A NOD...

You've read the posts. You know where I am right now. Kinda. What you don't know is that I have been in a bit of a drought. I mean you could probably tell by the lack of writing coming from this blog, but I didn't say it.
Now I have.
Put all that together, and picture me listening to Passion 2013 on Tuesday night.
Hearing Louie Giglio talk about how God wants to do immeasurably more. Expectations...
Following along as he reads out of Ezekiel 36 about the valley of dry bones. Drought
Scribbling down #3- that God wants to repair & restore. Desperate for that.
Acknowledging once again that, if I choose, the outcome will be the same.

There is nothing like the confirming nod of Christ Jesus to your heart and soul.
I felt it Tuesday.
Confirmation that He is the God who sees, hears, cares, and knows.
Because He is.
Like Hagar in the wilderness, I can say,

Genesis 16:13 (NKJV)

Then she called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”

 

To believe and act upon that is what

I choose.

BUT STILL...

there are some goals for the New Year I want to share with you. Maybe I should call them expectations now. Words like resolutions and pipe dreams run through my head, but I shall stand on what I said - expectations in Christ Jesus.

1. Cook
I have this huge binder full of recipes that I have never tried. My plan is to try them. Determine the good, the bad and the ugly. For this to work right, I must attain goal #2.

2. Meal planning
I started to say better meal planning, but unless deciding what type of pizza you were going to get, I just need to start. Problem is I am not good at balancing this all out. I am sure, as my mother is now so fond of saying, I can Google it or find an app for it.

3. Time management
I detest the very word. It's like oatmeal. I know it's good for me, but I just don't like it. However, it needs to happen both at home and at work. So in true Elizabeth George recommended fashion, I will become a nightly list maker.

4. Clean kitchen table
I am the worst about letting stuff pile up on our kitchen table until I "get to it". Trouble is my "get to it" doesn't usually kick in until the stuff is falling off the table because it is stacked so high. Ask HH. He'll be glad to tell you. Goal is to keep it cleaned off and have at least 2 meals a week around it.

5. Social media
I think I can do it better. I am not really sure how that is going to look. Maybe it means posting less and being present more. Maybe filtering my tweets and posts through a different lens. I just don't know, but I know I can do it better.

Okay, so there are mine. Now it's your turn. What are your goals & expectations for the new year that you are willing to share.
May we be an encouragement to each other in both stumbles and the successes.

1 Thessalonians 5:11(NKJV)

Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.

WHAT IS THE LOWEST YOU ARE WILLING TO SETTLE FOR?

Of course, like any good Aggie I watched the Heisman presentation a few weeks ago. Oh, let's just be honest, I have it on my DVR list and have watched it in its entirety at least one other time. When thinking about the upcoming year and my aspirations, the discussion Collin Klein had about goal setting has been on my mind. I won't get it word for word, but I'll get close. Klein said that one year (maybe junior high or early high school) a coach had them set goals. The coach had them start at the lowest they were willing to accept for, and I guess from, themselves and then go up from there.
While thinking about what I wanted in 2013- to accomplish, to see finished, to see progress in- I have really been thinking about what are my expectations.
Are they low?
We'll never....
I'll never...
I doubt it will happen for us...
This will always be an issue...
Am I okay with those kinds of thoughts?
This year, I hope not.
I need to expect better.
I need to act on those expectations.
Expectations not based on who I am or what I can do in the flesh, but on who I am and what I can do in Christ Jesus.
Expectations based on Who He is.
What He has done.
What He is doing.
What He will do.
My low expectations reflect a faith built around me and not Him.
With Jesus, I can expect better.
Maybe not easier, but better.
Why?
Because a life submitted to Him is better than anything else I could expect.
A life submitted to Him, He is in charge of.
He has His own expectations, which blow mine out of the water.
So I will.
I will choose to.
What about you?
Where do your expectations for 2013 fall?
Let us both base them on Christ Jesus and watch Him move!

HaPpY NeW YeAr!!!

 

Isaiah 64:4 (NKJV)

For since the beginning of the world
Men have not heard nor perceived by the ear,
Nor has the eye seen any God besides You,
Who acts for the one who waits for Him.

2013- The Year Of.....

You talk too much.

Disheartening words to hear from the Lord.
Yet, hear them I did.
While asking what He wanted for the next year from me, I felt Him say it in my spirit.
You talk a lot. You talk too much. You need to stop talking and start doing. What is between Me & you needs to be acted upon and not just talked about.
As the bumper sticker I have posted in my room says, Less talk....More Walk, in so many areas.
Clearly, in my spiritual life, but that all spills over into practical areas as well.
Less talk, more walk - in being a deliberate parent.
Less talk, more walk- in taking care of the house.
Less talk, more walk - in being a better steward of a whole bunch of things.
Less talk, more walk - in my meal planning.

