www.ellenstevens.com

To accomodate the direction this site and my dreams are moving in, I’ve taken the flying leap to host my own blog!

So, please… stop by and tell me what you think.  

www.ellenstevens.com

Works For Me: fifteen minute mania

As a pastor’s wife who works full time, is a college student, writes, volunteers for a variety of causes, and constantly hosts people visiting my home for dinner, overnight stays, and what feels like long-term care, I’m often overwhelmed when it comes to housework. With a schedule as crazy and unpredictable as mine, I’m short on time management solutions and long on sudden moments of instant panic.

Quite honestly, I don’t have any magic secrets for completing my housework faster, gimmicks for programming the dryer to also fold the laundry, or tips to help my carpet heal itself from muddy paw prints. And, while I can not say that I’ve perfected a flawless system for maintaining my household (this is process that I’ll be continuing to develop for years to come), I absolutely can say that I have skillfully mastered the art of mania.

Stirred

Last night was one of those times when God wakes me, stirs me, rips my heart, pours passion into the furthest corners of my soul, and revives me all over again. In this time of stretching, growth, and grace, I found this on Shane Vander Hart’s blog: John Piper speaking on the prosperity gospel.  

Watch it.  Be inspired.

Three minute vacations

As I sit here surrounded by piles of folded laundry that need to be placed in their respective hiding places, I’m overwhelmed by a sense of urgency, passion, and despair.  Like many, I’ve found myself in the middle of my life, moved with desire to fulfill a longing for God in my heart.  Yet, the intensity of my desire is matched by an impending sense of responsibility that has imbedded itself into my life.  To compound the conflict, a quick glance behind my shoulder reveals years of what could have been, but are now shadows of what wasn’t.So how do we deal with the sense that we’ve found ourselves a little behind the game, so late in our lives?  How do we turn over that one ton leaf?  How do we prioritize a life filled with elements that cannot be shed, to pursue a few optional moments of spiritual fulfillment?