Two weeks ago my second child, Katelyn, graduated from High School. Since having graduated our first child four years ago, I was a little more prepared for the waves of grief that would wash over me. Hard to believe, because I remember during the potty training years, I would think, "How many more years until she graduates?!" (of course, always said with a smile).
And here we are. Another one of my children on her way! The memories have come like floods, in the days of preparation for the PARTY! Seeing the pictures of childhood, the school papers, the handwriting, the dreams....all laid out (all that money on scrapbooks was well spent after all)! I remember the first days of kindergarten, when I wasn't sure if I would be able to handle Katelyn gone for the whole morning! Wouldn't she miss me? What if she needs me? It was an easy transition for her. She loved her teacher and her classmates~ such a social little girl. Then on to first grade....all day long...are you kidding? What am I missing? I am not the one to teach her things and show her all the wonders in this world. Oh, how quickly time goes by....
first grade~ a love for reading
second grade~ a love for math
third grade~ a love for drama & singing
fourth grade~ a love for soccer, which stays throughout high school
fifth grade~ tried homeschooling for a year~ she didn't love that!
sixth grade~ a love for writing
seventh grade~ a love for changing classrooms
eigth grade~a love for a new school, Concordia
ninth grade~ a love for the Lord; her heart is on fire
tenth grade~ a love for all people & a desire for Africa is stirring
eleventh grade~ a love for the people of Malawi; mission trip plants the seed
twelth grade~ a love for whatever God has for her; a heart open to His plans
And so, we close this chapter. I am waiting with hope in my heart for the next chapter that the Lord will write. The pages are blank. The writer is poised, with pen in hand...for Katelyn, this next chapter is entitled: Twentyfourseven. That is the desire of her heart~ to live a life unto the Lord 24/7. So it begins.......
"These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9
Friday, May 29, 2009
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Why God Made Moms :)
WHY GOD MADE MOMS
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions: Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2 Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Answers given by 2nd grade school children to the following questions: Why did God make mothers?
1. She's the only one who knows where the scotch tape is.
2. Mostly to clean the house.
3. To help us out of there when we were getting born.
How did God make mothers?
1. He used dirt, just like for the rest of us.
2 Magic plus super powers and a lot of stirring.
3. God made my Mom just the same like he made me. He just used bigger parts.
What ingredients are mothers made of ?
1. God makes mothers out of clouds and angel hair and everything nice in the world and one dab of mean.
2. They had to get their start from men's bones. Then they mostly use string, I think.
Why did God give you your mother and not some other mom?
1. We're related.
2. God knew she likes me a lot more than other people's moms like me.
What kind of little girl was your mom?
1. My Mom has always been my mom and none of that other stuff.
2. I don't know because I wasn't there, but my guess would be pretty bossy.
3. They say she used to be nice.
What did Mom need to know about dad before she married him?
1. His last name.
2. She had to know his background. Like is he a crook? Does he get drunk on beer?
3. Does he make at least $800 a year? Did he say NO to drugs and YES to chores?
Why did your mom marry your dad?
1. My dad makes the best spaghetti in the world. And my Mom eats a lot.
2. She got too old to do anything else with him.
3. My grandma says that Mom didn't have her thinking cap on.
Who's the boss at your house?
1. Mom doesn't want to be boss, but she has to because dad's such a goof ball.
2. Mom. You can tell by room inspection. She sees the stuff under the bed.
3. I guess Mom is, but only because she has a lot more to do than dad.
What's the difference between moms & dads?
1. Moms work at work and work at home and dads just go to work at work.
2. Moms know how to talk to teachers without scaring them.
3. Dads are taller & stronger, but moms have all the real power 'cause that's who you got to ask if you want to sleep over at your friend's.
4. Moms have magic, they make you feel better without medicine.
What does your mom do in her spare time?
1. Mothers don't do spare time.
2. To hear her tell it, she pays bills all day long.
What would it take to make your mom perfect?
