Preparing for the New Year

Preparing for the New Year

In preparing for the New Year I began looking at the past years and the resolutions I have made.  Many like exercise more, lose weight, read my Bible every morning, read more books, watch less TV, listen to more music, spend quiet time with the Lord, put my cell phone down and listen...and on and on...

Most of these goals/resolutions were never met.  Not because I intended to fail at them but because some were vague and general and because some of them I had no conviction to fulfill.  I would spend more time planning the act to plan than to actually fulfill them.  I would find a perfect calendar that I would purchase along with multi-colored highlighters so I could color code the things I wanted to change in the new year.  I would organize the times and days for each of the tasks at hand. 

Sometimes the planning of the goals would become overwhelming and I would lose focus of the goals and become more frustrated by the color of the highlighter I would use for scheduling.  Let's just say that January was way more colorful than February and by April there was no color at all.

This year when I began to think of New Year's goals/resolutions I really wanted to make a list that would be meaningful and impactful.  Goals/resolutions that would make a difference in my and other's lives.  I needed to look deeper and be more focused on what changes I truly needed to make.  What goals could I make that I couldn't or wouldn't make on any given day?  What would be different this time?

There were many things that I wanted to do for this next year but I wanted to make sure that this time it was God's Will not just my desires.  I had to first seek God and see what He would lead me to.

Proverbs 16:3 "Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans."

I began to pray, to lay my desires before God and ask Him to lead me to the path He wanted me to follow.  There were a few things that became very clear very quickly.  Yes I need to lose a little weight and yes I should be exercising more but I wanted to seek a deeper connection to what God wanted me to do.  He wants me to take care of His temple, my body, daily.  That shouldn't be left for a new year, just a new day. Taking care of the temple God has given you to carry His Holy Spirit is something we should do daily.  Along with reading His Word and praying.

I wanted to seek these goals in a way that would be pleasing to God and not just to self.  So I began to pray about the things that I had set as goals for my New Year.  This week I plan to seek the Lord in quiet time, reading His Word and praying asking Him to establish my plans for the New Year.

Next week I will lay out my goals for the New Year and how the Lord guided me in determining what they are.  I am excited about this New Year!  I am excited about what great things will be happening through out the year.

Have you made goals in the past that were gone before February?  Have you had goals that you have accomplished?  What are the difference in the two types of goals?  What are you doing to determine your New Year's goals?  

Join me in this years journey through the seasons of our lives!

The Season of Giving

The Season of Giving

What does giving mean to you?  We can all agree that December is the month of Christmas and that with Christmas we enter the season of giving.  I am often disheartened with the attitude of Getting during Christmas.  We have conditioned our kids and ourselves to expect things that we don't deserve or we can't afford. It happens in my home too. Society has duped us into believing we should have these things.  During the Christmas season we need to refocus our hearts and our desires from Getting to Giving!

I LOVE giving.  I love giving gifts of my time and of items someone has wished for.  I love that look on someone's face when they receive something they had not expected to get.  Over the years I have volunteered at a church outreach in Immokalee, Florida.  The church takes donations, purchases bicycles and gives them out to children in their community.  The look of surprise on the children's faces when their ticket number is called is one of excitement of receiving something they had not expected, something their family could not purchase for them.  Their hearts are filled knowing that they did nothing that was deserving of the bike, but that they were chosen without their 'worth' being taken into account.  No one looks at the things they have done over the year that was 'bad' and keeps a list to bring out before the tickets are given out to say 'You did these bad things so you cannot receive a bike.'  All the children have to do is show up, accept the ticket and receive the gift.

The ultimate giving was done by God over 2000 years ago.  He gave His son.  He came to Mary and asked her to carry His son, God becoming flesh.  She accepted the ticket.  Jesus was born into a meager beginning, in a stable, homeless.  God gave us the greatest gift in that manger, His son that would live a perfect life as a tempted man, to be betrayed by a dear friend and be murdered by the haters.  He was buried in a tomb.  However, the gift doesn't stop there.  Jesus did not remain a baby, He did not remain in that tomb.  He rose.  He rose from the dead to walk along side of us each and every day.  He Lives!!!  God's gift of life in the birth of Jesus, the gift of forgiveness in His death and His gift of the Holy Spirit living with us each and every day to lead and guide us is the ultimate gift to an undeserving population. 

