GROW in His Word - A tool not a weapon

My friend Vanessa is hosting a Link Up this month that invites us in to read the Word... to really let it roll around on our tongues and to let it nourish us as we slow down and drink it in.  You can learn more about it HERE... we'd love to have you join us!

The reference we were to spend some time with this week was a familiar passage... one often quoted and therefore, often sort of brushed over.  We know it... we've heard it... we get it.

But do we?  Isn't this very verse part of a larger picture pointing us to the reality that this Bible is called the Living Word because it is just that? It is living and alive and active... but I am getting ahead of myself here... so first:

Our verse to ponder this week...

"Every Scripture is God-breathed (given by His inspiration)

and profitable for instruction,

for reproof and conviction of sin,

for correction of error and discipline in obedience,

[and] for training in righteousness

(in holy living, in conformity to God’s will

in thought, purpose, and action),"

                                                  2 Tim 3:16 Amplified

Here's the thing... what I used to get stuck on in this portion of Scripture actually comes in the verse above it.  When you read it in context, the previous verse states "from your childhood you have had a knowledge of and been acquainted with the sacred Writings..." (vs15)  I would get a bit stuck there because I was not raised in the faith and I did not have knowledge of nor had I been acquainted with the Word.  And yet...

And yet, as I invited Him in and talked with Him about this, He showed me glimpses of my own early years... Bible stories/bed time books: gifts from relatives; Easter Sunday church services with neighbors; even a church bus that would come and pick us up from time to time... So it turns out that this Scripture IS true - even for me.  He was there all along and sowing into me in ways I did not know or see or understand... but ever so slowly, seeds were planted... and a harvest was growing.  I suspect the same is true for every one of us.  (I've read that He is no respecter of persons... and that He so loved the world... but again, I digress.)

Back to 2 Timothy 3:16... to be honest, one of the other reasons I tend to gloss over this verse is because sadly, I believe this portion of the Word is used as a weapon, way more often than it is used as a tool.

I have heard this quoted in judgement and self righteousness, in debate and argument... like an arsenal of weaponry going off fast... but when it has hit home and pierced the heart most effectively, it has been when I have heard it used as a tool, an aid... it's when I have heard it shared in love.

I love how it reads in The Message...

"But don’t let it faze you.

Stick with what you learned and believed,

sure of the integrity of your teachers

—why, you took in the sacred Scriptures with your mother’s milk!

There’s nothing like the written Word of God

for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

Every part of Scripture is God-breathed

and useful one way or another—

showing us truth, exposing our rebellion,

correcting our mistakes, training us to live God’s way.

Through the Word we are put together

and shaped up for the tasks God has for us." 

                                  2 Tim 3:14-17 The Message

When we use this Scripture - or ANY Scripture, really - as a tool, we put to use the promises of the verse.  This verse states that all Scripture is "useful one way or another - showing us truth, exposing our rebellion, correcting our mistakes, training us to live God's way."

I love how it says 'us' and not 'them'...  it sort of reminds me of a story He told once about a plank...

Now, Chapter 4 does go on to say a lot of 'thems' - but it wraps it up in verse 5 when Paul brings it right on back with, "But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant."

When we put the Word of God to use as a tool on ourselves (and not as a weapon on others) - we are being trained to live His way.

What is His way?

Love...

His way is always love!

Father God,

We thank You that whenever You breath out

- Life happens.

We thank you that the very Word of God

is oxygen to our souls.

Jesus, teach us and train us

to know and love Your Word.

For You are the Word... 

You dwell within us and I pray that You will help us

to remember to use the Sword of the Spirit

as a weapon only against the enemy,

but with ourselves and others,

that we will use it as a tool

in equipping us for every good work!

Help us to allow Your Word

to show us truth, to reveal our hearts

and where we are missing the mark,

to correct our mistakes...

Lord, fill us up to overflowing,

so we will be able to extend

Grace and Love

outward, and inward...

