Wednesday, November 4, 2015

Inner Views

"Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend."
Proverbs 27:17
(KJV)

For some time now, the Lord has laid an idea upon my heart concerning Homespun Devotions.
In one way, this idea is super exciting to me.
In another way, it scares me to pieces.

Because I don't feel like I know how to do what He is asking me to do.
I've never done it before, and anyone who has read this blog for long at all
can vouch for the well-known fact that I do not do well with change,
and unfamiliar paths make me extremely uncomfortable.

I suppose most of us are this way, at least to a certain extent.

So, when the Lord first brought it to my mind, 
my first reaction was to bulk.
The excitement, thrilling as it was,
was quickly overpowered by fear and feelings of inadequacy.
So, pretty quickly I sort of ignored the idea and shoved it to the back of my mind.

I don't know how it works with you, but when God wants me to do something,
when He really, really wants me to do it,
I don't get off so easy.
What starts out as a gentle pressure, becomes heavier and more weighty,
until I finally realize that I am not going to please Him if I don't do what He is asking me to do,
regardless how difficult it is for me.

I have served Him long enough to know that whatever He is asking,
no matter how hard it is,
is easier, by far, than to experience His displeasure.

I SO want to please Him with my life and fulfill the reason He allows me to live.

So, the thought kept plaguing me and coming up at the most inopportune times.
It would just pop on to the horizon and interrupt whatever else I was thinking,
until, one day, early this summer, I finally surrendered and told God I would do it.

It took all the courage I could muster, but back in the month of June,
 I sent an email to someone I respect,
and I began the process of starting this thing God has been asking me to do.
And now, the request I made in that original June email has been granted!

So, very soon...hopefully within the next few days, you should be seeing a new post in your inbox from me, and it will begin a new series on Homespun Devotions called...



Zachary came up with the name and the logo, and I loved both of them instantly!

Thank you, Zach!
Your support and love means more than I could ever begin to say.  :~)

(I got to thinking that his play on words could be in use already,
so I researched it, and sure enough, Houston Public Media produces a television show by this name.
Oh, my.
I am checking into whether or not I am infringing on any rights or doing anything unethical.
If I find that I am, I will, of course, rename our little segment here.
If not, we'll keep it, because I just like it so much!)

What is, you ask?

is...well, interviews, basically, and in a nutshell.
I will be talking to people, asking for their inner views during our interview.

I will record them and publish them here for you to read, 
and, in the process, hopefully I will be able to introduce you to some people you may never have "met" before.

These will be people who inspire me.
People who are "iron-sharpening", who "sharpen my countenance" and enhance my walk with God.
People who make me want to be a better person.
People who stir up a hunger in me to be more like Jesus.
People who have specific missions and causes that I believe are important and worth supporting.
They may be online bloggers, real-life family members, friends, loved ones, and acquaintances,
maybe even a celebrity, or two, now and then!!!
Most of all, these will be people I believe God has directed me to connect with and/or talk to.

Though I have endured many job interviews, which made me very uncomfortable, by the way,
I had never conducted an interview in my life...until today, that is. 
Well, I take that back...I have been enjoying "interviewing" Zach and Austin from time to time
and recording their thoughts on paper or video to go back and read or watch later.
It is amazing how their likes and dislikes change as they grow up!

So, even though I feel I am way over my head, and this, in some ways, is taking me far from my comfort zone, I know God is leading and wants this to happen, so He will be my Guide.

