31 Days of……{Introduction}

This is my 4^th year participating in writing every day for 31 Days. It happens every October. Pick a topic. Write on it for 31 days. You can read more about it here.

My first year I wrote about Fall.  All kinds of interpretations of it. The next year I wrote about Noticing the Moment. Last year was 31 Beauty Full Days. They all had similar themes, right up my alley of reflecting, noticing, paying attention to God in the everyday moments.

This year I am breaking out of my normal territory. Or perhaps it is more that I am expanding it. Are you ready for it?

31 Days of No Fear.

No Fear.

It’s a big topic isn’t it?

As I type these words I think “I should have chosen something else to write about for 31 days.”

The topic is too big. I won’t be enough. I’m sure there are a hundred books out there on this.  I’m not an expert.

Another topic would have been safer. Known. Comfortable.

Do you see my dilemma? Do you see what is stirring inside me? I’m afraid. I’m afraid of writing about No Fear.

And with the same breath that acknowledges those fears, there lies something deeper in me that knows it is worth it. I imagine a door that fear tenaciously holds shut. We see the light that makes it ways through the cracks and we have an inkling that lights holds something for us that is glorious. We can taste it and long for it. In our moments of courage we have known its truth and goodness. The light affirms that indeed on the other side of fear lies freedom.

I want that freedom. I want to be who God has created me to be. I don’t want other opinions to sway me from God’s expression in my life. I don’t want wondering if I’m right or not, to prevent me from speaking. I don’t want the voice of fear, in all its forms, to squelch the voice the Holy Spirit has placed inside me.

I acknowledge the reality that if I were writing from a place of never having fear, there wouldn’t be a whole lot to say- “What’s the big deal? Just go do it.” Perhaps it is my own hesitancy and the ways I shrink back from action that rather than being a hindrance they are indeed a good place to launch from.

Will you open this door with me over the next month? Seeing the roots of fear. Seeing the effects of fear. Discovering the ways we can replace fear. Having vision for the me that lies on the other side. I believe there is something greater, something sweeter, something more peaceful that lies on the other side. And I believe that together we have the resources and the strength to push open the heavy door. Maybe a crack. Maybe wide open. But no matter how much, its very movement takes a stab at fear and says your voice has no say.

I am praying for us during this month. I am praying that at this moment, God brings to mind the fears, the big ones and the subtle ones, that are obstacles for you and for me. I am praying that we have vision for November 1^st. For an area or an attitude that cultivates fear, to be swallowed up.  That as we run in the path of his commands, that he will set our hearts free. And that the sweetness of that freedom gives us courage to act in opposition to our fears.

Day 1     Defining Fear

Day 2     Anticipating Goodness

Day 3     The Deep Deep Love of Jesus (Saturday song)

Day 4     Isaiah 41:10  (Sunday Scripture)

Day 5     Fear. It’s a Noun. It’s a Verb. (and why that matters)

Day 6     Every Day Ways We Say No Fear

Day 7     Training vs Trying

Day 8     Dear Fear. The Ways We Fear

Day 9     Worry and Anxiety. Fear’s Cousins

Day 10     Saturday Quote

Day 11     Sunday Scripture

Day 12     Hope Conquers Fear Remembering our adoption homecoming- 8 years.

Day 13     What Does Fear Give You?

Day 14     Vision

Day 15     Scarcity and God’s Economy

Day 16     Confession of a Fear

Day 17     Saturday Scripture

Day 18     Sunday Song (Jars of Clay, Love Song for a Savior)

Day 19     Running to His Arms

Day 20     Memorizing Scripture. Scripture Memorizing Us.

Day 21     Sitting in God’s Word

Day 22     The Fruit of Studying Scripture

Day 23     A Few of My Favorite Things   (top books)

Day 24     Saturday Quote- Courage

Day 25     Sunday Scripture

Day 26     Prayer of Examen

Day 27     Lectio Divina and Journaling

Day 28     Silence and Solitude

Day 29      The Kitchen Sink  (everything I won’t have time to cover in detail)

Day 30     Community of Love  (impact of community in fighting fear)

Day 31     It’s a Wrap   (what I learned about writing and fear)

PS  Here are a few logistical items.  See those cool buttons on the side, from the last couple of years?  I will have one of those for this series beginning tomorrow (code for I haven’t figured out what I’m using yet!) EDITED- I’ve got one- phew, just in time.

You will be able to click on it and it will bring up all posts for this series.  I will also turn this post into a landing page, so you will always be able to come here and see the posts linked below once it begins.

Lastly, once tomorrow comes, please go take a look at all the awesome catagories and series. There is everything covered!  I will highlight some over this next month as I come across them.

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