How did this thing get started

Back in November '08 I was sitting in Grace christian reformed church in Inver Grove Heights, MN. I was attending this small congregation while working out of state in Minnesota. Great little church it is! But that's beside the point. Anyways, the pastor gave me a little booklet called a "gifts survey", you do an online questionnaire and it helps you to discover your particular spiritual gifts. so i did this thinking "hey i already know my gifts but maybe I'll learn something i didn't already know about myself". Boy, how right I was! As i answered the questions i found myself thinking, "5 years ago i was better at this" and "2 years ago i was much more giving than i am now" and on it went until i had come to realize that i had allowed my spiritual muscles to atrophy!

You see, years ago I was very involved in the inner workings of a church. I played on the praise team, worked with the teens, attended every service...8 days a week! After so many years i burned out, I just grew weary. Simultaneously i was diagnosed with carpal tunnel, i was completely unable to play, the pain had become so great. So i had to "take a break" well a break turned into semi-retirement. for almost eight years i did NOTHING! I'm ashamed to say it now, but even if i don't say it, its still true.

fast forward to November:

So I'm sitting in my little room face to face with my failures and suddenly some thing happened. Desire returned! I decided that even though i may never play my bass guitar as often as i once did, i can still play it, and should. But i realized that my "talents" no longer lied, primarily, in music.

I have a passion for woodworking. so i thought "how could i use that to serve the Lord? " so i started to search for "christian woodworking clubs", to no avail. Undaunted i decided i would start my own club and call it "the Fellowship Of Christian Woodworkers"! After ongoing thought and prayer. I contacted some friends i knew may be interested. So it seems like we may have more than just myself at the first official meeting! That's always a good thing! There is a long way to go however, so stay tuned.

I will describe the intent with this blog in my next posting but for now let me just say, i will be blogging about about the frustrations and jubilee associated with getting this thing off the ground. I will share my successes and failures, anyone desiring to start their own "christian woodworkers club" can read along and learn how to NOT do it! lol. I will also shed light on others doing the same thing or something similar. For we are all on the same team!

In Christ
JEF E.