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Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
8/26/2009
Wow has time rushed by! We spent the past few weeks visiting churches and meeting with pastors to try and find a place to plug in. Once you've been in a leadership role it's difficult to just be that family who attends. However, God -- as He always seems to do -- gave me great peace in this. Really this is a time for me to focus on Him and on my family. In all this we were able to find a local church with a very like-minded vision. It feels good to be able to sit back and listen to a great message and not have the stress that a leader carries. I am getting a little squirmy though... I really want to plug back in - but this time I want to preach. I have begun to stock pile message ideas in my journal. I can't wait for a chance to put those ideas into message form. God is good.
On the flip side I have begun to get a little frustrated... I mean what's the deal with all the people around us falling into financial blessing while my family and I continue living this humble life on less than $40K a year? I have applied and interviewed for roles and positions all over the place -- no bites. All I know is somethings gotta give soon or we're gonna be living like the Amish. Lol!! No, really...
Regardless of the money situation, I am still overwhelmed at the blessings that God has pressed upon us. I just pray that one day I can have more in order to give more... Claiming it in His Name!!!
That's all for now - Gotta big travel day tomorrow for work.
In His Grip,
Josh
On the flip side I have begun to get a little frustrated... I mean what's the deal with all the people around us falling into financial blessing while my family and I continue living this humble life on less than $40K a year? I have applied and interviewed for roles and positions all over the place -- no bites. All I know is somethings gotta give soon or we're gonna be living like the Amish. Lol!! No, really...
Regardless of the money situation, I am still overwhelmed at the blessings that God has pressed upon us. I just pray that one day I can have more in order to give more... Claiming it in His Name!!!
That's all for now - Gotta big travel day tomorrow for work.
In His Grip,
Josh
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
8/05/2009
30 days ago I had an amazing opportunity to preach in service. I wrote briefly about it in my last entry. I was so excited and humbled at the opportunity, a chance of a lifetime. It's amazing how God works in my life. You see every time I get those "once in a lifetime" opportunities they are always followed by an earthquake. I would be a liar if I said that I never questioned my own faith when this happened. The simple truth is that I never had questioned it as much as I did this week.
After that amazing chance to preach - 30 days later, my church has closed up shop. There were many factors involved. I know the pain and confusion my family is sifting through, I can't even imagine what the Pastor and his family are going through.
I have so many internal questions like, "how can you just walk away from your flock", ... and "why didn't our sister church step in and help"... Trust me, I have a lot more where those came from. BUT those are questions that I am giving to God. I really don't want the answers, because quite frankly - It's none of my business. I have come to the realization that everything in life is temporary - jobs, relationships, churches, cars, etc. I have poured out my heart to serve God so that He gets the glory. That's all I want - it's not a title or position I am seeking - it's glory for my God!
So life will go on. I have no idea where I will take my family, or if I even desire to pursue full time ministry as a vocation anymore. I need a break, I need to feast on the bread of life and drink from the living water.
But there is still a problem with that. I have 40+ people who are turning to me for the answer to what's next. An answer I don't know how to give. An answer that must come from God. Do I take over and begin leading this abandoned flock? Do I ignore their cry for help? What is it God? What am I supposed to do?
So that's where I am... Praying for an answer. I believe God wants me to take this on and help His people transition into the next step. I am committed to doing that. Continue praying for us my friends - Pray that we would bring glory to God!
~Josh
After that amazing chance to preach - 30 days later, my church has closed up shop. There were many factors involved. I know the pain and confusion my family is sifting through, I can't even imagine what the Pastor and his family are going through.
I have so many internal questions like, "how can you just walk away from your flock", ... and "why didn't our sister church step in and help"... Trust me, I have a lot more where those came from. BUT those are questions that I am giving to God. I really don't want the answers, because quite frankly - It's none of my business. I have come to the realization that everything in life is temporary - jobs, relationships, churches, cars, etc. I have poured out my heart to serve God so that He gets the glory. That's all I want - it's not a title or position I am seeking - it's glory for my God!
So life will go on. I have no idea where I will take my family, or if I even desire to pursue full time ministry as a vocation anymore. I need a break, I need to feast on the bread of life and drink from the living water.
But there is still a problem with that. I have 40+ people who are turning to me for the answer to what's next. An answer I don't know how to give. An answer that must come from God. Do I take over and begin leading this abandoned flock? Do I ignore their cry for help? What is it God? What am I supposed to do?
So that's where I am... Praying for an answer. I believe God wants me to take this on and help His people transition into the next step. I am committed to doing that. Continue praying for us my friends - Pray that we would bring glory to God!
~Josh
Friday, July 10, 2009
7/10/09
So wow... this has been an incredible week. I had the amazing opportunity to preach this past Sunday at church. I have truly found my place. I am so looking forward to being able to do that full time. I mean the challenge to write a message and preach it was amazing.