Help us to remember to set

our minds and hearts

to live God's way...  Your way...

and that Your way is always Love!

In Jesus' Name,

Amen!

Linking up today with Vanessa over at Hearts On Guard
 
- See more at: http://www.heartsonguard.com/2013/08/2-timothy-316-grow-in-his-word.html#sthash.BJWOY6vO.dpuf

The Blessing of Lives Grown Up Together

I am joining in with Crystal Stine and her Behind the Scenes Link Up in sharing the Real story behind the scenes of Pin worthy photographs... the things that you cannot know by simply looking at the picture.

Be still my heart... I love these Girlies!

These three...

They were being knit together as friends even while they were being fearfully and wonderfully made within our wombs, and early on - learning to have our hearts living on the outside of our bodies... Their Mama's and I - meeting over coffee, and small group studies, crafting together and taking shopping trips.

They were Besties before they could talk... hanging out in car seats and playing on quilts... learning to walk, and talk, and sass - all together! And my, how they could can Sass!

They are sweethearts and sisters and for this Mama of an Only, I am oh so thankful for this fact! They have remained close... through schools, and moves and church changes, through mood swings and state lines, sharing secrets and vacations and memories that go back as far as they can possibly remember!

They are friends... sisters... they love each other and support one another and even if they are not in agreement of choices or opinions, of friends or boys, of future plans or past mistakes... they have each others' backs... I am praying that this will always be true! I pray that they will talk Real and Dig Deep... that their friendships will mature and challenge and always... always Bless.

All three of them graduated this year... all three have plans for the future and everything is going to be different for each of them... and yet... no matter the changes, I am certain that these three (will) remain (friends)...

and I pray that these three remain as well...

"But now faith, hope, love,

abide these three;

but the greatest of these is love."

                                   1 Cor 13:13 NASB

What about you? Have your kids grown up with long term friends?
Have you? (Do we not just LOVE Facebook for reconnecting now?)
I'd love to hear how you have kept connected over the years!




Linked up with Crystal over HERE

In the face of Rush & Hurry, Just Breathe in Deep

I know... I know it's nearing the end of Summer and August isn't even halfway gone...

I know it's all Rush and Hurry and How-Are-We-Gonna-Pay-For-THAT's... it's new boxes of Crayola's and Backpacks and back to packing lunches (or it's not...)

With the sounds of summer hurrying on by, if you are like me, you want to squeeze in all the Lazy Sunny Days before we blink and it is Fall (glorious Fall!) already!

I have read it over and over again already this week... the steady hum, buzzing faster and faster and louder and louder and how can we remember to not get caught up in it all and give in to the stress of having to get All the Things done...

It sounds too easy in the midst of the hectic...
...too simple in the throws of chaos...
but I encourage you to just Breathe in Deep...
Lift Up Your Face Towards the Sun,
Close Your Eyes...
and Just. Breathe.

"I look up to the mountains—

    does my help come from there?

My help comes from the Lord,

    who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble;

    the one who watches over you will not slumber.

Indeed, he who watches over Israel

    never slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord himself watches over you!

    The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade.

The sun will not harm you by day,

    nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm

    and watches over your life.

The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go,

    both now and forever."  

             

                                          ~Psalm 121:1-8 NLT

Life can come at us hard...

We can feel the pressure of the Speed Up,

and the Keep Up, and before we know it,

we can really just want to Give It All Up... 

So let this be a gentle reminder to invite Him in... 

or better yet, let it be a gentle reminder to you

that He is already in...

He is ALL IN...

and He's got this -

(...whatever 'this' is for you today!)

How are you doing with all the rush of the end of the summer?  Do you have any plans to squeeze in more vacation before it's officially back to school? I'd love to hear! (We are off to the Island for a long weekend before the reality of the end of Summer steals our attention once again!)

I am linking up with Jennifer Dukes Lee and #TellHisStory today...

