I'm going on a journey! I've sorta been on it over the past few months ... but only half-heartedly. On February 3rd, my husband, Darrell, and I started something called The Daniel Plan. If you haven't heard about it, it's a lifestyle change plan (not a diet!) that incorporates faith, food, fitness, friends, and focus. It is a plan to change the way you take care of your body, your mind, your relationships, and your soul. You work on each of these areas A LITTLE AT A TIME to produce LASTING change that you can carry with you the rest of your life. Those are the things I like about this plan the most ... you go at your own pace to make changes (for me a [very] little at a time!), and you hit every area of your life, not just food, so that your purpose is more intentional and motivational. ... Well, I was super resistant when we started back in February. I was in denial. I was lazy. And although I've had a little success ... I've lost five pounds; I feel better; I'm exercising regularly; and I've cut out A LOT of junk food, and I eat more veggies ... okay, so I guess I've had more than a little success. ;) Haha! BUT! I will say that I can do more. I can feel the power within me to make REAL, LASTING changes that I can be EXCITED ABOUT. And finally ... I WANT TO, and I see that I really need to. ... Hallelujah! :)
I'm going on a journey with Jesus! A journey to deeper faith, better food choices, more physical activity, more intentional relationships, and a thankful heart and an eternal perspective. The Daniel Plan is all about setting goals, so I'm gonna set a goal or two for each "F" essential I mentioned earlier. And I'm writing them here so that I will remember them, be able to refer back to them regularly, and commit them to completion.
My goals for 40 days (and beyond!) ...
FAITH - Whether I do other Bible studies and other reading or not, I will read one page in my Jesus Calling book and look up the Scriptures, and I will journal a one-page prayer each day.
FOOD - I will follow the Daniel Plan plate more closely than I have over the past four months, and I will limit my sugar intake by only allowing myself two desserts and three sweet teas a week.
FITNESS - I will do a cardio workout at least four times each week.
FRIENDS - I will share my health progress with my "health buddies" and encourage them with their progress at least once a week. I will pray for my friends at least once a week.
FOCUS - I will practice thankfulness each day. I will write in my Daniel Plan journal and write a blog post about my success each day.
Ready or ... yeah, I'm ready! Here I go! :)
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Currently (May 2014) ... stolen from Hannah :)
Currently, I am ...
FEELING ... restless. Discontent. Guilty. Thankful. Ha! Yeah, that last one doesn't fit, does it? I have been learning so much about thankfulness over the course of this last year. My Bible study leaders, Rick and Patti Ehrhardt, have contributed to that quite a bit ... and then, of course, the Holy Spirit. He is so faithful to work in my life, even when I'm not faithful to Him. I've grown a lot in thankfulness, and I continue to strive to possess a thankful heart each and every day. But over the past several weeks, I have been struggling. ... I'm tired of my job - I have so much downtime. I've gotten lots of good reading done, but I don't know how much more I can read! And I'm a productive person, and having tons of downtime each day really wears on me. So I've just lost sight of thankfulness concerning my job. And a lot of my friends are having babies. And I've caught the baby fever! God could give us a baby any time. But so far, no luck. So I struggle to be content with the waiting. I'm just ready for a new adventure ... what better adventure than being a MOM!
READING ... my Bible ... 1 Samuel to be more specific ... Jesus Calling by Sarah Young ... and Better Off Without Jesus by Chuck Bomar. I finally got my reading list down to three books! Haha! I was reading about 4 other books ... The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers, The Daniel Plan, Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman, and Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst ... and it was crazy trying to read so many books at one time! Sooo many good books though!
THINKING ... "what a long day!" I'm a job coach for a high school in my area, and with it being the last three days of school, we're not taking the kids out to their jobs in the community ... therefore, I have no job. I'll probably read a few tests to kids in the Resource room later, but for now ... I've got nothin'! Nothing to do. And I would keep busy if I could ... but there's nothing for me to do. Aide positions are fairly specific. So why not blog? ;)
PLANNING ... to try again with The Daniel Plan. Darrell never used his Daniel Plan journal, so I'm gonna try another 40 days of healthy eating, exercising, perspective, relationships, and faith. (Those are the goals of the Daniel Plan, by the way!) I'm hoping it will kick-start me to healthier living. The first time went alright ... but this time is gonna be even better!
DREAMING ... of becoming a MOM. :) My husband and I have been off birth control for about 2 months ... so I'm hoping to be a mama sometime in the near future. I think about it a lot ... I try to be thankful for where I am and be patient for when God wants a baby for us. Overall, I think I'm pretty good about the wait ... but some days (especially when I see Ivy and Belle ... or hear about Tiffany's baby Gillian on the way), I struggle a bit. But all in God's time ... He's got it! :)
SETTING GOALS ... to lose some weight and get healthy physically ... but also spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. I wanna be physically healthy to take care of my family (which will hopefully be growing soon!) and have the energy to love and serve the people around me. I wanna be spiritually healthy so that I can honor Jesus and love and serve the people around me. I wanna be emotionally healthy so that I can overcome my failure issues, learn to give myself grace, respond to circumstances with an eternal perspective, and so that I can love and serve the people around me. And I wanna be relationally healthy so that I can grow as an encourager and love and serve the people around me.
EATING ... mostly whole foods, more veggies, and less sugar. I still mess up quite a bit, but I am doing better than I was 6 months ago ... and imperfect progress is still progress. :)
TRYING ... to be more thankful and let go of the try-hard life.
EXCITED ... to have a change of pace and scenery for my job this summer. I'll be working for my mom, helping her get The Porch ready to reopen later this summer. No job coaching again until August.