1. On the inside she's already perfect. Outside, I think some kind of plastic surgery.
2. Diet. You know, her hair. I'd diet, maybe blue.
If you could change one thing about your mom, what would it be?
1. She has this weird thing about me keeping my room clean. I'd get rid of that.
2. I'd make my mom smarter. Then she would know it was my sister who did it and not me.
3. I would like for her to get rid of those invisible eyes on the back of her head.
Happy Mother's Day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Monday, May 4, 2009
Walking in Freedom
I remember hearing a story from the Civil War period of time....when the slaves were freed, they were released from years of bondage as slaves & told they could go, live their lives in freedom, no more chains, no more slave owners telling them what to do....freedom. It sounds good and yet many of those slaves knew nothing else of their life. What would they do? How would they make a living? Some chose to stay right where they were & continue to serve their masters. They had lived in slavery for so long, even freedom didn't seem to make some of those men, women and children free....
The Israelites spent so many years in bondage and slavery by the Egytians that when their freedom came, they did not know how to live as free men & women either. Bondage had been all they had known.....so freedom didn't seem to make the Israelites free....
What about you? What about me? So many years in bondage to sin; slaves to sin and yet, we have been set free~ for those of us who are disciples of Jesus. We have been set free...Galations 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." This is the truth of what has happened to us (just as the Israelites had been set free or when the slaves in the US were set free)...the truth needs to be walked out. So, are you hungry to be free? Because it is a process; freedom is a lifestyle; we have to walk it out. In John 8:31, Jesus is talking to "church" people and the Word says, "To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Freedom is the ability to live without bondage to sin!
God's desire is that we live in freedom. He has already set us free; now we have to live it out! So here are a couple principles in "walking in freedom":
1) Freedom begins with a new focus~ Seek Him First; Eyes fixed on Jesus (Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first His kingdom)! When we focus on Jesus and His kingdom, we stop focusing on our sin.
The Israelites spent so many years in bondage and slavery by the Egytians that when their freedom came, they did not know how to live as free men & women either. Bondage had been all they had known.....so freedom didn't seem to make the Israelites free....
What about you? What about me? So many years in bondage to sin; slaves to sin and yet, we have been set free~ for those of us who are disciples of Jesus. We have been set free...Galations 5:1 says, "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." This is the truth of what has happened to us (just as the Israelites had been set free or when the slaves in the US were set free)...the truth needs to be walked out. So, are you hungry to be free? Because it is a process; freedom is a lifestyle; we have to walk it out. In John 8:31, Jesus is talking to "church" people and the Word says, "To the Jews who had believed in him, Jesus said, 'If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free."
Freedom is the ability to live without bondage to sin!
God's desire is that we live in freedom. He has already set us free; now we have to live it out! So here are a couple principles in "walking in freedom":
1) Freedom begins with a new focus~ Seek Him First; Eyes fixed on Jesus (Matthew 6:33 tells us to seek first His kingdom)! When we focus on Jesus and His kingdom, we stop focusing on our sin.
*What you are paying attention to defines who you are.*
2) Freedom begins with a new identity~ This is a new focus to...Galations 2:20 tells us, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." I am a new creation when I receive the gift of salvation~ I have been moved from darkness to light, the old has passed away & everything is new, Jesus is my life now....Who is living in your body? Flesh? or the Holy Spirit? Galations 5:16 reminds us to live by the Holy Spirit!
*Freedom is not what you've been set free from, but who you've been set free to become.*
The reality is that we have been set free....now we need to walk in the freedom we have already been given.....
Saturday, May 2, 2009
Oh, Baby!
On April 6th, we had the privilege of going to the AAA Center for Pregnancy Counseling for an opportunity to bless the center with clothes, toys, diapers, and other baby items for the “baby store” they have. What 
happened that night was a mutual blessing and we were blessed by hearing, seeing, and experiencing what the center does for women in need.
The center has blessed the Omaha area for over twenty years. “We started out doing pregnancy tests, and referring women to places in the community that could help them the most. We have grown into a full service advocate for women facing unplanned pregnancies, which includes a wide array of medical services” (www.aaacpc.com).
