Life Updates and Goals || What Radical Means

What does radical Christianity mean?

Is there even an answer?  Does one reach "radical" and then settle down, or is it an everlasting journey, that endless horizon?  This race we run, never give up?

I don't know what radical Christianity looks like, but I long for that.  Because I'm so in love with this God who gave His life for mine.  I want to give mine totally back  (Matthew 10:38-39).  Is that what radical means?

A few weeks ago, I was dissatisfied with where my life was.  I call myself a Christian.  On the outside, I might appear more on fire than others, but inwardly, am I any different?  I so want to be real.  I so want to abide in Christ truly.

Thus, I made that decision.  I'm still making it.  Sometimes I fail and have to ask for forgiveness and try again, but He is still faithful.  And He still loves.

But being radical brings changes.  The following are some of the ones I feel Him calling me to embark on.  Wherever you are, I'm not asking you to make the same decisions - simply follow His calling for your journey.  He has a story for your life, dear friend, and it's so, so glorious.


Blog Updates


I started blogging three years ago, and much has changed since then.  For those years, I posted every week or even more.  But now I'm going to erase that schedule.

Sometimes, schedules feel like they force me to write, and I end up scribbling down words that don't come from my heart.  But I want every post to be directly from Him, not myself.  There's a huge difference, and I know when I write for Him or for myself.  This blog is dedicated to God.  Thus, I've decided to give myself room to not post sometimes.  When I do post, you can know that it's something deep in my heart from the Lord - at least, that's my aim.

That means, I may not post every week.  Hopefully when I do post, they will be more encouraging and focused for you, dear readers.

Also, for those who follow my blog from Google+, that option will be deleted.  All subscribers must do it through email.  In the next week, I'll be deleting "the Readers" tab on the sidebar.  This is because I easily define myself by numbers, and I'm not going to do that anymore.  I feel God leading me to write for Him, not for the number of followers I have.

This is just where God is taking me, and I have so, so much peace in it!  I'm rejoicing in the journey, and I rejoice in where He takes you!


Goodreads Update


I was a member of Goodreads for several years, and recently I deleted my account.  Wow, that decision hurt, but it was so worth it.

I asked God what really mattered in light of eternity, and He revealed that my presence on Goodreads was stealing my attention and time.  It was such a blessing and joy to be part of that site for a time, but it was time for me, personally, to leave.

Again - I just need to say this: when we follow the Lord, He gives such joy and peace.  Whatever He is calling you to, just do it.  Every sacrifice is more than worth it.  He is so good!


Social Media Update


On a more joyful note, I felt the Lord calling me to join Instagram!  I've tarried for months to take that step, but it's been such a joy sharing my heart through this new venue.  If you are on there, I'd be thrilled to get to know you better and rejoice in the Lord together - my username is hosanna.emily.

      

At the beginning of the year, I gave 2018 to God to use as He willed. There were beautiful victories - a new baby born into the family, a novel I wrote, coming so close to graduation that I can almost taste it. Then there were the painful moments - so many tears, worries, fears.

But 2018 has been good because God is always good.  I'm rejoicing in it!  With one last month lingering on the horizon, I'm so eager to discover His plans for me, for you, for us.  He has a plan and purpose, and it's glorious.

I'm excited for every pain and trouble and joy He might bring in 2019, because I trust Him.  Wherever He takes us, we can rejoice!

I will leave you with two challenges:

First, if your relationship with Christ is real, just give everything to Him.  Be radical.  Give up any idols and be willing to break so that He can be strong.  Be willing to cry so He can comfort you.  Christianity is so much bigger than what we imagine; don't let anything hold you back.  Fly to Jesus!

And secondly, let's use this last month of the year to sacrifice everything for Him.  Make goals.  Dedicate yourself to Him.  Let's live December radically.

This is my resolution for the upcoming month, and I pray your heart throbs with His love as a new month begins and an old one passes away.

For this last month of 2018, 

I purpose: 

to cultivate a heart of joy, of worship, of shalom, and of love.  To live every day loving Him.  To show that openly through my prayers, heart, conversations, blog, email, social media, and entire life.  To live for His praise instead of others.  To abide in Christ's love and Word.  And to use my glory to further His. 

This is my heart.

Live radically and love radically, dear friends.   ♥

   

For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising...