It's funny... I preached on freedom from the prison of our circumstances. Then this week found myself over $100 in the negative in our checking account. Ya know - for the first time I was totally NOT stressed out! My wife and I didn't even argue about it. I mean, we had little to no food. Driving around on fumes and still rejoicing in the Freedom Christ has given us. God is good. All that and we still have 4 more days til payday. As He provided manna from heaven, he is providing peace and grace now.
Glory to God!!!
In His Grip,
Josh
It's funny... I preached on freedom from the prison of our circumstances. Then this week found myself over $100 in the negative in our checking account. Ya know - for the first time I was totally NOT stressed out! My wife and I didn't even argue about it. I mean, we had little to no food. Driving around on fumes and still rejoicing in the Freedom Christ has given us. God is good. All that and we still have 4 more days til payday. As He provided manna from heaven, he is providing peace and grace now.
Glory to God!!!
In His Grip,
Josh
Friday, June 26, 2009
IMG00143.jpg
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Saturday, June 6, 2009
June 6th
This week I had several amazing eye opening opportunities. I realized that I was losing touch with my family. I have been trying so hard to provide for them that I felt like I was trapped. Trapped in the cycle of my typical day - wake up, take the kids to school, go to work, come home from work, go to bed. I was on a downward spiral.
But God did an amazing thing. He used my good friend to remind me and encourage me through this process. You see all I know is retail loss prevention. I have been working in the industry for over 13 years. Problem is that I am the primary income for my family of six and making less than $35K per year! You see I have been working to earn a paycheck all this time.
I am called to be a minister. God has made this very clear. So there must be a shift in my thought process. I need to start working by faith and living in Gods Grace. I need to start allowing God to bless me with a paycheck.
So what's next. I am actively seeking a new job that will provide me the family time and provide me at least twice my current salary. I know there is a position out there. I just need to be tuned into the Holy Spirit and listen for God's direction.
I am praying and believing for breakthrough!
In His Grip,
Josh
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Sent via BlackBerry
But God did an amazing thing. He used my good friend to remind me and encourage me through this process. You see all I know is retail loss prevention. I have been working in the industry for over 13 years. Problem is that I am the primary income for my family of six and making less than $35K per year! You see I have been working to earn a paycheck all this time.
I am called to be a minister. God has made this very clear. So there must be a shift in my thought process. I need to start working by faith and living in Gods Grace. I need to start allowing God to bless me with a paycheck.
So what's next. I am actively seeking a new job that will provide me the family time and provide me at least twice my current salary. I know there is a position out there. I just need to be tuned into the Holy Spirit and listen for God's direction.
I am praying and believing for breakthrough!
In His Grip,
Josh
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Sent via BlackBerry
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Monday, May 4, 2009
5/04/2009
Wow... Made it through another week. Last week was quite trying. I received direction on my new work situation. Gotta tell you that was tough. Sunday I had to cut out of church right at the end and head to work. My wife and kids had to miss service to accommodate me going to work. We all had to miss out on the Baptisms followed by the Fusion Church BBQ after service. All this for what? I went into work and did absolutely nothing but grow continually more frustrated. I spent most of the time on my blackberry looking for a new job on careerbuilder.com and monster.com... Then I stumbled upon an even better site -- churchjobs.net. Was liking that one...
Through it all I kept telling God how much I love and trust Him. I needed to feel His presence on me the entire day. He was the only one keeping me from walking off the job.
This week has been ok so far, after all it's only Monday! LOL!! So far I have driven to Kissimmee to work the 1st half of my day then off to Tampa for the second half. Missed the men's fellowship wing night -- AGAIN! Missed family time with Kim and the kids and arrived home to a quiet house and left over dinner.
I am so confused... God gave me this job to sustain us. He made it clear it was for a season. But at what cost? I am truly confused... My family and I are having to sacrifice our Sunday worship time. I am feeling so disconnected in my leadership role at church and I have no fellowship or "hang out time" with my Pastor.
On top of all that I am missing out on my family time! How can I be a great father and husband if I only get to see them 15mins before school, once a week at night, and Sundays at church???
Praying for a miracle...
God Bless you all!
~Josh
Through it all I kept telling God how much I love and trust Him. I needed to feel His presence on me the entire day. He was the only one keeping me from walking off the job.
This week has been ok so far, after all it's only Monday! LOL!! So far I have driven to Kissimmee to work the 1st half of my day then off to Tampa for the second half. Missed the men's fellowship wing night -- AGAIN! Missed family time with Kim and the kids and arrived home to a quiet house and left over dinner.
I am so confused... God gave me this job to sustain us. He made it clear it was for a season. But at what cost? I am truly confused... My family and I are having to sacrifice our Sunday worship time. I am feeling so disconnected in my leadership role at church and I have no fellowship or "hang out time" with my Pastor.
