My "Spinning" is a Daily Struggle

As you all know, I try to focus my blog on how to live your life to the fullest; how to pursue your dreams and live-out your God-given talents and abilities, all while bringing glory to Him.

So, today, instead of writing a post about that, I wanted to share someone else's post with you that was awesome and really spoke to me at this place in my life. Please take a moment to read it and decide that you will "spin" the right plates.

http://sundylane.blogspot.com/2010/01/spin-plates-you-want-to-spin.html

Spinning the "right" plates for me is a constant struggle, but it's a battle I'm willing to win. In winning that war, I feel like I once again, have a life of purpose and intention!

Love you all.

His Loving Kindness

Have you ever held off on doing something you knew you really needed to do? I don't just mean things like laundry or cleaning. But, something deeper - more important. For example, picking up the 200 lb phone and making that long-dreaded call to have a heart-to-heart with someone you love, but don't really want to talk to about a certain, particular subject? (just for example!) :)

About a month ago, I ran across this verse: (BTW - yes, I have really been holding off on making that phone call for over a month!)

"...it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 4:17

Ouch. That verse obviously gave me deep conviction about this certain thing that I was holding off on doing. However, it also did something else. It almost brought me to a place of being scared of God. To a place of thinking that because I wasn't obeying in this one area, then He was completely shutting me off in every other area; A fear that He wasn't going to hear my prayers (so why pray?); A fear that my devotion time would be void of hearing God's voice and receiving His direction for my life (so why bother getting up early and doing it?); A belief that I might as well not believe God for a healing, because He is still holding this other thing against me; The lie that there was no reason to necessarily get into the Word, because bottom line, I wasn't being "perfect" in this other area, so what was the use - God wasn't going to bless me or reveal His will for me anyway.

A few things have changed over the last week, and slowly, God has been pouring His love over me! Through many avenues (song, radio, sermons, the Bible), God is screaming out to me...

"Shanen: I will not let go of you that easily. You are mine and I love you!"

I've decided that being scared of God, is not what will lead us to repentance. Thinking that He is mad at us for not "performing" is a lie from satan. Now, don't get me wrong - I know there are definitely things, or a build-up of sins, that can separate us from intimacy with Christ. It is true, that at times of disobedience, God may choose to withhold His blessings, but it's not because He has turned from us - it's because we have turned from Him. However, even in that, God doesn't leave us so easily. We are His. He is a devoted father, and will fight hell for His children.

As the David Crowder song goes, "Oh How He Loves Us." It's this gentle reminder that leads me to repent... not the idea that God is mad at me or that He will turn His back on me if I don't "obey".

As the other song goes, "It's Your kindness, Lord, that leads us to repentance..."

I've missed you, Blogger

I've really missed blogging. :(

I have notes and post ideas in my head and on pieces of paper in my purse, that are just waiting to be interpreted from scribbled notes and half-thoughts to real-life words on my page! I have so many thoughts, emotions, sermon nuggets - swirling, swirling - in my head. They don't want to stay on paper - they want to be written on my pretty little blog (courtesy of Penny Lane Designs [shout-out]).

Anyway, I noticed that it had been 5 weeks since my last post (boo) so I just wanted to make sure you were all aware that I am still alive, I want to blog, I need to blog, and I promise.... I'm coming back.

Just give me another couple days, or maybe a week. :)