Attention!

I chose a vintage recipe box to hold my hastily labeled dividers--

using the back side of some old alphabet ones.

A number and a word for 31 days.

I'll be using this system to gather quotes, notes and Scripture verses

throughout the year.

By the end of the year, this practice which I began during Advent 2019

just may be material for a book.

Maybe!

Here's my journal entrance for the 11th of January

which corresponds to the word "ATTENTION"

"Pay it!" I tell myself,

and proceeded to plan accordingly this morning.

How is YOUR new year unfolding?

This is my Quest

A facebook friend posted this today.

I made 3 copies to place in strategic places around my home.

This is my quest.  This is my intention.

Here and Now

The lone blooming poppy at the Extension Gardens on Mother's Day

 

 

This morning, this phrase entered my mind and 

passed through my pen onto my journal page:

...living in the here and now for the there and then...

 It is a summary of my intention today.

And tomorrow, if the Lord wills.

Growth

Spent Sunday afternoon finishing up my first "read" for 2017.
Incidentally, I keep a log of books I read under the tab "reading" below my header.

I can't remember how this particular title came across my radar,

but I read it with great interest.  

It was a somewhat sad but stimulating read about life in Europe in the 20's--

feuds and friendships, successes and sorrows.

After I finished, I typed out at least 45 quotations from the book

from page numbers I jotted down while reading.

(Not sure WHY I do this; I just do.)

I also thought of an empty Bible cover I had and pressed it into duty

as a carry-all for pen, notecards and my current read.

It's serving me well.  I'm glad I thought of it! 

This morning I ran into a tweet by Patsy Clairmont:

"We can grow as long as there is breath in our bodies and an earnest will to learn."

Growth is my current and conscious pursuit in 2017--

particularly in grace and the knowledge of my Lord Jesus Christ.
I want to keep expanding my reading horizons, too.
 

But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

To him be glory both now and forever! Amen.

2 Peter 3:18

Bad Leg Down; Good Leg Up

  I stood at the top of these stairs this morning looking down.  

Since breaking my hip last March and the replacement of the knee on the opposite leg in September, 

I took a tumble a few weeks ago that makes climbing and descending stairs difficult.

"Bad leg DOWN; good leg UP," I mumble to myself as I tried to remember which leg to lead with.

(I remember my mother staying "Bad leg down to hell; good leg up to heaven"

following her own surgeries years ago....)

I find I have to talk myself into taking the first step up or down.  

Neither leg feels like the GOOD one, so I have to think which one was the most recently injured.
 THEN I take the appropriate first step
holding firmly to the railing.

Half-way down the stairs this morning, I saw a correlation between my current

physical challenge and the method of approaching many OTHER challenges!

The first step is often the most difficult.

Sometimes it takes a strong talking to oneself--a mental adjustment.  

A reassuring of self.

Finally, it boils down to ACTION--beginning with the first step
and holding firmly to the railing!  (That's IMPORTANT!)*

Besides increasing my speed and confidence in stair climbing and descending,

I have a few other goals.

As I identify the "steps" involved in meeting them,

I'll put the observations I made this morning into action.

 *Not that I have now attained [this ideal], or have already been made perfect, 
but I press on to lay hold of (grasp) and make my own,
 that for which Christ Jesus (the Messiah) has laid hold of me and made me His own.
Philippians 3:12

Create

I've not been secretive about my difficulty in coming up with "my word" for 2014.  And I think I  said earlier that even if I did select one, I'd probably not post it here!  Well, I've changed my mind.

Without going into a lot of detail, I will simply announce that the word is CREATE.  I will be assembling other Bible verses that refer to "my word", but the one that came to my mind first was Psalm 51:10--an expression of my heart's desire on this 4th day of January 2014:

Create in me a clean heart, 

O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

As I began reading through the Bible (chronologically) this year, I've obviously been cognizant of God's magnificantly creative acts that formed this beautiful world and all that it contains...

I'm also remembering Edith Schaeffer's writings about creativity and hope to reread a few of them.  Additionally, I plan to be more intentional about exploring, exercising and expanding my God-given creative abilities.  Yes.  Even at age 65!

