Simplifying

I am tired.

I am constantly overextending myself, taking on too many projects or challenges or goals, and then I'm never completing anything because there's just too much.

I have too much stuff.

I join too many challenges.

I start too many blogs.

I sign up for too many programs.

And, the root problem underneath it all? I'm searching, I think, for satisfaction. Something that will fulfill me in a complete way. And, when I don't find what I'm looking for, I give up on the thing.

Obviously, TRUE satisfaction can only be found in an intimate relationship with our Creator. So, why do I feel like that's out of reach? Why do I feel that's hard to obtain? What's holding me back?

The only thing that could possibly be holding me back is me. My own fears, laziness, complacency, and / or insecurities.

I'm reading a fantastic book right now, and it deals with "closing the gaps" in your career / finances / relationships / health / spiritual life... wherever you might find them. And, it's made me realize that I have a lot of "gaps". Out of a quiz of 100 questions (20 from each of the 5 areas listed above), I scored only 25%. :-(

So, God and I have some work to do. I need my life simplified. I can't keep going the way I am, because it's raising my stress level, which was already high to begin with. Something's gotta give, or I'm not gonna make it. :-?

ONLY GOD by Winsome Smith

[This was posted to a group I'm in, and I really thought it was powerful, so I'm sharing it here... it was supposedly taken from this website.]
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"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." (Psalm 145:18)

We like to feel that we're capable, in control. We know our goals, our resources, and our limitations. We expect minor obstacles on the path, of course, but most of us face times in life when we feel quite self-sufficient.

Dare we name that self-sufficiency for what it is? When we attempt to live our lives on our own terms, we fall victim to some of the oldest lies. They go back to the Garden. We think God has withheld something that would make life more fulfilling, that our way is better, and that we can do life on our own. Pride tells us that we can live life on our own terms and in our own power.

Eventually we face problems and challenges that introduce a note of frustration into our lives. We are faced with a relationship gone sour, a loved one who is suffering, a need that is bigger than we can handle. We may enlist the help or concern of friends or family. Then we realize that they too are unable to make the problem go away. "It's impossible," we say, and we turn away in discouragement.

Is it possible, dear one, that the challenge you face is the key to a deep, profound joy, one rooted in intimacy with God Almighty? An overwhelming task, a difficult relationship, the burden on your heart can drive you to a deeper dependence on God Himself. Is there some impossibility facing you that you cannot manage on your own? Have you become tired of trying? Invite the God of the impossible into that place.

God alone can change hearts, renew minds, and restore relationships so that they mirror the Father's relationship with His Son. God alone can bring an abiding peace in hearts that have been set in opposition to Him and to one another. God alone can take unspeakable pain and turn it into a place of blessing. God alone can turn mourning to joy and desperation to a rock-solid hope. God alone can make us new.

Only God specializes in the impossible. Will you join with me today in asking God for what only He can do? Take time to talk to Him today about the impossibilities in your life and the lives of those you love.

Motivated ...by Grace?

I've often heard it say that being forgiven by God, and washed anew in His mercies, should prompt us to act out of gratitude toward Him... leaning on Him, trusting Him, obeying Him because of what He's done for us.

Well, why is it, then, that I can be overwhelmingly grateful for what God's done for me -- for ALL He's done for me -- and yet I still don't act out of that gratitude? I still don't trust, don't obey, and don't lean on Him. :-(

I want to! Believe me, I want to! I don't get it.

I don't want to have to go through even MORE than I have in order to get to the point where I act out of gratitude ... what I've been through hurt enough, thank you very much! :-?

"For I am His, and He is mine
bought with the precious blood
of Christ"
(from a song we sing in church)

I just want to have that close, trusting relationship with my Lord, but for whatever reason - despite that He's been ever-faithful to me - I still have difficulty in trusting Him. How do you just "let go"?

Prayers Needed...

Yesterday, Heather had surgery for the tumor in her brain....


Please pray that she will have a quick recovery, and that the surgery was successful. :-?

You can also sign up for the Prayer Chain that's been started on Heather's behalf.

MIA

Sorry that I've been missing in action (MIA), lately. I've been working through some really great books, but they're deep... I won't be able to articulate my thoughts until after I've finished them.

Just know that God is doing a mighty work in and through me. I'm learning a TON, and growing so much! I'm feeling so blessed!

I will post more when I feel ready... hang in there. ;o)

For Heather...

Beth wrote this post:

"...BooMama is hosting a day of love for Heather on April 18th. Heather was diagnosed with a brain tumor last week, she is scheduled to see a neurologist at the end of April at the Mayo Clinic, the number one neurosurgery hospital in the country. The goal is to help Heather and her family with as much of the expenses as possible."

While I don't really *know* Heather all that well (I've only been reading her blog for about a week or two now), I care deeply about her current circumstances, and I want to help her out in any way I can. While that can't be financially, I am sending her my sincerest prayers, and I am blogging this to try and find others who will be able to help her, too, either financially, or by joining me in prayer.
:-?

"It can be well with our souls,
even when it's not with our circumstances."
- Jennifer Rothschild

Let's Worship!

Found this video over on Heather's blog. I'd never heard the song before, but now I'm convinced that I'll have to get my church to sing it on Sunday mornings. ;o)

Never Let Go by Matt Redman

** For whatever reason, the video wasn't playing when I embedded it here, so I've taken that off, and just left you the link to go listen... ** :-(

And, here are a couple of other videos that I really loved!...

We Win by the David Crowder Band

Indescribable by Chris Tomlin


Let's worship in the SON-shine! ;o)

Enjoy!