After being at the center and going through each “step” they provide for women there, I can tell you that they do so much more than offer medical services. They have true passion for the babies involved, but what is remarkably beautiful is the passion for the mothers. They truly counsel these women. They care about them. They love them. They establish relationships with them. They want them to know every option available so that each mother can make the best choice she can.
They even go beyond just a humanistic view of love and offer the love of Jesus Christ to those who will receive it.
That is what this love is all about.
That is what this life is all about.
His love is what changes lives!
At the beginning of the evening, I was expecting to simply bring a few baby clothes for those in need. I was not expecting to be blessed by what I saw, but my heart burst open inside of me that night. As I walked out to the car that evening, the brisk April air hit my cheeks and the deep breath I took in was a fresh burst of life in my lungs and my heart.
happened that night was a mutual blessing and we were blessed by hearing, seeing, and experiencing what the center does for women in need.The center has blessed the Omaha area for over twenty years. “We started out doing pregnancy tests, and referring women to places in the community that could help them the most. We have grown into a full service advocate for women facing unplanned pregnancies, which includes a wide array of medical services” (www.aaacpc.com).
After being at the center and going through each “step” they provide for women there, I can tell you that they do so much more than offer medical services. They have true passion for the babies involved, but what is remarkably beautiful is the passion for the mothers. They truly counsel these women. They care about them. They love them. They establish relationships with them. They want them to know every option available so that each mother can make the best choice she can.
They even go beyond just a humanistic view of love and offer the love of Jesus Christ to those who will receive it.That is what this love is all about.
That is what this life is all about.
His love is what changes lives!
At the beginning of the evening, I was expecting to simply bring a few baby clothes for those in need. I was not expecting to be blessed by what I saw, but my heart burst open inside of me that night. As I walked out to the car that evening, the brisk April air hit my cheeks and the deep breath I took in was a fresh burst of life in my lungs and my heart.
I saw a true example of the body of Christ in action that night! What an opportunity to gather as sisters in fellowship, fun, and a night that blessed so, so many! Thank You, Jesus!
Saturday, March 28, 2009
The Bridal Shop
My daughter and I went shopping today for her prom dress. What a fun afternoon that was! I love to shop with her and this was such a special occasion to shop for. Kate is a senior, so her last prom. We have done many "lasts" this year. As the school year winds down, one of those lasts is the big night of prom.
The first place we started for the perfect dress was a bridal shop (how things have changed since I was shopping for a prom dress)! :) The electricity in the atmosphere of a bridal shop is contagious. Girls looking for the dress for her wedding day...mothers and daughters and friends and sisters...I was excited for everyone in the place! I complimented the girls, who were gazing into the large mirrors, looking to see how the dress looked from the front, back, and side view. How's the neckline? What about the color? Too white, not white enough? Too much lace? Not enough lace? Camera phones were snapping pictures all over this open platform, mirrored area! How beautiful they looked. Dress after dress filled the fitting room area, which is out in the open for all to behold.
Just then, all the moms & daughters & sisters & friends turned their gaze to a flower girl, who was dressed in the most adorable princess dress. She flowed as she walked, with the "poofy" bodice of the dress and the glitter that shone in the light. This little one (around 6 years old) walked to the mirror with total confidence of who she was and how beautiful she looked. Her mother informed me that she was a "pro"~ she has done this once before! :) She walked past me and I said "Every girl needs a princess dress like that." Her mom smiled and said, "Oh yes". I was immediately thinking of how Jesus was seeing that little one...interceding on her behalf before the Father, that she would always know herself as His bride, His princess.
There were several young men in this area, waiting to see the dresses of their brides. They looked a little awkward, but smiles were on their faces....waiting to see...or maybe not even to see, but to anticipate which dress his bride may have chosen. I did think & actually say out loud, "I think this is the happiest place in this city"! I could have stayed there all day, admiring all the beautiful girls, who were planning for the most important day of all their lives. What else did they have on the list for today? Invitations, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, etc....all the details of planning a wedding.
