| Picture from timesquarenyc.org
Many people begin to think of fresh starts in the new year. I usually make one or two new year resolutions myself. I spend some time examining the past year and think of ways I can improve my health, take better care of my family, how to make my work more efficient, direct my spiritual walk to be closer with God. I have decided to make a list of different resolutions for the year. These are a few that I have tried in the past and some I am working on for 2013. I would challenge everyone to make a new year resolution this year. Maybe something other than lose weight and manage your debt. Tell a friend so they will keep you accountable. Here are some to think about:
Almost 8 years ago I challenged myself to do this. I had finished a Bible Study Fellowship class not long before that, and I realized how life changing reading the Bible on a regular basis could be. I told myself that I would read the Bible through cover to cover, but I did not set any limits as to how much time or how long a passage to read each day. For a mother of a new baby at the time and homeschooling two others the passages in most One Year Bibles was a little too long. Three years later, yes three not one, I had read the Bible cover to cover.
Then, attending a conference by Zan Tyler, a popular homeschooling speaker, I was challenged again to read it through-- but not just once, over and over without stopping. So a new challenge for me, an on going challenge to this day. I bought a One Year Bible and I read it through again and again. For those that maybe do not own a One Year Bible, it is the Bible set in daily selections of one Old Test., one New Test., one Psalm, and one Proverb passage a day for a whole year. But I do not look at those dates at the top. I just read the next days passages despite what day of the year it is. That way if I miss a day I do not need to double up or worse, give up. Busier times I read just the old Testament selection for the day, then the next day the New Testament, the next the Psalm, and so forth. During times when I am less busy I read the whole assignment for each day. I have found that when I am reading long names of family lineage in the Old Testament passage, I have the New Testament passage to help me through. If I am reading the hard to understand book of Revelations, then I can enjoy the comfort of a Psalm. I do not have to read it in one year, but when completed I begin it all over again. Now an extra credit assignment-- memorizing it is not just for the kids :).
Spread the Gospel Matthew 28:19-20
This is a new one for me and I am resolving for 2013 to share the gospel with at least one person a week or a month. My husband has a new job. He is blessed to work for a company who's mission is to spread the light of Christ. He is encouraged regularly to share the gospel with his clients. That was scary at first for him. But just last week he had the opportunity to tell 2 people about Jesus. It's hard for me too. Do I bring it up in the check out line? Yes, I need to. Do I talk to the waitress? Yes, why am I not. Ok I am getting freaked out about now. But it is a mandate for Christians that I have been neglecting. I will have to ask the Holy Spirit to help me get on board with this like any of the other things I will mention on my list. I recommend this website to help http://www.wayofthemaster.com/index.shtml
It seems like all of us are spread thinner and thinner every year. It is all we can do to keep up with our families, work, and activities. I am right there with you. If I add one more thing I might just lose it. But our Heavenly Father calls us to serve one another. Maybe hand out bulletins Sunday morning, volunteer for the visitors desk at church, teach Sunday School, ask the Scout Master how you can help, offer your services to a teacher, take the pastor out for lunch, keep a friends kiddos, take a meal... just serve. Here are some other words for volunteer:
Show Hospitality Romans 12:13 and 1 Peter 4:9
Inviting people into our home can sometimes be a little scary. Especially if you have seen the mound of laundry that seems to reside on my couch. Again, time seems to challenge us here. Again, God's word asks us to open our homes to others. What a blessing to have families over. You do not have to pull out the best china or even cook a gourmet meal. Order some pizza and pull out the Apples to Apples game. Ask one another how God is working in your lives or how can we pray for one another.
Pray More James 5:16
Another New Year's resolution from my past. I keep a journal where I write prayer requests. It helps me to remember to ask others how I can pray for them. Once I have their prayer request written down it continues to assist me to remember to get updates from those I am praying for. I enjoy recording answers to those prayers. The journal is a precious keepsake of God's work in those around me. I also enjoy recording things I am thankful for there, or penning meaningful Bible passages and songs. If you are not familiar with the ACTS method of prayer please click on the word ACTS to learn more. I also schedule prayer for my church Pastor/Elders, missionaries, and government officials. One sweet friend would remember to pray for her church elders by "Frank Friday" and "Mike Monday." How she encourages me to remember them in prayer.
Eat Out Less 1 Corinthians 10:31
This was my last year's New Year resolution. I tend to eat out more when life gets super busy. Driving through seems so much easier than defrosting the meat at the end of a long day. Taking time to grocery shop and menu plan tacks on more time to the week. But what a budget saver and health help to eat at home. Last year I dared myself to see how many weeks I could go without eating out just once. I think I only went close to 3 weeks, aaaggghh. You can find multiple blogs that are completely focused on this very thing. Maybe I will revisit this test in 2013.
Show Love to My Family John13:34 and 35
Dr. Gary Chapman has a book about the 5 love languages. They are physical touch, quality time, receiving gifts, words of affirmation, and acts of service. The test here would be to try to figure out which love language each of your family members has and then work on showing your love for them in their love language. Husband included.
These are ideas that have either challenged me in years past or that are inspiring me for 2013. I just list them here for all of us to get our brains a working on how we can serve others or draw closer to the Lord in the New Year!
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Monday, December 31, 2012
A Different New Year Resolution
Thursday, December 27, 2012
You're Da Man!
Last night my main man took me on a date to see Les Mis! I have to send out a big, "Thank you." I couldn't believe he was up for it even after I told him the dialogue of the entire movie would be sung. :) I know you're secure with your manhood.
Having a record breaking opening, we waited in a super long line and the theater was packed. I was excited to see so many young people wanting to enjoy this particular film. We were blessed with awesome seats at one of the largest screens in Texas. I felt like I was right there in the movie. It did not disappoint. I can highly recommend going to see it. (This movie is not for the kiddos).
The plot includes a look at law vs. grace. It serves some great talking points after the show. Not to mention the wonderful musical score and the beautiful storyline. The movie is Les Incredibles! I won't give too much away, just say it's a winner!!!
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