In light of the gift that God gave us, how can we not give to others?  Not a giving of material things without meaning and with great cost financially, but of our hearts.  Do you have places that you can serve?  A homeless shelter, a women's shelter, a soup kitchen?  Do you know of where you can give a financial donation that makes a difference?  Here are a few of my favorites.  It doesn't take a great deal of money just one small financial sacrifice.

World Vision  Help Women and Children or choose another gift $1-$26

Donors Choose Help Teachers with Donations toward Classroom Projects $1-unlimited

Pete Frates #3  Remember the Ice Bucket Challenge Help support ALS Research

ALS-TDI  A Research Foundation for ALS

Baseball Chapel  An organization that spreads the Gospel throughout professional baseball

NaNoWriMo 2014

My experience in writing before 2014 was of writing speeches and devotions.  Not much experience but I did enjoy it.  After writing devotions for Baseball Chapel for about 10 years and my life circumstances changing allowing much more time to be able to write I began to pray about how that may come about.  In the beginning of the year a friend of mine who had been blogging for many years about writing was offered a book deal on how to write a Novel in 10 Minute increments.  She had put on Facebook about possibly needing writers to go through the process of the book to see if it could work the way she was writing it.  So I volunteered, not really sure what it all would entail but I was excited.  For a about six months we, a man from the UK and I, went through each chapter of the book as she wrote it.  We did the exercises and took advice.  In May I started this blog Walking Through Seasons.  In July we began writing the Novel that coincided with 10 Minute Writer.  In October we handed over what we had.  I had a meager 45,000 or so words and the Brit had about 49,000.  It was such an adventure!  But it was also very daunting.  I had to overcome doubt and the lack of value I had in my writing.  Many times I asked myself and God WHY am I doing this???  The learning curve was huge and the fear and doubt even larger.  I began to find encouragement on the 10 Minute Novelists Facebook Page.  What a great group of writers, so encouraging.

In October, through a blog I had been reading, I found out about the challenge of Write 31 Days.  I took the challenge and wrote every day in October on Immeasurably More.  Through out the month I found such a joy in writing and posting on my blog.

In October I also sent my 'novel' to THE 10 Minute Writer.  When I got the remarks back from her in November I was surprised at her remarks...they were mostly positive!!!  This gave me a huge boost of confidence. So once again I took on a challenge.

Beginning November 1st NaNoWriMo began.  National Novel Writing Month is a month of challenging yourself to write 50,000 words of a Novel.  I took on the challenge with great fear once again.  I took a few writing prompts that I found online and began to write.  I began very slowly then picked up speed.  I found that making a conscious decision to only write to write helped me to get through many words.  This means I wrote because I wanted to please the story that was in my head, not to publish or please someone who may read it.  So I began to write to write one word, sentence, paragraph at a time.  My goal 50,000 words in 30 days.

On November 29th I validated my Novel and had written 50,264 words!!!!! A whole day early!!! 

This all being said that in this season of my life I have kept walking.  I did not allow my self to sit down, at least not for long! I kept writing and believing in what I could do!  I prayed a lot and decided that I would please God with what I wrote and He gave me the words.  They may never be printed or even read by another but I know that I overcame fear and lack or worth during the process!!!

January bring 365K with 10 Minute Novelists!!!!!  1000 words a day for 365 days!!!

A Recipe for a Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Through out my life I have had many struggles, as most of us have, but have found a way to overcome the struggles by finding joy and thankfulness during them.  Life is never perfect but finding the small things to be thankful for can turn a negative situation into one that you can be strong through.