So, I asked myself while I waited for my daughter to emerge from the fitting room:
"How am I planning for my wedding day~ the wedding supper of the Lamb?"
"Would others see the beauty of anticipation in my eyes?"
"Am I being prepared for my wedding day?"
"Do I realize how much my groom (the Messiah, Jesus) loves me?"
"Am I happy as a bride?"
I am so thankful for this experience today at the bridal shop. It has spurred in me a joy & excitement & anticipation for my wedding day...."Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7
Kate chose a gorgeous dress to wear to her senior prom. We may be having many "lasts" this year, but so many more "firsts" are to come!
The first place we started for the perfect dress was a bridal shop (how things have changed since I was shopping for a prom dress)! :) The electricity in the atmosphere of a bridal shop is contagious. Girls looking for the dress for her wedding day...mothers and daughters and friends and sisters...I was excited for everyone in the place! I complimented the girls, who were gazing into the large mirrors, looking to see how the dress looked from the front, back, and side view. How's the neckline? What about the color? Too white, not white enough? Too much lace? Not enough lace? Camera phones were snapping pictures all over this open platform, mirrored area! How beautiful they looked. Dress after dress filled the fitting room area, which is out in the open for all to behold.
Just then, all the moms & daughters & sisters & friends turned their gaze to a flower girl, who was dressed in the most adorable princess dress. She flowed as she walked, with the "poofy" bodice of the dress and the glitter that shone in the light. This little one (around 6 years old) walked to the mirror with total confidence of who she was and how beautiful she looked. Her mother informed me that she was a "pro"~ she has done this once before! :) She walked past me and I said "Every girl needs a princess dress like that." Her mom smiled and said, "Oh yes". I was immediately thinking of how Jesus was seeing that little one...interceding on her behalf before the Father, that she would always know herself as His bride, His princess.
There were several young men in this area, waiting to see the dresses of their brides. They looked a little awkward, but smiles were on their faces....waiting to see...or maybe not even to see, but to anticipate which dress his bride may have chosen. I did think & actually say out loud, "I think this is the happiest place in this city"! I could have stayed there all day, admiring all the beautiful girls, who were planning for the most important day of all their lives. What else did they have on the list for today? Invitations, bridesmaid dresses, flowers, etc....all the details of planning a wedding.
So, I asked myself while I waited for my daughter to emerge from the fitting room:
"How am I planning for my wedding day~ the wedding supper of the Lamb?"
"Would others see the beauty of anticipation in my eyes?"
"Am I being prepared for my wedding day?"
"Do I realize how much my groom (the Messiah, Jesus) loves me?"
"Am I happy as a bride?"
I am so thankful for this experience today at the bridal shop. It has spurred in me a joy & excitement & anticipation for my wedding day...."Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready." Revelation 19:7
Kate chose a gorgeous dress to wear to her senior prom. We may be having many "lasts" this year, but so many more "firsts" are to come!
Thursday, March 12, 2009
The Sunshine Country
The Sunshine Country~ The title of a story found in Jon's reading text book a couple weeks ago. From reading the title, Jon and I concluded that this story was either about a country that had much sunshine :) or it was about heaven (the place we will go that will have the brightest sun possible--Jesus Christ himself)! We began to read the story and didn't need to read to far to discover that this title was referring to heaven, the sunshine country. Revelation 21:23 says, "The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp."
As the story goes, a boy hears of a country called the "sunshine Country" where the sun never, never went down. The boy goes in search of this country~ which he believes is over the range of mountains near his home. He climbs higher and higher up the mountain, arrives at the top and looks down into a beautiful valley enclosed by mountains on all sides and flooded with May sunshine. As he begins to climb downward into the valley, he comes across a little cave dwelling. He enters it, needing some rest and shade and when he goes inside, he sees a little table with a book sitting upon it. Opening it, the boy read the words that were written on the first page:
"Whoever you are~ you who take this sacred volume in your hand~ read it with perseverance and attention, line after line. It shall teach you the Way that leads from this vale of tears to the country where there is no night and where the sun never goes down, the land of light and happiness eternal."