LAUGHING ... at my husband. He makes up languages, tickles me, hugs me and then goes dead weight and pretends to snore loudly in my ear, cracks jokes and acts crazy all the time but especially when I'm having a downer day. He's just a huge goofball, and I love him!
FEELING ... restless. Discontent. Guilty. Thankful. Ha! Yeah, that last one doesn't fit, does it? I have been learning so much about thankfulness over the course of this last year. My Bible study leaders, Rick and Patti Ehrhardt, have contributed to that quite a bit ... and then, of course, the Holy Spirit. He is so faithful to work in my life, even when I'm not faithful to Him. I've grown a lot in thankfulness, and I continue to strive to possess a thankful heart each and every day. But over the past several weeks, I have been struggling. ... I'm tired of my job - I have so much downtime. I've gotten lots of good reading done, but I don't know how much more I can read! And I'm a productive person, and having tons of downtime each day really wears on me. So I've just lost sight of thankfulness concerning my job. And a lot of my friends are having babies. And I've caught the baby fever! God could give us a baby any time. But so far, no luck. So I struggle to be content with the waiting. I'm just ready for a new adventure ... what better adventure than being a MOM!
READING ... my Bible ... 1 Samuel to be more specific ... Jesus Calling by Sarah Young ... and Better Off Without Jesus by Chuck Bomar. I finally got my reading list down to three books! Haha! I was reading about 4 other books ... The Atonement Child by Francine Rivers, The Daniel Plan, Grace for the Good Girl by Emily Freeman, and Made to Crave by Lysa TerKeurst ... and it was crazy trying to read so many books at one time! Sooo many good books though!
THINKING ... "what a long day!" I'm a job coach for a high school in my area, and with it being the last three days of school, we're not taking the kids out to their jobs in the community ... therefore, I have no job. I'll probably read a few tests to kids in the Resource room later, but for now ... I've got nothin'! Nothing to do. And I would keep busy if I could ... but there's nothing for me to do. Aide positions are fairly specific. So why not blog? ;)
PLANNING ... to try again with The Daniel Plan. Darrell never used his Daniel Plan journal, so I'm gonna try another 40 days of healthy eating, exercising, perspective, relationships, and faith. (Those are the goals of the Daniel Plan, by the way!) I'm hoping it will kick-start me to healthier living. The first time went alright ... but this time is gonna be even better!
DREAMING ... of becoming a MOM. :) My husband and I have been off birth control for about 2 months ... so I'm hoping to be a mama sometime in the near future. I think about it a lot ... I try to be thankful for where I am and be patient for when God wants a baby for us. Overall, I think I'm pretty good about the wait ... but some days (especially when I see Ivy and Belle ... or hear about Tiffany's baby Gillian on the way), I struggle a bit. But all in God's time ... He's got it! :)
SETTING GOALS ... to lose some weight and get healthy physically ... but also spiritually, emotionally, and relationally. I wanna be physically healthy to take care of my family (which will hopefully be growing soon!) and have the energy to love and serve the people around me. I wanna be spiritually healthy so that I can honor Jesus and love and serve the people around me. I wanna be emotionally healthy so that I can overcome my failure issues, learn to give myself grace, respond to circumstances with an eternal perspective, and so that I can love and serve the people around me. And I wanna be relationally healthy so that I can grow as an encourager and love and serve the people around me.
EATING ... mostly whole foods, more veggies, and less sugar. I still mess up quite a bit, but I am doing better than I was 6 months ago ... and imperfect progress is still progress. :)
TRYING ... to be more thankful and let go of the try-hard life.
EXCITED ... to have a change of pace and scenery for my job this summer. I'll be working for my mom, helping her get The Porch ready to reopen later this summer. No job coaching again until August.
LAUGHING ... at my husband. He makes up languages, tickles me, hugs me and then goes dead weight and pretends to snore loudly in my ear, cracks jokes and acts crazy all the time but especially when I'm having a downer day. He's just a huge goofball, and I love him!
Monday, May 26, 2014
SoZo Devotionals: 1 Samuel
I started reading through the book of 1 Samuel recently ... so what better place to get our devotionals this week than what I'm reading in my own personal devotions? :) Hope you can get some good stuff out of this week's devos ... well, of course you will! It's GOD'S Word you're reading! Soak it up! Sit and think about it. Grow! And have a wonderful week!
Monday, May 26th - Read 1 Samuel 1
I think Hannah is such a cool lady! She had so much faith! As I read this chapter, I was able to learn a few things about Hannah that I can think about in my own life. Read about Hannah in this chapter, and then write down the things you find about her character. Do YOU carry the same character qualities in your life?
Tuesday, May 27th - Read 1 Samuel 2
Again, I found more character qualities in Hannah. Can you find 'em? And then think about it ... do you exhibit those same qualities? How can YOU grow in your character today?
Wednesday, May 28th - Read 1 Samuel 3
Samuel was READY to follow the Lord and do as He commanded. Think about YOUR life. Are YOU ready to follow the Lord? Do YOU strive to do all that He has called you to do? If not, what can you do to change that?
Thursday, May 29th - Read 1 Samuel 7:3-4
If we are following the Lord, why is it to important to "put away" (get rid of!) the gods (or idols) in our lives? What is an idol? Do YOU have idols in your life? How can you get rid of them and follow after the Lord? How can you "direct your heart to the Lord and serve Him only" as it says in verse 3?
Friday, May 30th - Read 1 Samuel 12:14-15
Verse 14 - What happens when we fear and obey the Lord?
Verse 15 - What happens when we rebel against the Lord?
HOW do YOU fear and obey the Lord in your daily life?
HOW do YOU rebel against the Lord in your daily life?
What changes do you need to make to honor the Lord?
Saturday, May 31st - 1 Samuel 13:8-15
What can you learn from Saul's life?
