27 October, 2017

Current Inspirations (v.2) and a Small Favour

He said, 'One life on this earth is all that we get, whether it is enough or not enough, and the obvious conclusion would seem to be that at the very least we are fools if we do not live it as fully and bravely and beautifully as we can. - Frederick Buechner

You know when you find something new and wonderful you want to share it? Every time that happens to me I want to let you all know, but it often seems irrelevant to my blog. But recently these things have been encouraging to me, and I want to pass that on. :)  

- FarAwayDistance YouTube channel. Becca posts videos on many different topics, and when I found her channel I basically watched as many as our internet download allowed. :) They're spiritually encouraging and relevant, and I'm so encouraged by Becca's heart for others and enthusiasm for God's Word. My favourites are: Miracles, the Impossible & a Very Active God, Fill Up, Pour Out, and Conversations on Planes about Jesus.

https://www.youtube.com/user/FarAwayDistance/featured


- Jordan Lee Dooley, who is one of my blogging and life inspirations, also just started a YouTube channel, and I'm excited to see more of her videos. 

- Special Books by Special Kids YouTube channel and Instagram page. I don't remember how I found Chris and his interviews with people who have special needs, but it was a similar story: I couldn't watch enough. I haven't had a lot of opportunities to spend time with people who have special needs, and it's really good to get insight into their lives and stories. I also hope it will help me interact with people I meet in that situation in the future.


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4E98HDsPXrf5kTKIgrSmtQ



When you meet someone for the first time instead of asking them what they do you should ask them what they've always wanted to do. This conversation will be much more interesting. - Dallas Clayton

- Little City website. Every one of their posts is packed with so much truth and wisdom. I normally want to reread each one several times, and write down quotes to remember from them.

http://littlecitymag.com/


- My Heaven Song by Phil Wickham. This has been my theme song for the last couple of weeks - ever since I discovered it.

I want to run on greener pastures
I want to dance on higher hills
I want to drink from sweeter waters
In the misty morning chill
And my soul is getting restless
For the place where I belong
I can’t wait to join the angels and sing my heaven song

- Christy by Catherine Marshall. Buying this book was a happy 'coincidence,' and it's the first book I've gotten into (or that's gotten into me) for months. Christy struggles with real questions I think we all have from time to time (i.e how could God be good and allow sin and suffering?), and there's this wonderful character Miss Alice Henderson who gives advice I'm still pondering. I think God knew I needed it.

 Sometimes I look at people who don't see their worth in Christ, and I just think about how God actually breathed life into dust, making something wonderful out of something worthless. All of creation, God has been bringing value to the valueless, hope to the hopeless, and life into the lifeless. Don't you dare look at yourself and deny what God sees you as, because to Him, you are the very air in His lungs giving Him life; He died and rose again, so that you may be with Him forever. Come now, sons and daughters, to the place that God has made for you; because He is not simply telling you not to sin, He is calling you home. - T.B LaBerge

~

I also have a favour to ask of you. I've always avoided surveying my readers because I didn't want this blog to become me finding worth in pleasing people; trying to earn other's approval. But I want to keep things relevant and encouraging, and I would like your feedback to know how I can best serve you. The answers are anonymous so please say whatever's on your heart. Your honesty would mean the most to me. It's not required to answer all the questions, so if you only have an answer for one or two, that's totally fine. Thank you so much for giving me a few minutes of your time and thought space!


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What's been making you excited lately? What's your current favourite song, or channel, or book? Have you heard of any of the inspirations I mentioned? Tell me what's been happening in your world!

P.s I have a happy surprise coming your way next week. :D I can't wait to share it and wrap up the 31 Hugs Challenge by hearing your experiences!

9 comments:

  1. Thanks for sharing Jessica! I haven't heard of the inspirations you mentioned... I have heard of Phil Wickham but I haven't heard that song... I'll have to look it up. I don't have a favorite book... I mean how could I chose? But currently I'm reading the Songs of Acadia by Janette Oke and T. Davis Bunn, I'm enjoying them... they are historical Christian fiction books. Five in total.
    I love music... I also have enjoyed the song You give Me Life by Kyle Smith and Lauren Sweeney recently. I also love the song Jesus Loves Me by Chris Tomlin.
    Can't wait for the suprise! Thanks for posting :)

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    1. I looked up that song, Heaven Song, and I love it!

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    2. Ah, I'm glad you like the song! I'll have to check out the ones you mentioned - I may have heard the Chris Tomlin one before, but the others don't sound familiar. Thanks for mentioning them! The books sound interesting too. :)

      Thanks for your enthusiasm and comments. You're a blessing! xx

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  2. Oooh, that quote at the beginning is so rich! Love all the little quotes peppered throughout. I will definitely be checking out all of these awesome links! I love posts like that - sharing all the things that have been inspiring you lately. :) I'm taking the survey too! Hope you're having an awesome weekend!

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    1. Wowza, I have to come back here because Special Books by Special Kids just touched my heart! Thank you so much for sharing that link. Those videos are seriously amazing. <3

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    2. I'm glad you enjoy posts like this then! Thanks for taking the survey too. I really appreciate it. :) And yes! That's how I felt after watching the SBSK videos too - they're powerful. Thanks so much for your happy comments!

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  3. This was a great post. I want to check into the first YouTuber. <3
    I like these posts, the kind that are thought-provoking. And the thing about a blog -- it's not just so you can benefit others. That comes naturally by awesome content like this. But when it comes to improving, you can't improve on your own! Just the way someone can't pray in your absence. God knows your heart, He knows what's truly going on. Don't let your own worries about being someone who seeks others approval stop you from wanting a better change in your life and in others. The thing about a blog is to share truth. To share the beautiful. To share the creative. That means things that have been on your mind lately ('cause you're beautiful and creative girlie!)! Quotes, YouTubers, art. If society had totally changed into not appreciating those things anymore, than nobody would be reading this. But God has HIs children, His followers. They appreciate just this. This conversations about God's goodness. The wonderful things in life. We all need that blog post that reminds us of the small and powerful things in life.

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    1. ALSO OHMYGOSH AHHHH I was that girl who did the long responses in the survey, like 'Traveling. The first post you did etc....' EXCEPT *HEHEHEHE* That was some other random person's post, lol, I thought it was yours! AHHHHH THAT'S AWKWARD. Man, sorry about that. You totally did NOT do a posit called 'Wandering Rome', whoops. But I still like traveling!

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    2. Oh, I hope you do! She's a real blessing. :)

      Thanks so much for your encouragement and reassurance, Amelia. It means a lot, and you're right. I box myself in too much. God lays things on our hearts for a reason! Ultimately, blogging is just like every other part of life: a journey with God, and learning to listen to His voice.

      No worries at all! I totally make mistakes like that too, so you're in good company. :) Thanks for filling it out, and again for your thoughtful comment! xx

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