The young boy returns to this little cave week after week to read the words of this sacred volume. When he is away from the cave these words repeat in his head, "Line by line." And you can figure out the ending....he gives his life to the Lord Jesus and surrenders all to Him, obeying Him, longing to be in the sunshine country.
May we hear the Word, read it for ourselves with perseverance and attention, line after line, obey it that we may long to be in the sunshine country with our Glorious, Magnificent, Perfect, Lamb of God, who is the light!
As the story goes, a boy hears of a country called the "sunshine Country" where the sun never, never went down. The boy goes in search of this country~ which he believes is over the range of mountains near his home. He climbs higher and higher up the mountain, arrives at the top and looks down into a beautiful valley enclosed by mountains on all sides and flooded with May sunshine. As he begins to climb downward into the valley, he comes across a little cave dwelling. He enters it, needing some rest and shade and when he goes inside, he sees a little table with a book sitting upon it. Opening it, the boy read the words that were written on the first page:
"Whoever you are~ you who take this sacred volume in your hand~ read it with perseverance and attention, line after line. It shall teach you the Way that leads from this vale of tears to the country where there is no night and where the sun never goes down, the land of light and happiness eternal."
The young boy returns to this little cave week after week to read the words of this sacred volume. When he is away from the cave these words repeat in his head, "Line by line." And you can figure out the ending....he gives his life to the Lord Jesus and surrenders all to Him, obeying Him, longing to be in the sunshine country.
May we hear the Word, read it for ourselves with perseverance and attention, line after line, obey it that we may long to be in the sunshine country with our Glorious, Magnificent, Perfect, Lamb of God, who is the light!
Monday, February 23, 2009
Silent, Still, Surrendered
Revelation 1 describes the beauty and majesty of Jesus. He is dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet (the dress of a high priest) with a golden sash around his chest (the dress of a King). His head and hair white like wool (wisdom, eternity), his eyes like blazing fire (all seeing, all consuming, refining). His feet like bronze glowing in a furnace (he will return in judgment) and his voice like the sound of rushing water (commands authority, drowns out all other voices). He holds the pastors & leaders in His right hand (protection & sustaining power) and out of his mouth is a double-edged sword (the Word of God). His face like the sun shining in all its brilliance (He is light). When John turns to see the voice who was speaking to him, the Word reads, "When I saw him, I fell at his feet as though dead. Then he placed his hand on me and said..." (Revelation 1:17)
John turns and fell at Jesus' feet, as though dead. What are characteristics of a dead man? Silent, still, surrendered. These words have been a revelation to me this week. To be silent, still and surrendered to Jesus Christ.
John turns and fell at Jesus' feet, as though dead. What are characteristics of a dead man? Silent, still, surrendered. These words have been a revelation to me this week. To be silent, still and surrendered to Jesus Christ.
- Silent~ no argueing, no justifying, no whining or complaining, no asking, no speaking, quiet
- Still ~ not moving, quiet, without movement
- Surrendered ~ Your will, not mine; Your way, not mine; All for Your glory, body & mind given to you; handed over to You; submitted to You; yielded to You
This week I wrote those 3 words in permanent marker on my hand....to remind myself that I was one who desired to live silent, still and surrendered to Jesus. I made the decision to be silent with my mouth, so does no voice=silence? Not this week. My mind went talking for me! I had many thoughts & ideas & words rambling through my mind. What a lesson the Lord taught me through my vocal silence.....it is not only my voice that needed to be silent before Him. I had to practice quieting my mind (the place of the attitudes, will & emotions). My mind had to be commanded to be silent, still and surrendered to the Lord. I need to be a "like a dead man" inside & out, so that I can feel Jesus place his right hand on me and speak....