What happened when Saul didn't trust God and went His own way?
What happens when we don't trust God and walk our own way?
Don't forget to spend some time talking with Jesus this week. He loves to hear from you ... He seeks your worship ... and He wants to answer your prayers and lift your burdens. :)
Monday, May 26th - Read 1 Samuel 1
I think Hannah is such a cool lady! She had so much faith! As I read this chapter, I was able to learn a few things about Hannah that I can think about in my own life. Read about Hannah in this chapter, and then write down the things you find about her character. Do YOU carry the same character qualities in your life?
Tuesday, May 27th - Read 1 Samuel 2
Again, I found more character qualities in Hannah. Can you find 'em? And then think about it ... do you exhibit those same qualities? How can YOU grow in your character today?
Wednesday, May 28th - Read 1 Samuel 3
Samuel was READY to follow the Lord and do as He commanded. Think about YOUR life. Are YOU ready to follow the Lord? Do YOU strive to do all that He has called you to do? If not, what can you do to change that?
Thursday, May 29th - Read 1 Samuel 7:3-4
If we are following the Lord, why is it to important to "put away" (get rid of!) the gods (or idols) in our lives? What is an idol? Do YOU have idols in your life? How can you get rid of them and follow after the Lord? How can you "direct your heart to the Lord and serve Him only" as it says in verse 3?
Friday, May 30th - Read 1 Samuel 12:14-15
Verse 14 - What happens when we fear and obey the Lord?
Verse 15 - What happens when we rebel against the Lord?
HOW do YOU fear and obey the Lord in your daily life?
HOW do YOU rebel against the Lord in your daily life?
What changes do you need to make to honor the Lord?
Saturday, May 31st - 1 Samuel 13:8-15
What can you learn from Saul's life?
What happened when Saul didn't trust God and went His own way?
What happens when we don't trust God and walk our own way?
Don't forget to spend some time talking with Jesus this week. He loves to hear from you ... He seeks your worship ... and He wants to answer your prayers and lift your burdens. :)
Tuesday, May 20, 2014
SoZo Devos: Godly Counsel
Hey, everybody!
So sorry for slacking off the past month! I have no good excuse for not posting our weekly devotionals, so I hope you'll forgive me and pick back up where we left off. Here are a handful of devos to use over the next week and a half ... we're gonna talk about Godly counsel. Enjoy. Dig deep. Grow. :)
Devo #1 - Read Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 11:14, and Proverbs 15:22
What/who are counselors ... or advisers?
What kinds of counselors/advisers should we listen to?
How can having many advisers be dangerous to your spiritual health?
Who are some of the Godly counselors in your life?
Who is our Ultimate Counselor?
Devo #2 - Read Jeremiah 7:23-26
What happens when we obey the voice of the Lord?
In verse 24, what do you think it means when it says, "they went backward and not forward?"
In what ways do you go backward in your life?
How can you obey God today?
Devo #3 - Read Psalm 81:10-14
What happens when we receive God's counsel and obey it?
What does it mean for God to "give them over to their stubborn hearts"?
How has your heart been stubborn lately?
What does it look like to "walk in God's ways" (v. 13)?
How can you walk in God's ways today?
Devo #4 - Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5
What a list, right?!
Read through that list again, and write down any of these characteristics that describe you. I know it may get ugly, but don't be afraid. Admitting sin is the first step to giving it over to the Lord.
Think of the people you receive advice from or just hang out with ... do those people possess any of these characteristics?
At the end of verse 5, Timothy tells us to avoid people with these ungodly characteristics. How come?
Devo #5 - Read Ephesians 2:1-7
How do we "follow the course of the world"? (v. 2)
What are the "passions of our flesh"? (v. 3)
What did God's great love and mercy save us from?
How can you live for Jesus today as a way to say thank you for His great love and mercy in our lives?
Devo #6 - Read Titus 2:11-14
Define the following phrases by writing them in your own words ... ungodliness; worldly passions; self-controlled lives; upright; godly lives.
Why is it wise to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions"?
How can being "zealous for good works" be wise?
What are you passionate about? How can you glorify God in those things?
Most recent prayer requests from our group ....
Kristy - her softball coach (Coach Rogers)'s dad is very sick and not doing well; finals for school this week
Olivia - Saya is having back problems ... possible surgery, and Saya lost her job at Casey's; also, Olivia's friend, Courtney ... her dad has cancer
Eric - Angie's sanity for the last two weeks of school ... pray she doesn't kill any little children!
So sorry for slacking off the past month! I have no good excuse for not posting our weekly devotionals, so I hope you'll forgive me and pick back up where we left off. Here are a handful of devos to use over the next week and a half ... we're gonna talk about Godly counsel. Enjoy. Dig deep. Grow. :)
Devo #1 - Read Proverbs 12:15, Proverbs 11:14, and Proverbs 15:22
What/who are counselors ... or advisers?
What kinds of counselors/advisers should we listen to?
How can having many advisers be dangerous to your spiritual health?
Who are some of the Godly counselors in your life?
Who is our Ultimate Counselor?
Devo #2 - Read Jeremiah 7:23-26
What happens when we obey the voice of the Lord?
In verse 24, what do you think it means when it says, "they went backward and not forward?"
In what ways do you go backward in your life?
How can you obey God today?
Devo #3 - Read Psalm 81:10-14
What happens when we receive God's counsel and obey it?
What does it mean for God to "give them over to their stubborn hearts"?
How has your heart been stubborn lately?
What does it look like to "walk in God's ways" (v. 13)?
How can you walk in God's ways today?
Devo #4 - Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5
What a list, right?!
Read through that list again, and write down any of these characteristics that describe you. I know it may get ugly, but don't be afraid. Admitting sin is the first step to giving it over to the Lord.
Think of the people you receive advice from or just hang out with ... do those people possess any of these characteristics?
At the end of verse 5, Timothy tells us to avoid people with these ungodly characteristics. How come?
Devo #5 - Read Ephesians 2:1-7
How do we "follow the course of the world"? (v. 2)
What are the "passions of our flesh"? (v. 3)
What did God's great love and mercy save us from?
How can you live for Jesus today as a way to say thank you for His great love and mercy in our lives?
Devo #6 - Read Titus 2:11-14
Define the following phrases by writing them in your own words ... ungodliness; worldly passions; self-controlled lives; upright; godly lives.
Why is it wise to "renounce ungodliness and worldly passions"?
How can being "zealous for good works" be wise?
What are you passionate about? How can you glorify God in those things?
Most recent prayer requests from our group ....
Kristy - her softball coach (Coach Rogers)'s dad is very sick and not doing well; finals for school this week
Olivia - Saya is having back problems ... possible surgery, and Saya lost her job at Casey's; also, Olivia's friend, Courtney ... her dad has cancer
Eric - Angie's sanity for the last two weeks of school ... pray she doesn't kill any little children!
Saturday, April 19, 2014
SoZo Devotionals: Peter
Hey, SoZo!
Next Sunday morning, we will be continuing our study of Peter. This week's devotional passages will be taken from our lesson this Sunday ... so perhaps you can read them this week and have some thoughts for our discussion??? I think so ... I hope so at least. ;) Have a wonderful week! Take some time to think about the POWER of Jesus' resurrection this week. God's NOT dead! He is ALIVE! And He works in and through us by the POWER of His HOLY SPIRIT! SINCE Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, we have LIFE and POWER to live for Him! Wahoo! That is something to get excited about! I hope y'all will focus on how YOU can LIVE for Him this week. Love you all!
For each day's passage, READ it (haha! duh!), and then write down the facts it presents that give us confidence to trust in Jesus.
Sunday, April 20th - Matthew 14:22-33
Monday, April 21st - John 10:27-30
Tuesday, April 22nd - Romans 8:28-39
Wednesday, April 23rd - Philippians 4:12-13
Thursday, April 24th - Hebrews 1:1-4
Friday, April 25th - Hebrews 4:14-16
Saturday, April 26th - Hebrews 13:5-8
And don't forget to practice ... practice spending time with God THROUGHOUT your days ... practice prayer ... practice serving. When we commit our TIME to the Lord ... inviting Him into our days, He really does CHANGE OUR LIVES! :)
HAPPY EASTER!
Next Sunday morning, we will be continuing our study of Peter. This week's devotional passages will be taken from our lesson this Sunday ... so perhaps you can read them this week and have some thoughts for our discussion??? I think so ... I hope so at least. ;) Have a wonderful week! Take some time to think about the POWER of Jesus' resurrection this week. God's NOT dead! He is ALIVE! And He works in and through us by the POWER of His HOLY SPIRIT! SINCE Jesus rose from the dead on the third day, we have LIFE and POWER to live for Him! Wahoo! That is something to get excited about! I hope y'all will focus on how YOU can LIVE for Him this week. Love you all!
For each day's passage, READ it (haha! duh!), and then write down the facts it presents that give us confidence to trust in Jesus.
Sunday, April 20th - Matthew 14:22-33
Monday, April 21st - John 10:27-30
Tuesday, April 22nd - Romans 8:28-39
Wednesday, April 23rd - Philippians 4:12-13
Thursday, April 24th - Hebrews 1:1-4
Friday, April 25th - Hebrews 4:14-16
Saturday, April 26th - Hebrews 13:5-8
And don't forget to practice ... practice spending time with God THROUGHOUT your days ... practice prayer ... practice serving. When we commit our TIME to the Lord ... inviting Him into our days, He really does CHANGE OUR LIVES! :)
Tuesday, April 15, 2014
My kids :)
Gosh. I never blog. I said I would blog more in 2014 ... and no. Unless you count the devotionals for my SoZo-ers. ;) Oh well. So I'm not a true blogger. That's okay. One thing I am is a stalker! Haha! I was creepin' on people on Facebook all evening. Okay, creepin' sounds ... well, creepy. But I was just seeing how the folks on my friends list are doing ... people from high school mostly. It's so fun to see who's gotten married and who has kids and look at their pictures occasionally. ... We're all grown up! ... And then I was reading Emily's (The Thought Spot) and Maggie's (Raising an Ewok) blogs. They have such beautiful kidos and beautiful families. It's just so much fun! I'm sure it is extremely difficult at times ... but they both excel at being parents and loving their husbands and kids. And they both talk about how the rewards are soooo much greater than the difficulties. ... Darrell and I have been talking about starting a family for months now. Only God knows when He's gonna bring a baby our way. But it could happen any day now. ;) We shall wait and see! :):):)
But until that day ... here are some of my other kids ...
But until that day ... here are some of my other kids ...
In the above picture, we went to see the new Christian movie that's out, God's NOT Dead. We had such a great time, and the movie was so cool!
In this picture, I'm making a lame face while everyone else is excited because they told me we were doing the Josh face ... and we weren't! Josh (far left) has an awesome stone face that he gives at any given time (except this picture, apparently). He's so nonchalant yet piercing with his facial expressions. He's such a fun guy with tons of energy, but he's not one to mess with ... and his famed facial expression proves it. He is a camo, huntin, gun-lover kind of guy after all. But anyways ... his "Josh face", as we all call it, looks only a tiny bit like the face I'm making in this picture (his is way better!). Haha!
These are our beloved teenagers (and college-agers)! We are in love with them and love them like they are our own!
Sunday, April 13, 2014
SoZo Devotionals: Made to Crave
Hey, all! Sorry I didn't get any devos posted last week. We went to North Carolina and got back late Sunday night ... and well, I spaced it. But this week's devos are awesome! I pulled them from my Made to Crave study I've been working through over the past couple months. This week is simple, but if you really take some time to think about these verses by answering the questions, they can really give you some perspective! Have a wonderful week! I love you all bunches!
Sunday,
April 13th – Read Ephesians 5:25-33
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Monday,
April 14th – Read Philippians 3:18-19
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Tuesday,
April 15th – Read Revelation 2:17
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Wednesday,
April 16th – Read Psalm 73:23-26
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Thursday,
April 17th – Read Lamentations 3:22-26
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Friday,
April 18th – Read Matthew 6:9-13
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Saturday,
April 19th – Read Deuteronomy 8:3
What does this passage teach about daily
dependence on God?
What significance does this passage have for my
life in Christ?
Sunday, March 30, 2014
SoZo Devotionals: Romans
Hello, again!
I hope, if you've been working through the SoZo devotionals, that you're soaking in some good Truth and thinking more on the things of the Lord. That is the goal of daily devotionals ... to refocus our minds on the Lord. With all the distractions and worries and frustrations of this life, we need to REFOCUS on what and who is most important. Taking just a few minutes out of each day, putting these Truths into practice, and practicing dwelling on the Lord through prayer and thankfulness each day helps us refocus. I hope you will keep practicing your faith with me!
This week, our devotionals are pretty simple but may take a little extra time. But you be the judge! You can rewrite EACH verse, or just pick out the verses that speak to you the most. This is YOUR devotional time, so make the most of it! You will be reading through Romans chapter 8, probably one of my top-ten favorite chapters in the Bible. Each day, read the suggested verses, and then rewrite each verse, putting it in your own words ... another way to think about each verse is to ask, "What does this verse mean?" and then write it down. And don't forget to spend a few minutes in prayer ... whether you journal your prayers, pray them out loud, or find another way to pray. Don't be afraid to pour out your heart to God, like it says in Psalm 62:8. Just talk to Him like you would talk to a friend.
We're starting on Monday this week!
Monday, March 31st - Read Romans 8:1-8.
Spend some time rewriting each of these verses, asking yourself, "What does this verse mean?"
And pray. :)
Tuesday, April 1st - Read Romans 8:9-11.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Wednesday, April 2nd - Read Romans 8:12-17.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Thursday, April 3rd - Read Romans 8:18-25.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Friday, April 4th - Read Romans 8:26-30.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Saturday, April 5th - Read Romans 31-39.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Have a wonderful first week of April, y'all! Spring is coming ... we just don't know when! ;) Be thankful anyway! That's what I'm gonna keep trying to practice! Love you guys! :)
I hope, if you've been working through the SoZo devotionals, that you're soaking in some good Truth and thinking more on the things of the Lord. That is the goal of daily devotionals ... to refocus our minds on the Lord. With all the distractions and worries and frustrations of this life, we need to REFOCUS on what and who is most important. Taking just a few minutes out of each day, putting these Truths into practice, and practicing dwelling on the Lord through prayer and thankfulness each day helps us refocus. I hope you will keep practicing your faith with me!
This week, our devotionals are pretty simple but may take a little extra time. But you be the judge! You can rewrite EACH verse, or just pick out the verses that speak to you the most. This is YOUR devotional time, so make the most of it! You will be reading through Romans chapter 8, probably one of my top-ten favorite chapters in the Bible. Each day, read the suggested verses, and then rewrite each verse, putting it in your own words ... another way to think about each verse is to ask, "What does this verse mean?" and then write it down. And don't forget to spend a few minutes in prayer ... whether you journal your prayers, pray them out loud, or find another way to pray. Don't be afraid to pour out your heart to God, like it says in Psalm 62:8. Just talk to Him like you would talk to a friend.
We're starting on Monday this week!
Monday, March 31st - Read Romans 8:1-8.
Spend some time rewriting each of these verses, asking yourself, "What does this verse mean?"
And pray. :)
Tuesday, April 1st - Read Romans 8:9-11.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Wednesday, April 2nd - Read Romans 8:12-17.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Thursday, April 3rd - Read Romans 8:18-25.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Friday, April 4th - Read Romans 8:26-30.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Saturday, April 5th - Read Romans 31-39.
Rewrite.
Pray. :)
Have a wonderful first week of April, y'all! Spring is coming ... we just don't know when! ;) Be thankful anyway! That's what I'm gonna keep trying to practice! Love you guys! :)
Saturday, March 22, 2014
SoZo Devotionals: Just some cool Scriptures :)
Hey, you guys! Here are some Scriptures God has been showing me over the past couple of weeks. Hope you get a chance to do some devos this week, whether these or some others you have found. Let's keep practicing knowing God better every single day! :)
Sunday, March 23rd - Read Psalm 86:10-12
~ v. 10 - List the "wondrous things" God has done in your life recently.
~ v. 11 - This verse talks about an "undivided heart." What things in your life distract you from the Lord? What things cause your heart to be divided?
~ v. 12 - Write down some things you're thankful for ... and then take some time to thank God for 'em!
I just finished my book, Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels, and he suggested journaling/examining your life and praying what you write down. It's a great way to practice prayer! ... Take some time to examine your life today (or if you're a morning devo-er, examine your life yesterday). Write down some attitudes/sins/joys/experiences from today ... and pray through them.
Monday, March 24th - Read Psalm 73:23-26
~ v. 23 - What do you need comfort for today?
~ v. 24 - What do you need wisdom (counsel) for in your life right now?
~ v. 25 - Do you really desire God above all else? What/Who is standing in your way of desiring God?
~ v. 26 - Think about what you're going through these days ... how can applying the Truth of this verse give you strength?
Take some time to examine your life today.
Tuesday, March 25th - Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
~ What do you think it means for our bodies to be "temples of the Holy Spirit"?
~ We were "bought with a price." What was that price? What will be your response to that price?
~ How can you treat your body as a temple to the glory of God?
Take some time to examine your life again today.
Wednesday, March 26th - Read Psalm 46:10
~ In the NASB, this verse says "Cease striving, and know that I am God." Look up the definition of strive.
~ When is is good to strive? When is it bad to strive?
~ Why would God want us to "cease striving" and "be still"?
~ How/when can you practice being still in your life?
Take some time to examine yourself.
Thursday, March 27th - Read Isaiah 6:1-8
~ What was Isaiah's response to seeing God in all His holiness and power?
~ What sin are you struggling with right now? Read and pray through Psalm 139:23-24.
~ v. 7 - God offers us the same forgiveness. What kind of comfort does this promise bring you?
Don't forget to spend some time examining your life today!
Friday, March 28th - Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
~ v. 16 - What would it take for you to be joyful everyday, even when things are hard?
~ v. 17 - What does your prayer life look like? How can you practice praying more often?
~ v. 18 - How does being thankful help you accomplish God's will?
Examine yourself.
Saturday, March 29th - Read Proverbs 3:5-6
~ Why is it difficult to trust in the Lord?
~ How can you put your trust in the Lord into practice this week?
Spend some time praying, examining your life today.
Sunday, March 23rd - Read Psalm 86:10-12
~ v. 10 - List the "wondrous things" God has done in your life recently.
~ v. 11 - This verse talks about an "undivided heart." What things in your life distract you from the Lord? What things cause your heart to be divided?
~ v. 12 - Write down some things you're thankful for ... and then take some time to thank God for 'em!
I just finished my book, Too Busy Not To Pray by Bill Hybels, and he suggested journaling/examining your life and praying what you write down. It's a great way to practice prayer! ... Take some time to examine your life today (or if you're a morning devo-er, examine your life yesterday). Write down some attitudes/sins/joys/experiences from today ... and pray through them.
Monday, March 24th - Read Psalm 73:23-26
~ v. 23 - What do you need comfort for today?
~ v. 24 - What do you need wisdom (counsel) for in your life right now?
~ v. 25 - Do you really desire God above all else? What/Who is standing in your way of desiring God?
~ v. 26 - Think about what you're going through these days ... how can applying the Truth of this verse give you strength?
Take some time to examine your life today.
Tuesday, March 25th - Read 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
~ What do you think it means for our bodies to be "temples of the Holy Spirit"?
~ We were "bought with a price." What was that price? What will be your response to that price?
~ How can you treat your body as a temple to the glory of God?
Take some time to examine your life again today.
Wednesday, March 26th - Read Psalm 46:10
~ In the NASB, this verse says "Cease striving, and know that I am God." Look up the definition of strive.
~ When is is good to strive? When is it bad to strive?
~ Why would God want us to "cease striving" and "be still"?
~ How/when can you practice being still in your life?
Take some time to examine yourself.
Thursday, March 27th - Read Isaiah 6:1-8
~ What was Isaiah's response to seeing God in all His holiness and power?
~ What sin are you struggling with right now? Read and pray through Psalm 139:23-24.
~ v. 7 - God offers us the same forgiveness. What kind of comfort does this promise bring you?
Don't forget to spend some time examining your life today!
Friday, March 28th - Read 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
~ v. 16 - What would it take for you to be joyful everyday, even when things are hard?
~ v. 17 - What does your prayer life look like? How can you practice praying more often?
~ v. 18 - How does being thankful help you accomplish God's will?
Examine yourself.
Saturday, March 29th - Read Proverbs 3:5-6
~ Why is it difficult to trust in the Lord?
~ How can you put your trust in the Lord into practice this week?
Spend some time praying, examining your life today.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
SoZo Devotionals: Philippians
On Sunday, Pastor challenged us, the congregation, to read through the book of Philippians this week. So our SoZo devotionals for this week will be made up of just that ... the book of Philippians. :) Pastor also told us that the main theme of Philippians is JOY. Yay! Joy is a wonderful thing ... especially when we learn to LIVE it in our everyday lives!
Look below for this week's daily devotionals ....
Sunday, March 16th - Read Philippians chapter 1.
Describe the joy you feel when you think about how God's not done with you yet (Phil. 1:6).
What joy do you find in this prayer? --> Phil. 1:9-11
What joy can be found in dying (Phil. 1:21)?
Character is being and acting in the same way whether people are watching your life or you are in secret. What joy can be found in living with character (Phil. 1:27)?
Monday, March 17th - Read Philippians 2:1-11.
What joy is there in putting other people's needs before your own (Phil. 2:3-4)?
When you think about what Jesus went through for your salvation, explain how Jesus' sacrifice affects your joy (Phil. 2:5-11).
Tuesday, March 18th - Read Philippians 2:12-30.
How do you feel knowing that your ability to do good in this world can only come from God and not from yourself (Phil. 2:13)?
How do you think doing everything without complaining affects your joy (Phil. 2:14)?
Wednesday, March 19th - Read Philippians 3:1-11.
How can having the perspective that nothing compares with Christ bring you joy (Phil. 3:7-11)?
Thursday, March 20th - Read Philippians 3:12-21.
How can keeping your mind fixed on the prize of heaven give you joy (Phil. 3:12-14)?
What do you think about Philippians 3:20-21? Do these verses give you joy? If yes, then how so?
Friday, March 21st - Read Philippians 4:1-9.
How can pouring out your heart to God bring you joy (Phil. 4:6-7)?
How are peace and joy related (Phil. 4:7)?
How can thinking about and doing godly things bring you joy (Phil. 4:8)?
Saturday, March 22nd - Read Philippians 4:10-23.
How can practicing contentment bring you joy (Phil. 4:11-12)?
What do you think about Philippians 4:19? Does this verse give you joy? If yes, then how so?
Have a wonderful week, my favorites! Love you all! :)
Look below for this week's daily devotionals ....
Sunday, March 16th - Read Philippians chapter 1.
Describe the joy you feel when you think about how God's not done with you yet (Phil. 1:6).
What joy do you find in this prayer? --> Phil. 1:9-11
What joy can be found in dying (Phil. 1:21)?
Character is being and acting in the same way whether people are watching your life or you are in secret. What joy can be found in living with character (Phil. 1:27)?
Monday, March 17th - Read Philippians 2:1-11.
What joy is there in putting other people's needs before your own (Phil. 2:3-4)?
When you think about what Jesus went through for your salvation, explain how Jesus' sacrifice affects your joy (Phil. 2:5-11).
Tuesday, March 18th - Read Philippians 2:12-30.
How do you feel knowing that your ability to do good in this world can only come from God and not from yourself (Phil. 2:13)?
How do you think doing everything without complaining affects your joy (Phil. 2:14)?
Wednesday, March 19th - Read Philippians 3:1-11.
How can having the perspective that nothing compares with Christ bring you joy (Phil. 3:7-11)?
Thursday, March 20th - Read Philippians 3:12-21.
How can keeping your mind fixed on the prize of heaven give you joy (Phil. 3:12-14)?
What do you think about Philippians 3:20-21? Do these verses give you joy? If yes, then how so?
Friday, March 21st - Read Philippians 4:1-9.
How can pouring out your heart to God bring you joy (Phil. 4:6-7)?
How are peace and joy related (Phil. 4:7)?
How can thinking about and doing godly things bring you joy (Phil. 4:8)?
Saturday, March 22nd - Read Philippians 4:10-23.
How can practicing contentment bring you joy (Phil. 4:11-12)?
What do you think about Philippians 4:19? Does this verse give you joy? If yes, then how so?
Have a wonderful week, my favorites! Love you all! :)
Wednesday, January 8, 2014
R1211 part 1.1
Time for some more ZEAL talk!
Romans 12:11 - Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
Zealous living is living with PURPOSE, PERSPECTIVE, and PERSISTENCE.
Today, we will focus on PURPOSE.
Purpose - "that which a person sets before himself (herself) as an object to be reached or accomplished"
Purpose = Goal
What gives you purpose in life?
What things do you set before yourself to accomplish?
It could be your New Year's Resolutions. It could be your bucket list. It could be a day to day thing or a weekly or yearly thing. It could be something you never think you'll achieve but you keep trying. It could be something you achieve everyday. ... For me, my greatest purpose in life is to love and honor and serve Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. This is my greatest goal. I work on it everyday. I fail at it too. But I keep working on it. Some of my other purposes are loving and serving my husband, loving and teaching my SoZo kids, being an encourager, continually growing as a person and a Christian, making better habits for myself concerning my health, and learning to be more thankful and more faithful.
Go grab your Bible, and read Exodus 1:8-22.
Now read verse 17 again.
"But the midwives feared God ..."
Purpose for the midwives who saved the Hebrew babies was to please God, not men. I love that PURPOSE! I want that purpose to be MINE! I want to focus on pleasing God no matter what the cost. 'Cause it was probably pretty dangerous for those midwives to disobey the Pharaoh. I bet some of them were mistreated, at the very least, because they disobeyed. But I bet many were also tortured and even killed! That's serious! But they FEARED GOD and did the right thing. Awesome!
Check out Colossians 3:17, 1 Peter 1:3-4, and Titus 2:11-14 before you go. These are some great verses that give us PURPOSE to live by!
PURPOSE = HOPE = PERSPECTIVE = BLESSED
Romans 12:11 - Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
Zealous living is living with PURPOSE, PERSPECTIVE, and PERSISTENCE.
Today, we will focus on PURPOSE.
Purpose - "that which a person sets before himself (herself) as an object to be reached or accomplished"
Purpose = Goal
What gives you purpose in life?
What things do you set before yourself to accomplish?
It could be your New Year's Resolutions. It could be your bucket list. It could be a day to day thing or a weekly or yearly thing. It could be something you never think you'll achieve but you keep trying. It could be something you achieve everyday. ... For me, my greatest purpose in life is to love and honor and serve Jesus Christ, my Savior and Lord. This is my greatest goal. I work on it everyday. I fail at it too. But I keep working on it. Some of my other purposes are loving and serving my husband, loving and teaching my SoZo kids, being an encourager, continually growing as a person and a Christian, making better habits for myself concerning my health, and learning to be more thankful and more faithful.
Go grab your Bible, and read Exodus 1:8-22.
Now read verse 17 again.
"But the midwives feared God ..."
Purpose for the midwives who saved the Hebrew babies was to please God, not men. I love that PURPOSE! I want that purpose to be MINE! I want to focus on pleasing God no matter what the cost. 'Cause it was probably pretty dangerous for those midwives to disobey the Pharaoh. I bet some of them were mistreated, at the very least, because they disobeyed. But I bet many were also tortured and even killed! That's serious! But they FEARED GOD and did the right thing. Awesome!
Check out Colossians 3:17, 1 Peter 1:3-4, and Titus 2:11-14 before you go. These are some great verses that give us PURPOSE to live by!
PURPOSE = HOPE = PERSPECTIVE = BLESSED
Monday, January 6, 2014
R1211 part 1
Romans is an incredible book of the Bible! If you haven't read it (or read it recently), you need to and very soon! Romans 12 is probably my favorite chapter of the book, and verses 9-21 are full of awesome and practical ways to live for the Lord. I recently got stuck on verse 11 when it says, "Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord." So, as I often do when God teaches me something cool, I've been sharing my ponderings about this verse with my SoZo-ers. I originally started out thinking I would teach three separate lessons, seeing as the verse is broken up into three distinct parts. Well ... the study started the first week of December, and we haven't even gotten to "be fervent in the Spirit" yet. Haha! Being zealous for the Lord is loaded! And we've been digging deep, thinking about what that means and how to BE ZEALOUS in our everyday lives. So my R1211 posts, as I'm going to call them, are all about my ponderings about Romans 12:11.
Romans 12:11
Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
"DO NOT BE SLOTHFUL IN ZEAL."
Zeal means "eager interest and enthusiasm or passionate devotion." Pretty cool, huh? What are you super interested in and enthusiastic about? To what or whom are you passionately devoted? Really ... think about it for a second.
--- I don't get to dance these days, but I'm super enthusiastic about dancing! Ballroom and West Coast Swing dancing were so cool when I had the chance to do 'em! I was entirely interested in learning how to dance. I was at the dance studio every week night and most Saturdays for about a year and a half. And when I transferred to a new studio, I was there every Tuesday night for a lesson and two Friday nights and two Sunday afternoons a month for nearly another year. I was probably considered passionately devoted to dance. It was so cool! ---
I want to say I'm that excited about and devoted to Jesus. I think I can say that ... now. This year is off to a great start! I've been excited about the 60-day reading challenge that my church is doing. I've been reading really great books about all kinds of ways to grow in the Lord. I'm growing (slowly) in my prayer life. I'm learning to be faithful and thankful. And I've just been excited and content in the Lord lately. ... But, maybe you struggle with this too, my zeal for God comes and goes. Blah. I hate that, but it does. In some seasons of life, I am super zealous. In other seasons, often when things are "hunky dory" or I'm frustrated with God or prayer or something going on in my life at the time, not so much. Sometimes, I am slothful in zeal. ... And I don't wanna be slothful ... ever.
Here are a few ways we can be zealous INSTEAD OF slothful ... you may need your Bible for this part! ;)
~ We need to run from being lazy in our faith (Acts 6:1-4)
~ We must stay focused ... we need to get rid of the things that distract us from Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)
~ We must be unafraid ... let's not worry about what other people think about us or be afraid of the future or things that are unknown to us; but instead, let's do what's right and live for Jesus (Deuteronomy 31:6-8)
~ We need to get excited about what Jesus is doing in our lives and let it show (Philippians 4:4) ... Oh! And if you don't know what Jesus is doing in your life, you need to pick up your Bible and READ IT more often! You need to TALK TO Jesus some, yo! :)
And why is it so important to live zealous (passionately devoted) lives for the Lord?
Look up John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 to find your answer!
BECAUSE JESUS LOVES US AND DIED FOR US!
Even when we were totally separated from Him, even when we were His ENEMIES, Christ died for us ... so that we can have LIFE ... and live that life abundantly and zealously. :)
Stay tuned for more ponderings about ZEAL :)
Romans 12:11
Do not be slothful in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
"DO NOT BE SLOTHFUL IN ZEAL."
Zeal means "eager interest and enthusiasm or passionate devotion." Pretty cool, huh? What are you super interested in and enthusiastic about? To what or whom are you passionately devoted? Really ... think about it for a second.
--- I don't get to dance these days, but I'm super enthusiastic about dancing! Ballroom and West Coast Swing dancing were so cool when I had the chance to do 'em! I was entirely interested in learning how to dance. I was at the dance studio every week night and most Saturdays for about a year and a half. And when I transferred to a new studio, I was there every Tuesday night for a lesson and two Friday nights and two Sunday afternoons a month for nearly another year. I was probably considered passionately devoted to dance. It was so cool! ---
I want to say I'm that excited about and devoted to Jesus. I think I can say that ... now. This year is off to a great start! I've been excited about the 60-day reading challenge that my church is doing. I've been reading really great books about all kinds of ways to grow in the Lord. I'm growing (slowly) in my prayer life. I'm learning to be faithful and thankful. And I've just been excited and content in the Lord lately. ... But, maybe you struggle with this too, my zeal for God comes and goes. Blah. I hate that, but it does. In some seasons of life, I am super zealous. In other seasons, often when things are "hunky dory" or I'm frustrated with God or prayer or something going on in my life at the time, not so much. Sometimes, I am slothful in zeal. ... And I don't wanna be slothful ... ever.
Here are a few ways we can be zealous INSTEAD OF slothful ... you may need your Bible for this part! ;)
~ We need to run from being lazy in our faith (Acts 6:1-4)
~ We must stay focused ... we need to get rid of the things that distract us from Jesus (Hebrews 12:1-2)
~ We must be unafraid ... let's not worry about what other people think about us or be afraid of the future or things that are unknown to us; but instead, let's do what's right and live for Jesus (Deuteronomy 31:6-8)
~ We need to get excited about what Jesus is doing in our lives and let it show (Philippians 4:4) ... Oh! And if you don't know what Jesus is doing in your life, you need to pick up your Bible and READ IT more often! You need to TALK TO Jesus some, yo! :)
And why is it so important to live zealous (passionately devoted) lives for the Lord?
Look up John 3:16 and Romans 5:8 to find your answer!
BECAUSE JESUS LOVES US AND DIED FOR US!
Even when we were totally separated from Him, even when we were His ENEMIES, Christ died for us ... so that we can have LIFE ... and live that life abundantly and zealously. :)
Stay tuned for more ponderings about ZEAL :)
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