by JP Esq | Feb 25, 2014 | Uncategorized
Initially, I wasn’t excited about reading this book. Easily a book you can read and digest on a slow weekend afternoon, my indifference quickly turned around. Complete with short stories and practical ideas for ways to increase the joy in your own giving, the author challenges readers to step outside of themselves and truly embrace a lifestyle of no-strings-attached giving. Though rooted in Christian principles, this book is not a theology lesson or doctrinal dissertation on biblical giving, which gives it universal application that can open the eyes and hearts of many.
Initially I was concerned that this book would wow readers with the great rewards that come from giving, and somehow provide a view of Spirit-led giving that was not holistic. I was encouraged and relieved to see the author address giving situations that don’t turn out the way we hope. Culture and life experiences give us filters and sometimes those filters can interrupt joyful giving and graceful receiving. However, the author encourages readers to move beyond their own bias and filters to truly experience the joy that is inherent when we give of ourselves to others in need.
If you have the desire to give in unique ways, but can’t seem to figure out the best way to go about it, this book is an excellent catalyst to a shift in thinking. The anecdotes, practical tips, and tactical strategies can give even the most shy giver a way to truly break boundaries and express love to another person.
I received this book free of charge from Waterbook Multnomah in exchange for this review. I was not required to post a positive review.
by JP Esq | Feb 15, 2014 | Uncategorized
Like so many of my sisters, my words are useless to describe my IF:Gathering/IF:Local experience. I won’t really try other than to say that it was powerfully unexpected and joyfully received. Within 20 minutes many of us had tears streaming down our cheeks.
Can. Not. Process.
I do believe my best friend, Jennie Allen, {no she isn’t aware that we’re BFFs} and her team unleashed a generation of women, ready to serve with reckless obedience and undaunted faith.
I didn’t know it at the time, but my experience was about mercy.
The “mercy of confirmation”.
As I read through one of my current books, that passage struck me. Breathless.
How is confirmation mercy? What forgiveness is there in confirmation? What is happening? I don’t understand my life.
Can. Not. Process.
My definition of God’s mercy always centered around forgiveness, forbearance, and withholding from me what I deserve in response to how I’ve acted, failed to act, or thought. But there, forty eight pages into this latest journey of words – there was a shift.
IF: mercy is “an act performed out of a desire to relieve suffering; motivated by compassion” THEN: confirmation God gives me out of His desire to relieve my suffering and angst as I labor over decisions, wrestle with taking the steps – in the right direction – His direction, struggle with discerning whether these audacious thoughts are my thoughts or HIS thoughts, out of His deep love and compassion for me can be nothing other than – mercy.
Those if I tell you, you won’t believe me series of events.
Mercy.
Those that song on that radio station that I just switched to because I don’t know why moments.
Mercy.
That thing she, who I have never met, said during a group chat that she let me crash during IF:Local, with other ladies who I have never met in a place they don’t even know I have a pull to move, that you still wouldn’t believe if I told you moment.
Mercy.
That verse that people keep pointing me to and that keeps popping up in random places.
Mercy.
Overwhelming yet soul-relieving mercy. I just hope that I have the audacity to summon my mustard seed of faith and recklessly obey.
Lord, have mercy.
by JP Esq | Feb 5, 2014 | Uncategorized
I have goals.
A full list of them {which I will share later}. But, right now my laser focus is on my one thing for 2014.
Reckless obedience.
My ultimate life goal at this stage is freedom, but I think I have been looking for it in the wrong places. Trying to create some ideal life by curating experiences and plans that should get me there. In learning to release that control I’ve also learned that to get to what my heart truly desires, I have to yield to the One who so carefully and lovingly placed those desires in me.
Because He knows the plans He has for me.
Because everything works together for my good as one who loves the Lord.
Because there are good works, prepared in advance specifically for me to do.
Obedience is hard. And for me, obedience itself is not enough. I want to be reckless in my obedience. I want to obey without thinking or caring about the consequences of my obedience.
Because if any negative thing comes into my life as a result of my obedience to God, I know He will cure it 1,000 times over.
My modus operandi for the past noneofyourbusinesshowoldIam years has been to obey when in my mind it made logical sense. That was my test; God isn’t going to ask me to do something that doesn’t make sense, right? Absolutely wrong. Usually it is those things that make no worldly sense, seem like they came from the sky, and produce an initial reaction of “I’m not doing that!” that require blind faith, total trust, and reckless obedience.
I want to cultivate my heart as a servant, opening myself to the freedom of walking in the shadows of the Great Architect. I don’t have to have the answers. I don’t have to figure it out. I don’t have to plan or know every detail.
There is freedom in surrender.
Obedience is my gateway. It is my pathway to anything else I desire in this life. Because He gave me those desires, then I know He will lead me down the only path that will fulfill them 100%.
I just have to listen.
And trust.
And act.
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