Today I am thankful for: a warm day, spending the first day of the new year at church!, Josh being off today, Dan & Ellen being with us overnight and today, my nap!, sharing my favorite movie with the kiddos (Sound of Music), building wooden block castles with my babies, the joy of a new year and a new beginning.
What a wonderful day! It was so simple and low-key, definitely my kind of day. As I sat in church I realized how cool it was to begin the first day of the new year on the first day of the week--and share in that time with family at Crossroads. The worship was incredible today (as always!), but it held a note of hope of rejuvenation. I've never been one to get sappy about new years beginning and I practically scorn resolutions because they so often are not realized, but today really felt like a fresh start. I suppose 84-degree temperatures on January 1st will do that! It's easier to feel hopeful when the weather is warm and sunny. :o)
As far as my bible reading, I resumed back at Proverbs 1 since it's the beginning of the month, and I also began Ezekiel. So many new starts! I can't say that my day had the type of divine revelation or theophany that Ezekiel was blessed with, but I know that my God is good, that He is faithful, and that he has plans for me that will build me up and help me to love others. I know, though, that God can't work through an empty or broken vessel--well, He CAN because He's God, lol--but I should aspire to be whole in Him and dedicate myself wholly to Him so that I can be used by Him. This leads me to making those resolutions that I so avoid...
Resolution 1: Seeking God in ALL Things I am making every effort to continue this 24/7 lifestyle that I began months ago. I am reading the Word, praying, and journaling/blogging daily. My goal is to be in constant chatter with my Creator throughout the day so that I am more and more open to His guidance. I want to be used by Him to reach others in their need, whatever that entails. I simply want to exude love and show others their value regardless of where they are at in life. I want to grow more and more like Jesus everyday!
Resolution 2: Getting Healthy I know, I know...it's an oldie but goodie, kind of tired and worn out...like me! I worked really hard over the past year or two to set healthy habits that would lead to weight-loss and overall better health. I lost about 20 pounds and was in a good habit of exercise and healthy, clean nutrition (not necessarily the former being a result of the latter...long story), then my body began kicking my butt with unexplained exhaustion and mysterious symptoms. I was sort of forced off my regime and just didn't find my way back. Over the past few months I've determined NOT to complain or obsess over my health issues, just to pray and let God handle things because He's good at that. If I can do my part through time with Him in reading my bible, prayer, healthy eating, and regular exercise then other things should fall into place. I'm not going to obsess over my measurements or weight, either! My goal is about habits begin formed, not specific weight-loss.
Resolution 3: Letting Go of Perfection Boy this will be tough! My first two goals sort of depend on this one. I am all or nothing--totally. I hold myself to such a high standard that I sometime can't reach it, and I'm terrible about comparing myself to my peers. I've worked on letting go of my perfection, and I've made progress, but it needs to be a continual journey until it isn't a conscious effort any longer. If I stumble, I need to keep my eyes upward on Him and not on the ditch I'm in so that I can pick myself up and move forward rather than wallowing in the mire...and I'm really good at wallowing!
Resolution 4: More Sleep, Better Rest Ouch...I'm just diving right in with that one! Actually, Pastor Chuck made the same commitment and challenged us to join him and I was convicted by his blog post addressing his goal. Sleep has eluded me for years and I've tried all the drug therapies, natural remedies, teas, exercise, nutrition, sleep hygiene classes, behavioral analysis, etc... Recently I gave it all to God and prayed for release from anxiety and have been doing MUCH better. Now I need to continue on my journey of sweet sleep by making more conscious changes in my life--like going to bed earlier, perhaps rising the same time each day (hasn't worked in the past, just left me more tired!), and I'm hopeful that my healthier choices in other areas will spill over and urge me towards gentle slumber.
There are so many other changes I'd like to make, but I think I've set some pretty high goals for this first day of the year. And no one ever said you couldn't set goals other times of the year, right? I don't do well with rigidity; I like to keep things fluid and changing, extending grace to myself and knowing it's okay to let go sometimes and change course. As long as my focus is on God and I leave myself open to His guidance, I can do anything...insert Philippians 4:13 here..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Abba Father, Daddy, I come humbly before You on this first day of the new year, 2012. I praise You for the changes I've made in my life, the changes You've wrought through Your faithfulness. Help me to find JOY each day, to be a blessing to others and to willingly and humbly receive Your blessings as well. Help me to keep my eyes on You alone so that I'm not chained to my own depravity but seeking actively to be more holy, more like You. Help me to shine with Your love so that others might be blessed; help me to teach my children about love so that they grow in compassion and faith at such a tender age. I need Your help to meet the goals I've set, and if I've set goals that are not in line with your path for me or are in some way destructive then I pray You'd illuminate them and help me to be set aright. Show me my imperfections and help me to turn them over to You. Help me to see myself with Your eyes so that I might be encouraged and know I'm loved. I give myself completely to You, hopefully like never before! Search my heart, Jesus, and help me to stand transparent before You, ready to be wholly Yours, ready to do whatever it takes to be equipped to serve 100%, 24/7, and without excuse. Thank You for loving me and meeting me where I'm at! Show me how to glorify You in everything I do, everyday. As Jude wrote in verses 24 & 25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."
