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!!