Along The Trail

Listology // Why My Life Depends On It [part 2]

Really the title of this post should be more along the lines of How to Incorporate Personal Worship Into Your Everyday, but that's lengthy, it wouldn't flow with the whole part one thing, and I just don't have it together right now!! Sheesh. I sink in grace! Did you catch yesterday's Listology part 1? The moments spent worshipping our Daddy are the moments that most renew and refocus our living.

Worship in my pastor's words: "glorify=doxa--to live with a proper opinion or estimation of His worth." I love this. A proper opinion. Lord knows we all have some opinions, but how many of them are proper? He went on to add, "Personal worship then becomes a life line of focus, purpose and personal worth TO God." Here's what I and some others do to incorporate worship into the everyday:

1. Be thankful for the little things.

2. Jam for Jesus while driving in the car.

3. Reflect His character through responses, decisions, and conversations.

4. Spend time serving other people.

5. Use the time the kids are playing outside to pray.

6. Have praise music playing while doing household chores.

7. Do what I don't like with an attitude of love toward Him.

8. Stop. Think about His character. Smile in delight with who He is.

9. Love His Word.

10. Simply talk with Him -- randomly and all day long.

Simple, but practical. Known, but maybe not practiced. There are thousands of other ways to worship because true worship is: ANY true acknowledgement to our Father in a reverent way; allowing Him to become more real by listening to Him, talking with Him, and singing to Him; a state of mind, a way of life, a focused living. Every human worships. What we worship makes all the difference. 

Allow this short list of ideas to be a simple spring board to begin or return you to a life of worship. We are most fully alive while worshipping Him because we were created to know Him and make him known. 

Will you share how personal worship looks for you or any thoughts you may have on the subject?

TO THOSE FEW WHO SHARED THEIR FAVORITE WAYS OF PERSONAL WORSHIP: Thank you for being willing and for encouraging and inspiring each of us reading!

Listology // why my life depends on it [part 1]

The shifting was subtle as my moments were quietly stolen, hurried or given away to someone or something else. Panting became my breathing. Numbing exhaustion became my companion. 

I recently attended a women's conference with my mom and some other women from our church. My biggest take away from the weekend was rediscovering my desperate need for personal worship in my daily life. While worship is more than singing songs to my Daddy, it was through focused moments of singing to Him that I realized why I need personal worship daily:

1. Worship repositions my life.

A hiker standing at the base of a mountain can feel overwhelmed and discouraged. The same hiker standing at the top of the mountain finds the view breath-taking, refreshing and freeing. Our position effects our living. Moments of personal worship--seeing the bigness of God--can move us from discouragement into hope as we begin to focus on His strength and power.

2. Worship births a grateful heart.

From what we know of God and have personally experienced of Him, we find ourselves overflowing with thanksgiving to Him for His overwhelming goodness and grace in our lives. With thanksgiving  comes a fountain of joy spilling into our days. Who doesn't want that?

3. Worship awakens my heart reality.

Glimpsing more of God's holiness sheds light on my lack of holiness. While this can be quite devastating, pulling up higher into His lap of grace allows His healing and cleansing to renew me in ways I am most desperate for.

4. Worship inclines me to surrender.

Focusing on the bigness of God and being overwhelmed by His goodness and grace brings me to the place of trusting Him more. In the trusting comes a longing to go deeper with Him, a willingness to follow Him and let go of all that is not good for me. 

Likely we know worship comes in more forms than singing to Him. The form doesn't really matter so long as we are worshipping. My list here is short on a very deep subject, but I wanted to share His most recent work in my life with you. Being the economical God I know Him to be, my journey may bump into your journey. I hope you find encouragement to return to or begin to practice personal worship in your own life. I've asked a few others how they incorporate personal worship into their daily lives and I'm super excited to share their thoughts with you here tomorrow!

For today, may we each be found living with the upward gaze toward our personal and holy God!

**most pictures were taken from my instagram feed--pardon the low quality blurr!**

Listology // Rethinking Valentines Day

For all those who feel Valentine's Day is just Singles Awareness Day, this post is for you!

Truths to remember:

1. You are not a loser.
2. Chocolate hearts + roses DON'T= love.
3. The greatest romance took place on a cross.

February 14 ought to be marked on your calendar as Layin' On God's Love Day! We ought to walk in love all day e'ry day, but taking special intention to be on mission to share God's love today makes the day a true celebration! Here are a few suggestions to get the ball rolling for you!

1. Print your own cards and jot an encouraging note to someone.

2. Make a fun date with someone(s) who need a little fun!

3. Text someone a conversation of the heart OR BETTER YET
4. Have face to face conversation over something you call yummy
5. Take a widow some flowers.

6. Give someone a Heart Attack!
7. Give that forgiveness you've withheld.
8. Thank someone for making your life awesome.
9. Give a Honkin' Hug (my personal fave!).
10. Surprise a coworker with a treat at the office.

The act doesn't matter as much as the thought + heart going into it! Your loving someone (or a few someones) is the open door of sharing God's deep love with them.

Pick up your pouty lip, put on your smile and go shine some Jesus! You are loved in the deepest way possible by the God of the universe. How can any man or woman come close to that?

Listology // Snail Mail Help for the CyberMinded

Guest Post | Hope Rogers of Hopeful Adventuring

January has just hit our calendars and this means it is, “National Letter Writing Month”! As an avid letter writer, Cassi (or Cassaundra, as I prefer), has graciously honored me with the opportunity to share my trade with you all… So, here goes! I hope you enjoy, find inspiration, and spread the warm and fuzzies with someone because of this!

{this photo borrowed from Hope's Facebook!}

To start, my name is, Hope Rogers {I’m that blonde G.I.T. from summers 2012 & 2013—yup, the one with the ukulele.} I live in Southwest Florida, love the outdoors, keepsakes, hardwood floors, black and white photos, making a fool of myself for Jesus, hiking, Jeeps, and curling my hair. What about you?

Since we both know each other now, I’m going to bring you on the adventure that is my process for snail mail. Y’all caught me at a good time because I actually have been meaning to send something to Charley Woodman (also from summers 2012 & 2013)…

Have you ever been in town, seen something that triggers a memory between you and a friend, then snapped a picture and sent it to them? Well, why not kick it old school and send it to them by mail? That’s what I do, and by now, it comes naturally.

For those of you who might be more on the “cyber- side,” here are a few simple prompts to help you get writing: 

I)                   Choose your person

II)                Find the right stationary, card, postcard, or letterhead for your pal

        III)              Pick a topic

(whether it’s love, thanks, longing, or congratulatory) 

IV)              Find a style

(let who you are decide how you write it out… bold, swirly, spirited [or in my case, even wrote in Portuguese])

V)                Add some love (& some value… reminisce on an old time to show you really cherish your time with them)

As with all writing formats there is room for your own personal touch. So, throw some smiles, memories, and glitter in your envelope. Slap on an address, lick a stamp, and send that baby on its way!

To conclude, I could leave you with my famous two words, “Go, Jesus!”. However, I will say to you to have fun on your writing endeavors and brighten someone’s day on you letter adventures!