Thursday, March 26, 2009

Heading Out of the Harbor

I know I'm not the only one.

I used to love curling up with my morning newspaper, but now? Not so much. I really don't want to read any more about 11-year-olds "sexting" or our local schools asking students to bring in toilet paper because they don't have any money or story after story after story of corporate and government corruption.

Closer to home, my list of friends who have been laid off or diagnosed with a serious illness is growing daily. DAILY. I bet yours is too.

And good day to you, too.

But you feel it too, don't you? That sense that every institution we've counted on is teetering around us?

And you know what?

I don't think the bottom has fallen out yet.

That's not based on fear or even pessimism. I just think we're finally feeling the evidence of what's existed all along: cracks in a faulty foundation. Eventually that foundation will collapse altogether.

We're living in serious times and we don't have the luxury of watching from the sideline.

People are scared and hurting and God wants His children to share the message of His love, hope, peace and forgiveness.

And because God is always thorough, He's been using my quiet time, conversations with loved ones and our church's current sermon series to light a fire under me (probably more accurately in me, but it sure feels like it's under me).

I don't want to sit around and wait for someone else to do what He's appointed for me to do. There's a couple of things I see Him pointing me toward; some of them are a little intimidating and I've found myself asking, "Are you sure, Lord?" on a number of occasions. But one of the things I'm fairly certain of is that He wants me to do more with this blogging thing.

I've got a couple of ideas of what He wants me to do with the blog and I'm taking some steps in that direction. This post actually counts as two steps. First, I just wanted to put this out there because it's something that's been on my heart for awhile and I wanted to share it with you. Second, I'm submitting it to the She Speaks Conference Scholarship Contest to win a chance to go to the She Speaks Conference.

The She Speaks Conference is a conference hosted by Proverbs31 Ministries that focuses on equipping women to share God's Word. I'd like some equipping, please. There's a speaker's track, a women's ministry track, a writer's track and (drumroll, please)... a blogger's track. Guys, Boo Mama is speaking at it.

In addition to the greater mission on the spiritual side, there are some really cool sessions covering the technical side of blogging and boy do I need that. As far as the scholarship end of it goes, well, let me just say two things: new water heater and an $800 car repair bill.

Honestly, as great as this conference sounds, I don't know for sure if God wants me to attend. But have you heard the saying that God doesn't steer a ship that's not moving? Well, consider me a moving vessel. Maybe it's not me God wants to attend the conference, maybe it's you and He's using me to let you know about it. If that's the case then stop by the conference site and check it out. The scholarship deadline is tomorrow (Friday the 27th) so get cracking if you want to submit an entry... it's a great opportunity.

And thanks for making it to the end of this very long post. Y'all are so cool.

7 comments:

Cheryl said...

oh honey... I'm hearing you. You go, girl. I pray that God trims those sails exactly the way He sees fit and I know your heart is open to it, it shows. Funny... I've got a couple of news links that I've been feeling the need to post. Things are heading "somewhere" fast, aren't they?

Kris said...

"God doesn't steer a ship that's not moving" and with that I'm going to stop sitting still and waiting for a voice from heaven and I'm filing my incorporation papers and writing Dr. P.

P.S. Kinda funny/appropriate that the little letters to be filled out below spell "trust and".

Tiffany said...

I'll be praying that you get to go to this conference! I'd love to hear Boo Mama--I love her blog!
I will also be praying for wisdom about what the Lord would have you do.

Lisa Hellier said...

This GA girl is hoping you win. Your writing is a blog highlight for me--insightful, sharp, funny, and no-nonsense. Go for it!

ann marie said...

As my son, yes, my son would say "YOU GO GIRL." That is so exciting that you are listening to God and I hope you get to go!

Smith Schoolhouse said...

can't wait to hear if you get to go! I hope you do and I can't wait to see more from you on the ministry end.

Lindsey @ A New Life said...

My husband and I are always taking about how we need to let God steer our courses, but we still have to step up and do the grunt work! Love your post, and wishing you luck in your ministry and praying for your dream to attend the conference. Best of luck to you!

 
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