I bet you got really excited when you read the name of this chapter. Just what we all need in our life, a little more work! Really the title of this chapter should be created for blood, sweat and tears! Achieving our goals does take work. I think of a duck swimming on the water, no one sees how hard they are paddling underneath. Underneath the cool, calm exterior of the one who has achieved their dream, is someone who has worked very hard. Well as we talk about work this week, I do hope your summer has some rest planned into it!
I love hearing people talk about their jobs with such pleasure that they feel like work is play. I really believe that we should do what we love and love what we do. I hope that is true for you.
I was once again challenged by Debbie’s words about setting goals. Goal setting is such a valuable life skill. It helps to set spiritual goals, family goals, physical goals, career goals, recreational goals, and financial goals. I think it would be a great exercise to take page 132-133 and place your goals on paper. (I’ve made it your Knit Together Challenge) I have come to see more and more that if we don’t give ourselves something to shoot for, we will never come close to actualizing our potential. We should not be afraid of goals. Often it is because we don’t want to be disappointed. I think Debbie hit the nail on the head that many of us don’t think we deserve success. In my case, I’ve just considered that what I write is for God and His people,and if I don’t get reimbursed for it financially, at least my reward is in heaven…..but I’m changing my tune. I’m getting inspired to get a lot of what I already have done published. I’m renewing my goal list and making it realistic, but also making it something to stretch toward.
Time savers that are mentioned in this chapter are wonderful. I really like her magazine ideas, and her last tip about making sure you give your goals to a trusted friend to keep you accountable. Great IDEA!
I think we should all learn how to delegate or perhaps for some of you how to delegate even better. There are things that others can do for you. (I’m preaching to myself here!!!!) Think of people in your life who have expertise in the area you need help. Paying for their service can free you up to reach your goals.
So true- Statement
“Goals give us somewhere to set our sights. Goals are like target practice-we get ready, we aim for what we want, and we fire away! Goals are not just the destination we’re driving toward, they’re also the painted white lines that keep us on the road!” page 137
Highlight Scripture
I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Phil 3:14 (NIV)
Discussion Questions – Homework!
1. Review your goal list from chapter 1. Did you dream big enough? Are you being encouraged to dream big and achieve big? What is your step number 1. Why not make it happen this week?
2. Sit down and write out your schedule. What is erasable and what is combinable. Make sure you don’t allow time wasters to whittle away at your valuable and most precious commodity….time.
3. What is your biggest time saver tip….If you were at our ladies conference the last weekend in April, you heard Wendy Treat’s tip about steamer bags. Do you have one you want to share?
4. How do you react when you miss a goal? Did this chapter help you see that there could be a positive view of maybe reassessing your goal to begin with?
5. Get rid of time wasters. Write down
Knit Together Challenge
Why not use the sample worksheet on page 132 and 133 as your challenge this week. Make the beginning of the school year, and then reassess them and rewrite them the same time next year.
My Prayer for you
Father, we come to you in Jesus name, thanking you for obtaining the best prize ever for us, complete salvation. As we look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, we can press on to obtain the prize that you have for us.
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Chapter 7: Created for the Word
Thank you for your patience this week. I had a few days to be at a beautiful cabin on a lake without internet access, so I apologize for getting this posted later in the week than usual.
One of my passions in life is getting others to fall in love with reading the Word of God. Along with knowing and loving God, I always want to know Him better, and I can do that as I study, read and meditate on His Word. In God’s Word we see the character of Jesus, and learn not only what Jesus would do, but why He did what He did. I know that reading God’s Word has been a lifeline for me, and it is the way for us to have a closer relationship with God. If I really am His sheep, I really want to know His voice. He speaks to me through His Word. He wants to speak to you through His Word too. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Ps 119:105) If we want to know where to place our next step, we need to use the illumination of God’s Word. His Word directs us to His will for us.
