June’s Inspiring Linkage

How about a little inspiration?

From Jon Foreman writing on the meaning of life over at The Huffington Post

So when you make a living, do not merely make money. Why settle for cash when joy is on the line? You feel a thrill when you dance, when you sing, when you finish your poem; even when you sweep the room you see order pressing back against the chaos. READ THE REST…

Ann Voskamp‘s oldest is asking the question “What am I doing with my life?” and together they find the cure over at A Holy Experience

He did blow out candles this month. This, is this what he feels — Years, they run liquid, everything running through and on and gone, you wanting to hold onto something.

“Just…” He looks for words and I watch his shadow and let him have the space to wrestle, to say things without looking into a face. Sometimes simply in saying things outloud, answers echoes.

“Just… “ He strains for words, to squeeze who he is into mere letters and sounds. Strange, how you can be in your skin and feel another soul struggle hard, how you can strain with them too. Maybe mamas always live with a bit of retained heart, a bit of the child that never leaves your inner walls, always feel them stirring under the skin of your yearning prayers.

“Just…” He turns towards the door… “What am I doing with my life?”

The knot in his voice twists me a bit and his question, does it echo the whole of us looking for answers? READ THE REST…

Emily at Chatting At The Sky has seen God…

But I cannot forget the sweet relief and the hope that showed up while I was there, the voice that whispered as I walked through the dirty street to Stacey’s doorway, Come. I want to show you what I’m doing. I want you to see where I’ve been. It was so clear, that voice, that I couldn’t help but smile as I walked. His Spirit brings beautiful into even the darkest places. READ THE REST…

Lindsey Nobles is leaving Thomas Nelson for parts unknown…and it all started at a conference of all places…

I quickly, and a little too proudly, spewed out what I thought he was looking for — my name, the company I worked for (I mean, it is the world’s largest Christian publisher, surely he would be impressed) and my job title. But instead of acting sufficiently impressed, pitching me a book idea, or casually moving on to the next guy, he paused and asked me if I felt like I was living out my passions. I think my jaw must have dropped on the table when he said, “Do you feel like you are doing what you were created to do?” When I shrugged reluctantly, he explained, “This conference might be tough for you…being surrounded by people who are.” READ THE REST…

More great links to writings and people I love can be found here.