tumblr

i think i'm going to switch to Tumblr. not 100% sure yet but here is the latest post…..

http://linnaejewel.tumblr.com/

I feel it's my duty...

. . . to know all good folk(ish) music that is out there. I've been so out of the music scene lately and now I'm trying to catch up. So get ready, because there is new music coming atchya.

Have you heard Ben Howard? Click the play buttons below. I can't tell if I like "The Wolves" Or "Old Pine" the best.

Thoughts?

Chaos

God is funny. My best friend Sarah sent this to me this morning, and oh how it speaks to my soul. These are about the only words I have for today, and good words indeed.

Oh happy day

There's too much good new music floating around the internet today and I couldn't keep it all to myself.

First of all, Williams Fitzsimmons is a guy who I saw a long time ago in Nashville, and it was by far one of the best little unplugged shows I saw. Noisetrade has one of his songs as a free download and you should get it immediately.

Also, Ingrid's new cd is free to listen to on aol music today, which just makes me happy.

Happy Music to you today!

Dreaming

I want to write a song. I want to be behind a guitar and a mic, writing folk music. I want to go back to Italy and maybe even Greece. I want to seepeople come to know Jesus and walk with God and encounter the Holy Spirit over and over again. I want to go to Napa Valley and Seattle - those are the next places to visit in the US. I want to see people and things here on earth through Gods eyes, not my own. I want to pray for people and hear God for people, and be a part of the many miraculous things that God does through prayer and intercession. I want people to know that they have been given gifts from God and I want them to discover what they are and WALK in it. Not just hope that God is working and moving on their behalf, but actually take part in His work in their lives. I want to write a book.. Who knows what about... Just want to write. I want to open up an even better store than Anthropologie.

That's what I want. At least for today. Wonder what God wants today….

Reading List

I had to blog late last night for the GB blog today and thought I would just share it with you. It's not quite as I hoped it would turn out, but thought I would show it to you regardless.

We've had a lot of fun things going on for the ministry blog, so if you don't read it, you should especially read it every Friday, as Priscilla has been sharing her new book that is releasing September 1, The Resolution For Women. I'm so excited about the book and want everyone I know to read it, female of course. She's doing all kinds of giveaways and stuff, so that's kind of fun.

Other reads: Is God To Blame by Greg Boyd. I will have many postings about this book I think, and I'm only on chapter 5, but if you are looking for a new read right now, I highly recommend it. Thanks to Michael for the suggestion.

My Day Off

I took the day off today. Well, really I was just hoping for a day to work from home, but my boss told me to just take the day off.

It's been fantastic. I still woke up super early to run and read and what not. For some reason I enjoy getting up at the butt crack of dawn. It makes me feel productive. Anyway, I got my oil changed this morning which took way too long, and then after that the fun began.

Bought some super fantastic pants and a shirt at Anthropologie today with a gift card I had. The pants look somewhat like these, except mine are way cuter….

here's the shirt - they look fantastic together, by the way

Then, I popped into Whole Earth Provision Co in hopes to find the TOMS that I like, but came out with a North Face jacket that was super on sale (thanks to Margie - she was the one who got the jacket first; i totally copied her). It's perfect for winter in Texas, and I'm pumped.

I guess my whole day revolved around shopping. And I'm ok with that. And I guess it's been filled with much reading and contemplating, which is better than all these other things.

I talked with a girl at the coffee shop today. I could tell she was a runner because she had all of her Lululemon gear on. She started to tell me how her knee has been hurting her for about a year now. The more we talked, the more I just wanted to pray for healing for her. But I didn't. I started thinking that it would be silly for me to do that, and that I have no experience in it and so why would I do that? And who says that she would've wanted it? She could think that would be incredibly ridiculous.

Fear of man. That's what that is. When I was driving away I realized that I missed a huge opportunity. And I didn't go back. I know her healing doesn't depend on me, but I also wonder if it WAS an opportunity for her knee to get better - just because God is motivated by love, and I felt that for her in that moment. It's unfortunate. Maybe I'll get another chance?

Oh, the things that can happen on your day off!

Starbucks

This morning I went to get us some Starbucks. Jerry and I are somewhat coffee snobs. Ok, we are coffee snobs. I blame it on myself, though. I think I've made him that way. The coffee here at the hotel is quite disgusting and I don't want to bear it if I don't have to. So last night I told him I would get us an americano in the morning since Starbucks is pretty close to where we are staying.