Counting On while Packing up & Pondering on Family

One of the hidden blessings of having a nearly grown Girlie who is starting college this Fall and not going back to high school is that my Honeys' annual fishing trip can now include us girls too!

Well - let me clarify... it's still the boys who will be puttering around the Sound for a few days on the water.  But since we are not in full swing of the craziness that is Back to School - we can go along and have a Girls' Weekend with my Sissy and niece, and I can. not. wait.

I don't know about you - or if you have siblings... but I find that I miss my sisters so much so, that often, I am unaware.  Do you know what I mean? It's as if it is so normal to feel this emptiness, that I don't even acknowledge or entertain it anymore.  I grow dull to the hollowness that only they can fill, but when I begin to plan a trip to see them, or come across a photo of us together, oh my how the Missing Them can surface quick and flood me with Wishing Them Right Here, Right Now!

I count them among my biggest and best "Gifts" and I am oh so thankful for them both - for oh so many reasons! Writing them down would take large amounts of time and many, many journals, but I try to tell them with my words and my actions on a consistent basis! I am blessed because - with either of them - I can fill my tank with gas and in a few short hours, I can end up on their doorsteps to see and hear and hold them, face to face...  Heart to heart.  (If only they were not in opposite directions of each other?)

This being only hours apart is a gift that I often forget to count... but I am so very grateful for it! I know some would need to travel days... some can no longer get 'there' on this side of things... which makes me want to remember all the more - to gas up and head out and show up more often!

This got me to thinking... pondering, really... and I wonder if Jesus lived with this sort of numbness to the missing of His siblings?  I wonder if He caught Himself remembering childhood days and laughter (and bickering) and lives lived out loud together... I wonder if He too was flooded with emotions and a desire to pack up and head home and reconnect.  He had brothers and sisters and I admit that I often forget this!

But in remembering it... I am also reminded that now, I  am His sister... He is my Brother... and that realization alone answers my pondering question.  

Emphatically, Yes!

Yes - He misses us... He longs to sit with us, over coffee and talk about how Mom used to be and how Dad loves us even if He seemed busy... He wants to slow down time and help us remember where we came from and what has made us into who we are today... 

He was fully God and fully man, and if you - like me - tend to forget sometimes that He was also someone's brother, son... then this may hit you straight on like it did me... As much as you may miss your sibling or close friend or family member who lives far away - whether that be in location, in busyness, in spirit... as much as you may miss them... He does too! He misses them... and He misses you. 

When we allow our lives to get over-scheduled and over-run with Bossy Lists and things that must get done... when we forget to 'call' or can't quite get away... when we know that He knows that we love Him (and we know that they know that we love them - whoever 'they' may be for you!) - we risk pushing them on down our lists of things to do and get a bit lazy in keeping the connection strong.

We rest on the fact that we are family and we can just pick up where we left off... we can... but should we?  Should we let these Gifts of relationship be taken for granted?  Our relationship with family; with friends; with Him?

As I count gifts... people are always on the top of my list... and He - well, He is my favorite!  I can say it and write it down daily... but oh to spend some TIME with Him... and them... and say it in person, slowly - over the holiness of a meal, or meandering over a cup of something yummy!

This week... this is where I am going:

\

I will meet with Him (look at those pictures... how can I not?) and I will meet with my Sissy and my Girlie and my niece... I will count gifts that are them... and that are all around us... and I will remember to say it loud and to mean it with all of my heart... "I love you and I am so thankful for you! You are such a gift to me!"

Counting on...

#1444 - A Gift of Summer - more time with My girlie  (usually!)

#1445 - A Gift of Summer - Salads for dinner (more often than usual!)

#1446 - A Gift of Summer - Sun-kissed skin... slowly getting tanned during walks, while enjoying meals al fresca on patios and porches and in parks in the grass, and simply relaxing outside a bit more!

#1449 - A Gift of Half: My girlie and two friends spent Half the night in her room, talking and laughing and hanging out.  These girlies who have grown up together and have gone through so much - together and apart... from car seats and sleep overs, to college and all nighters... they have remained friends and are the closest things to Sisters my Only Girlie has ever had.

