Inspiring reading

Okay, so I admit I am not a very consistent blogger. But, life happens and sometimes - okay most of the time - this does not come very high on the priority list. I think about it often, especially when I am reading other people's very inspiring blogs. I guess I just don't find myself very inspiring and I know I was not a "born" writer.

There are two things I just want to share with you that have impacted my life lately.

The first is a book I have been reading - Living the Cross Centered Life by C.J. Mahaney. I am not done with it yet, but WOW. This little book has really changed my perspective on how I view my walk and what is important. Here is an excerpt: "What's the main thing in your life? What is truly "of first importance" to you? It might be something perfectly honorable, perfectly legitimate; but if it's somethign other than the gospel - are you willing to repent to God and reorder your life?"

This is how it started.
I told you. Wow!

I have underlined and made notes all the way through - and I can only read about one chapter at a time so I have time to process all that was in those 2 or 3 pages. I have understood the meaning of the Cross for many, many years, but one chapter really moved me. I have always looked at the Cross from a human viewpoint - I don't have another one to reference really. I would have run away from "wanting" to go to the Cross because of the physical pain I knew I would have to endure for hours. C.J. Mahaney gives another perspective - one that only Christ could have known was coming: "What Jesus recoils from here is not an anticipation of the physical pain associated with crucifixion. Rather it's a pain infinitely greater - the agony of being abandoned by His Father." He later tells how Jesus is willing to endure what He does - for me. "Jesus is saying, "Father, I will willingly drink this cup by your command - I'll drink it all." And He will. He'll drink all of it, leaving not a drop. Not only will He leave nothing in that cup of wrath for us to drink...but today you and I find ourselves with another cup in our hands. It's the cup of salvation. From this precious new cup we find ourselves drinking and drinking - drinking consistanely, drinking endlessly, drinking eternally...for the cup of salvation is always full and overflowing."
I did not intend to quote so much today, but I cannot help but share some of the treasures I am receiving. If you have not read this book, put it on your "to read" list. It is profound.

Another bit of reading I have been doing is on another blog - www.audreycaroline.blogspot.com . I found this blog after a post on Facebook from Klove radio. What a story this family has to tell! This is (mostly) written by Angie Smith - the wife of Todd Smith, one of the members of the Christian group, Seleh. It chronicles their journey of finding out they were expecting a little girl that was "not compatible" with life and how they dealt with the reality and emotions surrounding that pregnancy and birth. It really is a story of God's grace and mercy. Reading it is like sitting down and having a conversation with Angie. She is very real and open with her readers. Her down to earth style is refreshing and is an inspiration. I will warn you, if you choose to go to the beginning of their story, you will need a box of kleenex to get you though it!

This is much longer than I anticipated it would be when I sat down, but it seems right now you get all or nothing. I would love to hear about the things that have inspired you or changed your perspective lately!