I began writing on this blog a year ago this month.  I haven’t been writing as much this month.  Although, I have been reading some of the things I wrote back in February 2008.  One thing I do see is that I am more hungry for God today than I was a year ago.  I am not content with my life.  I am not content with where I am and with what I am doing with my life. 

There is so much that I struggle with from the past.  I do not want to let those things any longer to take me down.  I am so ready for God to unleash in me His desire for my life.  I want to risk whatever I need to risk  in order to experience God.

I woke up today thinking about the word influence.  This word has continued to be on the forefront of my mind throughout the day.  I attended two different churches today.  Even though the topics for both services were different – God related both of those services back to this one word (for me) – influence. 

How do I (you) influence the world around me (you)?

As I left Tapestry Church tonight, song 13 off of Third Day’s CD “Revelation” was in the CD player.  This was the first time I’d heard this song, “Take It All.”  It summarizes my thoughts and prayers these days. 

God, I want to bloom where you have planted me.  I don’t want anything in my life to hinder my influence in this world.  Father, use me for your purpose.  Take it all!

All the promises I’ve broken,
All the times I’ve let You down,
You forgot them, but still I hold on to the pain that makes me drown,
But now I’m ready to let it go, to give it away.

Take it all,
Cause I can’t take it any longer,
All I have, I can’t make it on my own,
Take the first, take the last,
Take the good and take the rest
Here I am, all I have,
Take it all.

And all the roads that lie before me,
All the struggles I go through,
Give me a?secondary? reminder that it all belongs to You,
Now I’m ready to let it go, to give it away.

Take it all,
Cause I can’t take it any longer,
All I have, I can’t make it on my own,
Take the first, take the last,
Take the good and take the rest
Here I am, all I have,
Take it all. 

And ever since I died to myself,
You gave a better life to me,
I give You my finest moment,
I give You the last breath I breathe.  (Third Day, ” Take It All”).