The words in the Word are just ink on pages unless they become rhema to us. The word rhema means freshly spoken. The Word becomes rhema to us when it is fresh revelation in our life. Because God’s word is living and active, the Word comes alive to us as we read, meditate and study it. The Word is our blueprint for life. Don’t build without it.
The Word is our source for truth. In a world where truth changes constantly, it is great to have a foundation that is ROCK SOLID. Our lives become firmly established with consistent time with the Word made flesh. Even when storms come, we will not be shaken.
It does take discipline to study the Word. But as Christians, we are disciples, which means disciplined ones. So as a daily discipline we get to savor the Word, like a delicious meal. Disciples talk to their master….we get to as well as we spend time talking to the author of the Word. Most of all we get to ingest it, and make it a part of who we are. As we believe what we read, and put it into practice, and become a doer of the Word, (James 1:22) we will gain a greater appreciation for God’s love letter to us.
So true- Statement
“If you are in need of a heart cleanup, the best place to start is with the Word. Take the time you need to spend with God each day. Study His Word and memorize it so you can take it with you wherever you go. Savor His love for you and remember that you are indeed created for the Word. It is our only true road map that will show us where to go next.” (page 133)
Highlight Scripture
· Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.
Discussion Questions – Homework!
1. How much priority do you give to God’s Word? Is your Bible open in church on Sunday and closed the rest of the week? Did this chapter make you realize that you were created for the Word? I hope you were challenged to make your life revolve around God’s love letter to you. Why not write a “love note” back to God thanking Him for sending you a love letter.
2. How do these words apply to the Bible? Provocative, relevant, creative, honest. Think of a scripture or passage that is an example of each of these words.
3. What is your favorite version of the Bible? Mix up what translation or paraphrase you read from and try another. If you want to read through the Bible quickly, or just want to get a quick overview, purchase a Children’s Bible for elementary kids, and use it in your devotional time.
(If you don’t own a Message Bible, I know you’d enjoy it. Costco even has them)
4. How can you apply Martin Luther’s approach for reading and studying the Word on page 127.
5. I like to think of reading God’s Word as my daily bread for healthy living. It’s not just a survival manual for emergencies. To live a healthy balanced life, and live the abundant life that God has for us, the Word is vital to us and one reason why consistent Bible Study is so important. Study it on your own, with friends, with your spouse, even your kids. Find a way to dig deeper and be prepared live life from the overflow!
Knit Together Challenge
Reserve is a word that shows we have placed a priority on something. We make reservations at a restaurant, or a hotel, in advance. Why not reserve some time for you and God in advance, and keep your reservation. Whether you are an early bird like Debbie and I am, or you thrive in the evening hours, make your appointment with God and keep it. In a few short weeks of doing it day after day, it will become a habit, and then you’ll create a lifestyle of reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.
My Prayer for you:
Father, we thank you for your Word. We know that each word in the Bible is God breathed and good for us. We appreciate the men wrote it, and appreciate that you gave us something we can hold on to and can read and study to know you more. We are created for your pleasure and purpose, and thank you for creating the Word for our pleasure and so we can know our purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
One of my passions in life is getting others to fall in love with reading the Word of God. Along with knowing and loving God, I always want to know Him better, and I can do that as I study, read and meditate on His Word. In God’s Word we see the character of Jesus, and learn not only what Jesus would do, but why He did what He did. I know that reading God’s Word has been a lifeline for me, and it is the way for us to have a closer relationship with God. If I really am His sheep, I really want to know His voice. He speaks to me through His Word. He wants to speak to you through His Word too. His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. (Ps 119:105) If we want to know where to place our next step, we need to use the illumination of God’s Word. His Word directs us to His will for us.
The words in the Word are just ink on pages unless they become rhema to us. The word rhema means freshly spoken. The Word becomes rhema to us when it is fresh revelation in our life. Because God’s word is living and active, the Word comes alive to us as we read, meditate and study it. The Word is our blueprint for life. Don’t build without it.