#1452 - Finding Community vs. Creating it... praying about the difference and which route to take!

#1453 - After three days without a land line OR an internet connection, having the CenturyLink tech show up early on Saturday and fix the issue within an hour!

#1454 - (which resulted in a wide open Saturday - no longer needing to stay home and wait!)

#1456 - Visiting a new church... and entering right on in to worship and prayer.

#1457 - An impromptu BBQ with the folks on a Sunday afternoon... the blessing of family nearby and friends like family who show up and hang out slow.

#1458 - An invitation to slow it down (with Jeff Goins) and go for a walk... to count gifts on purpose with open eyes and see what I may be missing...

#1459 - Flowers in bloom, hidden beneath greenery and overgrowth - like a secret burst of beauty...

#1460 - The neighbors dog... obediently laying in her spot as I pass by - yearning for some attention and love! (which I slowed down and gave!)

#1461 - Traveling UP my Dead End road... when I normally head down to the rest of the city... finding seating areas in yards & gardens that speak volumes of Community and conversations!

#1462 - Packing and planning to spend time with my Sissy this week

...

On Monday mornings, I usually link up with Ann Voskamp at the Multitudes on Mondays



...however today - she is inviting us all to celebrate her birthday with her and Be the GIFT... check it out and play along...

I am also linking up this week with Jeff Goins and taking his Slow Down Challenge 

What about you?  What gifts (people or otherwise!) are you counting today? I'd love to hear!

That Weekend "Thing" that I do now... (the 5th Edition)

So - this week has been crazy - in all the best kinds of ways!  On Sunday, I spent hours and hours out at a super fun Event that resulted in literally 100s and 100s of photographs to play with!    

So - that meant a little less online reading time and a lot more online editing.  Still - it is hardly 'work'... and then, on Thursday... something mysterious happened to my phone line.  I blame the guys working up on the cell phone tower but they insist it was not their fault.  Whatever it was... (no - we still don't know... the phone company is sending a guy - sometime in between two days ago and Saturday at 6pm!  Yeah... thanks for that! To quote Brian Regan... they said it was just their policy... 'something about hell on earth...')  Anyway - I have had limited internet - thanks to kind neighbors who let me 'borrow' their wifi.  So - this too has resulted in less online reading time... but don't be afraid.  Since this has turned into a Thing after all, I couldn't leave ya on a Saturday with nothing to read!

So here is my limited take on the Awesome offerings online this week!

Happy Saturday (and Happy Reading!)

*  This post by Holley Gerth, where she reminds us that only God can Do All The Things! (...so relax a little bit and open your hands!)

* This one by Donald Miller over at Storyline about creating Community will help you learn the three basic things needed to plant and grow... and hopefully stir you up like it did me!

* This post by Rev. Duane Brown, over at Jennifer Dukes Lee's place this week - where he compares Twinkies with Communion... but for real - somehow it works!

* This post by Lindsay over at Little House Big World on how the memories are more important than the messes.

* This one - because... well, anytime Jen Hatmaker posts something, it will be on my favorites list! 

* This post by Floyd from There Go I, on slowing down and really SEEING with compassion... it will stir you, open your eyes, and hopefully help us all to make a difference and offer grace!

* The post right here on Abiding Love, Abounding Grace that was my favorite to write this week was this one HERE on getting over ourselves and learning to expect the answer to be Yes! 

Lastly - our VIDEO of the week!  Now - this is not new online - but it was new to me, and I thought you'd like to meet Bob the street cat... 

...and here... here is a Bonus video, since we are watching YoutTube Videos about cats, well - I can not TELL you how many times I have watched this one.   So - just in case someone has not yet seen this:

Enjoy your weekend...

