Sunday, September 14, 2014

Sunday Inspiration- Calling


This is something I have been considering a lot- how do we know that we are really following His calling?  How do I know that I am hearing His voice and not following what I "think" is His voice?  How do I know when it's time? And even more- What exactly is my calling?  That last one- I have kind of lost sight of but now, in the wake of shifting tides, strong currents and hurting friends and family I am feeling my heart being tugged to revisit my life, to find my calling.  Can a calling change?  What I think has been my calling for years seems to be changing- or maybe it was the "means" to find my true calling?  Deep thoughts- maybe too deep for a Saturday night.  



So, what brought this up?  Just some things going on- including my INSANE schedule that has not allowed me any "me" time the last 6 weeks.  So, today I took that "me" time- I had work I really needed to do but I knew that I needed this more.  I had plans to go for a drive in the mountains BUT the weather did not cooperate so that has been postponed.  I ended up just taking a day and doing nothing- I ran some errands, took a nap, and I read a book (on my computer since it was a library book that couldn't be downloaded to my iPad).  While I was reading (this is where I admit that it was a "chick" book- a Christian/inspirational romance novel about a single girl who goes to Russia for a year to teach English) BUT I read this and knew why I chose this book from the library 


 (Susan May Warren- Everything's Coming Up Josey)


And then I read this and felt like I was reading the prayer I have prayed for the last few years- and while I know it's not falling on deaf ears it's not being answered the way I want it but then that makes it all about me- and it's not all about me.  So, what does that mean?  It means that when I pray this prayer from this point on I am going to try to remember that it's NOT about me- it's about what He wants to do THROUGH me and what will bring Him glory.







And I'll leave you with this:



ETA: I know I have some things missing- I am heading to church but will fix them when I get home.

ETA2: They are fixed :)



Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Where did August go?

Seriously!  It came and went before I could blink.  Within the month of August we completed 3 weeks of school (just started week number 4), participated in the ALS #icebucketchallenge (my donation went to John Paul II research facility because they don't support embryonic stem cell research) and I had the last hurrah of traveling to Atlanta over Labor Day weekend.  While in Atlanta visiting friends we went to a Braves game- it was a GOOD game (Braves won 1-0 on a Gattis homer) but the highlight was what is my August "new/fun" thing.  August was SO busy that I literally went down to the last day!  Part of the reason we chose the Sunday evening game was that there was a concert after the game- so my "new/fun" thing- going to the after game concert- which just happened to be one of my favorite Christian bands- Newsboys.  I have been to several concerts- including seeing the Newsboys (before Michael Tait was with them) BUT I have never participated in a concert in that type of setting.  Oh my- it was amazing!  First of all, there were about 45,000 people at the game that night (crazy in itself) and at least half of those attendees stayed for the concert.  Now, you may have heard of the movie- God's Not Dead?  Well, these guys are in it and of course sing the song.  There is absolutely nothing here on earth like hearing over 20000 sing "We Believe", "The Resurrection Song" and "My God's Not Dead"- and can you imagine heaven- wow!









Now, what should I do for September???

Tuesday, September 2, 2014

Sunday Inspiration… on a Tuesday

This past weekend I traveled to Atlanta for the holiday weekend.  I spent time with friends, had my spirit renewed through a challenging message at the church I visited as well as through a concert that evening (more on that in another post) and left wondering, what is my dream?  What is God calling me to do?  You see, every time I leave the Atlanta area I leave with the desire to move there- but is that me or is that God?  I question because I also desire to move closer to my family and Atlanta is the opposite way from them.  Instead of moving closer to them I would be moving further.  I have friends down there who have become like family and they encourage me (at least once or twice a month) to move down there but I honestly don't know what I would do- teach?  possibly but I don't have my master's so not sure how that would work.  Health coach?  Possibly but I have a few things I need to get figured out personally before I can guide anyone down that trail.  So???  Instead of answers I have lots of questions- but the questions are the same no matter where I consider a change.

One of the many things I do on trips is listen to music and this song came on a couple of times and the lyrics struck me- do I really believe and live them out or am I just paying lip service?

"Don't know where to begin
It's like my worlds caving in
And I try but I can't control my fear
Where do I go from here

Sometimes it's so hard to pray
When You feel so far away
but I am willing to go where You want me to 
God I Trust You

There's a raging sea
Right in front of me
Wants to pull me in
Bring me to my knees

So let the waters rise
If You want them to
I will follow You
I will follow You"


Things I am pondering right now… am I TRULY willing to go where HE wants me to and when?