The Word is our source for truth. In a world where truth changes constantly, it is great to have a foundation that is ROCK SOLID. Our lives become firmly established with consistent time with the Word made flesh. Even when storms come, we will not be shaken.
It does take discipline to study the Word. But as Christians, we are disciples, which means disciplined ones. So as a daily discipline we get to savor the Word, like a delicious meal. Disciples talk to their master….we get to as well as we spend time talking to the author of the Word. Most of all we get to ingest it, and make it a part of who we are. As we believe what we read, and put it into practice, and become a doer of the Word, (James 1:22) we will gain a greater appreciation for God’s love letter to us.
So true- Statement
“If you are in need of a heart cleanup, the best place to start is with the Word. Take the time you need to spend with God each day. Study His Word and memorize it so you can take it with you wherever you go. Savor His love for you and remember that you are indeed created for the Word. It is our only true road map that will show us where to go next.” (page 133)
Highlight Scripture
· Hebrews 4:12- For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow.
Discussion Questions – Homework!
1. How much priority do you give to God’s Word? Is your Bible open in church on Sunday and closed the rest of the week? Did this chapter make you realize that you were created for the Word? I hope you were challenged to make your life revolve around God’s love letter to you. Why not write a “love note” back to God thanking Him for sending you a love letter.
2. How do these words apply to the Bible? Provocative, relevant, creative, honest. Think of a scripture or passage that is an example of each of these words.
3. What is your favorite version of the Bible? Mix up what translation or paraphrase you read from and try another. If you want to read through the Bible quickly, or just want to get a quick overview, purchase a Children’s Bible for elementary kids, and use it in your devotional time.
(If you don’t own a Message Bible, I know you’d enjoy it. Costco even has them)
4. How can you apply Martin Luther’s approach for reading and studying the Word on page 127.
5. I like to think of reading God’s Word as my daily bread for healthy living. It’s not just a survival manual for emergencies. To live a healthy balanced life, and live the abundant life that God has for us, the Word is vital to us and one reason why consistent Bible Study is so important. Study it on your own, with friends, with your spouse, even your kids. Find a way to dig deeper and be prepared live life from the overflow!
Knit Together Challenge
Reserve is a word that shows we have placed a priority on something. We make reservations at a restaurant, or a hotel, in advance. Why not reserve some time for you and God in advance, and keep your reservation. Whether you are an early bird like Debbie and I am, or you thrive in the evening hours, make your appointment with God and keep it. In a few short weeks of doing it day after day, it will become a habit, and then you’ll create a lifestyle of reading, studying, and meditating on the Word of God.
My Prayer for you:
Father, we thank you for your Word. We know that each word in the Bible is God breathed and good for us. We appreciate the men wrote it, and appreciate that you gave us something we can hold on to and can read and study to know you more. We are created for your pleasure and purpose, and thank you for creating the Word for our pleasure and so we can know our purpose. In Jesus’ Name, Amen!
Monday, July 12, 2010
Chapter 6:Created for Relationships
One of my favorite words is the word flourish, and I really believe that positive relationships in life are a huge key to flourishing in life. Debbie said it so well, that we need balance to have stability, and we need relationships to thrive. I talk about flourishing just about every Sunday from the pulpit when I welcome visitors to our church. Ps 92 says that those who are planted in the church family will flourish. And church family is all about relationships. Relationships really are the key to flourishing in life.
Connections are very important for believers. Who we connect with really can help determine our destiny. So as an encourager myself, I encourage you to seek out encouragers in your life! Be an encourager to someone else, but make sure you have people in your life who encourage you. The Bible even tells us there are times when we just have to encourage or stir ourselves up. That works too, but it really is vital to surround yourself with people who are positive and want you to not only survive, but to thrive and then flourish!
