November 24, 2005

  • We browsed at some apartments in Covina on our way up to Twain Harte, and I think we found a winner! Yahoo!

    I have to confess that the past few weeks have been quite a test for me. It's hard to know what God wants you to do, but not know how in the world you're gonna do it. It's like God is plopping me at the bottom of El Capitan (for you slackers, that's a HUGE bolder/mountain/rock thingy in Yosemite--see pic below) and telling me "I want you to go to the top"
    and that's it.
    I'm like, sitting here going, "I believe you, but what's next? How do I start? What's the best place to start climbing? Where's my gear? Don't I need a helmet?" etc, etc, etc...
    All along, people are walking by and saying a mix of things, like "Can't wait to see you make it to the top!" or "You really shouldn't try this, it's not smart." or "Why in the world do you want to climb El Capitan, anyways? No one in the Bible climbed El Capitan!" Leaving me reeling, thinking, "Yes, but God told me that I'm going to the top. so why's it your business anyways?"

    All along, God is sitting back, waiting for my faith to kick in. 'Cause even though I believe that He wants me to go to the top, that's not enough. I also have to believe that He's going to provide the strength and the means to do so, and that, my friends, is where I have been failing.
    I mean, I believe it, right? But faith requires not just belief, but ACTION upon the belief--that's the *IN FAITH* part. Abraham was WALKING UP THE MOUNTAIN TO KILL HIS KID-IN FAITH that God would provide another sacrifice. At the last possible second, God provided the ram for him to sacrifice instead of his son...but there was some serious action on Abraham's part. He didn't just wait there...he acted on his faith.

    So now I'm at the bottom of El Capitan, and after looking all around the bottom of the rock to find a good place to start climbing, I'm feeling a little more like I have some direction. I feel a little more like I may have a good trail to start on, and maybe even some climbing gear on. But my faith has not been what it should be, and for that, I need forgiveness.
    Oh, and where's my helmet?!?!?

    ===
    DANIEL YELLING AT THE WORLD
    ===
    For the most part, people that are pretty close to us and in our ministry have been great about supporting us in our new adventures. But it's really confusing to me how so many other people are trying to convince me to GO AGAINST what I believe is God's will for my family. I mean, I can't tell you how many people are like "I don't think you've prayed about this enough" or "Are you sure this is what you're supposed to do" or "Why in the world would you leave such a great place?" or "You're going to write music for commercials????". And I'm just like, YES, this IS a great place- I LOVE MIDWAY. Let me make that clear. This is so hard for us, to leave the comfortable, steady, secure job and fruitful ministry that I have at Midway. But when did God say Christianity is comfortable OR finanically secure? This isn't about me, it's about what GOD WANTS for me and my family. And when someone who has been seeking the Lord's wisdom with all their heart says that God tells them something, don't try and convince them otherwise...unless YOU have been fasting and praying for a long time... 'cause that's just stupid--and quite unwise.
    Fair enough?
    ===
    THIS HAS BEEN A SPECIAL EDITION OF DANIEL YELLING AT THE WORLD
    ===

    So I'm thankful for all of God's provision in our times of transition. I can't tell you how much God has done for our family in, like, the last 24 hours. It's incredible. And blogworthy--just maybe for tomorrow...
    I love you all!

    Happy Thanksgiving.

    (El Capitan)

Comments (17)

  • Hey, let's jump on over to El Capitan....it's like, only an hour away from here.

  • Amen and Amen! You guys are awesome. Keep going with God and the dream he has put in your heart. Praise God! and Praise God! and... in case you didn't see it, your helmet is already on your head ;) (kind of like when you lose your glasses I guess)

  • Yeah, it can really be difficult with the "advice" that people like to dish out.  Nobody likes change, it makes them uncomfortable, so they feel like they have to say SOMETHING to SOMEBODY, regardless of whether it is appropriate to say or even true and love-inspired.  Have you read the book "Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson, I think?  It's quick and easy and good reading for one who knows that the Lord has given them a gift and a passion and a directional calling (which, by the way, most people would DIE to get all 3 at once--to actually KNOW what they are supposed to be doing with their lives) and who needs encouragement to follow through.  I am confident that you guys are tuned in to the Lord and His leading and that He WILL provide you the means when He gives a direction...I myself am living proof of that! 

    Happy Thanksgiving, btw!      

  • Happy T-Day indeed.

    Let's all sing that "for every mountain" song...

  • You sure you don't want to come over and borrow Tom's box to stand on as you yell at the world???  :)   But, doesn't it feel great to yell it?!!! Onward Christian Soldiers!

  • Or we could dress up like nuns and sing "Climb Every Mountain" from the Sound of Music. I'm just sayin, it's an option...

    Where is the apartment in Covina? Because I've lived here and there in my day, and I know a few places where you need to NOT live, so I hope it's not one of those. And remember that there are overnight parking laws in Covina, so if you don't have enough parking spots you need to buy a permit from the city. Hey, I'm very practical. Just trying to spread the practicalness around...

  • Yeah... I used to live in the apartments right next to that complex. We'll talk. Don't sign any leases yet.

  • Nice ~ Now that's what I'm talk'n about! 

  • It is right and good that you are following God's direction and not the advice of man. For the faith part: You seem to be doing well, having had enough faith to step out and know God will provide, and you will continue to trust along the journey if I know you. Having been through a time when I also had to climb a mountain and go against everything everyone told me for the promise of God, I can tell you that you will have struggles, but the journey is as important as the destination (maybe more-so) and God will use it for His glory. He already is.

    We were talking about you at dinner last night--I was telling my dad that you are moving on, as God is calling you out. My dad was very excited for you and told me he's going to pray for you because he is convinced we need more Christians in the media and world arena, outside the church structure, working for the Kingdom.

    We will always be here for you if you need us for moral support, friendship, and anything else we can do. You take us along with you in your journey, and we take you along with us in ours. There will be a time when all of our orders from above have been completed, and then we will enjoy the rewards of God all together. But until that time, we each must do as GOD tells us to do, because we each have a unique role in building God's kingdom, and yours is no longer with us in this particular place.We all run the race, but each on different tracks. Keep the faith and I look forward to seeing your name out there.

  • Daniel should yell at the world more often! I totally understand where you are at and support you guys 110%!!! You have my prayers and I'm very excited to see you finding some direction from the Lord. That's really the only place we should ever be looking anyway! ;)

  • Right-on Brother, Right-on!  Don't worry about what others have to say, go with GOD he always knows best.  For those of us who have seen, and continue to see the miraculous works of our Lord, we are not at all surprise that he is calling you to take yet another leap of faith.  GO WITH GOD BROTHER, JUST GO WITH GOD!

  • Okay... wow, I understand that El Captian thing, I am trying to climb it too... why does everyone have to put there two cents in about things anyway!! I think you of all people YOU know what God is telling you more than anyone else can gather about what He is saying too YOU. Sorry to hear not everyone is being supportive of God's will for you guys. I am totally praying for you guys!! Let me know when I can steal the boys for a park visit or movie, and let you two have a date or quiet packing time.

    P.S. What about when you are climbing the mountain and all the sudden you lose motivation from all those around you or just pure exhaustation, guess this girl needs to focus on getting to the top too!!

  • these guys are all wrong.  why so much positivity and support coming your way?  man, I'm going to head up the anti-daniel-and-christy-moving movement.  ARE YOU SURE THIS IS WHAT GOD IS TELLING YOU TO DO?!?!  don't you think God would keep you in a place where you can keep winning at nertz? ........OK, that was just a little (HUGE) dose of sarcasm.  I just knew that everyone that replied to this blog would be like Daniel-cheerleaders, and I didn't want to get on the bandwagon.  you know where I stand though.  I just wanted to mix it up here in blogworld, not have all the comments be the same. 

    I'm gonna miss you guys though.  I feel kind of like I felt when Heidi and I began hanging out.  it was like 1 DAY and then she graduated and we didn't have much time to get to know each other.  But look what's happening now!!!!!  in only a couple weeks, there WILL be a Melody/Heidi (I call it Meleidi) reunion.  So....it's really not a big deal.  and when you get down to it folks, who really cares how I feel?  it's just that secondary (or tertiary.....or.....??????) feeling of, "aaaaawwwww maaaaan!  so soon?" I love you guys a lot. 

  • >>>>My butt! I was totally in the orchestra for Psalm 150 (Jason & Nolan Livesay, oh yeah). I think I subbed on piano one time, too...in a rehearsal only.

    As a former UCO pianist (NOT A SUB) may I remind you that there IS NO PIANO PART for psalm 150?  if you played anything you played boring choir parts, which were like block chords.  I'm just sayin is all.  had to set you straight before you start claiming you WERE the violin section or something.....

  • Melody/Heidi (I call it Meleidi) reunion.

    Why is your name first? Why isn't it a Heilody reunion????

  • I used to visit friends who lived in that apartment complex...make sure to walk around in both sets of buildings first on all of the floors...

  • Yeah, those "HUGE bolder/mountian/rock thingy's" can be tough!!! But I believe that God has equipped you well for the task, grasshopper...... 

Comments are closed.

Post a Comment