New Year New Life

It's been a while since I had a yearly focus for my life. This year its' going to be "LET THERE BE PRAISE"  This is a title of an old song I sang with my gospel team back at OCM.

The past year had its rough times. Most were good, the ending was like a huge rollercoaster, going up, up, up, up,.....knowing whether you will survive what is about to come. Then you just let out a "HELP" as you take the plunge.

Well, instead of yelling help, I'm going to shout praises to God. Today is a wonderful gift from God. Truly a day off. Samantha has a 2 night sleepover. Silas is at work. No KIDS at all for 24 full hours.

Finally got myself to commit to a quality time of worship. Something I haven't done in a LOOOONG time. So distracted by worldly ways of comforting or escaping life. I had an AWESOME time with GOD.

I've worshipped, but haven't been a true worshipper for a long time. It was a great time of cleansing, confessing and enjoying his presence.

God is truly ROCK SOLID, HEALER, and PROMISE KEEPER.

God reminded me that I am a WORSHIPPER. That is my identity, and my worship God alone.

God reminded me or more like showing me what my role is in life, in church and at home.

Do I dare to pick it up? How can I resist? only if I allow fear and doubt to come in the way will I resist. I will meditate once again on who God called me to be and the kind of light I am to shine through him.

Day 5 Love Dare

Day 4 is a long long day. Long in a sense that I haven't moved foward to day 5. Day 4 was about being thoughtful and do a kind act. I think this one has been easy cause I already do that. But Silas has been kind. He brought me homemade "sweet soup" from a cell group. He helped me walk some kids home at the end of the day. He even got something yummy for dinner (He can eat the same kind of food for 365 days a year). Something Samantha reallly loves.

Today is Day 5.  

Love is not rude: "Rudenss is unnecessarily saying or doing things that are unpleasant for another person to be around you." (foul mouth, poor manners, yelling, blaming). a. Guard the Golden Rule, No double standards. Honor requests.

I need to be aware of how my ways my cause my spouse to feel unpleasant. My attitude, my speech, my actions. I don't think I've been rude. But I have stopped doing things that irritates him, like putting my bags on the bed, and I do try to leave my desk a bit tidier than usual, but not totally put away - working on sermons. I can keep the sink free of dirty dishes, on a daily basis - I'll try...hey there was no hot water last night;D and OH yeah, put dirty socks in hamper not lying on my shoes (first i'll need to ask myself each time, am I going out again).

The tides of life never ceases. You may have found calmness and peace for a moment, and as you start to take in the tranquility and joys of life, a wave falls upon you. And you're like "what happened"! Before the tank can begin to get filled, you're off and going again. THere is absolutely no unity, no mercy, no grace, no sticking necks out for you, no humility. Thus, this is our world. Though I may live in this world, yet I am not of this world.  

Day 3 & 4

Being kind was not too hard. Actually didn't really intentionally do anything kind to him. But I did start small talk with him again. I do give thanks to God, he has been showing a good attitude in getting involved in Samantha's daily routine. He has also been giving me complements. I did not receive it with a hungry heart, or with angry judgement. I just received it.

It was harder to be kind to this lady at the school though. But, I'm trying. I need to do something kind to her. Well I did take initiative to make conversation with her. She was such a PAIN in the election process. But its over now. God is helping me to understand her and respond with more compassion.

Today is Day 4. IT is to be thoughtful, mindful of him. I usually am, so this one is not so difficult. The challenge is to ask him what I can do for him.

Day 3 Love Dare

WE live in a world enamored with "self". WE are focused on appearance, feelings, and personal desires as top priority. SElfishness is a trait we hate in other people but justify in ourselves. (okay May, stop pointing). 1 Corinthians 10. Love does not seek its own.  Aiyaaa.

Ah "bragging rights".  I think this took over me. Simple truth...you don't make life miserable for others so that you can be happy. "Love is never satisfied except in the welfare of others". "When you forsake yourself ...you end up loving yourself to the greater purpose of marriage." hahahah...one of my favorite verse "Do nothing from selfishness or empty concetit, but with humility of mind regard one another as ore important than yourselves".

Challenge: Do I truly want what's best for my husband or wife? Do I wnat them to feel loved by me? Do I believe i have their best interests in mind? Do they see me as looking out for myself first?     

God I thought I had this down packed...but I guess it needs repacking.