When it comes to the marriage relationship, take Debbie’s pastor’s advice and remember that the greenest grass is the grass that is watered. Encouragement feels like water on thirsty ground. Be generous with it in your marriage! Be an encourager when you feel like it, and when you don’t! “Marriage requires loving when you don’t feel like loving, talking when we don’t have anything to say and listening when all we want to do is get our own word in.” (Page 111) For any of you who are struggling in your marriage, I hope you were encouraged by Debbie’s testimony. God is the God of the turnaround, and turnaround is possible if we are willing to keep on trying, and to keep on growing and changing into the image of Jesus!
I hope you were inspired by the Breakfast Club. We have to be ones who develop a support system around us. Interestingly enough, those without support systems have greatly increased rates of suicide, drug and alcohol use, and depression. So build a strong system of support around you. Then find ways to celebrate together. Find time on a regular basis to meet together. Be there for each other through the positives and negatives of life. Be committed to one another, and grow together. You need a sounding board, and a sisterhood around you. Why not start your own Breakfast club, or coffee club, book club, or whatever club! Let someone be a support to you, and you be a support to someone else.
The Turkish proverb at the beginning of the chapter is what I will end with. “No road is long with good company.” God has designed relationships so that we don’t have to feel alone. God even puts the lonely in families as it says in Psalms 68:6. We all say that life is short, but it can be really long and lonely if you don’t surround yourself with dynamic relationships. Make time and space in your life to develop positive, healthy, lasting relationships, because that is what you were created for!
So true- Statement
“When you expect the very best in people, you will find the very best. It is so important to surround ourselves with positive people. If we are friends with people who dream big and believe in themselves, it will raise the level of our own thinking.” Page 106
Highlight Scripture
Matt 18:20 Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (NIV)
Discussion Questions – Homework!
1. How about making your own list of thirty people you want to meet. Then do the second list that Debbie suggests, the one about the people God wants you to meet. You probably have already made some of those divine relationships on that list.
2. Who do you have to share your successes with? Remember the importance of knowing who you can or should share your promotion, good news or blessings with.
3. I know I suggested it earlier, but really make this your homework. Make your own support group! Find a way to meet regularly with a group of ladies you can build into, and have them do the same for you.
4. One thing I believe is so important is to always be learning from someone and then teaching someone else. I’ve called it having one hand up to learn, and one hand out to teach. Who are those people in your life? If you don’t have them, make a commitment to begin building those relationships this summer.
Knit Together Challenge
Why not plan this week to contact and connect with one or two of the people on your own God’s List of Thirty. Those relationships that you know are God ordained are too valuable to overlook or disregard. Why not pick up the phone, send a note, or even send an email and thank them for being a God friend in your life.
My Prayer for you:
Dear Father, we come to you in Jesus’ Name, thanking you for the relationship we have with You. I’m thankful that Your desire was that we have a relationship with You, and that You were committed to us, even before we chose to follow and serve You. Thank You for the relationships you have put in our lives. Help me be a blessing to the people who You have placed in my sphere of influence. Most of all I thank You that You are always with us, and we never have to fear, because You will never leave us. We love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
Connections are very important for believers. Who we connect with really can help determine our destiny. So as an encourager myself, I encourage you to seek out encouragers in your life! Be an encourager to someone else, but make sure you have people in your life who encourage you. The Bible even tells us there are times when we just have to encourage or stir ourselves up. That works too, but it really is vital to surround yourself with people who are positive and want you to not only survive, but to thrive and then flourish!
When it comes to the marriage relationship, take Debbie’s pastor’s advice and remember that the greenest grass is the grass that is watered. Encouragement feels like water on thirsty ground. Be generous with it in your marriage! Be an encourager when you feel like it, and when you don’t! “Marriage requires loving when you don’t feel like loving, talking when we don’t have anything to say and listening when all we want to do is get our own word in.” (Page 111) For any of you who are struggling in your marriage, I hope you were encouraged by Debbie’s testimony. God is the God of the turnaround, and turnaround is possible if we are willing to keep on trying, and to keep on growing and changing into the image of Jesus!
