I know I need to…

I read this devotion this morning.

http://www.incourage.me/2016/09/bumper-sticker-inspiration-barbara-higby.html

I know I’m behind a couple of days but that’s what happens. I know how I need to abide in the true vine and I know that I need that connection. I KNOW that, deeply, uncategorically, but it’s still hard to fit that intentional time into a day where I don’t have enough time to do everything that I want to do or people expect me to accomplish. When I think these thoughts, I immediately argue and answer in my own head because we all KNOW the answers, right? We busy people that rebel against time because we want it to bend to our will. Sometimes we need to go to a different setting, light a candle inviting the Holy Spirit into our hearts and lives, and blare the Christian music. At least that’s what I do, when I’m exhausted or in a funk. What do you do to restore and revive your soul? How do you get out of a funk? Watch a certain television show, watch a favorite movie, take a walk, go for a jog, whatever you do, make sure you don’t just aspire to be a whole, healthy person actually put things into place so you really have a healthy family-work-life-self balance. It’s okay if you need reminders at times. We all do. You don’t have to wait for New Year’s or Lent to begin making small changes in your life. You can start today. Listen to the voice of God inside you. You’re enough. You don’t have to do it all. You don’t have to be all things for all people. The people that love you, really care about you, want you to take care of yourself – your mind, body, soul and spirit. Christ doesn’t want you to live a half life, a shell of a life walking through your exhaustion, Jesus wants us to have abundant life. Not a stretched too thin life, but a full and blooming life. Will you join me on this journey to more intentionally practicing daily what renews and refreshes our souls?

John 15:1-17

15‘I am the true vine, and my Father is the vine-grower. ²He removes every branch in me that bears no fruit. Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit. ³You have already been cleansed^*by the word that I have spoken to you. ⁴Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. ⁵I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. ⁶Whoever does not abide in me is thrown away like a branch and withers; such branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned. ⁷If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. ⁸My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit and become my disciples. ⁹As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you; abide in my love. ¹⁰If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commandments and abide in his love. ¹¹I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be complete.

12 ‘This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ¹³No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. ¹⁴You are my friends if you do what I command you. ¹⁵I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant^* does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. ¹⁶You did not choose me but I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit, fruit that will last, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask him in my name. ¹⁷I am giving you these commands so that you may love one another.

This song came onto my itunes shuffle when I was writing this blog. It’s Ellie Holcomb’s “I Place My Hope.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRWA_NEJpsc

The troubles of my heart they’re tearing me apart
How I need Your saving hand to grant me a new start
Lonely and afraid, I call upon Your name

Save me from my enemies and cover all my shame

I will lift my eyes from this fragile life
For you will rescue me, you are my prince of peace
And I lift up my soul to you who makes things whole
Oh, mercy love of old, in you I place my hope
I place my hope

So guide me in Your truth, be my strong refuge
Oh, forgive my doubting heart and lead me back to You
Help me to believe, Your love is all I need
Even when the storm is strong You will provide for me

Even in my darkest place, there’s a promise I will claim
Those whose hope is in Your grace, they will never be ashamed

I will lift my eyes from this fragile life
You will rescue me, you are my prince of peace
And I lift up my soul to you who makes things whole
Oh, mercy love of old, in you I place my hope
I place my hope, I place my hope
I place my hope, in you I place my hope

My bulletin board always gives me loads of inspiration.