"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Do not quench the Spirit."  1 Thessalonians 5:16-19

1 Thessalonians shows us what God is calling us to do ALWAYS;  Rejoice, Pray, Give Thanks.  Not because we feel like it, or because things are going well, but IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES.  I don't know about you but that is not so easy to do on my own.  I whine, 'Why me?'  'Why now?' 'Why can't life be easier?' 'When are things going to go my way?' and on and on and on.  Yes, I can whine for a while.  Then while reading 1 Thessalonians I learned of the things that God wants us to do always.  Not because we feel like it but because this is His Will for us.  

His Will always turns out to be better than anything I have ever tried to do.  I have tried to make decisions with no intention to ask for His Will to be done.  What if it isn't what I want?  In the end if I make the decisions and don't ask for His counsel the outcome, even though it may be what I want, doesn't turn out to be the best for the situation.  However, when I seek the face of Jesus and His guidance it may not be what I wanted, but in the end it is the best for all.  

I have learned the most from verse 9, Do Not Quench the Spirit!  When we try to take over the control of our circumstances, we quench the spirit.  When we complain, whine, don't let God's Will be done, we quench the spirit.  When we quench the spirit we stop God's Will from leading and guiding us to the joy and hope He has for us.

So the recipe for this Thanksgiving and your entire year is to REJOICE, PRAY, and GIVE THANKS!!!!  Do not quench His Spirit but allow Him to move through your life and letting His Will be done!!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!!!!

I thank God for each and every one of you!!!  May you look at the blessings in your life through out every circumstance!!!

Top Ten Tuesday

Top Ten Reasons to Meet Katharine Grubb, 10 Minute Writer, in person!!!

10.  Awesome smile when you pick her up from airport!!!
9.  Amazing conversations!
8.  Comedy with every conversation!
7.  Writing Wisdom for free!!!
6.  You get to look at her beautiful hair as you hear her wisdom!
5.  The joy of spending time with a most gracious woman!
4.  Mai Tai's!!!
3.  Creepily watching the 10 Minute Writer as she crafts her art!
2.  Meeting other 10 Minute Novelists....and they have a British accent!!!
1.  Spending time with the 10 Minute Writer for more than 10 Minutes!!!!

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving

November is the month for Thanksgiving.  Thanksgiving is the last Thursday in the month.  It is the time of year of gathering family and or friends and eating way too much turkey, stuffing and gravy with all the fixin's your family tradition may bring! 

 A few years ago I started my own Thanksgiving in the month of November.  I began with 30 Days of Thankfulness, each day stating one thing I was thankful for.  No I wasn't the first one to do it, no I wasn't the visionary for some viral internet sensation.  I just wanted to find the blessings in my life rather than seeming to think of all the things that weren't going my way.  I needed to be more positive, I needed to look for the joy in my life not the sadness.

On our own accord we are unable to be joyful ALWAYS, but in following the guidance of the Lord by praying without ceasing and being thankful in ALL circumstances we can begin to see the Joy the Lord has placed in our spirit not what we are trying to create.  I had forgotten to be thankful in all circumstances.  During the month of November over the last few years I have found that in the beginning of the month my 30 Days of Thankfulness have started very superficial.  Throughout the month the sincerity of a thankful heart begins to shine through.  

I want that calmness...I want the joy of the Lord...I want to live a life in gratitude...

What are you thankful for?  Start a list, one thing you are thankful for each day.  Can you see it becoming easier?  What is stopping you from looking at the blessings in your life that you need to be thankful for?

Day 31

Day 31:  Immeasurably More Finale

         This series has been such a blessing for me.  First, I challenged myself to write for 31 straight days.  I am new to this whole blog world and writing frequently and didn’t really think I would be able to complete the 31 Days of Writing.  I thought life would get in the way, things would happen, I would chicken out, but I didn’t!  Second, I was challenged by the content of the 31 Days of Immeasurably More.  God has done a working! (a Southern phrase I grew up hearing)  I have grown spiritually once again.  In my Christian walk I always think I may have hit the pinnacle of learning at times and God shows up in a whole new way!

