One Word 365

Happy New Year! It’s not to late to join us in praying for our spouses in January. I hope you’ll come on board. In the meantime, I’d like to invite you to be a part of One Word 365.

We go in seasons with God, and the turn of the new year often marks an intentional beginning for us. We try to make resolutions or goals, and they often fall by the wayside. Instead of focusing on a list, I’m joining others to focus on one word all year long.

What word? The word that God drops in your spirit. Others have chosen words such as consistency, diligence, focus, photography, simplicity. I love that God is specific with us, and my heart becomes excited when I see us reciprocate details in our relationship with Him.

My One Word for 2012 is FAITH.

With the prodding of the Lord, I’m choosing to be more intentional in walking in faith. 2011 was a year where a lot seemed to go wrong. Honestly, after awhile of that you can start to doubt God’s promises. God uses trials to build our faith, but I didn’t always respond with that mindset.

After selecting several verses that will lay a foundation of faith, I see pertinent truths:

• God has given every man a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3) I’m choosing to exercise mine, and see it grow.
• Living by faith pleases God. (Hebrews 11:6; Romans 1:17) The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17b 
• Faith increases by hearing the Word of God. (Romans 10:17) If I need faith in any area, I simply need to pray, speak and meditate on God’s promises on that area. If I need faith for boldness, then I’m going to build my faith by immersing my spirit man with scriptures on confidence.
• If I believe, I will receive. And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22 NJK There are certainly some things I want to receive in 2012, and faith is the vehicle by which they will be brought.

I agree with my friends at Do Not Depart, that we need purposeful plans to spend time with God in 2012. Part of my plan will be to study how those in the Bible walked in faith, and how God moved as a result.

Your Turn

I hope you will think and pray about what your One Word for 2012 will be. God wants to do an amazing work in you this coming year.

Leave a comment telling others your One Word, or feel free to leave your link in the comments if you’ve written a post about it. Would you share your word to inspire and encourage others?

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Join the 31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse Challenge

Hey, friends! I want to invite you to join a challenge for the month of January to pray for your spouse or spouse-to-be. I’m joining my sweet friends, Rachel from Finding Joy, and Ashely Pichea from 3 in 30 (which I’ve mentioned before), for the 31 Days to Pray for Your Spouse Challenge.

Do you have five minutes every day to pray for your spouse? I’ve read the 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse eBook, which the challenge is based of off, and it is a wonderful resource. I try to make a habit of praying for my husband daily, but love the accountability of a community set aside for that specific purpose.

If you want to be encouraged to pray fruitfully for your husband or wife, then this challenge is for you. We will be praying God’s Word and His promises and will see the fruit of it!

And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive. Matthew 21:22 NKJ

Here’s how to Join:

1. Get a copy of 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse.

2. Join the Challenge.

3. Let me know you joined, so I can agree in prayer with you!

*Disclosure: the 31 Days to Build a Better Spouse link is an affiliate link.

You Don’t Have to Try to Figure It Out

At the end of every year most of us are reevaluating, making adjustments, laying out our options, and praying about decisions. What do I need to change, start, stop?

As the clock continues its perpetual swing, and January 1 races closer, an anxiety can begin to surface. The millions of miscellaneous tasks that need to be completed after Christmas and before New Years Day make for a very busy six days.

We have less than four of those days now, and one thought is reeling through my brain:

I only have a few tiny days left to finish getting everything in order and rearrange my life with superb organizational skills? Gah!

At this point I feel like a miniscual caricature in the middle of the page with all the choices pertaining to every aspect of my life hanging over my head in large letters glaring down at me. And I want to sit down Indian style with the video games on my iPhone in complete escapism and denial that life must go on.

Well, not really.

Okay…maybe a little bit.

Then God cuts through all the chaos in my head and reminds me that I don’t have to try to figure it out. I can cast my burdens at His feet and worship Him.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:4-5 NKJ

I don’t have to lean on my own understanding. I don’t understand everything. All I have to do is obey His voice.

