DAY TWENTY FIVE of 31 Days of Life Happens... and so We Pray! Praying the Psalms

I don't know about you but I know for me, I am sort of sad that this is our last Tuesday together this month!

I have really enjoyed praying the Psalms together with y'all!

As I said before, picking favorites is not my strong suit... but when it comes to talking about the Church... how could we not take on --and pray through-- Psalm 84?

When Small Wonders Make an Impact... #TheEncouragementDare

I'm not sure if y'all missed it, but for the first two weeks of September, Dayspring invited us all to participate in #TheEncouragementDare. 

I shared about it and participated in it more in real life and on facebook and instagram, but didn't really post much about it here.  I meant to, but I was busy writing less and encouraging more! (Ya see what I did there?)

When the dare was brought to my attention, of course I said yes! Encouragement is sort of my jam and even my tagline here (which is my life message) lends itself to taking this dare... this challenge... on a daily basis! 

I mention it every now and then (sarcastic font) that we have planted a church and with Fall and Back to School fast approaching, it was perfect timing for us, as a church, to take on this Dare immediately!

You see, our church has sort of 'adopted' the local public elementary school just down the road from where we gather on Sundays.  We began a relationship with the staff last year when we first opened our doors and it was important to us to love our neighbors well.  

The Danger of Being Too Busy to Listen... a Five Minute Friday post

I made it, y'all! I made it to the party and it felt so good to just pop in and reconnect and say hello! I truly am hoping to make this part of my weekly routine once again! We'll just call it self-care and block out the calendar on Thursday evenings! 

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: LISTEN

{GO}

I am like a broken record when it comes to how God is just always, always, ALWAYS speaking to us!

He is never out of words or giving us the silent treatment.

I know... I know sometimes it feels like that! 

I have written it myself --about my Summer of Silence and how God was less than chatty with me (and how I was not a fan of that!) but even during those months, He was speaking. 

I just had to learn a new way to listen!

It's been no secret lately that I have been tired.

When You Know a Good Trade... A Mile Wide Book Review Post

I originally applied to be on Jen Hatmaker's Launch Team for For the Love (because, of course!) Because, well -- I'm no stalker, but I do love me some Jen Hatmaker.  The Team would only consist of 500 people and quickly the thousands (literally) of us who didn't make the team went rogue (at least on Twitter!) and the hashtag #the4500 was created and we became the unofficial backup team.

So when her husband Brandon went to gather a Launch Team for his newest release A Mile Wide he invited us all to play along! With the subtitle of the book being "Trading a Shallow Religion for a Deeper Faith" --well, I know a good trade when I see one!

A Mile Wide: Trading a Shallow Religion for a Deeper Faith by Brandon Hatmaker should be required reading for anyone involved in ministry (which, by the way, is all of us!) 

It's so much more than just Kingdom vs. Religion. It's filled with actual how-to's and tips on how to deepen your walk and actually live out your calling! I finished my ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) and immediately ordered two hardbacks... which I am pretty sure I will be giving away and ordering more!

Brandon is the real deal. He is a straight shooter and as much as I stalk love his wife, I had to break it to my Honey and I was falling for Brandon, too! This Hatmaker team together? World changers! And this book? It's a Game Changer!

When He Comes to Heal... a Five Minute Friday post

You guys! I was all set. I even told the Hubby that I had plans of partying AND writing on Thursday night. Like in the olden days.  So he made himself a fishing date with a friend and I had the house to myself. I was early to the party on Twitter and while I waited for everyone to show up --well, I got distracted in all the best ways by a full house! (Read: my Mama... my girlie... and my grand puppy!)

But it's a step in the right direction. It is leading me back to (que heavenly choir!) a glorious routine! Maybe next week I will actually get to chat live. Maybe. 

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: HEAL

{GO}

I was sick last week.

Like - all week. In bed.

I am not 'good' at being sick, mostly because I have been blessed with good health and have not been laid out flat too many times. So I try not to complain.