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than 

all we ask or imagine, according to his power 

that is at work within us to him be glory in the church 

and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations,

for ever and ever!” Ephesians 3:20-21

In my first post of this series I talked about how much I had wasted opportunities to allow the Lord to work in and through me.  I did not waste these 31 Days of Writing not one day.  I allowed the Lord to work on me through a cleansing of my heart, a spiritual rinsing of my spirit.  I took a clear look deep into my heart and my relationship with Christ, cleaning out the stuff to allow the Holy Spirit of move more freely.  This allowed the Lord to do Immeasurably More in me.

As I allowed the Lord to do Immeasurably More in me God’s glory was put on display!  The Immeasurably More that the Lord worked through me began a look at the places where I could put His glory on display.  Revealing His glory began with Love, His love.  Not making it about me but about Him.  We walked through ways that we can allow the Lord to do Immeasurably More through us.  We are fighting the Good Fight together in living out the love of God and the love for others.

Thank you for taking this walk with me through the season of living, loving and growing according to His power!  I am blessed beyond measure for participating in #write31days.  Thank you to The Nester for the idea and the encouragement.  Thank you to the amazing Facebook group that was there everyday encouraging, reading and commenting.  Thank you to my amazing husband who has edited all of my posts with nothing but incredible encouragement.  Thank you to our mighty God for His Love.

I will be back blogging every Monday, I hope you come back to visit.  I will also be back in October 2015 for another #write31days.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine…

Day 30

Day 30:  The Good Fight

       As Christians we are in a fight!  Every day we fight against our sinful nature and the world’s views.  The enemy uses every opportunity to attack us and separate us from the Immeasurably More God is doing in us and through us.  It is confirmed every time I begin to make incredible changes in my life, when I am letting God’s glory shine, I come under attack one way or another.  The enemy does not want us to be a light and let God’s glory shine. 

“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking

for someone to devour.” 1Peter 5:8

       We have to be alert to fight the good fight at all times.  To wage this battle we need to stay in God’s Word and connected to the Holy Spirit.  Staying close to God and knowing His love in our lives we are able to represent the love of God to others. 

“The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.” 1Timothy 1:5

       The love of God and the love for others is lived out with a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith.  A pure heart is pure motivation based on who God is, loving without self-intent and without personal gain.  It is asking if my actions are motivated by love of me and my agenda or by God and His love for me.  A good conscience is an inner awareness of moral quality of my actions.  Am I doing things for one person and one person only---God?  Sincere faith comes from being ready to listen to truth and have the desire to do what is right.

       Living out the love of God and the love for others is fighting the good fight.  Fighting the good fight allows the Lord to do Immeasurably More in and through us to glorify Him.

       Can you take a look at how the love of God and the love for others is being lived out?  Are there ways you can make changes to allow God to do Immeasurably More in and through you?  Can you love and live for the glory of God?

      

Day 29

                     Day 29: Well Done vs. Well Said

In the Christian world we know the phrases that catch our attention and let us know that others are believers.  Blessings.  I will pray for you.  God bless you.  There are people that you talk with that can quote scripture at the drop of a hat.  They can judge and condemn others with a Christian twist of praying for them.  They talk about how much time they spend at church and they sit in the same pew/seat every week.  They talk about the committees they oversee.  I have heard many sermons on the ‘talk’ of Christianity. 

When we are seeking for God to do Immeasurably More in us and then through us we stop talking and start the walk.  Walking in Immeasurably More, acting in Immeasurably More gets us out of the talk and into the action.  What is your talk of faith doing to impact the lives of others?  This is where Well Said becomes Well Done.      

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’”  Matthew 25:21

This is what I want my Master to say to me!  Well Done.  To live the Immeasurably More that I know God wants to do through me I have to know that it is not in my power but through the power of Him through me.  This is more than words.  It is profound obedience.  It is fighting for justice for those who cannot fight for themselves.  It is being the advocate for someone who cannot advocate for themselves.  It is teaching by example, not telling.  It is sacrifice.

      

Can you become profoundly obedient in the calling God has on you living a Well Said life that leads to the Immeasurably More He wants to do through you?  Are you ready to sacrifice your words for the action it requires?