Follow Through

I'm a person who loves getting organized. I make lists all the time. Lists for grocery shopping, packing, what projects I want to get done around the house, creative things I want to try to make. I love to create charts like menus, chores, family schedules, etc. I love going shopping for baskets, buckets, and tins to organize my pantry, closets, or baby things.  I love looking up Bible studies and writing about verses that speak to me. I have every intention of getting organized and staying in the Word daily.

Following through... that's a whole nother story.

The most important part of my day, should be the time I spend in my Bible and praying. But let's be honest... I spend more time on the computer, playing with my son (which is important), running errands, cleaning house, or watching TV then I do actually getting into the Word. Here's another thing...my husband feels respected and able to rest when he comes home to a clean house. And let's be honest once again: he works all day and I don't have a full time job. I work at home, but it's not a demanding job and it's something I can choose to do when I want. So I am home all day with my 11 month old son. I know have the time to clean, to get organized, to be creative.  I know have the time to get in the Word and really study what God wants to teach me. And I spend a lot of that time just looking at ways to do these things, instead of actually doing them. I also just want to be lazy sometimes... I'm can be a lazy person. There I said it. It's selfish. Yes, stay-at-home mom's definitely need their rest and alone time too! But everyday, all day laziness? What does God say?

"But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up?" Proverbs 6:9
"Lazy people want much but get little, but those who work hard will prosper." Proverbs 13:4
"Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn those who are lazy. Encourage those who are timid. Take tender care of those who are weak. Be patient with everyone." 1 Thessalonians 5:14

So here's something I've started...

1. Set two reminders on my phone
     Both reminders say "Get on Your Knees & in the Word". One reminder is set for about 9:15am, which is just after my son usually goes down for his first nap. Once he's down I can take 20-30 minutes and just dig into my Bible and write in my prayer journal. AND still fit in a shower, hair, and makeup before he wakes up.
     The other reminder is through my Holy Bible app and is set for 8:30pm, after my son is in bed and on most nights I'm just watching TV anyway. I downloaded the app a long time ago and it's awesome! You can read the Bible on the go, get different versions, and even download devotional plans to follow everyday! I'm currently doing a Joyce Meyer one that has a short devotional and Bible verse. I have this time to quiet down, breathe, and just come before God with my heart open. So no matter how my day goes: busy, crazy, lazy, whatever... I have no excuse to "forget" or "be too busy". I'm choosing to start and end my day with Christ.

2. Prayer/Bible Study Journal
   This has been a big thing for me since high school. I very much enjoy writing, and have found comfort in being able to express my feelings to God in this way. It's awesome to read through some of my prayers and the verses that have spoke to me and see how God has answered prayer. I always date my entries, and hate when I look back and see how long it's been since I've written. It keeps me accountable in a way. Often when I'm not sure what to read in my Bible, I'll start with chapter 1 of a book I haven't read through. Currently, I'm going chapter by chapter through Romans and writing down the verses that speak to me and a short prayer to God about how to apply them. It's amazing what I've missed before or verses I've read, but just are speaking to me in a different way.

3. Get Organized - start somewhere!
    Like I said, I like the process of becoming organized, but DOING it and be consistent is what I'm working on. So with my downtime today, I created my own organizational chart. It took a bit, but it's going to help make the most of my time, keep our family organized, my house clean, and keeps me accountable. Here's how - I created a cleaning list of everything that needs to be done on a daily basis. I'm sure you've seen something like this on Pinterest. Every day I have 3 things to do, that's it. It will keep my house clean, my husband happy, and leave me with more time with my family and with God. I also made a Menu chart. Both of these charts will be framed and put in my kitchen where I can write on them with a dry erase marker... checking off those chores as I go! Sometimes seeing your own progress is enough to make your continue to follow through.

Take time to be on your knees in prayer before Christ. Open your Bible, or Bible app, and start reading the promises and teachings of Christ. And don't be lazy... it's easy to be lazy, but there is little reward in it. Choose to work hard for God, your family, and yourself!

Forming Healthy Habits: Spiritual Life

The next few weeks I will be doing a series on forming healthy habits. Why you might ask? Because it's something I've been working on myself and this is one way to help me stay accountable. I'm a bit of a lazy person.. okay maybe not lazy, but yeah a little lazy. I try things like diets, exercise, bible studies with all the intention and motivation to complete them until the end. But let's be honest... that rarely happens! So far I've done 3 important things every day for the last week. I've been in the Word, I've run/walked/or hiked, and I have eaten healthy. So that's what I'm going to challenge you with too. Forming healthy spiritual, physical, and emotional/mental habits.