Last week, however... I got slammed. 

It was most likely just a virus of some kind. Nothing really major --and yet, combined with the sneak attack on my emotions and mind too, I felt ransacked and violated by an enemy who just never, ever let's up or backs off.

(Read: Taylor Swift. "Like. Ever.")

When Building the Kingdom Happens by Falling Free - A Book Review post

I know? Two posts in one week? What is this craziness?  

In all my basking in sickness, once my head was not so fuzzy, I was able to actually sit (--or lay, #dontjudge!) and read all the books! Well, at least a few of them!

One of those books was one I told myself I was going to savor and read slowly... but reading Shannan is like eating chips and salsa (#yourewelcome!) and you can't just eat a few at a time! Before you know it, you have devoured it and are ready for a second plate --or, read through, whatever! You see what I'm trying to do with the metaphor.

When I found out
that Shannan Martin
was writing
a book called
Falling Free,
I was all,
because
of course!

When You Are Longing For a Path to Take You Away - A Five Minute Friday post

I know... I'm a broken record about how I keep missing out on the party but, Life, man! It keeps pulling me thin and pushing me around! I made it over to Twitter for a few on Thursday night, but I've been fighting off fatigue paired with some fun (read: only NOT!) little bug that kept me in bed for most of the week! 

But I'm here now... and mostly upright, so let's do this thing:

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: PATH

{GO}

I have been stuck in the Book of Psalms lately.

I blame it on The Passion Translation and needing a bit of poetic fire in my life, or maybe it's the searching for contentment and needing encouragement.

Either way - I am thankful for it! Reading familiar passages in new-to-you translations, I am finding, gives me all of the above!

Just the other day I ran across this gem in Psalm 25 and I had to look it up in The Message Bible, too! (Because, of course!)

"From now on every road you travel will take you to God.
Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions." Ps 25:10 The Message

So good, right?

This is how it reads in The Passion Translation:

There is No Shadow of Turning... What It Looks Like To Be Loyal.

Remember in the olden days (read: a month ago) when I used to write on Thursday or Fridays for Five Minute Friday? Yeah... me, too! Aiming to get back on track this week, friends! Feeling like I can almost catch my breath again!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is:LOYAL

My first thought when I saw this One Word Prompt was, well, listen...

As in, for real...
Listen: 

We Are Better Together... A Five Minute Friday Post.

Oh y'all... I can't even remember what I was doing last Thursday night... surely it was important, because it caused me to miss the #fmfparty and life right now is over-filled and bossy... mostly in the best ways though, so that helps (tremendously!)  Still - this word prompt? Yeah... right about now, we are all about team!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is:TEAM

{GO}

So listen... 

Y'all know we helped to start a new church a little over a year ago. I try not to turn this blog into the church planting blog... (#NotThatTheresAnythingWrongWithThat.) 

Still... I have found myself saying over and over lately this one phrase --and truly meaning it:

"We are better together!"

And we are. 
We really are!

Because we were MADE to be that way!

What We Learned This Summer...

I know... I know!
It's only mid-August...
   (--ha! "Only!" Summer just FLEW by, right?)

I have stepped a bit away from this chair this summer - posting a little less frequently, and battling to enter in to Rest, but when I saw it was time already for Emily Freeman's link-up on What We Learned, I had to sit myself down and reflect back over this summer and remind myself of what we've been learning! 

So often, we won't fully process the lessons until we slow to remember what they were! 

***
12 Random Things That I Have Learned...

Decorating with Words That Matter... a Dayspring post.

I stated on Instagram last week that I am like the worst affiliate ever. It's just because I forget! (Oh --and because I am so non-techy! I'm the worst.)

I only partner with Dayspring and that is because I am so passionate about not only their amazing products from jewelry and coffee cups (hello, pretty!) to cards and home decor, but I am also passionate about the heart behind the company and the community that they have built.

