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31 Days To Feed Your Soul :: { Day 1 } Hunger

By Bonnie Gray • October 1, 2011 • 72 Comments

The soul is one of the windows into who we are and how we can love God. How do you nurture your soul?

Today is October 1st.   I’m doing something daring.

I’ve never done it before.

I’m leaving lots of room for grace here at Faith Barista, just like leaving room for cream in coffee.

Yep, I’m launching a new series this month on Faith Barista — 31 Days To Feed Your Soul.

I’m taking the 31 Day challenge from Emily, Nester, and a handful of wonderful women who want to blog in community.  Me?  I’ll be serving up shots of faith to feed our souls.

So, I’m counting on you to join me on this journey — and to tell others about 31 Days to Feed Your Soul, so they can come along too.

Together, we’ll explore this topic.

Together, we won’t feel so alone.

We’re better that way. I’m counting on that…

~~~~~

Sometimes, I get so busy, I forget how hungry I am.

I eat because I have to.

It’s eating on the run. I don’t really taste the food.

Granola bar, cereal, teddy grahams.  At best, maybe an apple.

I grab whatever I can to trick my tummy into thinking something is there. When it’s not.

Jesus says —

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart
and with all your soul
and with all your mind.’
This is the first and greatest commandment.”
Matthew 22:36-40

 


The soul is what Jesus invites us to carry with us in our love relationship with Him.

But, how much care do we put into nurturing and feeding our souls?

What would life taste like — if our relationship with Jesus involved engaging all our souls?

We’re going to spend 31 days to feeding that part of us that hungers to be fed.

So much of life is living on the run.

Let’s slow down. Even if it’s in a moment.

I believe our souls will remember what it feels like to be hungry.

Then, our souls will begin to savor and taste life as Jesus meant for us.

Is your soul hungry?

This is good.  Hunger prepares our soul to be fed.

~~~~~

What is your soul hungering for?

Pull up a chair. I love company and quietly read and reply to comments. Click to share a comment.

 

~~~~~

** Don’t miss! ** If you are new to Faith Barista, I’d like to invite you to join me on my journey this month — 31 Days to Feed Your Soul. Click to subscribe by email and get each post in this series served up hot and fresh directly in your mailbox.

~~~~~

To catch up and read all the posts in this series —

… Click Here!

 

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Leave Room For Grace & Find Your True Voice
Feed Your Soul :: { Day 2 } Dare To Sleep

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Bonnie Gray

Welcome to Faith Barista – a blog that serves up shots of faith for everyday life. Posts brewed hot & fresh. Hang out. Swap some stories.

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72 Comments

  • Reply melissa @ the inspired room October 1, 2011 at 1:36 am

    I’m looking forward to your series, Bonnie! I’m glad you are joining us!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:38 pm

      I’m so happy I can join in, Melissa! I feel like we’re visiting each other, with a warm cup of coffee in hand! xxoo So loved our time together on the beach. Memories forever.

  • Reply Tay October 1, 2011 at 1:47 am

    When I opened up my Google Reader, I was so excited to find out that nine of my favorite women are participating in the 31 days series and you are one of them! I am going to be reading about a ton of different topics this month, but I am so glad that I get to read about this! It’s going to be oh so good. I can already feel it!

    Thank you so much for making this commitment to write for 31 days! I am so looking forward to it!!! 

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:40 pm

      *squeal* You’re so sweet, Tay! SO excited you’re here and we can enjoy this together!

  • Reply Barbie October 1, 2011 at 2:00 am

    Bonnie, I cannot wait to stop by here every day and “feed my soul”. You inspire me. Wish me God’s grace on my 31 day journey as well!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:40 pm

      Barbie, I can’t tell you how my heart flies open having your fresh soul here.

  • Reply Merissa October 1, 2011 at 2:56 am

    Bonnie I am looking forward to this.
    I was just contemplating the verses in John where Jesus speaks to the woman at the well about living water, and then just after that he speaks to his disciples, saying how he has food to eat that they do not know about.
    I want to drink this water and eat this food.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:41 pm

      Merissa, your thoughts are always soul refreshing. Your thirst for God is infectious.

  • Reply Pierre October 1, 2011 at 6:02 am

    (Psalms 1:2 MSG) Instead you thrill to GOD’s Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.

    That is what my soul hungers for, and yet, every day I feel ashamed that I am not doing it enough/at all.

  • Reply Wanna Be Whole October 1, 2011 at 6:44 am

    […] new goal with you. This morning, like every morning, I checked my emails and read one from my girl Bonnie. She’s sharing another type of journey, 31 Days to Feed Your Soul. Perfect! (Yes, the normal […]

  • Reply Kim October 1, 2011 at 6:46 am

    I am doing a lot of “eating on the run” these days. I look forward to this series and the thoughtful things you will have to say! Thank you!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:42 pm

      We’ll nibble on some soul food together, Kim! 🙂

  • Reply Kylie October 1, 2011 at 6:53 am

    I’m so happy to have found your blog through the 31 days challenge! I can’t wait to read more. 🙂

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:42 pm

      Aw, Kylie! So wonderful you’re here!