I was putting creme and stevia in my coffee at the little "bar" area and a man came up beside me to prep his coffee, and right away said: "Hello! How are you today?". I responded quickly with a "I'm doing well, how are you?". He responded with "good" or something like that. I don't really remember. Right after all of this happened, something triggered in my spirit. Sort of like a . . . "I think that man really wanted to know how I was doing". He was one of those men that has that dad smell. I don't know what it is, but it's just a very distinct cologne smell, that you smell all the time. Do you know what I'm talking about?

Anyway, as we were both standing there I just wondered if there was something more to that conversation. Like, did I need to keep talking to him? There really wasn't anything else left to say. I knew we had about 10 seconds left of fixing our coffee and then I would head out the door. Then I started to think about how much his little question kind of made me in a good mood. Not that I wasn't already in a good mood, but it made me in a better one. And then I thought, this is crazy that I'm thinking so much about a little question some random stranger asked me at the coffee bar, and that millions of people say each and every day at least twice a day to someone.

AND THEN I thought about how words are so impactful and powerful. I can chose to speak life or death today. I can speak death over myself by my lack of faith and lack of feeling like I am pursuing God as I really should. Or, I can speak life over myself today by claiming who I really am in Christ, how I am being led from glory to glory as I seek to pursue Jesus whole heartedly. That there is nothing that I CAN or CANT do to earn more righteousness, but that righteousness only comes by faith.

It's this big spiral that has occurred in my mind by one mans 5 words. He'll never know, either. I wonder what opportunities are going to present themselves to me today, and I wonder the words that are going to come out of my mouth and how they are going to effect people.

This is why I love Starbucks.

Memphis

I arrived in Memphis last night with the Shirer clan. Jerry and I and the three boys got here around 5:00pm and Priscilla met us late last night because she was finishing up a project she had been working on for 3 days. We are going to be here all weekend with Life Church - I actually took the boys to a Mega Worship and Prayer event last night that they had at the church so they could play with all their friends, and I got to go to the service. It is always so good reconnecting with these people - they are our friends now. We come here at least 3 times a year, and I've so grown to love so many of them.

Today my day will be spent with the 3 little rascals - probably a lot of swimming and playing.

I was just thinking about all of the opportunities that are out there for us today. I'm in a place lately of desperately wanting God to move in every part of my life. I know that all it really takes is a mindset switch for me, and continual pursuit of God. I'm working on it, and believing for that in my life today.

Today I'm believing for: the chance to share the love of Jesus with someone who has never heard it, to bless and serve those I'm with today, and that I will know in my gut the love of God and operate out of that instead of my own thoughts and feelings.

Today, is a good day!

the THING

Do you ever have those days, where something is on your mind and you can't stop thinking about that one certain thing? And It's a big thing. At least it's big thing to you. Something that effects your whole day. Your job, a person, a conversation you had the day before, something that happened that really did something to your heart. . .

I woke up that way today. What's hard about this thing, is that sometimes you don't know if you should be feeling the way you do, or you don't know what to do about HOW you feel. It's just there. Like a big blockade that won't go away. And you read, and pray, and think about it some more, trying to figure out what you are going to do, how you are going to change this thing. In some ways you feel guilty for feeling the way you do. Am I being selfish? Am I not being grateful? How come I haven't felt this way in the past? Is it God that is igniting something in my heart? Or am I just frustrated and don't know what to do about it?

We are reading through Jeremiah right now, and we happened to be in chapter 17 today.

The heart is deceitful above all thing and beyond cure

Who can understand it?

I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind,

to reward a man according to his conduct,

according to what his deeds deserve

How am I supposed to know how to process things if my own heart deceives me? Does that mean that everything I'm feeling and thinking has no value? Doesn't God live in our hearts . . . I mean, He is supposed to give us a clean heart . . . right?

This thing is driving me nuts.

I started to think about my life. The fact that God knew me before I even existed on this earth. He knew I would grow up in Chicago, move to Memphis, lose my dad, date someone for 7 years only for it to end, would get to live in Nashville, and then give me a dream job in Dallas without even looking for it. I remembered . . . that my life has been good. Those things are just the big details, but all the little details, they've been incredible. They've fit in perfectly with the big things. And I didn't do anything to create ANY of them. They just happened. Because God is really really good. He always has been to me, and I know He always will be to me. I would not change one part of my life, because I know they have gotten me where I am today.

So I'm thankful that God can and does search my heart and examine my mind. He knows how I'm going to feel about this thing one month from now, or a year from now. He knows whether or not it needs to happen or fade away. Because He has my best in mind.

