Countdown

In two days I leave for She Speaks in Concord, NC. If you don't know what She Speaks is, it's the most nurturing, challenging, all-over wonderful place to learn to speak, write and lead. I always come away with a full toolbox and an overflowing heart.

There's something even better than that, though. I get to hang out with some the funniest, craziest, godliest most challenging team of women ever. It's hard for some people to believe that 30+ women all get along, but I'm telling you it's a love fest! I laugh harder, cry harder, worship harder and think harder that I do the whole rest of the year.

I love it more than my birthday.

That's sayin' a lot, because ya'll know how I love my birthday. (I know that it's sick and I need counseling.)

When I come back I will have attended workshops, given one on intergenerational ministry, launched Next Step Speaker Services (getting the site up is one of my jobs today--please check back later if it's not there yet), met with publishers, led an evaluation group (and listened to 12 of the the most inspiring stories ever!), given directions, talk, talk, talked, caught up with my roomie Aimy... It sounds divine and exhausting right?

The icing on the cake is that some of my favorite people from home are coming this year. I can't wait for my Holly Springs friends to meet my P31 friends. Pretty close to heaven, I'm telling you .

Today I'm packing etc. (It's a women's conference, so this will call for the mammoth suitcase. I must have options!) around the boys activities and appointments. I hope you have something you're anticipating, and I hope I'll meet some of you in person at She Speaks. Make sure to look me up if you're there.

Amy Carroll's Day Off

Yesterday, I took a day off right in the middle of the week. It felt like playing hooky with all my piles still undone on my desk, but it turned out to be wonderful.

It was my friend Holly's birthday, and we took the whole day to spend time together, shop, have lunch. I didn't realize how much a needed a break from my computer and the testosterone wash that is my household. I LOVE being surrounded by my guys, but I'm also wired to crave girl time.

There was time for laughing, deep sharing and retail therapy. Perfect.

I also have a confession to make. I bought some skinny jeans. Now, I'm wearing a very long shirt over my weeble top (And nobody ever gets to see that top either. It's not pretty.), but everybody has at least one part of their body that they like. I have excellent ankles. :) It may not be the most glamorous body part to be proud of, but skinny jeans with a huge tunic are great for your ankles. Just sayin'.

What will you do with your next day off?

Is It Eternal?

In college, I remember my friend Mandy emphatically declaring "This is not eternal!" over anything temporary that we were stressing over--tests, boyfriends, girl drama...

I'm sorry that I've been using my blog as a whining outlet, but honestly, ya'll, I feel like I'm experiencing Chinese water torture via my laptop. It came back from the shop semi-fixed today. Enough said. I won't subject you to any more whining.

God is speaking to me over and over and over about my reactions to things, so I've really been trying to focus on Him and remind myself of His truths. I still had that tight feeling in my chest, though, as I headed to Walmart to get some lunch and dinner fixins' for the family.

As I went through the isle, I was going over my many lists in my head. Send that email. Pick up cheese. Return that call. Don't forget a treat like some cookie dough. Start a load of laundry.

I stayed in that haze of list review right up until I looked at the sweet little family in front of me in the checkout line. There was a beautiful, young mom with two boys loaded on the cart. One had brown hair, and I smiled as I thought of my two big boys. But when he leaned over to reveal his brother, I realized that the second beautiful boy had no hair. Bald and beautiful at the tender age of 7 or 8.

Tears instantly filled my eyes, and I looked away to hide them from the boys. Perspective. That's what I got in that moment. My problems are truly light and temporary, but that little family is dealing with a crisis that could have eternal implications.

I felt that God had given me a gentle reminder that although He cares for me--problems and all--that my little drip, drips that have been driving me crazy are not eternal.

What Can I Bring?

Everybody have a great weekend, and keep this in mind as you go to church on Sunday. :)

“Colossians 3:16, “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.” (NIV)

Devotion:
All good southern girls know that when you get an invitation to dinner at someone’s house, your affirmative response should be followed by “And what can I bring?” (Translate this being said in a southern drawl.) Even though your hostess may graciously provide all of the fare, it’s just the polite thing to do.

So many times that’s not our approach to church attendance, though. Instead of contemplating what we can bring to the gathering, we are mostly focused on what we will get from the service. We arrive empty handed and often leave feeling disappointed if the music didn’t suit our tastes or the sermon didn’t move our souls.

Scripture tells us that we’ve got it all wrong. I truly believe that by coming to church with our hands full of gifts for others, that we will leave more filled up than ever before. Let’s take a look at how we can contribute according to Colossians 3.

Teaching—Teaching is always a challenge, because you have to be very well-versed in your subject. What a challenge for us! To come to church with something to teach, I have to study God’s Word all week. When I’ve learned personal lessons from His Word, then I have something to share.