First and most important - is our spiritual habits. Our daily walk with God, our prayer time, and how we live and love others.

Daily time in the Word:
     This has always been one of the hardest things for me to do everyday. Whether I have time for it or not, I struggle with doing this daily. I don't know why... sometimes I don't have bible studies to do and don't know what to read. Sometimes I get busy or tired and forget. But here's some pointers that I have found helpful:
     1. Pick the same time everyday to be in the Word. Whether it's morning, lunch hour, or right before bedtime, choose the same time each day and work it into your daily routine. Make it a priority. Turn off the TV, get off the computer, stay off your phone and social media. Make your Bible, your priority.
     2. Get a book/bible study that applies to something you want to learn. I used to just pick a spot in my Bible and start reading. Yes, God can use anything in His Word to speak to you. But you are more likely to continue reading daily if you have a little bit of a guide. I am currently doing The Power of a Praying Woman (book and study guide) by Stormie Omartian and want to continue with Power of a Praying Wife and Praying Parent. It has challenged not only the way I pray but the way I think.
     3. Find someone to keep you accountable. I'm working on this. I need good friends to keep me spiritually accountable. I've been in different relationships where I'm the mentor and or I'm the mentee. I don't know where God wants me in this moment of my life, but I know that good friends who can keep you spiritually accountable in your actions, behaviors, and thoughts are a blessing.

Prayer
     1. Prayer Journal A prayer journal as been a staple in my life. I can write out my prayers to God, keep track of the people and purposes I'm praying for. I can look back and see how God has answered prayers, write down verses that God puts on my heart, etc.
     2. Pray for Confession, Forgiveness, and Growth Another important component of prayer is confession and forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins, and purify us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9 Not only should we confess and ask forgiveness but
     3. Pray for others  We all know family or friends that do not know Christ and one of the biggest reasons to pray for others, is to pray for their salvation. But praying for health, healing, guidance, relationships for others is important as well.

The Greatest Commandments
"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. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself." Matthew 22:37-38

     1. Serve Others Christ calls us to serve others and a great example of this is washing of his own disciples feet, the dirtiest part of their body in their time. So humble yourself and serve someone. Be willing to help others in way that they need it without expecting anything in return. Do something because you know your spouse loves it, even if you don't. Help your church in their service day. Give of your time because it's for the glory of God. Just make sure your heart is in the right place.
     2. Love Others Christ's second commandment is to love one another just as you love yourself. This is simple. Love people where they are at. Don't judge them, don't gossip about them. You don't always know their story and it's wrong to assume things about their lives. Just be there for your family and friends... love them, respect them, and pray for them.

Follow along with me the next few Thursdays as we develop more healthy habits.

Being Intentional: Trusting in God

Trust.

It's a word and an action that I've had to deal with in my life. I don't trust easily, but I'm much better at it now than I used to be. Trust comes in different forms for different reasons in life. Not only trusting in God but in people. When you've been hurt, let down, disappointed...you may have issues with trust. If you have been cheated on, bullied, or not received something you were promised... you may have issues with trust. Maybe you deal with worry and anxiety. If you worry about your future, your family and friends, or decisions... you may have issues with trust.

Trust. 

 Humans... can't be someone we put our ultimate trust in. They are not perfect and no matter how much we put our hope and trust into a human, they will let us down at some point. My story is that I was emotional crushed by a boy I loved in high school and trusted very much. He was a part of my life for a long time, and someone who I saw my future with. I put all my heart, soul, and trust into him until I discovered something he had been hiding from me for two years. It broke my heart to know that I could no longer trust that person. It was a major event in my life that changed the way I trusted people, especially men. I eventually forgave that person, and sometimes am reminded that I need to forgive again. (Thank you Tiffany for your post on forgiveness - I needed that reminder!) 

But trusting in God? God is someone we can trust. He will never leave us or forsake us. And NOTHING can separate us from His love. His Word specifically says in Psalms to not put our trust in men or princes. The Bible guides us about trusting and relying in Him:

"Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken." Psalm 55:22

"Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken." Psalm 62:6

"Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure everything out on your own. Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. Don't assume you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil! Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!" 

Proverbs 3:5-6 The Message

Trust.