So I have the option, not to necessarily forget how I'm thinking and feeling about this thing, but I do need to focus on something else. Because otherwise I will go crazy. And so I remember my life, and all that has happened, and choose the truth, and act on the truth. That God is good. He always has been, and He always will be. I don't sit on this thing anymore, but just remember His goodness and faithfulness. And . . . that's really it.

Something will probably shift or change, because He's good like that, and everything will be just fine.

So, God . . . about this thing . . . you can let it happen, or make it go away . . . or just sit there for a while. But I'm not going to worry about it all day today. Because either way, you're going to allow it to change me. And you will graciously act. And I will think about the greater picture. Which is me knowing You, and allowing that to be my heartbeat for today.

My friends

Margie: one day I hope you get to have your own cooking show.

Kendall: one day I hope you are part of your own church, seeing the lost have radical life changes, all the while doing stand up comedy every now and then

Dara: one day I hope you are hanging out with the famous, praying for them and seeing them come to know God

Kristin: one day I hope you are traveling and leading worship

Jenny: one day I hope you own your own bakery in a beautiful house with beautiful things inside

Sarah: one day I hope you own your own stationery store, that probably sells coffee as well

Sara: one day I hope you have your own yoga studio, and it will also sell the stationery that you make

*perhaps you should sell your stationery in Sarah's store as well

Laura: one day I hope you are running some fabulous business that provides funds for people all around the world, and you will be a pilot as well

just sayin…….

Helllooooo Colorado

Why is it that when we are removed from our normal environments, we can see things a lot clearer?

I got to Colorado Springs last night. I'm here hanging out with my sister and brother-in-law. She just had some surgery and I'm here to help where I can. (honestly, it's just a really great excuse to be with them and also get out of the Texas heat) And the mountains? Please! I could stare at them all day every day.

This morning I've been pondering a few things I'm praying about and believing for. And for some reason, I feel like I can see a lot more clearly on these things being away. I see change that needs to happen in my life, and I'm just not sure how to make it all happen. I know that when I return, it will be challenging. The tendency will be to NOT change and fall into my normal patterns.

But not this time. I will pray, think, pray some more, hold myself accountable to others and let the change take place.

Why is this? Why do we have to remove ourselves from environments to see things?

"Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while." Mark 6:31

Come away . . . . to see a new perspective, to get out of routine, and let God speak.

DO IT

Never Giving Up

Sometimes I have no words. Like tonight. I've felt every kind of emotion I can feel today. All I want to do is sit and listen to and watch this video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_D__FhynL7k&feature=youtube_gdata_player

And then I rest. And find peace in the midst of chaos. And I know everything is taken care of.

Your Father Knows what you Need

I was listening to a podcast this morning while I was running by Eric Johnson from Bethel Church called God of this City and it brought so much joy and revelation to my heart this morning.

I love those subtle moments when God speaks to me. It's just a thought that comes to my mind, and as the statement is created in my head, it's not that big of a deal. And then the progression begins…. I start to think about the statement and I realize that I probably didn't come up with it on my own. And then I ponder it and realize that God was so gracious to allow me to see what it is that He is saying…. and then I start to think about why He would want me to hear it… and then begins the life change. It's a beautiful thing!

For part of the podcast Eric was talking about our prayer lives from Matthew 6 and how we ought to have this secret prayer life with God. This little thing that I feel like God spoke to me about was from the verse that you have probably heard….

. . . For your Father knows what you need before you ask Him….

Eric kept reading but my mind stopped right there. Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him. My prayer life consists mainly of me telling God about my situations, thoughts, problems, etc. and it pretty much stops there. Sure, I pray for other people a little and other things that may be going on, but seriously, much of my prayers are asking for breakthrough in areas of my life and for things that I need.

But why am I doing that if He already knows what I need? In my heart it just know that my prayer life needs to be altered a little bit. I think it's such a good thing to ask God for things, for breakthrough, for the desires of our hearts, but my heart is stirred today to be more engaged with blessing Him and just being with Him.

I think that this little verse has given me peace to know that God IS going to give me what I need while I'm abiding in Him. And I can be confident that as I'm with Him, so He is with me. And when He is with me, He gives me what I need.

Nothing new, just a different perspective and hope that my prayer life will be strengthened and that my heart will be changed.

Psalm 68

The LORD . . .