Admonishing—The definition that I believe most closely fits this usage is “to give friendly earnest advice or encouragement”. How can we prepare to admonish? I think prayer is key here. Often as I pray for someone, God gives me ways to encourage them or places to direct them in His Word. When we spend time listening and conversing with God during the week, He prepares us to give the gift of admonishment at church.

Singing—Some of you may be thinking that your singing wouldn’t be considered a gift to the church. I think the key may be the last phrase—“with gratitude in your heart to God”. Gratitude and thanksgiving are definitely a gift in the body of Christ. If we come in with a heart that has been counting our blessings all week, we are ready to point others to Jesus. That is truly a gift. Plus, for all of us “joyful noise” folks, robust congregational singing really is a heart lifter.

I’m challenging myself this week to get over my “what have you done for me lately?” view of the church. Instead, I’m going to treat Sunday morning as a spiritual potluck, and I’m working on taking something tasty to share!

Lord, help me to take something to share to church this week. Help me to focus on others instead of what I can get. I trust you to fill me up! In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

Reporting In

Hey, friends! I know I've checked out for longer than I said, but I've been struggling with ongoing computer problems. When I read the Psalm that talks about the earth wearing out like an old garment, I wanted to yell, "Amen!"

In the last few weeks, my husband's computer crashed, mine stopped sending emails, our tv (old as the hills) conked out and yesterday the airconditioning in my car quit. What's a girl to do?

Well, I'm currently leading a group through Lysa TerKeurst's book Becoming More Than a Good Bible Study Girl, and I'm working on rewriting the scripts in my head. Instead of melting down (although it is hot as blazes in my car today), I'm taking time to ask Jesus to interrupt my typical, emotional reactions and fill my head and mouth with praise. Lysa taught me that. I'm sure it's a lesson Jesus wanted me to learn a long time ago, but I'm so thankful He's using Lysa to teach me now.

In the weeks leading up to She Speaks, things are a little crazy, so I'm going to be running some old devotions. I hope they're a blessing even if you've read them before.

Oh! And I forgot to tell you. On my week off, I finished my writing project. Whopppeeee! I'm still working on refining it, but the bulk is done so I can sleep better at night. Thank you, Barry, for being so supportive.

Can I Ask a Favor?

Hey, friends! I want to humbly ask a favor of you. Would you pray for me this week?

I'm actually going to disappear (at least in the cyber world) this week to work on a writing project. I usually love to work ahead, and it gives me a feeling of peace to have a firm grip on a deadline. This time, though, the deadline has snuck up on me, and I'm feeling really, really stressed.

Please pray for God's words to fill my heart and mind, clarity, and a longer-than-usual attention span. Please pray that God's heart for people would beat loudly in my ears.

I'd love to pray for you, too, because even though I'm not blogging I'll be spending lots of time on my knees. Leave your request, and I'll make sure to cover you as you're covering me!

Life and Freedom

This weekend we get to celebrate freedom. I'm so grateful to live in America and experience the blessings of freedom.

The question I'm thinking about, though, is how do I use my freedom? Do I use it to enjoy life and enrich myself? Do I use it to live in ways that God never created me for?

We're at the point in our Bible reading where the Israelites are being sent into exile for misspending their freedom and the blessings of God.

This scripture from Isaiah 1:15b-17 grabbed my heart last night, "Your hands are full of blood; wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight! Stop doing wrong, learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed. Defend the cause of the fatherless, plead the case of the widow." (NIV)

I encourage you to take a minute to watch this video and consider:

How does God want you to use your freedom? There are so many wonderful organizations that you can join to battle poverty and injustice. Please pray about which one to join.

Our family has joined with Compassion, and I have a button for them on the right. If God moves you to join with Compassion, do it today to celebrate freedom!

Should I Go or Should I Stay?

On Sunday afternoon I grappled with what seemed like a big decision--to go to the beach or stay home. You probably can't believe that I even thought about it twice, but I'm a girl who often struggles with an overdeveloped sense of responsibility.

I've got too much work to do.

You need a break.

Anson might get called for an interview.

You haven't had enough summer fun yet.

I'll feel overwhelmed when I get back.

You'll feel rested, renewed and ready to work harder when you get back.

The opposing voices in my head (don't worry they haven't given me any directions to do bizzaro stuff yet) went back and forth. Finally, I thought about watching a car full of girls with their long hair flying in the wind ride by me in a convertible the other day. I had the thought, "How come I've been so darn responsible?" I long for one of those topless cars, and some day I'll have one. Really and truly the time just hasn't been right yet.

My mind went from that fun ride to pictures of the breeze on the beach with the sound of crashing waves, and I decided. God does call me to work and responsible wise decisions, but He's also made me for rest. My mind and heart were craving rest. Without it I was going to do something crazy like going to buy one of those snazzy red sports cars with my credit card.

So we went to the beach. Today I'm ready to work!