well done.

I am now thoroughly convinced that working out contributes to my brain not functioning correctly. Like yesterday, I feel completely distracted but now to add to that, I feel incredibly lethargic as well! I am about to tell you a true story that supports my theory:

One dark and very chilly night (*cough* tonight)

I was driving home from the gym, 

which we lovingly call the "slc", 

after a very enjoyable workout with very enjoyable company.

As I pressed the down on the gas pedal I thought to myself,

"oh man, I can already feel the burn!"

I was a little disgruntled by this thinking that tomorrow

might not be very lovely in the leg/back region.

Then I realized that the heater was on full blast at my feet.

The end. My theory is correct.

:) I am very pleased to be on Day 5 of my journey to purpose. 

Today,  I was reminded of how our life on earth will be reflected by our future lives in heaven. Constantly we are being tested and tempted and tossed around. I'm thinking of a story that I heard once (or possibly read in one of those obnoxious "fwd:" emails) about a special test. A group of students went to their college class all studied up for a big exam, only to find that the location of their test had been changed. The students were required to trek across campus to meet the professor. On the way they were stopped by several different people (I don't remember the descriptions exactly) all needing help of some kind- money, food, help across the street, ect. The students were so focused on the fact that they might be late for their test that they completely ignored the plea of these needy people. When they finally reached the new location of the test, they found all the individuals who had tried to stop them on they way waiting for them there with their professor. The professor was saddened that all of them had failed his true test, which was a test for their hearts, on selfishness. 

Wow- how often is God saddened by my many mistakes? I don't even want to think about all the times that I have passed up on helping someone out to satisfy my own wants or needs. Life is so full of trials! Every decision we make! This thought is daunting- almost scary to me! I hope that I will be able to make decisions in my future that will make my God proud of me. I am so unworthy! Yet God still loves me and gives me an unfathomable amount of new beginnings. For that I am infinitely grateful. 

A beautiful scripture from this chapter was Matthew 25:21:

Well done, good and faithful servant!

You have been faithful with a few things;

I will put you in charge of many things.

Come and share your master's happiness.

It is my prayer today, for myself and for you, that we will be able to be welcomed into heaven by God with his loving affirmation "well done!" "You passed the test, come and celebrate with me!" Oh, to dwell in the house of the Lord forever :) That is what we have to look forward to! An eternity with our Lord, whom we have failed so many times and who loves us so so much. What have I been entrusted with on this earth? As I think about the gifts and talents I possess, I realize that the use of these are tests from God. How will I use them? That is an every day, every hour, every minute decision that I will need to make for the rest of my life! Thank you, God, for your forgiveness and the chance to dedicate my life to you! 

I hope I am constantly reminded of this :) -P

living in the light of eternity

I'm not feeling very inspired today. As a writer at least. Normally I get all excited and have a billion different ideas floating around in my head at once, but today I guess I am distracted. I worked out for the first time in who knows how long- maybe that is a contributing factor? That is one of my resolutions too, by the way. (Along with my resolution glass of milk which I have in fact still been drinking!)

My reading from the fourth chapter of "The Purpose-Driven Life" had a very important reminder. Life here on earth is a very temporary and imperfect practice for eternity. To me, this is one of those "duh" statements that I have always known, yet once I really sit and think about it, how does it impact my day to day life? I am proud to say that part of my life I feel that I have really spent with this mindset. Living for God. Having a purpose that is not my own. Unfortunately, of college world, I cannot say the same. From todays reading, I would really like to take this lesson:

"The closer you live to God, the smaller everything else appears." -Rick Warren

Less self, more God. I think this is something that I will struggle with this semester, but I think its good to struggle with tough lessons sometimes. To me, struggling with an issue is a sign that you are aware that there is a problem. Although this isn't the ideal state to be in, it sure is better than living for yourself. I wish that I could automatically be thinking of God instead of myself, and that I automatically made every decision in my life according to God's plan. I feel like I used to be in that place, a very good place. But at this place in my life, I will put up a fight, and struggle to live my days as a dress rehearsal for heaven! -P

hope now.

"I don't know all the keys to success, but one key to failure is to try to please everyone."

Oh Rick Warren (author of "The Purpose-Driven Life"), you know me too well!
This quote comes from  Day 3 of my journey. Although it hits home, I found something else in this chapter that I would like to share with you. This passage found in Jeremiah, chapter 29 verse 11, may be familiar to you- here:

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD,

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you,

plans to give you hope and a future".

I find it easy to fall into feeling guilty of my far from perfect past, to worry about the uncertainties in my future, and to focus on matters of little consequence. Right now, I want to focus on God's control of my life. He clearly says that he already has plans! Why am I trying so hard and worrying so much about what is to come of my life? I am promised hope and a future! Promised not just no harm, but that I will prosper if I keep my focus on him. God, help me focus my life around you!

