Sunday, July 13, 2014

Sunday Inspiration- Try

I haven't posted a Sunday Inspiration in a few weeks- part of it has been due to traveling, part due to not knowing which song to pick, and part of it just not blogging while I took a break from a lot of things.  It has been a frustrating summer in some aspects- trying to figure out some health stuff that there appears to be no medical reason for and yet nothing seems to be working and yet, in other aspects it's been a rewarding summer.  I found out about a week and a half ago that I am moving back to first grade from preschool which I am super excited about- I think the change is going to be a good thing.

Moving on to the Sunday Inspiration- making the rounds over the internet/facebook is this article about Colbie Caillat.  I have listened to some of her music before but after seeing this one today I decided to take a listen.  Read the interview and then listen to the song and know that no other words are needed…

Colbie Caillat



I know that I needed these words today- as I struggle with the person looking back at me in the mirror.


On another note- I have emailed the winner of the book. :)

Saturday, July 5, 2014

Seeking Rest- #spiritualwhitespace

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for a review.  All opinions are mine.




Back on June 3 I wrote this post.  I had planned to be done with Finding Spiritual Whitespace and write a review last week but- well- life happened and it didn't.  Then, the more I tried to read it the more it just didn't seem to be "working" and I seemed to be forcing it.  I finally put it down and read other books.  Then came the review week- I really needed to buckle down and get going.  I ended up having an "emergency" dr appt to go over some test results- which I was (and still am) extremely anxious about (but unable to discuss right now until I get more info).  I was sitting there reading and all of a sudden came to chapter 16 "A Love Note".  I felt as if I could have written the first part and then, I read the second part and knew that God wanted me to read it, in that moment, at that time.  The chapter talks about the one word that God placed on your heart today- as I read the word that kept coming to mind was trust. Bonnie starts the section by saying "Sometimes we put so much pressure on ourselves to hear God say something new.  But there are seasons where one word is more than enough.  Sometimes one word trickles into a series of soul conversations and takes us on a weeklong, monthlong, or yearlong journey to savor, cry over, and explores with Jesus."  Trust- my heart whispered, simply trust.  You don't know what is going on, you don't know where this journey is taking you BUT, I do.  Lysa TerKeurst mentions in her book Made to Crave about the phrase "but God"- this is one of those times when it was a "but God" breathed into my heart, into my soul.  While I am still seeking answers and waiting on phone calls- I am choosing to listen to that voice, to rest and find that whitespace with Him.

In this book Bonnie tells her story- her journey through her struggles and her freedom found in the resting.  While I could not relate to her story, I could relate to the journey.  Because, the bottom line is, we don't all have the same story nor the same journey but the rest and freedom found at the end of our story is the same, if we allow Christ to work through it.  The book is divided into 6 parts and it's not meant to be hurried through- take your time, read each chapter, participate in the prompts at the end of the chapters and really find out what God is saying to you before moving on.  The very last chapter Bonnie provides a menu of ways to "awaken your soul to rest".  My plan is very simple- to go back through that last chapter and use her suggestions to "tell my story."

I want to leave you with two thoughts from Bonnie:

"We can move out of the gate because he goes before us.  He'll carry us back when we fall.  You and I were meant to go on new journeys, to pursue desires God plants in our hearts.  Let's unearth the dreams we've long lost, buried."

and "Sometimes you have to suffer the pain of the past to realize who you truly belong to."

While traveling this past week I was listening to my music and put together a spiritual whitespace playlist- take a look, take a listen, and rest…







Oh, and as a way to put this book in your hands- I am going to be giving away a copy of the book- if you are interested in winning this please comment below answering the following question:

How/where do you find rest?

This giveaway will go on until Wednesday, July 9 at 10:00 p.m.  At that time I'll draw a name and contact the winner and get it sent out  (I am personally sponsoring this giveaway because I believe that someone needs to read this book!)