Five Minute Friday - LONELY

So - we have this Cell Phone Tower on our property... mostly it's a blessing... but some times - not so much! Like tonight - when somehow they snipped my phone line... which means I have no wifi or telephone... which makes #fmfparty and posting in general a bit tricky!  Luckily - my neighbors shared their password and I am on my laptop for just a few... hoping to be back online tomorrow!  But I am here for Five Minute Friday because - well, I just can't stay away! 

But - first - the fine print: if you don't know what FMF is!  Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker.  It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE!  The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at one minute past midnight Friday morning (EST.)  I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!

So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - LONELY...

{GO}

It can be sneaky... the way you are feeling just fine and all a part of something nad then all of a sudden, your vision is impaired and it feels as if you are all alone.

It happens in a moment... sometimes this feeling hits the hardest in a crowded room.  We entertain a whisper and believe the lie... we fall for the hook and find ourselves spinning downward... 

It can FEEL so real... 

It can seem as if you are the only one on an empty road...
No one else to come alongside you... 
to say, "Yes - I know exactly what you mean!" or
"I've been there... I know... you are not in this alone!"

It feels like an uphill battle... like you will never really crest the top... fit in... be a part...

But here's the deal - those are just feelings... and no matter WHAT your circumstance, I can promise you without hesitation, you are not alone!  Without even realizing it we can buy into our feelings and allow 'alone' to turn into 'lonely'... there may be a time that God sets you aside - or calls you to step back or step down... but He never EVER leaves you.  You are not alone... and it breaks His heart to see you give in to Lonely.

No - we are made for connection and Community and when we don't have it with others... we can always have it with Him.  I think when we spend time with Him - He fills us up and then we need to pour out!

It's like a beautiful trick... how He fills us up in a way that we simply MUST pour out... which sort of takes care of Lonely as long as we are willing!

In Alone = we can find peace... we can feel at rest... and sometimes it is not fun, this is true...
but Lonely does not need to come along for the ride!

After all - when we are battling Lonely - this is the best time to go out and, as Emily Freeman says, be a bench!

{STOP}

I know in my life - when I have felt the most Lonely... my flesh wanted to hide and give in to it - but the Lord would prompt me to look around... and see that others in that crowded room were feeling the same thing... Be a bridge... be a bench... create a conversation that invites fellowship and kicks Lonely out the door! (All this talk of Allume and nervousness and hoping we all don't feel LONELY in the midst of so many strangers... Lord I pray we all remember this  - to silence the whispers and be bold in who we are... cross the room... say Hello... don't give room for Lonely to start a conversation!)

Speak Life, Be Love, Shine On!

~Karrilee~

Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "LONELY"  

Getting over ourselves, and into the spirit

I am linking up with the incredible Crystal Stine giving you the inside scoop "Behind the Scenes" today, as well as with Jennifer Dukes Lee for "Tell His Story"!

Here goes...

I was invited to attend this amazing Open Call event last weekend.  The theme was Bohemian/Gypsy/Woodstock and it was a photo shoot organized for Models, Photographers, Make-Up and Hair Artists, and Fashion Designers, - to gather and play/work and just have a blast! It was an open call - open to all levels from beginners to pro's - but really, who goes to these things? It's the Pro's, right?

Enter my own insecurities & issues with feeling intimidated. But I cling to my One Word (Surprise!) and I am determined to surprise myself in overcoming!

I love photography... I do it as a hobby and for friends who can't afford to hire a pro - it's a passion and a creative outlet and part of my whole creative make up!  However - put me in a room with 'real' photographers, and I have to fight the urge to blend in to the wall.  I know that I don't know much... I know that I am learning as I go... and what I really WANT to do - is speak up and be bold and take the opportunities to learn FROM the pro's instead of being intimidated BY them.  

I am learning this year to just ignore those thoughts and feelings and take a risk.  So far - every time, it has paid off!  Turns out when you expect the answer to be 'Yes'... you get 'Yes' way more often! (and thank you, Bob Goff!)

