MYTH: Perfect vs. Permissive

In my last post, I discussed God's will for our lives. His will is a very important concept to grasp as we plod onward in this 31 Days challenge to hear the "Word of God Speak." So let's delve a bit deeper, shall we?

From my teen years (when I became a believer), I was taught about God's perfect will. This seemed to be the ideal route, where best-laid plans actually led to greener pastures. I was taught that God "knew the plans He had for me...plans for welfare and not for evil, to give me a future and a hope" a la Jeremiah 29:11. The name tag slapped on those future plans was God's perfect will: a wonderfully plotted-out journey that I could be a part of if only I stayed close to Him and far from sin.

What is God's will for my life?

As I begin this 31 Days challenge to have the "Word of God Speak" into our lives, I must consider the following question:

What is God's will for my life?

This question is one that has haunted many a believer. In fact, some have become paralyzed by this query…agonizing over every, little decision, overanalyzing every seeming "sign" out there as to whether or not it is pointing them in a Godward direction.

I am going to share my heart with you today...

I am going to share my heart with you today…

First off, today was a rough day. It wasn't rough in the sense that anything "bad" happened to me. It was rough because it was a full day. And it was rough because there were unexpected kinks in the schedule all day long. If I'm completely honest with myself (and with you!), it was rough because I was being selfish with my time. When I realized this, I repented and tried to walk through the rest of the day in a more unselfish manner...taking time to breathe, worshiping the Lord through song, and spending time with people who matter to me. You know, really being there in the moment with them - not wishing I was doing something else on my crazy busy schedule!

31 Days: "Word of God Speak"

This month, I will be linking up with The Nester to write for 31 consecutive days about the same topic: "Word of God Speak."

Since I am currently pursuing my biblical counseling certification, I have been doing a ton of studying lately! And most all of my studies here recently have had to do with the sufficiency of God's Word for the decision-making process. So...I will be putting all that study to use by blogging about what I am learning for the next 31 days!

#InfluenceConf 2014 RECAP

I'm not quite sure where to begin. I am still processing all that I learned last Thursday through Saturday, and I'm not quite certain I'm ready to share that half-digested nugget of knowledge with the world.

Last year, I attended the Influence Conference for the first time. I had no real expectations, as I had never been to a blogging conference before…let alone a Christian women's blogging conference. 

#InfluenceConf 2014 (meet + greet)

HELLO!

I am SO looking forward to meeting and connecting with all of you this year. Even more than that, though, I’m excited to meet with the Lord and hear from Him at Influence 2014.

I had an amazing time at last year’s conference. Part of that was (obvi!) due to being there with my sister, who lives long-distance...but the rest was due to the fact that God truly works through the women who put on this conference. I actually almost flubbed it up this year, as I waited too long to buy my ticket. But thanks to someone who couldn’t attend, I was able to transfer her ticket last-minute.

Priorities.

Having recently reentered seminary, I have found myself reordering my life around a new set of deadlines - really, a new set of priorities. If you've ever begun anything new (or started back to something that's been absent in your life for a while), you'll know that it is hard work to get everything accomplished - especially at the beginning!

In recent weeks, I have found myself trying to shove my husband, job, schoolwork, friendships, Bible study time, and ministry opportunities into the tiny bag that is my life…until it was bursting at the seams! Getting it all in there is tough stuff. Picture this: it's like the carry-on suitcase that is too small to now zip up around the entire wardrobe you want to take with you on vaca. No matter how much you squish, tuck, fold, roll, cram, and sit on the case - it refuses to close. What's a girl to do?

Paralyzing Perfectionism

I struggle with perfectionism…the type that is pervasive and sometimes paralyzing. Now before you write me off as "type A," one who seeks to be "better than" others, or just a freak of nature - please hear me out. And take time to evaluate your own heart, as you read. For I believe there are many more closeted perfectionists among us.

According to the Counseling Center at the University of Illinois, many college students struggle with perfectionism. I mention this fact because I have recently re-entered seminary and am taking a full load of classes [#thestruggleisreal]. Here, they list the following questions to help students diagnose the problem:

Visit "Reflecting His Glory"!

Hello, all!

Today, I'm sharing part of my story over at "Reflecting His Glory." This is the blog of a dear, new friend of mine - Jacqui. I was honored to meet this sister in the faith, avid lover of reading/teaching the Word, ministry wife, and mom of 5 just this past year. From the moment I met Jacqui, I knew we were "one in heart and one in spirit," as the old hymn says. So click the pic below, and jog over to her site to check it out!

Birthday Evaluation

This is it. My birthday. At 1:32pm today, I officially turned 35 years of age. 

That's weird to me. 35. A new box to check. A downward slide into 40 [snort]. I am not so concerned with being another year older. I am, however, concerned with being another year down the path toward Heaven yet nowhere near where I want to be in light of the holiness that radiates from my God.

When I was small, birthdays were filled with fluttery anticipation of parties, presents, and cake. [Ohhhh, the cake!] But as I grow older, birthdays have become a time to "be still" (Psalm 46:10) at my Savior's side, to be ever so grateful for the fragile blessing that is and continues to be…my life.