So despite my inability to sing well, I love times of worship. Particularly times of personal worship during the week when it can be just me and Jesus.
On a random side note, I regularly repent for ruining the worship experience of those around me. My singing is horrible. ;)
Anyway, one thing that has helped me more easily engage in times of worship is having some worship playlists already created; ready to fire up on a moments notice!
The two most common artists/bands within these playlists are Bethel Live and Hillsong.
You’ll also find tracks from other popular artists like Phil Wickham, Kari Jobe, Gungor, Kristian Stanfill, John Mark McMillan, Shane & Shane, Passion and some hymns.
If you like any of the playlists I’ve created, feel free to subscribe to them in Spotify so they’re quickly accessible in your sidebar.
What are some of your go-to worship artists/songs right now? Maybe I’ll use some of them in 30 Minute Worship #7!
In my previous post, I talked about maintaining an encouragement folder; a folder storing encouraging notes, emails, etc. reminding you of what you’re doing well and the impact you’re having.
In this post, I want to talk about creating a digital encouragement folder using a service called Evernote. It’s a service the lets you save and access information anywhere you have Internet access (e.g., a computer or smartphone).
Evernote’s tagline is “Remember everything.” Sounds perfect for those of us trying to remember encouraging things. ;)
Here are the features I appreciate about Evernote for maintaining my encouragement folder.
Save Anything Via Email
This is probably the feature I use the most (particularly on my iPhone).
Every Evernote account comes with a private email address you can use to save information to. Anything you can send in an email, you can store in Evernote.
It’s perfect for capturing information while on the go!
For example, let’s say you get an encouraging text, simply take a screenshot of it and send it to your Evernote email address. It’ll magically appear in your account.
Receive an encouraging email? Forward it to your Evernote email!
iPhone Tip: Take a screenshot on your iPhone by pressing the Home and Power buttons at the same time. The screenshot will be saved in your Camera Roll.
Digitize and Save Hand-Written Notes
Sometimes the most meaningful encouragement comes in the form of a hand-written note or letter.
What I love about Evernote is I can take a picture of the note/letter and store it in my Evernote account. The paper will never fade and I won’t ever have to worry about losing the note, spilling coffee on it, etc.
I’ve got a digital copy I can keep forever.
Not only that, but Evernote has an awesome feature that will make any text in the picture searchable.
So as I send notes, screenshots of text messages and other images with text into my encouragement folder, I can go back later and search for specific ones based on keyword.
Here I searched for “thank you” and Evernote brought up this hand-written note. It’s pretty stinkin’ legit. ;)
Options, Options, Options!
With Evernote, there’s no shortage of options/tools for capturing, organizing and viewing your encouragement folder.
There’s a Mac/Windows version, a web clipper for clipping information in your browser and an app for virtually every type of smartphone.
I’ve also only covered a small part of what Evernote is capable of. I strongly recommend you check out their website and blog for more ideas on how to use Evernote.
One Folder to Rule Them All
Evernote is pretty much the bomb diggity. ;) It enhances the usage of an encouragement folder in so many ways.
You can keep track of every piece of digital and physical encouragement using a single tool. And everything is searchable and centrally accessible!
And using the vast number of options/tools provided by Evernote, it’s ridiculously easy to capture encouraging tidbits as soon as they happen. No excuses not to keep your folder up-to-date.
So the next time you need some encouragement, I hope you’ll fire up Evernote and read through some of the things in your folder.
1 Samuel 30:6 (ESV)
And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the LORD his God.
In Ron’s post, he suggests keeping an “encouragement folder.” A folder of notes, letters, emails, etc. that:
…say you’ve done something right.
…say you know what you are doing.
…say you made a difference in someone’s life.
Inevitably, we’ll find ourselves feeling much like King David: greatly distressed. For those times, I love the idea of an encouragement folder.
Assuming you have one. If not, better get on that. ;)
It is one tool you can use to encourage/strengthen yourself when you’re feeling down in the dumps.
I would also recommend keeping track of any God-milestones (significant/noteworthy things God’s done in your life).
Then, not only can your encouragement folder be a reminder of how you’ve touched other people’s lives/what you’re doing right, but also be a reminder of all that God’s done in your life.
So, what’s been encouraging you lately? And who can you encourage this week?
We give up things we love for things we love even more.
On first glance, that quote probably rings true for you. Right? You would give up ______ for _______.
It’s an easy trade when you know what you’re trading for. Especially if it’s something you know you “love even more.” What’s not easy is trading something you love now for something unknown later.
Yet that’s the exact position God often places us in.
The dream job you have now. The boyfriend/girlfriend that seems like the perfect match. The thriving ministry you’re currently leading. The comfortable life you’re living.
If God asks, trade it in for the unknown. Sacrifice it.
The hardest part for me is truly believing what’s on the other end will be something I’ll love even more than what I have now.
But the truth is that mindset is selfish.
It puts the focus on what you’re receiving rather than who you’re giving to.
We give up things we love for things we love even more. It’s an honor to sacrifice for Christ and His church.
This past week (on the 18th), I celebrated my 11 year spiritual birthday.
The scary thing about that milestone . . . I believe I have reached a lethal level of understanding of the Christian faith.
One that would let me fake Christian maturity.
Surprisingly, that’s what’s come to mind as I’ve reflected on the past 11 years.
You get to a level where you can operate on cruise control despite a flailing relationship with God. You could be working at a church, leading a Bible study, talking with your accountability partner and nobody would know the difference.
You know all the right answers.
Moral of the story?
The further you walk with Jesus, the harder you have to fight to keep your relationship real and authentic.