I love that Dayspring offers all kinds of Lovely to decorate my home (or myself... hello scarves, necklaces, and #armparty fun!) that point to my faith in a fashionable way. I love word art anyway, but word art that is based on, you know, The Word... that's a win-win! 

And home decor that speaks life, 
   well-- that's sort of my deal!

The Kingdom Way to Breathe...

I have been encountering God in the deep lately.  

As in, literally, in the deep... 

And the irony is not lost on me. 
You see, I have this fear of deep waters. I'm not sure where it came from but I have always battled a fear of water. 

I LOVE the beach and find peace and rest on a shore - whether it be ocean, inlet, or riverbank... but take me out to where my feet won't reach the bottom, well... (Cue "Oceans" song here...) I'm not a fan.

I get a little twitchy with a case of side-eye and I may hyperventilate or be prone to desperate bouts of praying in the Spirit (--which spirit, it's hard to tell.)

I am so aware that I am not in control and that I am being forced to trust. That whole sense of adventure and play evaporates like good intentions on a slow, sunny, summer afternoon!

So the fact that He is calling us out into the Deep... well, it stretches me --but I can never say no to Him! 

Oh - I can want to... but He's just so convincingly Good...

Happy - a Five Minute Friday post

Oh man, it was great to be back in the flow of the fun that is #fmfparty over on Twitter!

This is Kate's 2yr Anniversary of hosting Five Minute Friday over at her blog and so don't forget to head on over to her place, too!

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is:HAPPY

{GO}

Because, of course!  

I already wrote about Happiness this week, but honestly --it's not like any of us couldn't use a little MORE Happy, right?

It's not like there is TOO MUCH Happy going around right about now!

Even for me... one who has a bent for being joyful and positive, this season of heavy and dark can weigh me down and pull me to corners of weariness and shadows.

The Happiness Dare - Everyone Should Play Along, Because Who Couldn't Use a Lot More Happy?

It's summertime and you guys know how I love to sit on my patio and read all the things! You also may have noticed that I have been writing fewer words lately... keeping my thoughts and opinions close to the heart and quiet. 

If I'm honest (...and I am that!) part of the reason for my silence is because, well... I am tired, y'all!  And after weeks and weeks of feeling a bit too run down, I began to wonder if maybe my Joy was... um, lacking?  

Enter The Happiness Dare...

This book, friends... because God is smart and Jennifer is kindred, this book fell into my hands at just the right time! I love them both oh so much! 

Hidden in the Rock... a Five Minute Friday post.

Oh how I have missed y'all! 

Summer. Am I right? 
But here's the thing: I haven't even left town or been doing anything super fun. I have been writing less over the past month, working on Resting - in more ways than one, and giving myself a bit of grace for the summer.  

But I have missed hanging out on Twitter on Thursday nights with my tribe from Five Minute Fridays!  As I mentioned recently, the heart of this tribe still beats strong and if you lean in and listen close, you will hear it. You will find encouragement and support and you will hear the faint whisperings of, "You can do this! You are a writer! You are not alone..."  And, honestly, who doesn't need that reminder every once in awhile --read: every Thursday night?

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is:HIDDEN

{GO}

I know what it's like to be hidden.  To be shelved, set aside, pushed back, to hunker down and to be told to wait.

It's not fun. That is what it is: not fun - but oh so necessary!

Created to Create... How to Live Beyond the Fear of Failure

So I have been, I suppose, summering a bit this week.  Less inside and staring at screens (Amen!) and more outside, relaxing in shade! (Hallelujah!)

Still, the Lord is always speaking and while we have been experiencing large gaps of silence -He and I--, one of the things He has been whispering soft to me is about how we see Success and Failure, and how that often puts a stop to our creativity!

In classic Five Minute Friday form... (Even though I am almost a week late!) We’ll start this post like this, raw and unedited:

The One Word Prompt for the FMF this week is: CREATE

{GO}

I have had The Undoing by Steffany Gretzinger on repeat for weeks now.  

You know how there are some songs or entire albums that seem to release a sound or a message that is so needed in certain seasons? Well... that.

