in one of his sermons, "Who or what is more worthy of our time than God?" This is so true - of all the things on our to do list, none is more important than building a lasting, loving relationship with our Father. I've been waking up early everyday and spending at least 30 minutes quietly reading the book and Bible and focusing my thoughts on Him. I was successful at keeping this commitment everyday this week except for Friday, which is kind of a story in itself.

I was broiling chicken on Thursday and after taking it out of the broiler, I put the pan back in the oven. As I'm eating my mediocre meal, my smoke alarm starts going off and the dogs are looking at me like "What the heck, Mom?" I'm fanning the air away from the smoke alarm with a kitchen towel and my eyes start to burn. At this point, I realize how smoky my house is from my stupid mistake of not turning the broiler off before returning the pan to the oven. :( So, I open the front and back doors to create a "draft" as Dad calls it and try to get the stinch out. I also decide at that point that the smell will NOT be out anytime soon and that if I shower that night, my hair will immediately absorb the smoky smell, so.....I showered Friday morning instead of doing my Bible study. I'm pretty sure God has already forgiven me for it.

And, we're back (to the main point that is). I also signed up this week for a Connect Class through the Austin Stone. The class is designed for people that are wanting to plug in at church and hopefully become part of a missional community, which is their name for small groups. Casey and I had been talking about wanting to get connected in this way since it's often so easy to get/feel lost in such a big congregation. One of the church partners suggested that this was the best way to get started on that mission. We will be meeting on Wednesday nights from 7-8:30P starting on February 22nd and I'm excited to see what this class will bring for me.

I'm kind of proud of myself for these steps in my life. I am hoping that the class will help me not only grow in my faith, but also to network and meet other believers that could help expand my social circle. After all, it's all about who you know, right? I will never know who God plans to use to carry out his plan for me, which I pray someday includes meeting the man he made just for me!