So - even though I tried (and tried and tried) to invite some photographer friends to come with me (can someone say comfort zone?) - none could make it.  I was gonna have to be a grown up and just show up on my own.  At the last minute, I invited my girlies' bff.  She has modeled in the past - but never for me... I adore her and she is a natural in front of the camera! Kayelyn was working all day, but her friend was open and eager to come play! 

We headed out in the morning and we had a blast!  I hogged her for a bit too long maybe - but it gave us both a chance to relax and find a groove... I ended up working with four other models in the morning and had so much fun!  It was getting hot, and we decided to come home and rest a bit, then go back for that magic lighting at sunset.  By then, we reasoned - my girlie would be home and she could come play with us too!

However - my girlie was not so into the idea.  Unbeknownst to me, she was fighting off her own insecurities and really didn't want to go and model when there were other professional models there... she wasn't feeling it.  Like... for real.  She was Not. Feeling. It.  Somehow  - between her bestie and I, we managed to get her dressed and in the car and by the time we got there she reluctantly agreed to take one shot in front of an old VW van (her dream car... no joke!)

Yep... my one shot! (Can you just see her excitement?  LOL - now, in her defense - we were sort of going for the 'we don't care/down with the man' attitude!)  I was able to get a few more here, and before I knew it, she was loosening up and... wait for it... seemingly enjoying herself a bit!

She, like me, just took a little while - and needed a little (a LITTLE) prodding and pushing to get over herself and her insecurities and then, before we knew it, we were all having fun!

Is this not like life? We can tend to take it so seriously - and give in to the temptation to compare ourselves and our skills with others.  But in the end, when we can just relax and have fun... Beauty happens!  See? How precious is this?  

I mean really - dress up fun for (nearly) grown girlies... what's not to love?

This event taught me that when I  - or any of us, really - are able to get over ourselves... we can find that we are learning and growing and changing, all in the midst of having fun!  Life is an adventure and it's meant to be lived out loud... when we remember that, get in the spirit of it, and take a risk... oh my how He shines!

Speak Life. Be Love. Shine On.
~Karrilee~

"Social media and online relationships can make us feel like everyone else has it all together. We're edited, proof-read, Pinterest-perfect versions of ourselves  (or so some might think!) when - in reality? There is an unfinished pile of laundry around the corner. That cute toddler smiling for the camera just had a massive meltdown seconds ago. That yummy breakfast-for-dinner you just showed us on Instagram? It's because the cat licked the chicken that was supposed to be for dinner.  "Behind the Scenes" is a fun link up where we show those photos - but tell the real story behind them. The sneak peek behind the scenes, a look past the edges of the photo to the real life behind it.  Read more Behind the Scenes posts HERE.

 Each Wednesday, shortly after midnight, I will post my contribution to the #TellHisStory writing project.  At the time, I will open up the linky for you to add your own story.  We can connect on Twitter with the #TellHisStory hashtag.  Write whatever story God lays on your heart.  What story has God been writing in or through your life, or through the lives of those around you?  Read more Tell His Story posts HERE

Drinking Summer: Counting On to Slow it all Down

Can you even believe that it is AUGUST already?  August, people?

I don't know about you - but for us, in this house - it has FLOWN by!  As I have mentioned before, this feels like it may be our last summer... at least the last one with our girlie living at home with not a ton of other responsibilities... so we have kept it fairly low key!

..and this week?  Once again - filled with summertime activities! ...and to slow it all down, and drink it in full - we Count On, listing gifts out loud and written in journals and across our hearts...

We learned this from Him... and then Ann with no E reminded us...

So here we go...

#1424 - Finally bought two notebooks... one for #Allume... & one for my Blog Planning Kit!

#1425 - Sun Roof Open, Blue Skies Above, Music on a Little Too Loud, & Iced Teas in hand... with no where to be!

#1426 - My new White Leather Watch Cuff with Rhinestones all over it! (Gotta love all the Sparkle!)

#1427 - Concert in the Park... just chilling out with friends... (a summer tradition!)