  • Reply Kissie October 1, 2011 at 7:06 am

    As I shared in a blog post, I subscribed to your blog so I received the email today announcing this 31 days’ theme/idea/journey/quest … what have you. Nonetheless, I’m STARVING! And it’s so amazing that we long for what is readily available and all we have to do is drink and take it in. There is really no reason why we are at times malnourished (spiritually). It’s ours for the taking. Yes, I’m opened and am ready to receive. The good thing is it is not only enough for me but I can be filled to overflowing — meaning there is some to share. I may not have an excuse or reason to be starving or even hungry, but there are some who know not of this that we speak.

    I am willing to chill out and draw from what you’re serving this month and pass it on. We can’t share what we don’t have, right?

    Bonnie, as I always say, thank you so much for being a godly vessel. Your life speaks volumes — I’m sure in places you never imagine.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:43 pm

      Kissie, God bless you on your new blog focus and your heart to always keep it real. Thank you for your encouraging spirit!

  • Reply Dawn Paoletta October 1, 2011 at 7:16 am

    Ok, Bonnie…I like the whole 31 days theme, I just had a Proverbs challenge with some of my readers/friends at my blog Beneath The Surface: Breath of Faith and it was wonderful! Hungry, well ALWAYS! Thirsty for His grace as well and dining with fellow ladies in the Faith! Count me in…although I want to check the details again. I am fairly new to blogging so sometimes I mess up! Looking forward to tTRYING to join in , as the Lord leads. If Grace is required and given- Count Me In! Enthusiastically, Dawn

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:43 pm

      Hey Dawn, we’re all learning as we go! 🙂 Jump in — it’s warm here among faith friends.

  • Reply Marni Arnold October 1, 2011 at 7:16 am

    My soul hungers for true community connections.

    Since mid-August…my family and I have been searching for a new church home…and since leaving our previous church, I honestly have felt like an orphan a bit. I still have a few friends from our previous church…but when we left, out of the 20+ female relationships I had within that church, only 5 have maintained a connection with me. I am beyond blessed and thankful for those ladies…do not get me wrong…but there are so many I have tried to connect with since leaving…and they all refuse to connect back with me like how we used to connect when we were members there. I feel embraced and loved by these 5 women, but at the same time I feel discarded by the church…like yesterday’s leftover lunch. It aches…and my heart desires true community…not this one sided type of community that has this mentality of “you can only be really connected with us if you play only on our playground.” It hurts…and my heart yearns for this connection again on the home front.

    • Reply Tracey October 1, 2011 at 12:41 pm

      Praying for you Marni…I have a friend that went through a similar situation. Just trust God and go where He leads. I applaud you for your obedience to Him.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      Oh, Marni. I have been through what you’re sayin’. Thank you for sharing — it helps everyone feel less alone through these experience. May you see the new ways you can bring encouragement to others — just as you have here in the blogosphere!

  • Reply Bekah October 1, 2011 at 7:19 am

    I’m with Kissie – I’m starving too. I’m in a time of transition in my life (new job this summer…currently commuting…trying to sell my home…trying to fin a new home…) an all these changes have wreake havoc on my previously neatly scheuled time with the Lord. I’ve been reading Debbie Alsdorf’s book “The Faith Dare” and I know what you have to say is going to complement that so well…excited to see what God will do in me through this!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:45 pm

      Hi Bekah — how neat is that!? 😉

  • Reply Frances October 1, 2011 at 7:33 am

    Bonnie, you have struck our heartbeat for sure. I want to become more like Jesus daily. One thing that has been huge is I quit listening to all the political mess and focus on God is still in control. Now, my home radio & car radio play praise music..that is a blessing. Looking forward to filling up :o)

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:46 pm

      Oh, music and praise.. yes, I’m gonna slip a post in for that! Thanks, Frances!

  • Reply Becky October 1, 2011 at 7:36 am

    You can’t imagine how timely this series is in my life! Thank you for accepting the challenge. It takes careful commitment to feed our bodies well, making good choices, listening to God’s call. Yet, all to often then, I let the feeding of my soul fall behind. I’m hungry for His word and hungry for a deep connection to my Lord. Why would I not feed that hunger first?

