Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Jon Acuff, author, speaker and founder of the popular (and hilarious) blog Stuff Christians Like recently released a new book: Quitter, Closing the Gap Between Your Day Job and Your Dream Job. The title and promo video for the book caught my attention, as I can definitely relate. Learn more about the book and the author at www.jonacuff.com and read the book’s description below:

Quitter Description from Jon Acuff

Have you ever felt caught between the tension of a day job and a dream job? That gap between what you have to do and what you’d love to do?

I have.

At first I thought I was the only one who felt that way, but then I started to talk to people and realized we’re becoming the I’m, but generation. When we talk about what we do for a living we inevitably say, I’m a teacher, but I want to be an artist. I’m a CPA, but I’d love to start my own business.

I’m a _____, but I want to be a ______.

All too often, we hear that dreaming big means you quit your day job, sell everything you own, and move to Guam. But what if there were a different way?

What if you could blow up your dream without blowing up your life?

What if you could go for broke without going broke?

What if you could start today?

What if you already have everything you need to begin?

From figuring out what your dream is to quitting in a way that exponentially increases your chance of success, Quitter is full of inspiring stories and actionable advice. This book is based on 12 years of cubicle living and my true story of cultivating a dream job that changed my life and the world in the process.

It’s time to close the gap between your day job and your dream job.

It’s time to be a Quitter.

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It’s a question many of us ask at one point in our lives: What is my calling? Where does God want to use me right now; in ministry, in a certain career? For me the question was most urgent after I graduated from college (which I wrote about earlier on Dream in Soul). It was the typical post graduation anxiety – “uh oh – I’ve got be an adult and face the ‘real world’? What do I do now?”

I was confused as to where God was leading me, if I should pursue studying in a certain area of ministry (in my case I felt it might be youth ministry) and I searched my heart and prayed to God to show me which direction He wanted me to go. After a campus ministry conference a few months after graduation I asked one of the leaders Pastor Sample, a youth pastor at a local church, what his advice was to someone who felt they might be called into youth ministry. His answer and how he broke it all down was a blessing to me, especially how he explained how you have to hear clearly from God where He is specifically leading you. I thought his advice was fitting for anyone who was questioning the path of their calling so I wanted to share:

Question: How Do I Know if I Am Called To A Certain Ministry?

A: Special training for ministry is great and so is Bible college or a ministry school…but the main thing is that you really hear from the LORD.

He will call you (it sounds like He is) He will give you specific instructions. Do not run out ahead of Him and do not be behind Him. Go at the pace He wants you to go.

You do not need a special degree or anything…you need a confirmed word of the LORD. He never calls the qualified, He only qualifies the called.

When the Lord calls there are usually 5 steps:

1. Calling – divinely dissatisfied with what you are doing – you know you are being called to a specific direction.

2. Training – this is usually done by man…ie..bible school, training school…

“I know from my own experiences that if you will put your career in God’s hands and trust Him, you can’t account for all the ways He will bless you. When you step out in faith, he will open doors and bring you opportunities that will surpass even your wildest expectations…

If I have learned anything, it’s this: to get where you want to go, you first have to become the person God wants you to be.” – DeVon Franklin, Author of Produced by Faith

Hollywood is often thought to be a place where believers may face decisions that cause them to compromise or stray from their beliefs. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures who is also a preacher, has worked in the midst of show business, having produced movies such as The Karate Kid, Pursuit of Happiness and most recently Jumping the Broom. In his book Produced By Faith: Enjoy Real Success without Losing Your True Self Franklin talks about the importance of knowing our vocation and calling, and how we can serve God within the field He places us without compromising what we believe in.

Connect with DeVon to find out where he will be speaking at his website ProducedbyFaith.com, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ProducedByFaith or Twitter: @deVon_franklin

Below in an interview with The 700 Club DeVon talks about his career and how he wants to inspire others to hold on when following their God-given dreams:

In a Behind the Scenes Clip DeVon Franklin Describes How To Recognized a Self-Given Goal vs. a God-Given Goal and What To Do to Step into God’s Purpose for Us:

2012 Update: DeVon Franklin shared his story and inspiration on being produced by faith with Oprah on her show Super Soul Sunday on OWN, check out a preview of the interview below:

“Stay in your own movie…” – DeVon Franklin

More About the Book Produced By Faith From the Publisher:

STRAIGHT FROM HOLLYWOOD comes a dynamic business model for building a thriving career without compromising your faith. DeVon Franklin, vice president of production for Columbia Pictures, shares how being bold about his Christian faith while being driven and ambitious has actually helped him to excel in a high-profile, fast-paced, competitive industry.

Click here to be encouraged and inspired by ordering your copy of “Produced By Faith”

You are the movie. Produced by Faith parallels each step of the Hollywood filmmaking process with the faith-making process God uses to turn your career into a success. You will discover that it is possible to be both wildly successful and completely committed to God—and that you will be even more successful when you place your faith at the center of your career. You can unleash the power of your faith as your greatest professional advantage and use the compass of God’s Word to guide you to your true passion and purpose in life.

In this informative, inspiring book, DeVon reveals the secrets to maintaining your faith while advancing in your career. Here he shows you:

• How to discover The Big Idea for your life

• How to take your career to the next level

• How to recognize the signs God sends you that indicate when it’s time to move in a new direction

• How to stand firm on your Christian principles without compromise

• How to work with people who don’t understand your beliefs

• How to choose a profession, industry, or company that is in tune with your purpose

I’ve got the song “Hold Me” from Jamie Grace stuck in my head – it’s so upbeat, unique and catchy. For the past couple of weeks I’ve played it on repeat for the girls who I teach at church, to get them focused on their art projects (and to stop talking about Justin Bieber;) and they love listening to it too as they sing along and color. Glad they can appreciate great music…

TobyMac recently signed Jamie Grace to his label Gotee Records and her EP that was released in February is funky, soulful and creative – something I think anyone will enjoy. (You can preview the EP on her Facebook page here.) I got to see her in action at Women of Faith’s event for teens The Revolve Tour Dream On Garland, TX, event in January (check out some pictures I took at the event) and her story and how focused she is at only 19-years-old is so inspiring.

At Revolve Jamie Grace shared her testimony of how God helped her to deal with a diagnosis of Tourette Syndrome when she was 11-years-old and how she started acting and playing music despite hardships and dealing with discovering who she was. She also shared her song “Hold Me,” and an original song dedicated to Revolve. Despite being her first time being on the Revolve stage she seemed like a seasoned pro and was really inspiring and relatable. She’s an awesome inspiration to me on how God can launch you into your dreams if you trust, practice your craft and give all you do to Him.

I’ve been following Jamie Grace on Youtube since a few years back after I stumbled across one of her videos when I was randomly looking for a review of High School Musical 2 (don’t judge me, I was a bored college student;). I loved her videos talking about dealing with Tourettes and song covers she did with her guitar. Now she’s sharing her story and songs around the country; she’s really come a long way and I know this is only the beginning for the amazing places she’s going!

For more info on Jamie Grace and to order her EP you can visit jamie-grace.com or connect with her on Youtube, Facebook or Twitter: @jamiegraceh

Below check out a clip of a video of Jamie Grace in action at Revolve in TX: