Hopes & Dreams

The last few months have been full of change. I've been organizing and simplifying, purging and re-purposing. I've implemented a new method of personal Bible study, and re-focused my priorities. In the past couple of weeks, I've joined the 5:00 a.m. club (really, it's 5:30 for me...but that's what works). I feel like chaos is becoming a thing of the past. It's slow, but I can see it coming.

Thanks to Terri, I've been reading "A Woman After God's Own Heart" by Elizabeth George. I'm using it during my prayer time -- reading a chapter & praying over it. Last week, I was profoundly affected when I read

Motivation is key when it comes to nurturing a heart of devotion, and dreaming helps motivate us. As a wake-up call to the seriousness of daily life and to find fresh urgency about your walk with the Lord,describe the woman you want to be spiritually in one year. Let your answer put wings to your dreams.

She goes on to encourage how much we can accomplish in a year with the Lord's help. So, I made my list. I've marked that page in my journal so that I can refer to it regularly & pray over it.

In one year, I want to:

~be more intimate with God
~love Him more
~have Him be more real to me
~know more of His Word
~be ministering more to others, especially my family
~be at peace with the plans He has for my life
~continue to be a member of the 5:30 a.m. club
~have an accountability partner
~honor God & my husband, in my roles as wife & Deacon's wife

I figured if I'm going to dream, I might as well dream big!

Today I began my time with Him praying

Oh God, I praise you because you are so good! You are so much greater than my mind can comprehend. Nothing is larger than you, yet nothing is too small for you to care about! Nothing is too difficult for you, yet you are involved in even the simplest of things. You made the millions of suns and stars, yet you are involved in the intimate details of my life. You are beyond reason, yet you're the explanation for everything.

I flipped to my list and prayed over it again. I specifically remember praying for the accountability partner. That's been heavy on my heart, and I thought of a couple of ladies. I didn't have a peace about those choices, although they would have been wonderful. But wouldn't you know, God answered that prayer! In His own way, which was so much better than what I had asked or imagined! (Eph. 3:20) A friend emailed me today, sharing a very personal struggle with me (one I also struggle with, but had not really discussed with her). She said she felt led to contact me, and she asked if we could pray for each other. I nearly fell to pieces at my desk! God is so good and so faithful. Why am I so surprised when He answers my prayer?

Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. - Psalm 37:4

A New Look, A New Mission

(*updated to add changes in green below)

Recently I shared that I've been thinking a lot about blogging. Several of my favorite reads are in the midst of blogging breaks. I guess I took one myself this week. I've been asking the Lord to prioritize my days. And blogging hasn't been a priority. That, friends, is a God thing.


My new priorities coincide with the beautiful new look from Susie. It's the perfect time to make some changes.

Writing:
Several years ago, I wrote devotions and sent them out to friends via email. I actually created the blog because I thought it would be easier than sending out a mass email every week. But I was easily swept away from my purpose, and what started as a ministry soon began to border on obsession. I lost the vision of what God wanted to accomplish through me. He has opened my eyes to see what He wants for my life & my blog. I will continue to write, but I'm getting back to my original purpose & focus. I'll be sharing what I'm learning, through Bible study & life application. Under the "Life Support" sidebar, I'll post the Scripture that's tugging on my heart at the moment. Under the "Breathing In" sidebar, I'll post what Book of the Bible I'm currently studying. And "Fresh Air" will be the list of books I'm studying personally and for Sunday School.

I'm not exactly sure what it's going to look like yet. I just know it will be different.

Reading:
I have decided that I shouldn't have more blogs in my Bloglines than candles on my birthday cake (well, if I were crazy enough to put candles on my cake!). I'm actually below that number now, with a few to spare. It was hard to delete blogs, because I enjoyed reading them all. But I couldn't keep up. So, I thought about what I want to learn by reading blogs, and realized that I want to place priority on women who feel like old friends, women who inspire me, and women who can guide me to be a better wife, mother & homemaker. It was still difficult to choose, but I did it.

I've been reading "Shopping for Time: How to Do It All and NOT Be Overwhelmed" by Carolyn Mahaney & her three daughters. These ladies compare finding time to do everything with shopping for great deals.

Obviously, we don't want the "bad deals" to keep us from what is truly valuable. We don't want sinful pursuits to deter us from what is God glorifying. But, it's often the things such as a ministry opportunity, a relational pursuit, a money-making venture, a leisure activity, or a hobby that hinders us from making the best choices. It's frequently these good things that distract us from the best things.

I love blogging. It's been cathartic, educational, and relational for me. It's been a good thing, but not always the best thing. As I told another blogger via email this past week, God has used Christian bloggers to use the often-evil internet for good. What a praise! At the same time, I'm afraid that S*tan has used it to steal our time & attention away from what's really important. Heck, he didn't even have to steal mine...I handed it to him freely. Now I'm taking it back.

I want blogging to be a blessing in my life. I pray that THIS blog, when you visit, will be a blessing in yours.

Do You Think Stacey & Clinton Would Approve?

Thanks to Susie, I have a new look. What do you think?