Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Preview of a New Dream in Soul Fiction Story Series by Julene Fleurmond

One band. One mission. Lots of secrets…

They’re a group of 20-somethings navigating the road of faith, relationships and dreams. Stay tuned for this upcoming fiction series on Dream in Soul, and catch a glimpse into their confessions below…

I creaked open the side stage entrance door a sliver and shakingly sneaked a peek at the mob we were about to confront. Through the thin opening I could see their faces lit dimly by colored spotlights – they didn’t look angry or dangerous, more like excited and harmless. They were definitely not toting pitchforks as they conversed with one another, unaware that I was spying on them to get myself used to the idea that I’d be addressing row after row of them in a few minutes.

The gigantic auditorium, larger than any we’ve ever played, was abuzz with the energetic drone of teens laughing and chatting with their friends as they waited for us to come out and the event to begin. You’d think as many times as I’ve done this before that I’d be over the hovering cloud of anxiety trying to suffocate my enthusiasm. I swallowed my nerves and just hoped I wouldn’t pass out or lose my lunch before or while we were out there. Though that audience looked happy now I’m sure none of them wanted the Chick-fil-A waffle fries and nuggets I’d scarfed down earlier (formerly known as delicious) to make a reappearance.

This was our first big venue, opening for a band I’d been listening to since I was an awkward tween-ager jamming out to my bulky portable CD player (do they even make those anymore?). I should be stoked. So why was I wishing that I was anywhere but here?

February is the month of love, but how much do we really show the true love that God exemplified through the cross to others in our lives? “Calvary Love” is an amazing, inspiring and convicting passage from the book “If” by Amy Carmichael. Amy was a Christian missionary born in the late 1800s who served in India and opened an orphanage – her life and writings were an example of the love she so boldly speaks of:

Amy Carmichael on Calvary Love

If I belittle those whom I am called to serve, talk of their weak points in contrast perhaps with what I think of as my strong points; if I adopt a superior attitude, forgetting “Who made thee to differ? And what hast thou that thou hast not received?” then I know nothing of Calvary love…

If souls can suffer alongside, and I hardly know it, because the spirit of discernment is not in me, then I know nothing of Calvary love.

If the praise of others elates me and their blame depresses me; if I cannot rest under misunderstanding without defending myself; if I love to be loved more than to love, to be served more than to serve, then I know nothing of Calvary love…

Click Here to Continue Reading “Calvary Love”

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.