On top of all that I am missing out on my family time! How can I be a great father and husband if I only get to see them 15mins before school, once a week at night, and Sundays at church???
Praying for a miracle...
God Bless you all!
~Josh
Friday, April 24, 2009
4/24/09
For those who haven't been following me on my FaceBook page or on Twitter... Here's a little background.
One year ago I started a district level position with a new company. Throughout my entire hiring process I dedicated each step to God. As I continue to do daily even now. In my interviews I openly revealed that my family and I were involved in ministry. I explained that my priorities in life were God, Family, Work then everything else. This company seemed to embrace that very well as they promote "work - life balance". I also made it very clear that I was not available to work on Sundays as this was my day of worship, nor was I available to work on Christmas or Easter. My boss was fine with that. It was notated on my new hire paperwork with his ok (gotta have that in writing). Ok... that leads us up to March 2009. My boss calls me to let me know that the company has changed their view on my ability to have Sunday's off. Now they were requiring me to work full shifts on Sunday (10-7). I refreshed his memory on the stipulation I had when I was hired. He dropped the subject and we never spoke of it again.
Now here's what happens...
So my boss calls me last night - while I am driving home. He was really trying to be "PC" about the conversation. Even praising me for my dedication to my religion - stating he doesn't understand but does appreciate the dedication. What? <- My thoughts exactly... He then lets me know that we are at a place where we have to be cautious that we are setting the right example and sending the right message. In a nutshell -- Work some Sundays or lose your job. Wow... Now, I have faith that God will provide. I have seen Him do it and experienced it in our past. However, I have a wife and four children to provide for. God has provided me with this job. I know that my true calling is in full time ministry. However, that door has not opened yet. I know I am not supposed to step away from this job until God opens that door. After all, I don't feel like wandering in the desert for 40 years (oops - starting to preach here).
This I feel is about obedience. It's about learning to submit to my "master" even though what he is commanding me to do is not right in my eyes. I think that this is going to be huge.
What's next? Only God knows... One thing for sure, I am going to have to miss a Sunday or two at church until God reveals that next move.
In His Grip,
Josh
One year ago I started a district level position with a new company. Throughout my entire hiring process I dedicated each step to God. As I continue to do daily even now. In my interviews I openly revealed that my family and I were involved in ministry. I explained that my priorities in life were God, Family, Work then everything else. This company seemed to embrace that very well as they promote "work - life balance". I also made it very clear that I was not available to work on Sundays as this was my day of worship, nor was I available to work on Christmas or Easter. My boss was fine with that. It was notated on my new hire paperwork with his ok (gotta have that in writing). Ok... that leads us up to March 2009. My boss calls me to let me know that the company has changed their view on my ability to have Sunday's off. Now they were requiring me to work full shifts on Sunday (10-7). I refreshed his memory on the stipulation I had when I was hired. He dropped the subject and we never spoke of it again.
Now here's what happens...
So my boss calls me last night - while I am driving home. He was really trying to be "PC" about the conversation. Even praising me for my dedication to my religion - stating he doesn't understand but does appreciate the dedication. What? <- My thoughts exactly... He then lets me know that we are at a place where we have to be cautious that we are setting the right example and sending the right message. In a nutshell -- Work some Sundays or lose your job. Wow... Now, I have faith that God will provide. I have seen Him do it and experienced it in our past. However, I have a wife and four children to provide for. God has provided me with this job. I know that my true calling is in full time ministry. However, that door has not opened yet. I know I am not supposed to step away from this job until God opens that door. After all, I don't feel like wandering in the desert for 40 years (oops - starting to preach here).
This I feel is about obedience. It's about learning to submit to my "master" even though what he is commanding me to do is not right in my eyes. I think that this is going to be huge.
What's next? Only God knows... One thing for sure, I am going to have to miss a Sunday or two at church until God reveals that next move.
In His Grip,
Josh
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
My 2009 Vision
I just posted my 2009 vision on my friend and pastor's blog site ...
www.nathancamp.com ... Check out Nathan's latest blog entry.
www.nathancamp.com ... Check out Nathan's latest blog entry.
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Sent from my mobile device
Joshua Sauers
chaplain25@gmail.com
Sunday, January 4, 2009
01-04-2009
I am so blessed to have a beautiful wife who is totally in love with Jesus Christ. I am just so thankful God was thinking about us before we were even born.
Just something I was thinking about as I sit relaxing on the couch tonight, looking across at my wife... What have you done for your marriage today?
God gives us so many daily opportunities to glorify Him. I want to be tuned into all of them.
Blessings,
Josh
*Sent via mobile email by: Joshua Sauers
*Sent via mobile email by: Joshua Sauers
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