You get the idea.

Fear not- Less talk doesn't mean less blogging, as if there could be judging by these last few months.
Hopefully, it means more. Less talking about wanting to write and more actual writing.

So, I have officially declared my 2013 as the year of shhhhhhhh.
It's what I choose.
At least until He tells me otherwise.

James 1:22-25 (NKJV) 
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.  For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.

WHEN THE OUTCOME IS ALWAYS THE SAME...

My professors in college said a lot of things. Most of it I don't remember. However, I had a poli-sci professor whose words have stuck with me since the day he said them.

People say they want equality of opportunity, but what they really want is equality of outcome.

I got that one. Over the years, I have found myself living that one. On both sides of the comma.
Where do I see it the most?
In my Christian walk.
Yep...right where it's not supposed to be.

I say I just want the same opportunity that perfect, single-digit clothes wearing, fit as a fiddle, marriage straight from Hallmark channel, mama has.
I say I just need the same chance that writer or speaker got.
I say if I could just catch break, I could get it together.

I profess I want equality of opportunity.

What I really want is equality of outcome.

I want my kids to be the most polite, well-mannered, educated kids in the group, just like hers.
I want my writing to be valued by others, just like hers.
I want to have it as together as her or her or her and even as him.

Why can't I have the favor I see on their life?
Why do they seem to catch all the breaks?
Why do things always go well for them, even when they mess it up big time?

Please tell me I'm not the only one whose thoughts go there......
 
You and I have the same opportunities every day.
The opportunity to submit to His will.
The opportunity to share His love.
The opportunity to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to everyone we come in contact with, even if it's not down the Roman Road. (Nothing wrong with the road...just saying it may not be so pat).
The opportunity to, regardless of my circumstances, proclaim the life and liberty found in Christ Jesus.

Equality of opportunity....

The only outcome God desires is that He be glorified.
In all if it.
By all of me.

Equality of outcome.....

So to myself, and I guess to you if you need it, I say -
Get over it.
The opportunities are the same, and when I choose to take them, there will only be one outcome.
God being glorified; Christ being exalted; people being set free.

When I choose.....

LIKE SO MANY....

...teachers across the nation,
                             - I spent the weekend wondering how I would have reacted.
                             - I walked into my classroom this morning thinking of ways to protect those
                               babies.
                            - I used terms like exit & entry points in reference to my classroom and lab.
                            - I thought about how I could use physics equipment to defend my kids.
                            - I planned with my co-workers how and where would be the safest place and
                               best chance of survival.

....parents across the nation,
                           - I put my kids on the bus, fully aware of those of mamas who couldn't.
                           - I thought of their school, and wondered how those teachers were planning.
                           - I prayed for their safety and was grateful to see them return.

...Christians across the nation,
                           - I have no answer.
                           - I can offer no hope except in Jesus.
                           - I can tell you God knows.
                           - I can pray and go before the Throne of Grace on your behalf.
                           - I can lift you up when you have neither the desire nor the strength to do it yourself.
                           - I can cry with you, I can yell with you, and I can love on you.

Like so many, I will.

PAINFULLY RIGHT

I am reading this.

And it is a difficult read.
I have read other Elizabeth George books.

 

(That last one about did me in. Read it as a very independent, not-so-tender-hearted young, new wife, and it was not an easy pill to swallow. You can ask the ladies in my group.)

These books work me over. Not because Mrs. George is harsh. Quit the opposite. She is the sweetest writer. Constantly encouraging. Constantly pointing to what we can do through Christ.

What kills me is what she challenges me to do. How she challenges me to love and serve my husband and my family. How she challenges me in my relationship with Christ Jesus and how I love and serve Him.

It goes against my very flesh.
Which means she is most likely right.
Likely nothing, she is.
I read a bit, get riled up, walk away, and then come back.
Mrs. George does a great job of showing you practically how to live out the topic. I can tell you from experience she is on the right track, How can I be sure? As soon as I try to put those recommendations into action, the enemy kicks in to high gear.
He doesn't do that unless he is about to lose some ground.

Have you read any of Mrs. George's books? Did you find them challenging?

If you are looking for practical living materials, I can and will recommend these books. Chapters are easy to read and the hands on applications are spot on.
You will be blessed.
You will be challenged.
You will probably be mad and have your feathers ruffled.
I promise, if you let the Spirit do His work, you will be changed.
You choose.