The sun shall no longer be your light by day,
Nor for brightness shall the moon give light to you;
But the Lord will be to you an everlasting light,
And your God your glory.

- Isaiah 60:2-3, 19

(ps)  This song is on my heart today, and I encourage you to listen to it and remember how awesome God is!  You are so loved.

~♥~

First Winter Snow || a poem

First Winter Snow

Before one month ago, the roses bloomed,

and I loved it:

the crimson-pink, softness as I smelled,

nose against petal, inhaling.

sweet,

before the first snow came.

frost killed those blooms—

withering, lingering,

trying to hold on as they died.

roses edged in ice.

that month ago, they laughed.

now I cry

for what’s lost.

even when ice thaws, it returns

and hurts again,

freezes my petals.

I try to dance, but it’s cold;

I see my breath but slip on frost

and cry again.

so many days ago, innocent life

yet the snow falls, and I try

to dance.

because one day spring will come

and I’ll understand why.

   

Come, and let us return to the Lord;
For He has torn, but He will heal us;
He has stricken, but He will bind us up.
After two days He will revive us;
On the third day He will raise us up,
That we may live in His sight.
Let us know,
Let us pursue the knowledge of the Lord.
His going forth is established as the morning;
He will come to us like the rain,
Like the latter and former rain to the earth.

- Hosea 6:1-3

~♥~ 

Project Canvas || Interview with Alea Harper

Hello writing friends!

Today I'm excited to share a new release that's full of writing advice, inspiration, and encouragement - a book that I was able to contribute to and be a part of!   In addition, I was given the opportunity to interview the cover designer/contributor, Alea Harper!

       

COMING NOVEMBER 15TH , 2018

Summary

An international writing community.

61 authors

11 countries

6 continents

Are you looking for advice on how to create the perfect villain? Do you need the courage to put

your story down on paper? Find this and more in Project Canvas, a writing resource written

completely by teen and young adult writers and compiled by Caroline Meek and Olivia Rogers.

Project Canvas includes:

● 71 short chapters, each written by a different author

● bonus interviews with authors such as Tessa Emily Hall and Q. Gibson

● world building and character development worksheets

● and other helpful resources!

“This is a writing teacher’s dream – not a how-to book, but more of a literary testimony and homage to the process of writing. A sweet balance between the practical and the spiritual, Project Canvas is concise enough for daily meditation, yet robust enough to move the writer’s soul beyond the temporary.” –Brian Dolezal, professional development and spoken word coach at Sumner Academy of Arts and Science

Project Canvas will be available for purchase through Amazon on November 15.

(you can read my review of the book here)

About the Project Canvas Founders:

Caroline and Olivia have been friends ever since kindergarten, when they met in a homeschooling group.  Their writing journey was a slow evolution over the course of many sleepovers, games of pretend, writing stories together, and finally publishing some of them.

Caroline Meek is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Project Canvas. She’s originally from Kansas City, Kansas, where she co-authored The Drawing in of Breath and attended Sumner Academy of Arts and Sciences. Caroline has a passion for bringing writers together and is currently studying English & Creative Writing on the Publishing track at the University of Iowa. She’s been published in The Kansas City Star, Ink Lit Mag, Wordsmith, and blogs at Of Stars and Ink-Stained Things.

Olivia Rogers is the co-founder of Project Canvas. She’s originally from the great state of Kansas, where she showed sheep, competitively debated, and also became involved in politics. Olivia believes that writing is the gateway to change. She’s currently studying Political Science and Philosophy at Kansas State University, with the goal of becoming a lawyer and continuing to advocate for others.

Goodreads

Website

Twitter

Blog

AND NOW FOR THE INTERVIEW!

Hop on over to this link to get to know Alea (she's so inspiring!), and then check out my interview on her blog.

Or watch the full interview below.

About Alea

Alea Harper is an aspiring author of fantasy, science fiction, and any other weird genre out there, probably because she wishes it were real. When she isn't writing, you can find her blogging, reading, fangirling, chatting with friends, designing book covers, making a movie, or sipping tea.

(ps) visit here to discover more about Project Canvas, enter in a giveaway, and more

Project Canvas

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
Be acceptable in Your sight,
O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.

- Psalm 19:14

~♥~