I hope you were inspired by the Breakfast Club. We have to be ones who develop a support system around us. Interestingly enough, those without support systems have greatly increased rates of suicide, drug and alcohol use, and depression. So build a strong system of support around you. Then find ways to celebrate together. Find time on a regular basis to meet together. Be there for each other through the positives and negatives of life. Be committed to one another, and grow together. You need a sounding board, and a sisterhood around you. Why not start your own Breakfast club, or coffee club, book club, or whatever club! Let someone be a support to you, and you be a support to someone else.
The Turkish proverb at the beginning of the chapter is what I will end with. “No road is long with good company.” God has designed relationships so that we don’t have to feel alone. God even puts the lonely in families as it says in Psalms 68:6. We all say that life is short, but it can be really long and lonely if you don’t surround yourself with dynamic relationships. Make time and space in your life to develop positive, healthy, lasting relationships, because that is what you were created for!
So true- Statement
“When you expect the very best in people, you will find the very best. It is so important to surround ourselves with positive people. If we are friends with people who dream big and believe in themselves, it will raise the level of our own thinking.” Page 106
Highlight Scripture
Matt 18:20 Where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. (NIV)
Discussion Questions – Homework!
1. How about making your own list of thirty people you want to meet. Then do the second list that Debbie suggests, the one about the people God wants you to meet. You probably have already made some of those divine relationships on that list.
2. Who do you have to share your successes with? Remember the importance of knowing who you can or should share your promotion, good news or blessings with.
3. I know I suggested it earlier, but really make this your homework. Make your own support group! Find a way to meet regularly with a group of ladies you can build into, and have them do the same for you.
4. One thing I believe is so important is to always be learning from someone and then teaching someone else. I’ve called it having one hand up to learn, and one hand out to teach. Who are those people in your life? If you don’t have them, make a commitment to begin building those relationships this summer.
Knit Together Challenge
Why not plan this week to contact and connect with one or two of the people on your own God’s List of Thirty. Those relationships that you know are God ordained are too valuable to overlook or disregard. Why not pick up the phone, send a note, or even send an email and thank them for being a God friend in your life.
My Prayer for you:
Dear Father, we come to you in Jesus’ Name, thanking you for the relationship we have with You. I’m thankful that Your desire was that we have a relationship with You, and that You were committed to us, even before we chose to follow and serve You. Thank You for the relationships you have put in our lives. Help me be a blessing to the people who You have placed in my sphere of influence. Most of all I thank You that You are always with us, and we never have to fear, because You will never leave us. We love You with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
Chapter 5 - Created for Balance
How balanced is your life? It’s it good to know from Psalms 139:5 that God hems us in, so our life doesn’t have to unravel. An unbalanced life can easily unravel. A balanced life has so much to do with living by priorities. What is important has to be kept in balance. That includes family, work, marriage, your physical body and our relationship with God. Here are some ways to balance each area:
For family balance, find time for fun in your family. Make some special memories and traditions that continue year after year. Summertime is a great time to do just that. Do something fun this week!
For work life, learn to balance your professional life and your personal life. There should be an ending to your work day. Cell phones and email make it easy for us to deal with work issues while we should be spending family time. Draw some lines and make some boundaries that will bring balance to your life.
For your marriage, remember to value and cherish your mate. Visit together regularly. Find time to communicate and connect daily. Make time for just the two of you to enjoy intimacy and romance.
For your physical body, remember that the person who is responsible for taking care of you is YOU! You have to be breathing to help someone else! Don’t allow yourself to be stretched so thin or so become so worn out that when one extra thing gets added to your life if throws you off kilter. So get sleep, eat healthy, exercise, and take time for you.
