It was just a normal Monday morning at the Neal household - you know like cleaning, laundry, etc....and THEN....I received a phone call from a dear friend in Lexington, KY with this BRILLIANT idea that she asked me to be a part of with her....I'm not only super excited about doing this and the accountability that will come from it, but also excited about sharing this with all of YOU so you can join us!!!!
Here is a bit of Kim's story as to how this idea was birthed:
"In the past month I have hit a bit of a dry-spell in my daily me-time. I had gotten to the point where I was pretty diligent about it, always reading or meditating on something "meaty," but lately I hardly even pick up a book, much less my Bible. And I am not all that drawn to any particular scripture or chapter, so I just avoid it all together. If I do happen to read or listen to something, it really just goes in one ear and out the other and I do not take much time to try and apply it to my life, so it just ends up being wasted time. And in conversations with friends I realize that I am not the only one." I can TOTALLY RELATE
So here's where this little blog of mine gets put to use. I'm teaming up with an awesome friend Kim Mauney who is also a ministry wife. She blogs over at Mauneyland and brings about lots of laughter and wisdom from her posts about life - husband, kids, church, work, and the list goes on!!! She TOTALLY HAS A WAY WITH WORDS!!! After chatting with her the other day we came up with a plan to have an online self-reflection group of sorts. Each Thursday we will choose and post something for anyone who wants to participate to read or listen to (scripture, a blog post, a song, a podcast, etc.). Whatever we choose will be something that is accessible and free to everyone. The idea is for whoever participates to read and really think about the message that week... and then apply it to your own life. I am always amazed how people can draw such different things out of the same reading, sermon, etc. because of what they are going through at the time, and often times it is something that helps them get through it. So take what we pick (although I think our husbands will be picking some things, too, to mix it up a bit) and then take the week to think and blog about it (or journal if you don't blog). We'll be posting our own thoughts, too, and posting our blogs, along with yours, the following Thursday. There will be the linky-button at the bottom so that you can add your blog to the list if you posted that week... add yours to mine, Kim's, or both blogs so that others can read your insights and maybe see something from a new perspective. I think it will be beneficial to everyone who participates, the mix will help keep all of us accountable, and will mix up whatever we are pouring into ourselves each week, which will hopefully avoid us getting into a rut. Sometimes doing something different is all we need to refresh and renew our minds and to get our focus back on God. I don't know about you, but I'm excited!
The first week's "assignment" (although I'd hate to call it that... this shouldn't be work!) was Kim's pick and was chosen because it inspired the whole project. Instead of something that comes out of a book, our reading this week is actually lyrics to a song. Kim shared that she has heard the song a thousand times and that it's one of her husband's favorite and shuffles through on the iPod regularly. But the other day it came on while she was running and she heard it... differently. She told me, "I don't know, it just spoke to me in a new way," which is how this online reflection time was born. If you have not heard the song before, I have posted a link to the YouTube video as well as the lyrics. Check back on Thursday morning to read our thoughts on it and to share your own. I look forward to sharing with everyone!
Desert Song
(Hillsong United)
This is my prayer in the desert
And all that's within me feels dry
This is my prayer in my hunger and need
My God is the God who provides
And this is my prayer in the fire
In weakness or trial or pain
There is a faith proved
Of more worth than gold
So refine me Lord through the flames
Chorus:
And I will bring praise
I will bring praise
No weapon formed against me shall remain
I will rejoice
I will declare
God is my victory and He is here
And this is my prayer in the battle
When triumph is still on it's way
I am a conqueror and co-heir with Christ
So firm on His promise I'll stand
Bridge:
All of my life
In every season
You are still God
I have a reason to sing
I have a reason to worship
This is my prayer in the harvest
When favor and providence flow
I know I'm filled to be emptied again
The seed I've received I will sow
Listen to it here:
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