I began today by creating some applesauce; cooking some apples in our crock pot, running them through the blender, and stirring in a tad of brown sugar and cinnamon before I refrigerated it.  This afternoon I plan to stencil the floor in a room or two of this doll house  that my husband applied his creative touches to on New Years Day.   (See more of his work here.)

I'm kind of relieved to have this "word-thing"

off my mind!

It should leave me more time to CREATE!

Done!  I even applied a stencil on the wall under the stairway!

Resolutions, Goals, Words

"I heard a lecture recently in which the speaker talked about goals, and how powerful they are. He did say, however, that we shouldn’t share our goals, if possible. In fact, if you shared your resolution in public, you’re already at a disadvantage. When you share a goal publicly, your brain enjoys the sharing in the same way it enjoys the achievement itself, and you’ve lost some of your motivation. This surprised me, but it also made sense."  (Donald Miller, here)

It makes some sense to me, too.  

Of course, there probably are examples of times 

that sharing a goal or resolution helped a person achieve them.

Well, anyway, I'm feeling a little better (at least temporarily).

I just couldn't get myself around to formulating lists/resolutions/goals/words for 2014.

Maybe because I was having too much fun seeing everyone elses!

I MAY spend this snow day getting around to it,

but don't expect me to post them here.

At least not this year.
***
Other people's words:
delight...cherish,,,simplify...kept...rest...curious...remember...guard...patient...strong
What's yours?

Five Things - Ten Years

Another project completed by my husband.

"...can you...think of five things you would like to have come true in your life in (the next) ten years?" Ember asked in her post today.  I composed the following list of five.  While not complete, it DOES capture several longings that reside in my heart of hearts. 


1. To be following a path of Gospel simplicity, living lightly on the earth and making the Lord Jesus known and loved everywhere.
2. Continuing the pattern of eating that has served me well the past 12 months (and hopefully enjoying the health it has brought me thus far).
3. Settled in smaller, simpler, and "earthy" living quarters, preferably with a view of a quiet lake or river, pond or "puddle"
4. Enjoying evenings of quiet, thoughtful company in the form of a few good friends, familiar books, and visits from grandchildren transitioning into adulthood.
5. Being a genuinely thankful, gracious, kind and contented person.

How would YOU answer that question?

 Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you your heart's desires.  Psalm 37:4

HIS Song #1

 I sat me down to DO it...

compose the first of 52 Scripture songs

per one of my only-two specific New Year's resolutions.

 I selected Psalm 42:8:

By day the Lord commands his steadfast love,

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life. 

My Bible, an Eversharp pencil and a Moleskine notation book

are the primary tools of this "trade".

...and at night his song is with me...

What step(s) have YOU taken toward achieving YOUR

New Year's resolutions or goals?
(I KNOW it's early in the year,
but this one of mine meant starting NOW....)

Resolutions are Hard Stuff

goals, plans, directions, projects, hopes, 

desires, resolutions, dreams, commitments

When you get down to it, it doesn't matter what I call them.  It doesn't matter whether I do or don't formally write them down.  It doesn't even seem to matter whether or not I think I'm going to resolve anything at all in a particular year!  The fact remains that every new year finds me yearning for change and improvement--progress and results of some sort.  2012 is no exception.  

What IS different is the incredible amount of well-stated resolutions that flood the posts of some amazing blogger friends this year.  I am overwhelmed and a bit intimidated by them all.  I want to adopt every one of them.  (In fact, I confess to copying some of them down only to move on to find yet another list to add to a growing volume of hopes and desires for my personal life, home, marriage and family.)

I'm intrigued by words.  I LOVE words.  I like stating things in simple but striking ways.  I like having words at my fingertips.  Lists to remind me.  Statements to keep me on track. Inspirational quotes of others who say things "just right".

I'm beginning to realize that the volume of excellent writing 

so readily available to me via the internet just may be the biggest hindrance

to the realization of some of my aspirations for this year. 

Sometimes I get sidetracked by the splendor of it all! 

I substitute READING for ACTION.