For your spirit, keep being refilled, so you can live out of the overflow. An empty dry cup doesn’t give life to us, or to anyone else. When I need a recharge, I get out one of my favorite worship CD’s and just worship God through singing, praising and praying. Then I begin to build myself up and stir up the gifts that are inside. You can do the same!
So true- Statement
“I’m not saying we need to say no to everything, but we should say no to those things that aren’t benefiting us or don’t match up to our values or priorities.” (page 87) “Saying no to something that doesn’t match up to your priorities is saying yes to something else that does.” (page 88)
Highlight Scripture
Matt 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…For m yoke is easy and my burden is light (NIV)
Discussion Questions – Homework!
For family balance, find time for fun in your family. Make some special memories and traditions that continue year after year. Summertime is a great time to do just that. Do something fun this week!
For work life, learn to balance your professional life and your personal life. There should be an ending to your work day. Cell phones and email make it easy for us to deal with work issues while we should be spending family time. Draw some lines and make some boundaries that will bring balance to your life.
For your marriage, remember to value and cherish your mate. Visit together regularly. Find time to communicate and connect daily. Make time for just the two of you to enjoy intimacy and romance.
For your physical body, remember that the person who is responsible for taking care of you is YOU! You have to be breathing to help someone else! Don’t allow yourself to be stretched so thin or so become so worn out that when one extra thing gets added to your life if throws you off kilter. So get sleep, eat healthy, exercise, and take time for you.
For your spirit, keep being refilled, so you can live out of the overflow. An empty dry cup doesn’t give life to us, or to anyone else. When I need a recharge, I get out one of my favorite worship CD’s and just worship God through singing, praising and praying. Then I begin to build myself up and stir up the gifts that are inside. You can do the same!
So true- Statement
“I’m not saying we need to say no to everything, but we should say no to those things that aren’t benefiting us or don’t match up to our values or priorities.” (page 87) “Saying no to something that doesn’t match up to your priorities is saying yes to something else that does.” (page 88)
Highlight Scripture
Matt 11:28-30 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me…For m yoke is easy and my burden is light (NIV)
Discussion Questions – Homework!
- On Page 89, Debbie talks about a woman with a wheelbarrow. How did that illustration help you determine the difference between what God requires of us, and what we put on ourselves?
- I heard someone once comment on verse in Phil 4:13, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” They said, just not all at once! I know juggling husbands, kids, home life, your own body and your spirit can be overwhelming. How can you approach each season of life with balance? Is there any one thing you noticed that is out of balance that you will change immediately so you can live a more balanced life?
- Of the four table legs Debbie talks about on page 91, which table leg in your life is the strongest? Which one is the weakest?
- We are all guilty of feeling guilty at times. What area of life do you carry the most guilt? How can you begin to rid your life of guilt and live guilt free? (Remember this – there is therefore now NO CONDEMNATION to those who are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the spirit!- Romans 8:1)
- As Spirit-filled believers, we have the added bonus of listening to the voice of the Lord, and getting specific direction from Him. This week, after strategizing how to have more balance in your life, ask the Spirit of God to reveal to you areas that need tweeking or adjustment. You are His sheep, and you know His voice! Choose to be obedient!
Knit Together Challenge
Because many of you have families and children at home, my challenge to you this week is to have some unexpected family fun. I did that today. I took my 2 daughters who live at home on a day hike near Sun Valley. We left at 10 and were back at 3, but had a delightful time, got some exercise had a picnic, and saw some beautiful scenery. What a great unexpected (and inexpensive) way to spend a day off. So plan something fun, and go for it. It will add value to your life, and make a great memory in the process.
My Prayer for you:
Father, I thank you for helping us live a life of balance. We love that you care for each area of our life. Thank you for helping us become more sensitive to your Spirit so that when we need to adjust in some area, we can be obedient easily and quickly. Thank you for your life that flows within us to bring life to others. Help us keep our priorities in balance, so that we can flourish in life. In Jesus’ Name, AMEN!
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