When the silence makes me want to quit...

Silence...
And then you hear the soft chirping of crickets...

Can you hear them?

They use that noise on cartoons and television shows alike to convey that no one is really listening...

Or that someone just delved into a conversation killer.

Have you been there?

That awkward moment when you wonder why you were talking in the first place?

There are days when writing feels like that. I wonder why in the world am I doing this?!

And then God whispers,

"You are part of my story and I am asking you to share it."

This week I'm sharing over with the Bibledude.net crew again.

Will you join me as I share a little of what God has taught me about why our story matters?

Write on Dear Writers... Write On! <--Click here to read on

Whether you are a writer, mama, grandpa, pastor, coffee addict, former alcoholic, sinner extraordinaire, or quiet introvert...

God has given you an amazing story of grace and grit to share.

 The question is will you?

What's stopping you from sharing your story and how can I pray for you today?




Joining Inspire Me Mondays

Mid-Summer updates... On my life, the blog, a book, our freedom, and a prayer request.

Hi Friends!

How are you all doing? I am doing pretty well. I am ever so grateful that summer is here! Honestly there were days this last winter when it "felt" like summer would never get here. Can I get an, "Amen!"?

Mid-Summer Updates...

We have had a summer full of the "unplanned" events. Like a car finally kicking the bucket. (We drive them till they die people... And believe me, "Stick a fork in that car 'cuz it's done". Farewell silver bullet the last 10 years or so you have served us well. RIP) 

There have been storms, a tree half down, a flood in the basement, and a  pretty tedious, but cool fence being made from pallets. I think my husbands thoughts on it are, "Will this project ever come to an end!?!"

The good news is this fence soundly advertises, "Hey, all you bunnies, ground hogs, and deer out there? These are our veggies that we have toiled over for our family to eat...NOT you. Move along little furry creatures...move along.)

The hardest event this summer has been that my dear friend's sweet father passed away all too soon. I cannot do this justice with my simple words, but yes I did attempt to. (Here and here)

We are about to plunge ourselves into some new transitions which are both scary and exciting to us. There are more things, but I must say, each event  I have mentioned whether they sounded good or bad...were all laced with God's hand of grace and love. They have contained some amazing blessings as well.

My friend's kiddos came to stay with us for a while. We have a newer car for my hubby to drive and I am no longer in fear when he climbs into the "death trap". The fence while not yet finished is doing it's job. And I have a couple of friends kicking my booty into better shape. A big ol', "Booyah!" to that! And it's Summer! Finally!!! Summer!

On the New Page...

Some of you may have seen the new page on my blog called, "Let's Talk Church".

I am simultaneously nervous and excited for this to get going. I haven't figured out if I will be posting on this topic once a month or more frequently. Any thoughts on this? Any suggested topics I should cover?

The last post was full of great conversation in the comments I am grateful to those who spoke their hearts and minds in the discussion. I am telling you these comments were over-flowing with convicting and humbling insights. I thank you all for taking part in it. I am praying for more and more to step forward into these conversations.

On a power-packed Book...

I am also excited as I finish up reading an exciting book. I mean just reading the different Authors' introductions for the book gave me goosebumps... or as my teens call them, "God-bumps."

These are, the aforementioned teens that use the phrase, "God-bumps". This crew is full of some amazing faith-filled activists. They will politely correct you if you say, "They are the church of the future." With a, "No, we are the church right now." Love em'!

I will be reviewing it on here soon, but honestly go pre-order a copy.(There is a link in my side bar)

If you are struggling with where to start with volunteering or in searching out God's heart for the least of these, then this book is what you have been looking for. Whether you agree with the different Author's perspectives or answers to the problems their information is sound and bountiful. More to come on this friends. ;)

Umm... Yes, I definitely love this quote!

On Freedom...

This week we have the 4th of July! I am grateful that we live in a country where we are free. It seems like people are chattering away in discouragement over the different decisions being made by the courts and government... 

Some even saying we are not truly free.

And while I have been there at times myself, grumbling away... I have to put this reminder out here. 

Friends we are living in a free country. 

We have the freedom to work these things out and no I do not agree with all the limitations that some of our leaders are insisting on, but I can say just that.

I can say I don't agree with them to the press.

I can say I don't agree to my law-makers and reps.

And the police do not show up and take me away.

I have not been imprisoned or beaten by the authorities..

And eventually these things can be worked out.

Until you see the other side of the fence where persecution truly reigns. Where dictators rule and rampage with abuse and genocide.

I literally shutter when I think of what others are going through...

We are free.

We are free to lobby, debate, and stand up for our rights.

 Please take a moment to breathe deep and realize the blessing of the freedoms you do have.

A Prayer request..

Lastly, can I ask for your prayers? I am going in for eye surgery this week on July 5.

Could you pray for a quick recovery and complete healing with no complications? I would and am so very grateful for your prayers and for this opportunity.

I am trying to get things ready on my blog so the posts will still come while I am recovering. I hope and pray you have a blessed week!

How can I pray for you?

God Bless you and yours greatly,

-Heather

A tune for your thoughts and meditation today...I am so grateful that I am set free.

Farewells can be easy? Say What!?

Sometimes I procrastinate the inevitable...
Like the fact that Google Reader is about to say farewell and I will be out of a lovely e-reader for all of the blogs I subscribe to.
As of July 1st, it's gone for good friends. Have you switched to a new reader yet? I highly suggest doing so right now. If you are anything like me, you may find your self waking up on Monday morning thinking, 
"Oh crud, I was supposed to do this 2 days ago!"

So I am taking a moment right now, as I write this, to switch e-readers and I wanted to help you out as well. 

Why?

1) I value your readership here at Awakened and would love for our bloggie friendship to continue.

2) If any of you are like me, enjoying the summer of freeeeedom...You might have missed this update or may forget its almost here! (Ack!)

Here is a very quick and easy to understand post about the different alternative Readers available for you to switch to before 
July 1st. 

Read this one while I go attempt a switch myself and then I will let you know how it went...

Farewell Google Reader pt 1

More options are explained here...

Farewell Google Reader pt 2


Again the easiest way to keep in touch with your favorite bloggers is to subscribe by email.  Then they continue to arrive in your inbox without any issues. ;) 

If you haven't subscribed to Awakened yet, it's right up there to the right. Make sure you click the "confirm subscription" in your email otherwise it will not go through. 

Okay, that was easy and an utter non-event. just the way I like any technical situation on the computer to be! 

I chose to switch to Feedly because it advertised that you could switch your Google reader account seamlessly without having to manually add in all of your blogs again. (Plus, I am sometimes a creature of habit and it has a function that displays my feed just like my Google Reader did. "Le Sigh" 

Guess what?!?!

They weren't kidding around. I am happy to say it took all of 2-3 clicks and within a minute everything was switched over. 

Now it's your turn friends. Please, check out the links that explain it all in a simple and easy fashion. Then choose which alternative to Google Reader you want to switch to and get to it.

Just remember you need to do it now before July 1st, because after that you will have to manually re-subscribe to each of the blogs that you follow.

Also if you missed it, I was sharing over at Bibledude.net again. I love this amazing crew of writers who are in love with Jesus. Here is a link to my article. 

I am grateful especially for the comments. These people are sharing some fantastic insights! I hope you will share yours as well.

Reflections on Bird feeders and the Church

God Bless you and yours this week!

-Heather

P.S. Don't forget to either subscribe by email to your favorite blogs or switch to a new e-reader before JULY 1ST! ;)