                                                                      Gypsy Soul

#1428 - The Blessing of Forever Friends! Running into this sweet one at the park... and over coffee... talking and catching up for hours! Friendships that go back to high school... and to before we knew Jesus - we knew each other... and now, we invite Him in and let Him Shine!

#1429 - Taking Mom and Dad out for Breakfast at Apple Tree Golf Resort... out of their normal routine, for sure - but so gorgeous and such a great relaxed way to start out a Saturday morning!

#1430 - My Nieces' Birthday in the Park... an impromptu party and weather that cooperated!

#1431 - A tiny little slice of Birthday Cake... chilled and refreshing...

#1432 - These two... my girlie and the Birthday Girl!

#1433 - Blog work done, Painting complete, and time for a little sunshine and reading

#1434 - Finished reading Love Does by Bob Goff... (and now looking for ways to DO it!)

#1435 - Trying a new technique in painting/creating... and having it work!

#1436 - Gaining boldness... getting out of my comfort zone... going out to shoot at the Boho/Gypsy Photo Event - with or without a friend to come along!

#1437 - New shoes... that DON'T hurt my feet after a full day of shooting!

#1438 - Stephanie... a great friend to my girlie, and an amazing model to work with!

#1439 - Meeting new people who make it EASY to connect! (Lord - help me to be like this to others!)

#1440 - Being Love... Offering Grace... Speaking Life... and praying beyond the moment.

#1441 - Hardboiled Eggs, Blueberries, and sliced Avocados on a fresh Green Salad! So unexpected and yet so Summery & Delicious!

#1442 - My girlie - after a long day at work, supporting and playing (reluctantly!) with me (and Stephanie) while we work!

Have you learned (or remembered) the skill of slowing down time by counting gifts?
What are the blessings that you are counting?  I'd love to hear...

Jump in and join us! I am linking up with Ann Voskamp at the Multitudes on Mondays



Speak Life. Be Love. Shine On.
~Karrilee~

...and For Your Reading Pleasure - a Wknd Recap

Happy Saturday!

I'm not sure why I like to buck the system... or why I am so hesitant to commit - but here we are... four weeks in... and it seems that this may, in fact, be turning into some sort of Thing!

We had all kinds of summer fun this week... afterall - it is somehow August ALREADY - and I hope you were able to go out and enjoy yourself some summer fun as well!  

In case you feel like you may have missed out on some of the Incredible Internet... here are some of my favorites finds: 

*  This post by my friend Jessica over at Hand Me Down Grace... in which she lays out what God has put on her heart... and invites us all to help make this Dream come true!

*  This one by Ann Voskamp will make you feel all romantic... where she talks about how 'a good marriage isn't about reliving a good movie, but reliving the Good News.' (#Swoon!)

*  So - you know when you find a blog post that makes you not only literally LOL - but decide it's a brilliant idea to read it out loud to the whole family... but you can't quite do it justice because even the second or third time reading it through - you are still literally LOLing?  Yeah... that!  Here's this one by Big Mama (aka Melanie Shankle) on IHOP.

*  This post by the ever 'helpful' Jessica Turner from The Mom Creative on how to successfully shop Target Clearance.  Tip - run to the toy section this weekend - for real! (Really - she is helpful... but I keep having to explain to my husband how she is saving us money...) 

*  This post by Nikki over at 5 Minutes For Faith where she is talking about how everything changes when we see God in our every day!

*  This one by Lisa-Jo Baker... on how there is no such thing as JUST a Mom.  (I realize that she is also featured here nearly every week... let's just say she and Ann are both my favorites, pretty much all the time! ...and Lisa Jo?  Well, there is a reason that her blog crashes  - yes... we did it again this week... everyone trying to soak in her words and bask in the Awesome... but it's fixed - so if you missed this one, you're gonna want to read it (again and again!)

*  This post by Robin Dance over at incourage.me about redeeming the Power Hour brings on So Many Amens! If you don't know what the Power Hour is... or if you think you do... read this and then take her challenge!