    I look forward to learning and growing with you as the Lord leads.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:46 pm

      I’m so enjoying having friends you like here, Becky. It makes the journey less alone. 🙂

  • Reply Beth Werner Lee October 1, 2011 at 8:09 am

    Oh Bonnie! I didn’t know about this until today!
    I’m so looking forward to your daily posts.
    Will you keep it in the jam or write separate posts for that?
    I think I’d like to do it, but since my blog is a 4 month old I think it would be wise to just go with its focus:
    31 days of thanks and praise
    Thank you Bonnie!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:47 pm

      We’ll still have our faith jam! .. For SURE!! I’d miss it WAY too much. The faith jam topics will fall in voice with “feeding our souls”. Love having your creativity here, Beth!

  • Reply Jennifer October 1, 2011 at 8:37 am

    Yay! I’m excited! My soul is hungry!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:47 pm

      Me too! xxoo

  • Reply Amy October 1, 2011 at 8:57 am

    I’m excited to see all of the 31 day blogging series going on this month. And since life tends to be rather hectic here, feeding my soul is something I could use more of. Looking forward to reading!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:48 pm

      Amy! yay — we’re in this together! Blessings!

  • Reply Julie Sunne October 1, 2011 at 8:59 am

    I love your 31 days theme, Bonnie, and am looking forward to your daily posts! It would be fun to join the 31-day challenge, but time constraints make that impossible for me this year–but there’s always next. Feed me, please!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:49 pm

      Julie, SO glad you’re here. Been nice getting to know you a comment at a time, friend! 🙂

  • Reply Jessica October 1, 2011 at 9:40 am

    My soul, as always, is hungering for MORE of God. It’s quite an addictive relationship (much like my relationship with coffee). The more I have of God, the more I want Him.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:49 pm

      I LOVE that, Jessica! Maybe that’s why we’re coffee nuts,huh? 🙂

  • Reply Melinda October 1, 2011 at 9:49 am

    Hungry I come to Him! I am so looking forward to this series. I just embarked on a new adventure yesterday. I am splitting my blog experience. Yikes. A lot of work, but God is doing something new. I will be blogging at hopefullydevoted.net with pure devotionals. My new blog is BelovedHopeEndures.wordpress.com. I hope to blend the two in the future as I learn the ropes there. However, my new journey begins with daily blogging as of today. I did not know the purpose God intended for the new blog until this morning as I went before the throne. I have been meditating on Mark 12:28-30. It has yielded a new place for me to write my heart out. To spill this walk with the Savior and his people on the page. He is doing a new thing can I not perceive it? I am loving that. So very excited that your words will tumble into my email to feed this soul. Yay!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:50 pm

      Melinda — congrats on pursuing a new direction. It takes courage and faith to launch out. Yay!

  • Reply 31 Days of Thanks and Praise {day 1} New Start « Highheartedly October 1, 2011 at 11:25 am

    […] woke up this morning and found a post from Faith Barista, starting a month long daily writing on a […]

  • Reply Elaine October 1, 2011 at 11:31 am

    Soul hunger, I have it. Just this morning I attended a friend’s church with vibrant women’s fellowship and outreach. In the three years since I started the almost monthly hour long drive to this place, friendships have grown slowly, but they have grown. The teachings challenge and uplift me but I struggle to keep the message warm and fresh through the month.
    I’m excited, Bonnie, that you have chosen this subject for this time.
    Blessings,
    Elaine

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      Blessings, too Elaine. How WONDERFUL to hear about those beautiful friendship. Says such much about your willingness to hang in there long enough. Not easy, but such a blessing!

  • Reply Susan October 1, 2011 at 11:43 am

    my soul is hungering for peace and rest . ..
    I’m really looking forward to this time of feeding my soul – –maybe then it will find the much need hope to go through life’s challenges.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:51 pm

      We all need that soul feeding you’re talking about.. Welcome, Susan!

  • Reply Beth Werner Lee October 1, 2011 at 12:08 pm

    I’m hungry!
    My soul thirsts for God, for the Living God. When can I go and meet with God?
    (I’m also lazy and don’t know which Psalm that is.)
    I want to walk in his ways more than I want chocolate.
    Thanks Bonnie, for following hard after him and inviting us along.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 4, 2011 at 8:52 am

      Such a blessing our paths have crossed, Beth! 🙂

  • Reply Patricia October 1, 2011 at 12:41 pm

    Looking forward to your 31 days of nourishing the soul!! Love your blog Bonnie! I need to find ways to nourish and not overwhelm it ~ which is what I seem to be doing these days which result in making bad choices for the day ~ mostly pertaining to food intake..

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:52 pm

      Hi Patricia – what a breath of fresh air your sharing is. Thank you for taking the time to open up.

  • Reply Tracey October 1, 2011 at 12:45 pm

    I’m anticipating great things over the next 31 days. Thank you Bonnie, for allowing God to use you to speak to our hearts.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:52 pm

      Thank you SO much, Tracey. It means so much to my heat.