Is a father to the fatherless

A defender to the widow

In His holy dwelling

Rides on the clouds

Sets the lonely in families

Leads forth prisoners with singing

Gives abundant showers

Refreshes the weary inheritance

Provides for the poor

Reigns at a mountain

Daily bears our burdens

Saves

Thunders with a mighty voice

Gives strength and power to His power


Do you fit into one of these? There are many promises for you today

Praise be to God who is worthy of our praise

May the righteous be glad and rejoice; may they be HAPPY and JOYFUL

fought for

i've realized that there is something really powerful in knowing you are being fought for. knowing that there is a battle going on that you can't see and that someone else is vying for your attention and affection.

i'm not sure if guys feel the same way as girls do about this. i was talking to a guy friend today about relationships . . . timing . . . trying to make relationships happen vs waiting on God's timing. you have this group of single friends who are all amazing; you're really not "young anymore". how is it that all these people are friends and don't end up together?

will any of them end up together?

will we all still be hanging out, single 5 years from now?

do you pray your heart will change towards them?

do you pray for them to open up to you?

if the girl is fought for, will she change her mind?

thankfully, there is the unknown. we are called to walk by faith, not by sight. it'll make the end so much more worth it.

talking to God

I'm sitting at a coffee shop, at a small table, with a guy and a girl sitting beside me. We are in close proximities. They are students at SMU, talking… and talking… and talking.

The dude actually won't shut up. Talking 90 miles per hour about the world we live in, the things wrong with it, how to solve these problems, other students in their class you aren't intelligent and ask stupid questions in class… you get the point.

It's not that I'm trying to listen to them, but his voice is so loud that I can't help but try not to be annoyed, and hear every single thing they are saying. I'm trying to focus on Leviticus 1-3, which is the reading we have today because our church as a group is reading through the bible. I'm reading about offering burnt sacrifices to the Lord, and they are talking about evolution.

I kind of wonder if this is what we sound like to God sometimes…. talking, and talking, and talking. Noise, noise, more noise. 100 million words per minute without even taking a breathe. Mercy!

Do I do this? Do I talk so much that God can't get a word in otherwise?

Last night at Life Group we talked about hearing God. Listening to God. We sat and just let Him speak to us, for about 10 minutes. It was wonderful. I didn't say a word. I just let Him speak to me, and everyone else did too. It was pure. Lovely. He spoke many things to us. He didn't say 100 million words per minute. In fact, He really just spoke maybe one or two words. But they had huge impact. They encouraged us. They made us happy. They changed how we will live… perhaps even effected the rest of our lives.

I think I'll let Him do most of the talking. I think I'll keep reading about burnt sacrifices, and wait in expectancy for the next two or three words I hear from Him.

To the dude sitting next to me at the coffee shop: I hope you are able to talk with God this much. I hope you know that God wants to talk to you, and would sit there and listen to you talk 100 million words per minute, and love every second of it. Perhaps you could even let him have a word in as well.

the BOD

I feel it necessary for you to meet the BOD (board of directors). They are my peeps here in Dallas. Since I have been inspired to dream and think and write again, I know you will be hearing about them a lot, so it's only fitting for you to be introduced.

Kendall summed us all up pretty well on her blog. It's really quite hilarious. Unfortunately, she didn't do one for herself. But, the way she writes gives you a pretty good idea of her personality anyway.

here it goes…. enjoy

http://web.me.com/kendallgayle/Site/Blog/Entries/2011/1/4_BOD.html

Jon Acuff

I don't know if you know who this is, but this guy can be pretty darn funny. He attended Deeper Still this weekend and wrote about his thoughts from the women's conference. Check it out. I think you'll enjoy

http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/12/4115/

curve ball

why is it that our emotions can throw us so many curve balls? one day you feel excited and hopeful, the next you feel like you've forgotten everything you've learned in life thus far. one day you really like someone, the next you don't. one day you really feel the presence of God, the next day you wonder if your prayers are being heard. one day you're confident of the season of life God has you in, the next you are wishing this season away.

the heart is deceitful above all things.

it's a month of breakthrough. i know it. i believe it. grab hold of it. join me if you'd like. He's speaking this to many people. we've got 4 weeks left in December. now is the time.

¹ My son, if you accept my words
and store up my commands within you,
² turning your ear to wisdom
and applying your heart to understanding—
³ indeed, if you call out for insight
and cry aloud for understanding,
⁴ and if you look for it as for silver
and search for it as for hidden treasure,
⁵ then you will understand the fear of the LORD
and find the knowledge of God

Proverbs 2: 1-5