As a musician, my thoughts often process in the form of song. Sounds a bit unreal to some, but I know some of you know what I mean. Phrases that I read or hear automatically bring related music to my mind.The song that comes to mind to me right now is one of my current favorites. Maybe I should blog someday about the strange musical way my mind works. That would be interesting to try to explain....I digress.
Addison Road- Hope Now

Have a listen! This music is inspiring!- P

the art of losing myself

Talk of purpose is everywhere! Everywhere it seems- now that it is a focus of mine.
Funny how that happens.

"Your will above all else,

still my purpose remains,

the art of losing myself

in bringing you praise"

This is a lovely song if you are not familiar with it. "From the Inside Out" by Hillsong.

I urge you to watch/listen!

Consume me from the inside out, Lord. What a powerful prayer! This song brings so much emotion to my heart. Every part of the lyrics has a special meaning to me. Being consumed by God, completely. Oh, how I wish I had the mental and emotional capacity to focus always on God instead of myself. Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades. Never ending! God's glory goes beyond all fame. When I sing this song, when you sing this song, let your heart cry to bring him praise! My soul aches to bring God glory with my life. So many times I have failed. So many times I have gone astray and my life has been the opposite of a witness for my Lord and Savior. Every morning, every new day, I want to wake up with this freeing mentality of losing myself so I can truly live for Christ! Free indeed :) -P

You are no accident.

It is not fate

nor chance

nor luck

nor coincidence

that you are breathing

at this very moment.

-Rick Warren

So begins Day 2 of my journey.

God is love. He created me for fun, for love, for expression, for beauty. God was not lonely and in need of a companion- he is the trinity-he has all he needs. The Bible tells us that God is love. Its not simply that God is loving, or that God has love for us. No, no, no! God IS love. This is how I should live my life. Love! I like this:

"I have carried you since you were born;

I have taken care of you from your birth.

Even when you are old, I will be the same.

Even when your hair has turned gray, I will take care of you.

I made you and I will take care of you."

This passage comes from Isaiah 46: 3-4. My favorite part is God's reiteration of "I made you and I will take care of you." Silly humans, get this through your head! He didn't set the world in motion and step aside to watch us scramble around, frantic and helpless! God, of love and all things new, is carrying us through life until we are old and gray. What a happy image :) -P

fresh

Beauties, aren't they? A wonderful reminder of how frail and lovely life can be.

Its not about you.

I am bad at resolutions.

In fact, I am so bad, that it is ten days into January and I am just now getting around to deciding what my "New Year's Resolutions" will be. This year I'm trying to focus on the little things- things that are almost common sense, but they just never happen. For example, my first two resolutions are to wake up at least an hour an a half before class everyday and to drink at least one large glass of milk a day. Simple, right? This morning I got up at 7AM to make it to church by 9AM, took my time getting ready, and drank a nice big glass of milk with the most satisfaction I have ever felt while drinking a glass of milk. It was fantastic! Yes, I nearly rolled over and fell back asleep while thinking "Forget this!!" when my alarm went off at 7AM, but by the time my ride arrived (after my resolution glass of milk) I could just feel that this was a great plan for me. Have in mind- I am not a morning person.

But setting these more silly-yet important!- resolutions aside, I made this blog for a reason! I decided that I am going to read through "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren. This book is basically a 40 day plan to living out your life according to God's purpose. Not that I think a book can tell me God's purpose for my life...I just need some way to make a habit out of digging into God's word every day, because its not been happening lately. I'm excited about this journey :)

Over the break, I watched the movie "Julie and Julia" with my parents. Aside from being an adorable movie, it gave me the great idea to start this blog. Like Julie started a blog to keep her accountable for her year long trek through Julia's cookbook, I am starting this blog to keep me accountable for my "40 days to Purpose".

Last night was my first reading of "The Purpose Driven Life". I had a headache, and planned to go to bed early, but right as I got into bed my headache had gone. (God is funny-eh? "Don't go to sleep yet, Paige!! Start reading 'The Purpose Driven Life' tonight!") So I did. Last night I learned some pretty important things!

*Its not about you.*
And by that, I mean its not about me. My life, is not about me! Rick Warren makes a huge point of "self-help" books. Seriously, if you were from another century and picked up a dvd player- you are not going to discover the meaning of this mess of plastic and metal from the dvd player! No, you would need either the creator or the owner's manual. This is our life. This is my life. How can you "look inside yourself" and discover the purpose for your life, when you didn't create yourself? Cool stuff :) We have to seek God for that.

I'll leave my thoughts on Day One's readings with this quote from Ephesians 1:11:

"It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for"

Thats a pretty direct statement!
So, Day 1:

It's not about me!-P

All Things New

Revelation 21:5 says:

"He who was seated on the throne said,
'I am making everything new!'
Then he said, 'Write this down,
for these words are trustworthy and true.' "

These words never cease to inspire me- thus the title of my blog.
Would you take just a few minutes to listen to this song?
All Things New- Steven Curtis Chapman

"You turn winter into spring
you take every living thing
and you breath the breath of life into it
over and over again"

Such hope I find in these simple words. My huge God is up there on his throne telling me not to worry. He says "Don't worry child, I am giving you a new day, everyday."