  • Reply Maria @ A Blooming Spirit October 1, 2011 at 1:24 pm

    It is always a blessing to feed my soul, and I cannot wait to stop by over the next few weeks to read yoru posts.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks, Maria! Welcome in, friend! 🙂

  • Reply Betty Corson October 1, 2011 at 1:26 pm

    I am excited about the 31 days to share the Bible with each other. We all have much to share. I enjoy your blog each time I read it. Thank you

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:53 pm

      Thanks, Betty. A verse at a time, we’ll snack on His word. 😉

  • Reply Stacey October 1, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    I’m stuck on the slow down part. Excited to read more!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:54 pm

      It’s a continuing renewal, fer sure! So happy you’re doing the 31 Day challenge too! Yay!

  • Reply Julie October 1, 2011 at 2:55 pm

    I am incredibly hungry for truth. I haven’t always been ready to hear it, believe that it’s mine to operate under, and take hold of it. Today I am ready. Enough of my life has been eaten by locusts. Time for restoration. Time to take back what has been mine all along. Time to kick some butt and make the enemy so sorry he ever messed with me. Lets go!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:54 pm

      Julie — you are AMAZING! Hang in there girl! 🙂

  • Reply Co October 1, 2011 at 3:32 pm

    🙂 I stumbled on your blog through Crosswalk. I’m looking forward to this.

    What does my soul hunger for?
    – to know Jesus with all my heart that I may dance on the streets completely secure in His love. I think everything else my broken soul hungers for will slowly fall into place after that.

    xx

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:54 pm

      Co — welcome! Yay! So happy God crossed our paths for this journey of faith.

  • Reply Chris Arthur October 1, 2011 at 3:45 pm

    This is great. I need to feed my soul. It seems like I’m on fast forward and I’m retired, go figure. I do have a part time job, only two days a week but it seems like there is always a wedding or a party or a dinner to go to plus visiting with my children and their families. Life is great and I want to make my life greater by sharing, learning and loving God more and more. Way to go. God bless. Love Chris

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:55 pm

      Way to go, Chris! 🙂 Retired is only a name for a season, but our souls are never retired on this journey of faith. THANK YOU for sharing, friend!

  • Reply Katie October 1, 2011 at 7:50 pm

    Looking forward to this series…. and SLOW DOWN… is a great way to start!!! My soul hungers for REST still. I am still learning that over a year after God showed me my word last September.

    Sometimes it is easy to slow down and rest in God and other days it seems I run around like crazy. When I do slow down, I so notice that my time with God and REST is so much better.

    I am so thankful for you Bonnie, my faith friend!

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:56 pm

      Every time. Slow down. Me, too. 😉 Of course, you knew that. *hugs*

  • Reply CD October 1, 2011 at 8:06 pm

    Thanks for your commitments to the 31 day challenge. Looking forward to learning and growing through it. I am really hungry for the Lord to guide me to my purpose. I am tired of hating life, hating my job (and feeling guilty for it) and feeling like an orphan. It’s not work I dislike, I just need to be sure that my passion can actually earn a living for me, and if that’s not it, what is? Frustrating.

    • Reply Bonnie Gray October 1, 2011 at 8:56 pm

      Hello CD! Blessings and thank you for sharing. There is an end to all you’re experiencing… and soul food from Jesus is waiting there for us.

  • Reply Obehi Janice October 2, 2011 at 9:05 am

    Oh no! I wish I had seen this post on Friday! What is the best way to begin? My 24th birthday is on November 6th. Maybe I could journal from October 6 til then.

    What is the best way to start when you’ve started late?

  • Reply Jenny October 2, 2011 at 3:05 pm

    I hunger for time with the Lord that is savored and not rushed. I hunger for deeper relationships with my sisters in my morning Bible Study. I hunger for Him!

    So looking forward to these posts.

  • Reply Dana @ Cooking at Cafe D October 3, 2011 at 11:48 am

    I really need this series 🙂
    I’m really looking forward to it.

    Dana

  • Reply Miriam October 4, 2011 at 4:50 am

    I find myself taking a deep breath and letting out a sigh of relief. I need this time. I didn’t realize how much until now. Thank you. I look forward to the coming days. My soul is thirsting for more….

  • Reply Jonathan October 4, 2011 at 2:31 pm

    This is so timely! October is my birth month and something’s telling me to slow down, pause for a while and try to feed my hunger with spiritual nutrition. Thanks a lot and God bless you more!

  • Reply Favourite Links Friday: 7 awesome posts to check out! August 19, 2013 at 11:18 am

    […] To Tell If You’re Burning Out by Scott 4. Signs Your Marriage Is Drifting by Justin and Trisha 5. 31 Days To Feed Your Soul :: { Day 1 } Hunger by Bonnie Gray 6. Pretending Is Not So Bad by jason 7. The Challenge of Deepening Rhythms with God […]

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