I am cognizant of fact that Jesus asks  His disciples to follow HIM.  

(He must have know of the temptation it would be 

to "follow" favorite bloggers in the 21st century when He said that.)  

So my resolution (or goal, desire, hope, aspiration, plan, etc.) is to follow HIM. First and  supremely.  I would like to also say "only", but instead will do my best to follow those who are also following Him. 

It was Paul who said, "And you should imitate me, just as I imitate Christ"  (I Corinthians 11:1).  I shall be careful whom I imitate in 2012, and I will be careful to live in a such a way that I could say, "Imitate me, just as I imitate Christ." 

(Give me a little time on this one, OK?  Resolutions are hard stuff!)

 All growth depends upon activity. 
There is no development physically or intellectually 
without effort & effort means work. (Calvin Coolidge)

And My Word for 2012 Is.....

GRACIOUSNESS.  It was between that and hope.  I really wanted it to be hope.   But graciousness was confirmed in a year-end simulcast by Pastor Rick Warren for pastors and  Christian leaders.  My husband and I watched it together.  In his conclusion, Warren gave some suggestions for personal growth.   He said, “The mark of godliness is graciousness. The more carnal I am, the more critical I am...Be slow to judge what people do until you know what they've been through.”

I've taken the first step and looked graciousness up in on-line dictionaries.  It's the noun form of the adjective gracious which means (as I was afraid it might):

1. having or showing kindness, courtesy, charm, etc.
2. merciful; compassionate
3. indulgent or polite to those held to be inferiors
4. characterized by the taste, luxury, and social ease associated with prosperity, education, etc.: gracious living
5. Archaic having pleasing qualities; attractive

I do need/want to work on that.  And I DO need the Lord to work IN me concerning this.  But before I have to put GRACIOUSNESS into motion, let me get a few pet peeves out of the way:

• Hearing or reading after the death of someone, "God needed another angel" or "he/she has his/her angel wings now. " People do NOT turn into angels when they die!
• Flash mobs.  The first ones I saw were pretty cool.  Lately, not so much.
• The phrase "prayers to you".  Prayers are addressed to God.  (Maybe prayers FOR you....????)
• Annoying phone calls from Rachel who calls concerning my credit card account..."there is NOT a problem with your account, but....yadayada).
• Facebook friends who share the links to companies "giving away $200 to everyone" who likes their page (and fills out a bunch of information in the process).
• Milk at the very BACK of the grocery store.

There are probably more.  If I think of them, I'll put graciousness on hold temporarily and let you know.  Is there anything YOU want to get out there before you start to be gracious?

Ready for Take-Off!

Ready for take off *

Bite off more than you can chew, 

then chew it. 

Plan more than you can do,

then do it.  (Anonymous)

These words popped off the page at me when I read them.  I don't think they're for everybody.  Some people are already energetically involved with life--engaged in service for Jesus.  I, on the other hand for whatever reason, had been "stuck" for awhile.  Good habits of prayer and planning had weakened.   I have confessed it and am in the process of repenting - which means doing a "180".  

 

One tool I am using is my journal.  Its blank pages remind me of the demise of my commitment in the past, while each fresh entry reinforces and records my current commitment and progress.  I didn't wait until January 1st to begin.  

 

I'm still praying and waiting to see if there is "a word" to focus on in the coming year.  I have narrowed it down to two, I believe.  

Can you tell I love "new beginnings"?  

Can I tell you I am confident that

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"?  

(Or as J. B. Philips translates Philippians 4:13:  

"I am ready for anything 

through the strength of the one who lives within me.")

Do YOU have a "word" for 2012?

Do you get into new beginnings?

Are YOU ready for Take-Off?  

*The plane was constructed by a friend of ours.  We asked him to make it for one of our grandsons.  It's to RIDE on!  My husband painted the seat, prop and stripes and sealed the wood. 

Double-Booked

the "daily" section

 I double-booked myself this morning.  (Actually, almost TRIPLE-booked!)  I hate it when that happens.