What a wonderful day! It was so simple and low-key, definitely my kind of day. As I sat in church I realized how cool it was to begin the first day of the new year on the first day of the week--and share in that time with family at Crossroads. The worship was incredible today (as always!), but it held a note of hope of rejuvenation. I've never been one to get sappy about new years beginning and I practically scorn resolutions because they so often are not realized, but today really felt like a fresh start. I suppose 84-degree temperatures on January 1st will do that! It's easier to feel hopeful when the weather is warm and sunny. :o)
As far as my bible reading, I resumed back at Proverbs 1 since it's the beginning of the month, and I also began Ezekiel. So many new starts! I can't say that my day had the type of divine revelation or theophany that Ezekiel was blessed with, but I know that my God is good, that He is faithful, and that he has plans for me that will build me up and help me to love others. I know, though, that God can't work through an empty or broken vessel--well, He CAN because He's God, lol--but I should aspire to be whole in Him and dedicate myself wholly to Him so that I can be used by Him. This leads me to making those resolutions that I so avoid...
Resolution 1: Seeking God in ALL Things I am making every effort to continue this 24/7 lifestyle that I began months ago. I am reading the Word, praying, and journaling/blogging daily. My goal is to be in constant chatter with my Creator throughout the day so that I am more and more open to His guidance. I want to be used by Him to reach others in their need, whatever that entails. I simply want to exude love and show others their value regardless of where they are at in life. I want to grow more and more like Jesus everyday!
Resolution 2: Getting Healthy I know, I know...it's an oldie but goodie, kind of tired and worn out...like me! I worked really hard over the past year or two to set healthy habits that would lead to weight-loss and overall better health. I lost about 20 pounds and was in a good habit of exercise and healthy, clean nutrition (not necessarily the former being a result of the latter...long story), then my body began kicking my butt with unexplained exhaustion and mysterious symptoms. I was sort of forced off my regime and just didn't find my way back. Over the past few months I've determined NOT to complain or obsess over my health issues, just to pray and let God handle things because He's good at that. If I can do my part through time with Him in reading my bible, prayer, healthy eating, and regular exercise then other things should fall into place. I'm not going to obsess over my measurements or weight, either! My goal is about habits begin formed, not specific weight-loss.
Resolution 3: Letting Go of Perfection Boy this will be tough! My first two goals sort of depend on this one. I am all or nothing--totally. I hold myself to such a high standard that I sometime can't reach it, and I'm terrible about comparing myself to my peers. I've worked on letting go of my perfection, and I've made progress, but it needs to be a continual journey until it isn't a conscious effort any longer. If I stumble, I need to keep my eyes upward on Him and not on the ditch I'm in so that I can pick myself up and move forward rather than wallowing in the mire...and I'm really good at wallowing!
Resolution 4: More Sleep, Better Rest Ouch...I'm just diving right in with that one! Actually, Pastor Chuck made the same commitment and challenged us to join him and I was convicted by his blog post addressing his goal. Sleep has eluded me for years and I've tried all the drug therapies, natural remedies, teas, exercise, nutrition, sleep hygiene classes, behavioral analysis, etc... Recently I gave it all to God and prayed for release from anxiety and have been doing MUCH better. Now I need to continue on my journey of sweet sleep by making more conscious changes in my life--like going to bed earlier, perhaps rising the same time each day (hasn't worked in the past, just left me more tired!), and I'm hopeful that my healthier choices in other areas will spill over and urge me towards gentle slumber.
There are so many other changes I'd like to make, but I think I've set some pretty high goals for this first day of the year. And no one ever said you couldn't set goals other times of the year, right? I don't do well with rigidity; I like to keep things fluid and changing, extending grace to myself and knowing it's okay to let go sometimes and change course. As long as my focus is on God and I leave myself open to His guidance, I can do anything...insert Philippians 4:13 here..."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."
Abba Father, Daddy, I come humbly before You on this first day of the new year, 2012. I praise You for the changes I've made in my life, the changes You've wrought through Your faithfulness. Help me to find JOY each day, to be a blessing to others and to willingly and humbly receive Your blessings as well. Help me to keep my eyes on You alone so that I'm not chained to my own depravity but seeking actively to be more holy, more like You. Help me to shine with Your love so that others might be blessed; help me to teach my children about love so that they grow in compassion and faith at such a tender age. I need Your help to meet the goals I've set, and if I've set goals that are not in line with your path for me or are in some way destructive then I pray You'd illuminate them and help me to be set aright. Show me my imperfections and help me to turn them over to You. Help me to see myself with Your eyes so that I might be encouraged and know I'm loved. I give myself completely to You, hopefully like never before! Search my heart, Jesus, and help me to stand transparent before You, ready to be wholly Yours, ready to do whatever it takes to be equipped to serve 100%, 24/7, and without excuse. Thank You for loving me and meeting me where I'm at! Show me how to glorify You in everything I do, everyday. As Jude wrote in verses 24 & 25, "Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Savior, Who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen."
Adding you to my blog reader, Alicia :) Look forward to reading your blog :)
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