Friday, February 6, 2009
Mission Possible
I have to admit it~ I love goals/resolutions/writing a mission statement. I know there aren't many of us who thrive on it, but I do! Each year (over Christmas vacation), my husband & I grab the kids and begin to discuss what each persons' goals are for the next year. We have been writing a "mission statement" and goal setting as a family for 10+ years now. At this stage in the game, my kids are armed & ready with their goals for the following year...and as they get older, the goals are more thought-provoking and life-changing. For example: My middle child (Katelyn) is graduating from high school this year, so one of her goals this year is to press into the Lord to see what He has for her next fall. (She feels that she has heard from Him in this area, but she is going to continue to listen to her Shepherd's voice.) My oldest child (Lindsay) has a goal "seeking what the Lord has next for her--the next season He may have her walk into". (Of course my prayer in this goal of Lindsay's would be that God would provide a loving man to be her husband & best friend.) Then our youngest child (Jonathan, who is 11 years old) has set a goal to get faster in swimming (he wants to keep taking seconds off his times) and to "eat the scroll" (a term from the book of Ezekiel)--to get into the Word of God & meditate & memorize it. It is a joy to watch God work in my children as they seek Him for goals for the following year.
As we approach each year, my husband & I begin asking the Lord to give us a statement or scripture to guide our life for that year. This year (2009), God gave me the words "Do the right thing". I first heard those words in a commercial on tv in November 2008. I didn't pay much attention to it, but then in the next week, I heard the same words four different times. That got may attention. So I began asking the Lord, "Is this what you have for us in 2009--to do the right thing." I discussed it with Greg (my hubby) and we prayed into it. Nothing else was taking the place of those words, so that became our Mission Statement for 2009~"Do the right thing". I place the mission statement on our fridge with everyone's goals. We can be reminded daily of the mission and our individual goals--it serves as our "focus" for the year.
Think of a puzzle. If you put all the pieces of a puzzle on the table and begin to put the pieces together, it is helpful to have the picture of the finished product in front of you, so you know where to put all the pieces. If you didn't have the picture, it would make the puzzle a lot more difficult to put together--if you don't even know what it is suppose to be! We did this experiment during the "Mission Possible" night. Women gathered to write a mission statement and set goals for the new year and celebrate what God did in 2008! We divided into groups; some groups had a puzzle in the box, so they could see the picture. Others got the puzzle pieces in a lunch sack. They had to try to figure out what the picture was suppose to be....I explained how this activity is much like living life without the direction/guidance of goals or a mission statement. It helps to keep life focused. Even with a mission statement, there are times during the year where I am totally off! But, the mission brings me back in check. The goal when writing a mission statement is this: stay on course 80% of the time!
As you begin to think through some goals for this new year or if you want to write a mission statement, I have a ten tips:
1) Get alone with God~ sit before Him quietly; thanking Him for all His faithfulness in the previous year; ask Him what He might have for you in the new year
2) Ask the Lord to make a statement or scripture or idea jump off the page or stand out among all others or repeat it over and over
3) Be realistic. Don't write your "dreams for life" in the mission for the year. Make this year a stepping stone to fulfilling those dreams that God has placed in your heart.
4) The goal for 2009~ stay on course 80% of the time
5) You may need to change your goals as the year goes on; stay flexible
6) Write out your mission statement and keep it in a prominent place where you will see it daily
7) Don't have too many goals. 2-3 realistic goals are great! You may want to have a goal in 3 different areas of your life or you may want to focus on 1 area this year. (Work, relationships, physical body, spiritual life, heart--mind/will/emotions)
8) This exercise is not for everyone! Achievers will love it! Spontaneous people will not!
9) The reason for mission statements and goal setting (according to me): "Be very careful then, how you live~ not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
10) Have fun with it!