Here's my excuse.  One of them anyway.  When reminded last month of the first meeting of  a group studying Celebration of Discipline by R. Foster, I wrote it down in the larger "daily" section of my datebook.  Later, when accepting a lunch date and making a coffee date for the same day, I didn't check THAT section and wrote the last two appointment in the "monthly calendar" section. 

The lunch date was canceled yesterday, and last night I got a call reminding me of the study group meeting. OOPS!  I judged it too late to cancel my coffee date and had to make an embarrassed  apology to my friend in the study group. 

Note to self:   Record and check appointments on monthly calendar first.  ALWAYS.

This incident helped me think about the times I have been guilty of "double-booking" when it comes to  inspirational reading.  Bible study materials, great devotional titles, and any of the wonderful books written by godly people begin to fill up my time, while personal and intentional BIBLE reading is "filed" away in a less visible part of my life's "datebook" where it is too easily forgotten.  OOPS!

Note to self:  Read the Bible first.  ALWAYS.

"The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever"  (I Peter 1:24-25)

2011 - More than Fitting into a Swimsuit!

In addition to the swimsuit thing, these 10 questions from Ten Questions to Diagnose Your Spiritual Health by Donald S. Whitney will help me evaluate the past year and compose my primary focus and goals for 2011.  I find them convicting and challenging and comforting--all at the same time! 

• Do I thirst for God?
• Am I governed increasingly by God’s Word?
• Am I more loving?
• Am I more sensitive to God’s presence?
• Do I have a growing concern for the temporal and spiritual needs of others?
• Do I delight in the Bride of Christ?
• Are the spiritual disciplines increasingly important to me?
• Do I still grieve over sin?
• Am I a quicker forgiver?
• Do I yearn for heaven and to be with Jesus?

I have a strong suspicion that if I answer these questions with an increasing number of "yeses" throughout 2011, the swimsuit thing just may happen, too!

So Far, So Good

I've wanted to and have tried to read the Bible through several times in recent years but unsuccessfully. This year, I'm quite determined. I know there are a lot of guides out there to help one read in a systematic way. I chose one off Donald Whitney's website.

I copied the form and elected to use one of the methods he suggested - beginning in Genesis, Job and Matthew - reading a chapter a day from these three starting points (3 total daily) and then 5 chapters on Sunday. So far, so good! I like the variety this offers.

Whitney asks, "How can one LIVE on 'EVERY word that proceeds out of the mouth of God' (Mt. 4:4) if he's never even READ every word?" Hmmmmmm. Good question!

New Year's Resolutions Revisited (Just This Once)

My new 2010 Journal

For all of you who have given up on making New Year's resolutions because of past inability to keep them (and the ensuing feelings of guilt and shame), you REALLY must see Cass's solution.  Be sure to read at least the first part of this delightful post!  (Wish I'd thought of it myself!)

I've enjoyed New Year's Day.  It's been a relaxing one. After hosting an Open House last night,  I've spent today visiting blogs, eating leftovers, sharing the room with my husband who is watching football, and thinking about possibilities for growth and progress in 2010.  I "broke in" my new journal by preparing some pages on which to record books read, meaningful quotes, and an index to help me find journal highlights quickly.  Then I recorded a few of my heart's desires.

Two times in Haggai 1 (verse 5 & 7) God instructed His people to "consider their ways" or as the New International Version reads, "Give careful thought to your ways."  Of course, this is what I want to do EVERY day - but this seemed like a good time to evaluate some and plan much.

How did you spend YOUR day?

Need Help With Those Resolutions?

I came across an excellent evaluation tool.  It helps one reflect on the past year and set some priorities and goals for the coming one.  If you're interested, check it out here.  I'll be spending some serious time tomorrow afternoon going through this list, setting up my 2010 journal, and spending some time in prayer and reflection.

I've seen a major goal become reality in 2009.  I believe a strong factor in achieving it was stating it specifically - having a deadline, a way to measure it, and some practical steps to reach it.  In spite of my part, however, I can't say enough about God.  "His divine power gives me everything I need for life and godliness through the knowledge of Him who called me to his own glory and excellence"  (my paraphrase of  II Peter 1:3).