Wanna know something I really struggle with? Worry and anxiety. I used to have panic attacks when I felt something wrong physically in my body. I worry about my 4 month old and his health and safety.. I worry about my health and decisions in my life.. I worry about finances, about natural disasters, about losing a loved one, etc, etc. You know what the Bible says about those things? They are sins! God did not worry... God did not have anxiety. Worry is not an attribute of Christ... worry is a form of doubt which is from Satan. Satan does not want us to trust in God, because that means God is winning. Know what Satan - too bad for you. God wins anyways! But God does not call us to live with the burdens of anxiety; Christ commands us to release worry and anxiety and to lay our cares at His feet... TRUSTING that He will take care of our needs.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?" Matthew 6:25-27

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

My challenge to you is to write out 3-5 verses on seperate notecards about trusting God and put them in places you'll be able to read them often. Check out this website listing 50 verses on worrying. Use these notecards to remind you that God is your rock and your strength. That He is in control and wants you to cast all your cares on Him.

Trusting in God means that we lay our fears, hopes, dreams, and decisions at the foot of the cross. Picture yourself, palms down - literally laying those prayers and petitions at Jesus's feet. He wants you to do that. Christ wants us to let Him take those burdens for us. 

Why? 

Because He loves us. He cares for us. He has a reason. He has a plan.

Being Intentional: Thanksgiving

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Welcome to the day that Americans all over the country overeat, overinduldge, search through sale ads to see what more they "need" and will stand in mile long lines at 2am (or this year, at 9am after Thanksgiving dinner) to buy themselves and their families items that they most likely won't even use a year from now. What happened to actually devoting one day during the year to being thankful and content for the things we have already been given?! 

Thanks-giving = giving thanks... being thankful... showing gratitude... expressing appreciation. I could go on and on. You get the idea. Look around at the blessings you have been given. Are you physically healthy? Do you have a sound mind? Do you have a house or apartment to live in? What about a nice warm bed to sleep in? What about Thanksgiving lunch or dinner? Do you have a job? Do you have a child or children that are healthy and happy? Do you worship God and thankful for these blessings? Even if none of these things are true for you, are you still giving thanks?

God's Word has over 200 verses that speak about thankfulness. I have a feeling God's trying to get a point across here:

"Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." Ephesians 5:20

"Give thanks in ALL circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1 Thessalonians 5:18

"Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!" Psalm 106:1

"Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name!" Psalm 100:4

"We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers," 1 Thessalonians 1:2

"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving." Colossians 4:2

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God." Philippians 4:6

When you arrive to your Thanksgiving Day festivities today, take a moment to look around you and study the people in your life. You might be with your own family, extended family, or friends... but think about the impact they have made on your life. Think of your parents or the people who raised you; think about the sacrifices they've made to give you the best life they could or to teach you to be kind to others. For me, this year I have become more and more thankful for my parents and have said "thank you" more often to them. Now that I'm a mom, I realize how much work a parent puts into their child's life. It has made me appreciate my parents more. I have also taken time to verbally express my gratitude towards my husband who has such a servant's heart when it comes to helping around our house. I am grateful for him and I let him know it.

My challenge to you is to intentionally take time to verbally express your appreciation and thankfulness for the people in your life. 
Not only to those people who mean the most to you, but to God, who created you. Take time to thank God for His love, His mercy, His guidance, and His blessings. You honor Christ by remembering where your blessings come from and praising your Creator for them.

Come into His presence with thanksgiving in your heart and give Him praise!

 I truly hope today is a day of praising God for your blessings and spending quality time with family and/or friends.

Being Intentional: Friendships

"Make new friends but keep the old. One is silver and the other's gold."

Make new friends
I moved from Indiana to Arizona in the summer of 2010. Very extended family live here in Phoenix, but my husband and I had to learn to make new friends. It was hard leaving our close families, a church family we loved, and best friends we had shared life experiences with. Making friends in Arizona took a while, and is still a work in process. Once friendships are made, it takes effort on both parts to continue getting to know one another. And everyone needs a friend.

Keep the Old
I remember singing the song ^above^ in 2nd grade. Mrs. Stiver's class... Tiffany probably shares the same memory. She and I have known each other since then... 2nd grade. Although we weren't extremely close in high school and didn't communicate again until after college, our friendship has evolved into one of encouragement, no judgement, love, laughter, and discipleship. I also have other close friends from Indiana that I don't get to see often. But I genuinely care about their life and want to continue our friendship. However this takes work and time, effort and intentionality (see next paragraph).