As we approach each year, my husband & I begin asking the Lord to give us a statement or scripture to guide our life for that year. This year (2009), God gave me the words "Do the right thing". I first heard those words in a commercial on tv in November 2008. I didn't pay much attention to it, but then in the next week, I heard the same words four different times. That got may attention. So I began asking the Lord, "Is this what you have for us in 2009--to do the right thing." I discussed it with Greg (my hubby) and we prayed into it. Nothing else was taking the place of those words, so that became our Mission Statement for 2009~"Do the right thing". I place the mission statement on our fridge with everyone's goals. We can be reminded daily of the mission and our individual goals--it serves as our "focus" for the year.
Think of a puzzle. If you put all the pieces of a puzzle on the table and begin to put the pieces together, it is helpful to have the picture of the finished product in front of you, so you know where to put all the pieces. If you didn't have the picture, it would make the puzzle a lot more difficult to put together--if you don't even know what it is suppose to be! We did this experiment during the "Mission Possible" night. Women gathered to write a mission statement and set goals for the new year and celebrate what God did in 2008! We divided into groups; some groups had a puzzle in the box, so they could see the picture. Others got the puzzle pieces in a lunch sack. They had to try to figure out what the picture was suppose to be....I explained how this activity is much like living life without the direction/guidance of goals or a mission statement. It helps to keep life focused. Even with a mission statement, there are times during the year where I am totally off! But, the mission brings me back in check. The goal when writing a mission statement is this: stay on course 80% of the time!
As you begin to think through some goals for this new year or if you want to write a mission statement, I have a ten tips:
1) Get alone with God~ sit before Him quietly; thanking Him for all His faithfulness in the previous year; ask Him what He might have for you in the new year
2) Ask the Lord to make a statement or scripture or idea jump off the page or stand out among all others or repeat it over and over
3) Be realistic. Don't write your "dreams for life" in the mission for the year. Make this year a stepping stone to fulfilling those dreams that God has placed in your heart.
4) The goal for 2009~ stay on course 80% of the time
5) You may need to change your goals as the year goes on; stay flexible
6) Write out your mission statement and keep it in a prominent place where you will see it daily
7) Don't have too many goals. 2-3 realistic goals are great! You may want to have a goal in 3 different areas of your life or you may want to focus on 1 area this year. (Work, relationships, physical body, spiritual life, heart--mind/will/emotions)
8) This exercise is not for everyone! Achievers will love it! Spontaneous people will not!
9) The reason for mission statements and goal setting (according to me): "Be very careful then, how you live~ not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
10) Have fun with it!
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
Women's Retreat
We never got this put up on the blog (I suppose it just never occurred to us), but here is a short slideshow from the Women's Retreat we went this last September.
The theme of the retreat was "Come Away With Me" and I think all who went would agree that it was a sweet time of doing that with the Lord!
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Healthy Heart: Part 3
In order to have a healthy heart in this new year, we need to ask ourselves a couple of questions: 1) Do I see any warning signs of an unhealthy heart? For example: pride,anger,bitterness,selfishness,sin,distracted with the things of the world, greed, a spiritual deadness, jealousy, desire to please the flesh--these are all "flesh woman" characteristics. 2) Am I ready to change my "heart condition"?
Part 2 shared the diet changes that are required for a healthy heart. Today, I will share the importance of exercise & stress reduction. This is as crucial for physical heart changes as spiritual heart changes. I Timothy 4:7b-8 says, "...train yourselves to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding the promise for both the present life and the life to come." We need to train ourselves to be godly--this is a discipline. Here are some inner exercises (or disciplines) that will begin our journey of a healthy heart:
1) Sabbath Keeping~ it is important that we take the Sabbath seriously. God instilled a day that we worship Him and not do any work...it is a day of rest. Rest is good for the soul! We are a culture that does not rest well.
2) Obedience~ Obey God's Word! Read Psalm 119 and hear the love of the law that the psalmist writes about. God has your best in mind. "His boundaries lie in pleasant places." (Ps. 16:6)
3) Confession~ Examine your conscience daily. Invite God to move upon your heart and show any areas that need His forgiveness and healing (there are 2 main categories of sin: sins of the heart and sins of the flesh)
*Sins of the heart--pride, arrogance, fear, anger, bitterness, etc.