I am not sure, at this point, how often will be published
or how many interviews there will be.
They will be interspersed randomly, I suppose, among regular Homespun Devotions blog posts.
I have a long list of prospective interviewees to contact,
so, if I have my way, it will be long-lasting!
But, this isn't my blog, and the Owner and Director has every right to lead as He so chooses
and deems best.  :)

For now, be on the lookout for the very first
post!!!

~~~~HINT~~~~

I will be introducing a very special guest who has greatly inspired my family and me and taught us so much on our journey towards a simpler, more minimalistic life.
Stay tuned!
You will NOT want to miss this!!

18 comments:

  1. this sounds awesome, bless your efforts my friend.

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    1. Thank you ever so much, sweet friend. :) Praying for you and sending you lots of love!

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  2. Hi Cheryl, wow that is so exciting! You are way braver than I! I pray for you lots of God's favour and blessing as you move forward in your new venture! God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Oh, Tracy! I don't feel brave! All glory to God...if it weren't for His strength and me knowing this is HIM, I would never even attempt it! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for your prayers and support. Sending you love and blessings across the many miles!! :)

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  3. Wow, I'm impressed that you are branching out! Blessings to you as you trust God in this new endeavor! Happy Thursday!

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    1. Thank you, dear Michele! I am excited, but extremely dependent upon GOD, for without Him, I can do nothing....I have surely proven that throughout life, LOL! So thankful for you and your support and encouragement. Much love to you, sweet friend. :)

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  4. Hi Cheryl! I love the concept and the name too! Your Zachary is very inventive and good at art, two wonderful blessings. It must feel good to begin on the way God is leading you. Many blessings, and I will look forward to your interviews!
    Blessings,
    Ceil

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    1. Thank you so much, Ceil! Dear Zachary is such a dear blessing to us in so many ways...he found the font on paint, I believe it was, and he incorporated it with a picture we had taken at the beach! I hope you enjoy the interviews! I can't wait to introduce the first one....hopefully later tonight or tomorrow, Lord willing. Stay tuned!! And God bless you for the consistent blessing and encouragement you are to me, dear friend. :)

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  5. I am looking forward to seeing more

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    1. Wonderful! I am so thankful you stopped by! It was so nice to "meet" you, Maryann! God bless you. :)

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  6. Whenever the Lord leads on a journey, it seems we are always concerned about the details of it all, and sometimes those details are hazy at best - I understand that feeling oh so well! I do believe the Lord is guiding you to a deeper, higher purpose in Him through the Inner View, and I don't doubt for a minute that you are well able and equipped to do what He has called you to do! It sounds wonderful, and I look forward with pleasure to your Inner View posts! And please tell Zachary he is quite talented at designing the logo for you! It looks amazing :) May the Lord deeply bless and enrich you in this new phase of your journey with Him :)

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    1. Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you, dear friend!! Your encouragement and enthusiasm means more to me than I could ever say! I shared your compliments with dear Zach, and he was so blessed! Thank you ever so much. May the dear Lord bless you and reward you for the great support and friend you are to me. Sending you lots of love across the miles!

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  7. This sounds wonderful! I look forward to this new part of your blog. Remember, even when things are scary, as we honor God (by walking in the way He directs), God honors us (by giving us the strength for the journey).

    I echo previous comments regarding Zach's creativity. He is a very talented young man, and I believe he will be used greatly in God's work! Blessings to you and your family!

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet friend. You are right...God does honor us as we honor Him. I hadn't thought of it that way. Thank you for your sweet words about Zach...I shared them with him, and he appreciated it. I trust things are well with you. I am praying for you and think of you often. :)

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  8. Congratulations on your new segment. I look forward to reading more. I find change very difficult also even when I'm absolutely sure God is nudging me. However when I finally step out I wonder what took me so long😃

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    1. Thank you so much, dear friend!! I know what you mean...when I finally do move in the direction God is leading me, I wonder the same thing. I am ashamed at my own lack of faith. I just feel so inadequate, but I know He is all-power, and He never asks us to do something without giving us what is necessary to fulfill our mission. So thankful for your visit and support and encouragement. I hope all is well with you! God bless you abundantly!!

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  9. I love this idea!

    waitingforbabybird.com

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    1. God is so amazing...His thoughts are so far above ours!!! Sometimes to fulfill His plans and thoughts for us causes a great "stretching" in us to reach them!! Thank you for stopping by, Elisha! Praying for you, my friend. :)

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