Simply trust and obey.

At once, peaceful Love floods my tired soul, and I rest in His presence ready to obey.

What decisions have been weighing on your mind that you can lay at His feet?

Image via Creative Commons: r8r

A Wise Person Gives Attention to Character

We were in the Stuffmart parking lot one day, and a lady was unloading a cart full of bags into her trunk while her teenage daughter stood there chatting. Next to them, a family finished loading up their mini van, and then accidentally backed into the cart rack directly behind them. The husband got out to assess any damage, while the aforementioned teenager stood laughing at them. The teen’s mom, tried to hide her smirk as she and her daughter climbed into their car. Once their doors were shut, they quickly backed out and drove away. The flustered man returned to the apparently undamaged van, and they departed.

The above is a sad story. Yes, it’s unfortunate that the driver of the mini van hit the cart rack, but that portion of the story is not what is saddening. It’s obvious that the mother of the teenager failed to teach conscious character to her child, and seemingly lacked it herself.

 “The character of our children is the leading indicator of the future of our country.” ― Senator Dan Coats

God expects us to train our children in the way they should go, and a wise parent will include character development in that training. A wise person will give attention to it in their own lives.

We all influence others. An example of one exhibiting honorable traits on a regular basis is a beneficial influence.

Character First

Character First is a marvelous resource. We currently use Series 1 of the Elementary Teacher’s Guide Kit as one of our homeschool classes. (They also have an secondary level for older children.) It covers attentiveness, obedience, truthfulness, gratefulness, generosity, orderliness, forgiveness, sincerity, and virtue. We are covering one trait per month. Additional traits are highlighted in the other three series.

My sister-in-law is my homeschooling mentor, and when I first began teaching my children she shared a gem of truth with me. She said if you teach your children to obey first, then they will be much more receptive to learning academics. I started teaching them from the Obedience Guide when they were preschoolers and simplified the material, since it’s intended for ages 6-12. My kids love the stories, games and crafts. As you can see, this kit is lasting us several years. That’s money well spent!

My children aren’t the only ones benefiting from this material; I’m soaking it in, too. For example, when we were focusing on attentiveness, the lesson taught that to be attentive one should look the person speaking in the eye. Being a multi-tasker, I noticed that I didn’t always do that. We are by no means perfect, but one day I hope that my sons will look at a women’s character before choosing a spouse and that they will be men of admirable character as well.

How do you implement character traits in your life? What do you use to teach character to your family?

Disclaimer: I receive no compensation should you decide to click the links above. I simply believe it’s a great product.

 

Image via Creative Commons: John Michlig

Good News for a Change

Will you do something with me today? By the end of the evening last night, I decided to head to bed because I had been inundated with negative news all day. I was able to clear my head before sleeping and this morning I woke up to a great day. Slowly, as the day started to unfold, negative news began to abound.

I started getting grouchy. I heard another piece of news that was negative and thought,

I’m sorry. I can’t fix it. I can’t fix everyone’s problems all the time and someone is always unhappy about something.

Needless to say, that was the wrong response, and I walked away asking myself, What is wrong with me?

I realized that I was letting the influx of negativity affect me in the wrong way.

But sometimes, we just need a balance. We need to hear positive, encouraging news. It lifts us up.

Maybe there’s a reason the Bible says to talk about His wondrous works.

Oh, give thanks to the Lord! Call upon His name; Make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; Talk of all His wondrous works! Psalm 105:1-2 NKJ

I want to hear good news! Will you leave a positive comment? I want to hear if your sister-in-law just received Jesus, if your doctor gave you a good report, or if your dog just came home!

I’ll start by leaving a comment about some good news. Your comments will benefit others who may be discouraged, and need to hear some encouragement.

If you can’t think of anything good, find the good in that situation!

Ready? Go!

Images via Creative Commons: plasticrevolver