One is Silver
You know what I'm also not so good at? ... Staying in contact with those friends I've had for a long time. Calling, texting, hanging out, sending a card. I WANT to do that;  my heart says, "I need to do this for this person." But I'm not always so good at making the time. So my challenge to myself is to continue reaching out to my friends. Ones from home in Indiana, friends I've made here in Arizona, and others along the way. Those friends you've known the longest have been refined by trials, experiences, and memories. Don't let those friendships made of silver fade.

The Other is Gold
Gold= shiny and new.
Keeping a relationship like a friendship growing takes two people being genuinely interested in each other's lives; caring about the other person. Friendship should have no judgement but be able to have the ability to be authentic and honest enough to tell each other the truth (in kindness and love). There are times I struggle with being completely honest in a friendship sometimes. It's hard to tell a friend that they hurt you or their sarcastic comments are getting old, or ask why they aren't reaching out to you as much as you're reaching out to them. I struggle sometimes with giving too much of myself continuously to a relationship, and often not asking for what I need of the other person. Is that wrong or selfish? I'm not sure. But I'm asking God to help me understand it better.

What I do know is that God talks about friendship in the Bible. He gives us guidance on how to treat others, how to love others, and how to work together.

Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Out do one another in showing honor.

Ephesians 4:29-32 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.

Colossians 3:12-14 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony.

Ask yourself... Is there someone in your life you want to reconnect with? Do you have a friend or friends that you need to reach out to? Do you need to show a friend love and forgiveness? BE INTENTIONAL! Pick up the phone, send a card, schedule quality time with the people you care about. Because you would want someone to do the same for you.

Being Intentional: Prayer

Hello. My name is Kelly and I'm a list-a-holic. I have been a to-do-er for a long time. I like organization, schedules, and control. I have at least 5 different calendars I look at almost every day. These things help my life as a wife, mom, full-time employee, and friend run a little smoother. However... I am not this way in my spiritual walk. I struggle with being intentional and making time for daily prayer and devotion with God. And it's something I want NEED to work on.

Being intentional can come in many forms. Over the next few Thursdays, I will be writing a series on being intentional in your walk with God and in life. Whether it is getting into the Word, praying, worshipping, friendships, or being bold in your faith, we all need reminders and encouragement on how to be intentional every day. 

Let's start with prayer. I'm already learning a lot about praying in a Bible study Tiffany (one of our founders and my dear friend) and I have just started. Prayer is a two way conversation with the Holy Spirit. It's listening and speaking, (and listening some more). Prayer can occur at any time of day, in any circumstance, when you're happy or mad and God will always hear you. But do you only pray when things are going wrong or you need something? Do you pray for yourself or others more? Do you tell others that you will pray for them and then don't take the time to do it? (I'm so guilty of this and I feel horrible about it.) I believe that prayer changes hearts and circumstances. I believe that God listens to our cries for help, our longings and desires, and our praises. He answers prayers in His timing and in His way. But just as with any relationship, it takes two. If we are constantly talking and not listening, we don't receive the blessing of feeling the presence of the Holy Spirit and the whisper of His gentle reminders of love and grace. If we never talk to Him, then how are we growing? Prayer is the outpouring of our hearts and the receiving of the gift of His guidance and spirit.

One of my favorite verses is Psalm 116:1-2 which says, "I love the Lord, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy. Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I have breath." God... the KING, the Creator and Ruler, the Almighty... He chose to turn His ear to my moaning, and begging, my pleading, my despair, and my desires. God listens to me because He loves me and cares about me. I will pray to Him and call out to Him as long as I have breath.

 In God's Word, He instructs us specifically on praying to Him in the morning.

Psalm 5:3
In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

Psalm 88:13
But I cry to you for help, O LORD; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

Lamentations 3:22-24
22 Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. 24 I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him."

Psalm 90:14
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.

Isaiah 33:2
O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress.

Psalm 143:8
Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul.

Psalm 59:16
But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

My challenge to you is to pick a specific time in the morning to spend time in prayer. It can be during your morning shower, on your drive to work, etc. Take time to just be in peace and quiet communion with God. Prayer is not only about talking to God about what we need, what others need, or how we can grow... but also listening for God's voice. It's a two way conversation that can begin to change your life.