*Sins of the flesh--laziness, overeating, adultery, overspending, etc.
Confession brings relief, freedom, joy and peace!
4) Meditating on the Word~ This is a time of reflection on a portion of scripture; maybe just one verse. Chew on the Word!
5) Worship~ A focused time on Jesus; to adore Him; to pour your love over Him. Develop a habit of worship...in the car, while your doing chores around the house, when kids are napping...Jesus will fill you to overflowing and pour His love over you as you minister to Him!
6) Prayer~ "To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us," (David Foster). Prayer is a conversation, which means there is talking and LISTENING. We do much too much talking. Spend some time with a "prayer journal" & listen to what God is saying to you. Worship first, so your mind is clear of the clutter of the world. Then be still and hear what God is saying to you. Train your ear to hear His quiet voice.
Six disciplines or inner exercises that will transform your soul, which will bring health to your heart. Keep diligent in these matters and a desire will follow. What you feed on, you will crave. So begin feeding on the disciplines of the heart and you will begin to crave them. God's Word is alive and active and will transform you from the inside out. You will be amazed at the healthy heart that the Lord will develop in you~ what is on the inside of us, eventually is produced on the outside. Others will see the change in you too! What a great year it will be as you apply the diet changes, and exercise to reduce stress inwardly~ to have a healthy spiritual heart~ refreshed & renewed in 2009!
Part 2 shared the diet changes that are required for a healthy heart. Today, I will share the importance of exercise & stress reduction. This is as crucial for physical heart changes as spiritual heart changes. I Timothy 4:7b-8 says, "...train yourselves to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding the promise for both the present life and the life to come." We need to train ourselves to be godly--this is a discipline. Here are some inner exercises (or disciplines) that will begin our journey of a healthy heart:
1) Sabbath Keeping~ it is important that we take the Sabbath seriously. God instilled a day that we worship Him and not do any work...it is a day of rest. Rest is good for the soul! We are a culture that does not rest well.
2) Obedience~ Obey God's Word! Read Psalm 119 and hear the love of the law that the psalmist writes about. God has your best in mind. "His boundaries lie in pleasant places." (Ps. 16:6)
3) Confession~ Examine your conscience daily. Invite God to move upon your heart and show any areas that need His forgiveness and healing (there are 2 main categories of sin: sins of the heart and sins of the flesh)
*Sins of the heart--pride, arrogance, fear, anger, bitterness, etc.
*Sins of the flesh--laziness, overeating, adultery, overspending, etc.
Confession brings relief, freedom, joy and peace!
4) Meditating on the Word~ This is a time of reflection on a portion of scripture; maybe just one verse. Chew on the Word!
5) Worship~ A focused time on Jesus; to adore Him; to pour your love over Him. Develop a habit of worship...in the car, while your doing chores around the house, when kids are napping...Jesus will fill you to overflowing and pour His love over you as you minister to Him!
6) Prayer~ "To pray is to change. Prayer is the central avenue God uses to transform us," (David Foster). Prayer is a conversation, which means there is talking and LISTENING. We do much too much talking. Spend some time with a "prayer journal" & listen to what God is saying to you. Worship first, so your mind is clear of the clutter of the world. Then be still and hear what God is saying to you. Train your ear to hear His quiet voice.
Six disciplines or inner exercises that will transform your soul, which will bring health to your heart. Keep diligent in these matters and a desire will follow. What you feed on, you will crave. So begin feeding on the disciplines of the heart and you will begin to crave them. God's Word is alive and active and will transform you from the inside out. You will be amazed at the healthy heart that the Lord will develop in you~ what is on the inside of us, eventually is produced on the outside. Others will see the change in you too! What a great year it will be as you apply the diet changes, and exercise to reduce stress inwardly~ to have a healthy spiritual heart~ refreshed & renewed in 2009!
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