What Inspires You??

What inspires you to be you? What inspires you be better? What inspires you to love, to write, to sing, to dance, to laugh, to joke, to feel, to share, to paint, to swim, to work, to run, to LIVE?

So, so, so many things inspire me! Books, movies, musicals, concerts, random conversations, strangers, friends, family, church, work, the Bible, the grocery store..seriously, pretty much everything! All these things inspire me to WRITE, which in essence, inspires me to sing. Singing is what I’ve always loved to do, and writing just came along in the past few years. It kinda just crept up on me. And I <3 it.

I-N-S-P-I-R-E :: “to influence, move, or guide by divine or supernatural inspiration. To exert an animating, enlivening, or exalting influence on” (http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/inspire).

Basically what I’m trying to get at is..if you feel inspired to do something, do it. Don’t let anyone bring you down or talk you out of it. Go after it (that is if it’s moral and lines up with God’s Word, of course).

You know the saying, “If you love your job, you’ll never have to work a day in your life”? Well…what do you love? I know there is a time and season for everything, and if the time is right – try and do what you love! If you’re looking for a job and you have dreams and goals, GO AFTER THEM! (Obviously, be wise, but DO IT). What really inspires you?? What do YOU want to do?

God placed a passion in you. Maybe you have yet to discover it. Or maybe you think it sounds CRAZY or too farfetched, and you have yet to admit it to yourself, yet alone anyone else. God has a PLAN and PURPOSE for YOUR life!! If you trust in Him, cast all your cares on Him, depend on Him and obey His Word, He’ll lead you and guide you into all truth. The Bible says so! And God is not a man that He should lie, so take hold of the truth, and go with it.

I’m preaching to the choir here. I’ve been so discouraged and embarrassed MANY, MANY, MANNNY times throughout the years. I’ve had the thoughts:

“I’m not good enough.” “No one will like me.” “No one believes in me.” “I can’t do it.” And many more..

But, you know what?? God placed this passion and desire in my life, and I CAN’T GET RID OF IT! BELIEVE ME PLEASE, I’ve actually tried!! I. have. tried. So I’ve recently come to embrace it. God, if you want me to do this, I need to the strength and the abilities to do it. I’ve got big dreams, and God wouldn’t have given them to me, if He wasn’t going to help me obtain them.

So here I go. I’ve embarked on my journey. And hey, if no one does believe in me or support me, oh well. I can’t deny God’s plan; it’s clearly better than my own. And “even though God has our lives mapped out for us, we must be the ones to take those first steps of faith and attempt to do what may seem impossible to us. We must be brave enough to do what has never been done before to accomplish and live out those dreams and goals.” – Dr. Robb Thompson Wow...WELL said...

Here are some good scriptures to meditate on:

Proverbs 3:5-6; Jeremiah 29:11 (an oldie but a goodie); Luke 18:27; Philippians 4:13, 19; 2 Corinthians 9:8; 1 Peter 5:7; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Jeremiah 29:11 (Message Bible) “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out -- plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future YOU hope for.”

I really like this translation. Feel free to look up the rest in your Bible or at www.biblegateway.com.

Inspired,

Kirsten <3

"To Save a Life"

I’m a little behind on my movies; as I just recently watched the film “To Save a Life,” and I must say it really opened my eyes – AGAIN. How many times do you have a revelation about something, SAY you’re gonna go out and “CHANGE the world,” but then not even two weeks later, completely FORGET about it? Sound like you? No? Then MAYBE it’s just me. Well after watching this movie.. My heart broke (yet again). I wanted to go out and help every single person that hasn’t been touched by another. Every single person that is looked down upon or ignored. Every kid in high school that isn’t thought of as “cool,” that gets made fun of..and even the popular kids. Basically I wanted to help everyone, and I still do!

I really encourage you to watch this movie, so rather than give away any major parts; I’ll just cut to the chase..

There are people out there (and maybe you’re one of them) who are alone - even if they’re in a crowd of people, a big family, a big church, a small group..wherever! – they feel alone. Have you ever just felt like you weren’t loved or no one cared? Or that you weren’t “cool enough”? Well I have. For those of you who haven’t, let me tell you, it’s not fun, and it makes life really difficult. (Sometimes, yes, it’s good to be alone, but that’s not what I’m talking about right now).

Anyhow..what do we do about the people in our schools, our neighborhoods, our churches, our jobs – the ones who really are alone, the ones whom nobody talks too? DO YOU want to save a life? Jesus saved yours. Let’s go out and save others. Save them from what you may ask? From sadness, loneliness, pain, temptation, self-harm, etc..

One little or BIG act of kindness from YOU (and me too) can SAVE A LIFE!!! How ‘bout that?!?! If we say hi to someone in the hall, flash a big smile and show that we GENUINLY CARE – it could literally save someone’s life. If we invite them to eat lunch with us, it could SAVE THEIR LIFE. What do you think? Think it’s not a big deal?? Well, it is.

It’s a really big deal.

So, whatdoyousay? What are some things you can do TO SAVE A LIFE? Please, don’t take this lightly. It may have been lightly written. But know, my heart is broken; I wish I could save the world on my own, and make up for everyone’s lackadaisicalness. Jesus saved the world. Now it’s our turn to save everyone in it. Let people see the God inside of you. Be the light you were born to be.

If you have any stories or suggestions, PLEASE SHARE! :) We’re all in this together ((That HighSchoolMusical song plays in my head EVERYTIME I say that!)) Share by commenting below or on our FACEBOOK: Colorme31 or email us at colorme31@gmail.com.

