A Pile of My Thoughts

Write a good story for your life. Make choices every day - both big and small - that change the outcome of your story that makes it one worth repeating. Your story wasn't just given to you for your own keeping, it was meant to be shared and to ultimately point others back to the God that is the greatest author of all time.

Dream big dreams. Like giant, impossible, you-feel-crazy-even-thinking-it kind of dreams. And then surrender them. Ask with palms open. Remember to focus on the One who gave you the dream more than the dream itself. He will always give you what you need, and you'll be surprised how often what you need becomes what you actually want.

Live foolishly. Not for yourself, but for Him. Dive into the rapids and surrender to the adventure that he's taking you on - no matter how crazy, uncertain, uncomfortable, impossible and ridiculous it may seem. Chances are if you're not in a place where you feel crazy or uncomfortable, you're probably not living dangerously for God. Chase lions.

Love recklessly. Love even if it's not returned. Love those that are hardest to love. Love because He loved you first. Love for the sake of giving it away and without expectation of getting it back. Love without condition. Love deeply. You'll never look back over your life and wish you'd loved less.

Pray continually. Pray specifically. Pray for others. It's not always "Dear Jesus" and "Amen" - prayer happens in conversation, in worship, in wordless sighs and in silent thoughts. Reject the lies, dismiss the fears, let go of the anxiety. Live in constant gratitude.

Be brave. The irony of bravery is that you rarely feel brave. Bravery is being terrified, but moving forward anyway. Bravery is not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. "So what should we say about all of this? If God is on our side, then tell me: whom should we fear?" Romans 8:31 VOICE