In Need Of Prayer And Direction
For those of you who read my blog regularly will know that I have been having a… challenging year (if you haven’t been following, see Immigration Crisis, Dark Night Of The Soul and Cry For Fatherhood). This month, with the holiday season upon us, the Discipleship Training School approaching in January and my second book in the works, it doesn’t take much to get me down these days.
Then Friday afternoon our plumbing backed up. Thinking that it only a plug, it turned out to be a collapsed pipe under the house. Over the weekend and into today, plumbers opened up the floor, repaired the break, removed the dinner fork- yes, dinner fork and no, not ours- and finally got things moving (no pun intended). We still are waiting to hear the cost (though it was a relatively easy fix).
I know it is not the end of the world, but the stress of the repairs, the reality of our financial instability (including our struggling financial support), my sense of vocational angst, Kim’s immigration challenges, our inability to start a family, our shrinking number of staff, etc. all came crashing down on me at once. It has left me empty, frustrated and very tired. Thankfully, our Christmas holidays begin at the end of the week, and though we will have to work over the holidays, it will be a good time of family, friends and, of course, food.
I am deeply grateful for the people who came around me during this time. My wife, Kim, who has had to go through all of this as well, has been a rock. I love her dearly. My family have been a source of wisdom and encouragement. My many friends have there with prayer and support- the crew at the Resonate.ca Yahoo Group, Doug for stopping by to chat and pray, Dana who cared enough to hunt down my number to call (and listen to my sleep deprived mumblings) and everyone else. Thank you all.
The fact is that things are going to have to change. Once the DTS is complete in June, Kim & I will spend some serious time of prayer, reflection and decision making. Please keep us in prayer this week and in the coming months. Specifically:
-Pray for peace and rest of both spirit and body
-Pray that our financial support will strengthen
-Pray for direction, clarity and freedom to pursue God’s next phase
Thank you all!
I’ll be praying…sometimes, when it rains it pours. Hang in there.
Thanks Drew,
We have been really enjoying your adoption updates. Not within our means right now, but it gives us hope!
Peace,
Jamie
Ah yes, the feather that broke the camel’s back.
Praying for you brother. May the Lord richly bless you with peace, rest and hope.
Wow, you’re plate really is full! Hang in there, brother.
hey jamie, i’ll sure be praying for you guys.
Matt,
Thanks for the prayer. I am really humbled by all the support.
Peace,
Jamie
Steve,
God and His people have been a real support during this time, so thank you for your prayers.
Peace,
Jamie
Cindy,
I knew you would. Thank you so much!
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, you are and will be in my prayers.
Antony,
Thank you for your prayer, now and in the coming months. It is a blessing to know people are behind us in this time.
Peace,
Jamie
hey jamie,
you know I got your back man!
your story reminds me of the middle of MA summer 05 here in vancouver, when all the toliets of our summer venue started backing up. which turned out to be just tree roots affecting the main clean out line it still left us with an interesting smell and A heck of a lot of stress. especially when plan B was cancelling our summer program mid way through. all that to say… I hate plumbing problems.
Ryan,
You may not know it, but there was a year that I was teh bathroom king for the MA summer program. The girls toilets kept backing up. Every time I was working on fixing them, for some strange reason, the Holy Spirit would do some amazing things during worship. I was awarded the golden plunger at the end of the day as a result. God works in mysterious ways. Thanks for having my back.
Peace,
Jamie
Circumstances vary but it seems there are so many of us in ministry (and others) that are in the same place-of-heart in our journey at this particular point in history. It’s like we all trudge the same unsettled road in alarming proximity to each other yet remain somehow invisible to, and myopically unaware of, each other. Through are transparency we become opaque… startled as others appear right next to us on what we perceived to be a lonesome road.
I ponder the swelling numbers of earnest Christ followers who are churning with varying degrees of discontent. Something is perhaps afoot in the Kingdom. I have a growing curiosity as to what that might be. I suspect it will be something “completely other” from our best guesses. Something Holy.
One thing that really puzzles me is that if I remove all the challenging circumstances, burdensome as they are, I would realize they were merely peripheral and insular… not at all the actual source of my heaviness. My discontent would not only remain, but perhaps be even more acute without the temporal distractions.
Musing and rambling but striving in prayer for you,
Greg
Being self-employed, I can relate only too well. No income for several months, home repairs, and many other pressures all add up too quickly. My prayers are with you.
Greg,
Thanks for the thoughts and prayers.
Peace,
Jamie
Kievas,
Yeah, it is crazy. The frustrating thing is putting in months of 8am-8pm days, yet this not impact our finances one iota. Alas, I didn’t get into this for the money. (wink). Thanks for your prayer and understanding.
Peace,
Jamie
In regards to the picture you used, remember that God is “on belay”.
Rick,
Well said. Perhaps I should “let go”. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Hey Jamie. I found your blog via Scot McKnight’s place. I’m a fellow Winnipeger and a pastor at Faith Covenant Church. I think Erik Anderson has been trying to get ahold of you for the past while…. Anywho, dropped by because I saw your name and it rang a bell. Perhaps we’ll meet in person soon.
Shalom.
Gavin,
Thanks for stopping by. Yes, Scot McKnight has been very kind in sending traffic my way. I don’t think he realizes the impact he is having on my life and ministry- all good, of course.
I’ll drop you an email. Things are getting crazy for the holidays, but I would love to connect into the new year. Let me know.
Peace,
Jamie
Jamie, Sounds like you have the same kind of wife I have.
Will do!
Jamie – I’ve been a bit absent and lurking as of late (lots happening here too). I just wanted to know that I’m still praying for you guys. Lately, I’ve been reminded of this verse and found it an encouragement to me. I hope it encourages you too.
“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11
Ted,
Thanks! Your prayer and friendship are very appreciated.
Peace,
Jamie
McDLT,
Thank you for the verse, the encouragement and the prayer. It means a lot. Thanks!
Peace,
Jamie
Like a torch, I wish to one day have the honor of seeing this golden plunger passed down.
hopefully, not to me!
Ryan,
The wisdom I can offer is this: if someone hands down the golden plunger to you, be sure to grab the right end!
Peace,
Jamie