Xx

Kirsten

24 Hours

This seems like a question that could be simply answered: What would you do if you had 24 hours left to live? Maybe some would say: Spend time with family, tell someone I love them, go skydiving….Those are all legit answers, and are actually some that I thought of when I first asked myself the question. But then, I decided to ponder it for a while…What would I do if I had only 24 hours left on this earth…24 hours to make my last impression…to leave my mark…to make a difference in this world…to go down in History! WHAT WOULD I DO?

Here’s a portion of my list, and I hope that you sincerely ponder this question as well. After I thought about these things, I realized, I should be doing these now! I am going to challenge myself to really work on these things…except, skydiving can wait. :)

I want to CHANGE THE WORLD! But it takes steps…and ACTION. Here are a few (in random order):

1) Be bold and spread the Word of God everywhere!
- By talking to people everywhere I go
- Making phone calls to my family and friends. If they don’t get saved before their hypothetical 24 hours is up, or least have the opportunity presented to them, then I would be devastated…devastated doesn’t even describe how I’d feel, if I didn’t take the opportunity to share my greatest knowledge with them
2) Spend time with my family and friends.
3) Write/Record/Perform a full song, so I/it impact(s) lives even after I’m gone.
4) Skydive
5) Give things away
6) Praise and Worship and just spend time with God
7) Write letters to those I care about


Some things that automatically came to my mind would not please God…and I thought, “would I really want to do something displeasing to God if I were going to be meeting him in less than a day?” NO! So, why should I do it now? Tomorrow is not promised to me.

This is PART 1 OF “24 HOURS.” Give us YOUR LISTS and look out for PART 2! Please write as at colorme31@gmail.com and tell us your “24 Hours” list! You could be a part of our next blog! (If you choose to have your name kept private, just let us know). Can’t wait to see all your answers! Feel free to comment here as well. Or visit us on Facebook and Twitter.

<3 Kirsten

SUPPORT HAITI

Girls lets get on board with supporting Haiti

Tinley Park resident raising money for Haitian orphanage

January 31, 2010
By Becky Schlikerman (Southtown Star, Tinley Park)

Anthony Thompson was on a flight from Europe back to his home in Los Angeles when inspiration struck. The 29-year-old Southland native realized he needed to find a way to raise money to give back - he simply couldn't afford to donate to the many causes he wanted to give to.

"I always felt like I didn't have enough money to give to everything," he said. So Thompson, using his background in fashion, decided to create a trendy brand selling graphic T-shirts to raise money for his philanthropic efforts. That was in 2008.

Two years later, Thompson's newest design under the brand name Gesu Cristo is raising money to benefit an orphanage in ravaged Haiti. Profits from the $19.97 graphic T-shirt emblazoned with colorful blocks and a crown will go toward an In Touch Ministries orphanage in Saint-Marc, Haiti. The orphanage is run by Beverly-native Carolyn Walker, who used to babysit Thompson when he was a kid. The orphanage hasn't been damaged, but they're seeing a lot of children who need help, Thompson said.

So 100 percent of the profits from the 2,000-some T-shirts that are sold will be a great help to provide food, fuel and other necessities to the kids, he said.

This isn't the first time the fledgling project has helped children in need. Last year, Thompson's Gesu Cristo project sent about $2,000 to an orphanage in Uganda. Thompson decided to continue the project this year, but hadn't yet chosen a recipient of the cash collected. But then the earthquake ravaged Haiti - killing and displacing thousands of people. "When the earthquake happened, we jumped in," Thompson said.

But Thompson isn't going door-to-door selling the trendy shirts. He's taken to the Internet - using social media including Facebook, Twitter and a blog - to spread his message. "Someone that is ordinary can be extraordinary," he said of using these new methods. Thompson, who now lives in Tinley Park, grew up surrounded by philanthropic efforts.

His father, Robb Thompson, is the pastor of Family Harvest Church, where Anthony now works. "I grew up with my parents giving to a lot of people," Thompson said.

Visit oneshirtonecause.com if you'd like to purchase a T-shirt to benefit the Haitian orphanage.


The views expressed in these blog posts are those of the author and not of the SouthtownStar.

To Journal or Not to Journal???

As we read God's words, we begin to see how God responds to things. Doing daily devotions re-patterns the way we think and transforms the spirit of the mind. Then when we face similar situations as Jesus did, we begin to respond in the same way.

Journaling is an excellent way to both record and process what God has spoken to us. It's also a useful tool to use at a later time, to reflect on and review some of the 'gems' that you have received. Without writing them down, you may forget those blessings and some very important lessons! And while journaling is a very personal time with the Lord, you may want to share some of your daily journaling with your lifegroup or leaders. Through discussion, you may be able to look deeper into what God is speaking to you, gain new insight and even encourage others. And it is great for accountability.

S
for Scripture
Open your Bible to the reading found under today's date of your Bible bookmark. Take time reading and allow God to speak to you. When you are done, look for a verse that particularly spoke to you that day, and write it in your journal.

O
for Observation
What do you think God is saying to you in this scripture? Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and reveal Jesus to you. Paraphrase and write this scripture down in your own words, in your journal.

A
for Application
Personalize what you have read, by asking yourself how it applies to your life right now. Perhaps it is instruction, encouragement, revelation of a new promise, or corrections for a particular area of your life. Write how this scripture can apply to you today.

P
for Prayer
This can be as simple as asking God to help you use this scripture, or it may be a greater insight on what He may be revealing to you. Remember, prayer is a two way conversation, so be sure to listen to what God has to say! Now, write it out.


If this seems a little overwhelming, take it slow and keep it simple. No matter how you decide to do your devotions, the important thing is to show up for your daily appointment, because God is always waiting for you!