There is a lot that goes into creating an album. You have to think about a potential producer, song lyrics, song selection, song order, possible collaborations, how the album flows from one song to the next, and what overall story your music is going to tell. You have to set your expectations for the project and define your goals. Overall, there is a lot of intentionality in both the details and the larger vision. However, the album is also an expression of the one who made it.
Author Archives: purposeoverfear
The Journey to the Comeback
Do you feel like you are trying to recover from the hardest season of your life? Do you feel like you know God will work everything out more than you believe it right now?
Here is some good news. There will come a time when you can breathe again. A time when you no longer use your smile to disguise pain, but rather to exude joy. A time when you will reflect on God’s goodness and mercy through that season you are no longer in.
10 Reminders Before the New Year
This time of year is often a time of great reflection. In just one year, you can learn and grow so much. As you reflect on your own year, think about the lessons you learned, the honest advice you received, and the reminders that were important. What would you share?
Below are ten reminders that come to my mind:
Three Years and Celebrating
Three years of Purpose Over Fear, and I’m so excited! July 11, 2018 marks three years. This third anniversary brings to my mind the word commitment. Well, actually two words: commitment and obedience (to God).
Adulting: Encouragement Edition
Adulting – A journey through adulthood in all of its glory and responsibilities. There are times when you just need encouragement. In order to prepare for such days, I keep a collection of scriptures, encouraging quotes, pep talks, songs, videos, and things that make me laugh. Here are a few pieces of encouragement from this ever-growing collection (in no particular order):
Adulting: Living A Fuller Life
Since adulting (i.e. life as an adult) is so complex, this is actually going to be a series. First up? One practical way to live a fuller life.
Four Reasons Community is Critical
Community. How do you define it? I thought about defining the word “community” as a group of incredible individuals who value each other so much that they are willing to be honest with each person instead of sugarcoating the truth. Something seems to be missing from that definition though. What about defining community as “a unified body of individuals” (which is one of the ways that the Merriam-Webster dictionary begins to define community)?
The second half of Ecclesiastes 4:12 (NIV) states, “A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” Now regardless of your interpretation of this portion of scripture, I think this phrase gives some insight into the power that comes with connecting with others. So, one more attempt at defining community. Community is a group of people who either intentionally or unintentionally have their lives intersect directly or indirectly. That is about as specific, yet broad, as I’m going to get right now.
Testimony 2018 – Praise Before the Outcome
I know that 2018 just started, but I have a testimony. God is amazing! Something happened that should have brought me to (unhappy) tears. I lost my purse. I know that my purse and the items in it are just things. I know that things can be replaced. I know that there are bigger issues than me losing my purse. However, I really want my purse and its contents back. Where does the amazingness of God come in? Well, keep reading.
The Gideon Challenge: Reflection on God’s Intentionality in Your Life
Gideon was an unlikely leader. He was in the middle of “threshing wheat in a winepress” to hide it from some folks (Judges 6:11) when an angel of the Lord called him a “mighty warrior” (NIV)/ “mighty man of valour” (KJV) in Judges 6:12. That same angel also told Gideon that the Lord was with him. Gideon’s response to all of this? Questions. The Lord responded with some “big picture” action items, but also reminded Gideon that He (the Lord) was with him. Gideon’s response? More questions and doubt. Gideon even threw in some excuses. Here God was calling him to be a leader in a battle, and Gideon’s excuse was that the people in his group were weak and he was the “least” in the family. The Lord responded again stating that He was with Gideon and also gave Gideon a glimpse of what was going to happen…and it was major. Gideon’s response? He asked the Lord to give him a sign to make sure it was really the Lord talking to him. The Lord gave Gideon a sign and even gave him more information about what was to come – that Gideon wouldn’t die in all of this. God told Gideon to do some more things in Judges 6:25-26. Gideon’s response? He did what God told him to do, but did it at night because he was afraid of his family and townspeople. (Spoiler alert: The people found out it was Gideon who did it anyway.) Gideon went on to ask the Lord for a few more signs. The Lord gave him the signs.
This Smile (A Poem)
This smile tells of a joy, a journey, and a destiny
This smile is evidence of growth, hope, and gratitude
This smile continues because even the greatest of pain can’t minimize God’s limitless ability
This smile tells of an investment God made in me and will see through to completion
This smile embraces the battle scars that remind me of what God brought me through
This smile is a release, a realization, and a choice
This smile is recognizing that it’s not my strength I walk in, but His (God’s)
This smile is a product of God’s grace and mercy
God is in control, so this smile shall remain
By PurposeOverFear
*Picture in this post is from pixabay.com.
Purpose Over Fear 