*  This Five Minute Friday post by the amazing Alia Joy will stir you up... in which she explains how 'story tethers our souls to this world. It both binds us and sets us free.'

*  My favorite post from my own blog this week is about When a Dream is a Nightmare... but the post that has had the most views/comments this week is my own Five Minute Friday piece on "Story" - (Seriously though - that link up this week is FULL of amazing posts! It too is over at Lisa Jo's!)

*  ...and lastly, we (well - OK - I!) love to end with a podcast or a video... something for your listening and/or viewing pleasure - so this week... while this is not a NEW video - it's new to me and this is what grabbed my attention and made me slow down just a little (and yes... made me buy yet another book! You're welcome, Amazon! You're welcome!)  
Enjoy!



Just in case your life is oober hectic even with all the glorious Summer non-scheduling (like mine seems to be lately!) - I hope these little gems have helped to bring you back to center and given you a bit to ponder!

Enjoy your weekend...

Speak Life. Be Love. Shine On.
~Karrilee~

Five Minute Friday - STORY

Wow... tonights' Twitter party was Off the HOOK, ya'll! It was crazy busy with all sorts of encouragement and amazing Awesomeness!  So much so - that Lisa Jo gave us the prompt early... and yet - I just needed to sit and soak in the afterglow a bit longer... how is it that there is just so much sisterhood that takes place and goes deeper every week... every day... and we have yet to hear each others speaking voice? Oh - we hear each other loud and clear... we hear our Voice... and we hear our hearts... our hopes and dreams and insecurities and doubts... it is a gathering place where our stories unfold and intertwine and in the midst of it all - His name is lifted High!

But - first - the fine print: if you don't know what FMF is!  Five Minute Fridays are hosted by Lisa Jo Baker.  It is open to anyone, so to learn more about it - and to jump in yourself (the more the merrier!) or just to find a linky to see what everyone is writing about today - click HERE!  The idea is to simply write... for Five Minutes flat... no editing, no deep thinking - or at least REthinking, no spell check - just write! Let it flow! We all write using a prompt that Lisa posts at one minute past midnight Friday morning (EST.)  I'm loving the community of amazing bloggers and the creativity that flows from these magical Five Minutes!

So - here goes: Five Minute Friday - STORY...

{GO}

For generations, we have had a call to write.  My great great grandmother felt it... I'm sure her mother as well... and right on up through the matriarchs to my mother, then on to my sisters and myself.  

My daughter has felt it as well... 

The draw to string words together and evoke emotion... to point to a greater meaning... to glorify the One who weaves our Stories from before we first gasped for air. 

It is in our bones... this desire to create... to paint a picture with our words... to let Love and Grace and Joy and Friendship just seep on through and soak in deep to those who read us...

...and what is required - what I am learning is this:  We must share our Story... and our story intertwines with others'... but it's our Story alone that we write.  I am only called to pen down what I know... 

It can't be like everyone elses'
- and it's not limited to writing it down!
Oh No... it must be lived out loud!  

Live your Story - and don't shy away!

You were created for this life
that you have been given...
let's purpose to live it in a way that
Leaks out Love...
exudes all sorts of Grace...
& Shines brightly for all to see.

In this season of letting go in order to avoid any tearing apart... I am having to remind myself that this precious Girlie of mine... she has her own Story... To live... and to write!

As Mama's - we can forget this...

We can forget that we don't get to write their Story too... and that their Story doesn't get to define us... for all the twists and turns and unforeseen chapter endings, it is always a work between them and the Author of their faith... 

The same is true for us!  Others can influence and encourage - but it must be our own Story that we tap out on these keys... or it just doesn't read like Truth!

Write what you know... write your own Story... 
and then Live it out loud... and let it be read by those who surround you!  

{STOP}

Speak Life, Be Love, Shine On!

~Karrilee~

Five Minute Fridays gives us the chance to dive right in and share what He puts on our hearts! Click here to read what others have to say about "STORY"