Specifically, it has been (Come) "Out of Hiding"... 

This song, y'all. It lives up to the album title because truly, it undoes me, every. single. time. 

It has me at the first line:

"Come out of hiding. You're safe here with Me..." 

How To Build A {New} Life: Take Notice of the Light

"Rest isn't inactivity. Rest, to me, is a place of total trust."   ~Bill Johnson

So good, right? And that is where I have been lately (and why I am not sitting in this chair quite as much!)

Still - you know how I love freewriting and my Five Minute Friday tribe... and also this: God showed up and showed off in such a unique way this week, I couldn't NOT write about it... even if just for five minutes!

The One Word Prompt for the FMF this week is: BUILD

{GO}

I don't know how many of you may know or remember that my One Word for 2016 is Change.  Let's just keep that in mind as we move forward here today.

Change.

I have dreaded it... I have fought it hard, only to lean in in surrender and learn to anticipate it, drenched in hope.

I have preached it time and time again --how kicking against it is fruitless but how embracing it with arms wide open makes for a harvest of goodness.

But I have not always lived it.

I am still learning...

For months now, I have noticed an unusual amount of Dragonfly sightings.  So much so that I have told both my girlie and my Honey that I need to look into what they mean. But I get home and I forget all about it.

There is an abundance of them surrounding me - sometimes one at a time in a parking lot or in flight around my car. Sometimes I find --wait for it, a 'beauty' (group) of them along a walk down through the Canyon or up around the orchards. But never have I encountered them like I did a few days ago!

On Monday, change came at us full force and stormy... a bit unsteady and spinning.

The Importance of Protecting Your Marriage...

It has been over a week since I have sat in this chair, staring at this screen, and tried to find words.  Lately, He's calling me to Silence and the flow of writing is slower, shall we say. Because of that, and because He is still calling me to a 'glorious lack of productivity' (His words... not yet mine!) I am linking up with all the places, so this post will graciously be --or at least start!-- in classic Five Minute Friday form.

I have missed you, but it turns out that God didn't want me to just WRITE about Rest. He wasn't asking me to just remind you guys again and again, but He was wanting me to literally slow and stop and actually do the work of entering in to His Rest for a time! 

How many know and can attest that sometimes it really IS work to enter in?

It was like a little mini refresher course of what I learned during my Summer of Silence and there is freedom in remembering that social media or the internet is not the boss of us!

In my Resting... He is reminding me of the importance of protecting the relationships that mean the most to us - and to Him (...and how we best go about doing that!)

I'll give you a hint: it includes expressing thankfulness, speaking life, and knowing (and remembering) who you really are! 

This enables you to bring your best self to the table!

Looking for Small Wonders and Counting Gifts...

Last Friday I wrote about Rest real quick like, before I ran out the door and hit the road running... in search of a little R&R while doing some dream team strategery (read: planning) for the year ahead at Dad's House.

The irony was not lost on me.

When the Lord is not being Oh. So. Obvious. in His attempt to capture my attention and slow. me. down. again, back to the rhythm of rest, then He is reminding me of one of the best ways to do that... by counting gifts!

Seriously - in the last couple of months, these are a few of the books He has put in front of me... 

When God Just Keeps Saying the SAME Thing... Rest - a Five Minute Friday post

You know how it goes... {Insert Gushing Comment about my tribe over at #fmfparty on Twitter and the whole Five Minute Friday Community here.}

This is Five Minute Friday (- a five minute timed free write) and our One Word Prompt for the day is: REST

{GO}

I can't seem to escape this word... or of the need for it to manifest in my life.

Rest... we all need it!  

We hunger and thirst for it even --but it's not loud and it will not shout for our attention.

It's easy to put it off... push it aside... or think we are immune to needing it.  

It's not something this world offers freely and it will not happen on accident!  

True rest is intentional and slow... it seeps down deep to water our roots and often it's only when we find ourselves bone dry and dying of thirst that we notice our need of it!