new year's resolutions - spirit, soul, and body

Now that Christmas has come and gone, I'm thinking about new year's resolutions.  I really want some, and I really think I need some.  I've felt "off my game" lately, and it's disconcerting. 

So, what am I going to do to change this?  Here's what I've come up with...

2014

 

I'm going to focus on self.  I'm going to allow myself to be selfish because I believe that if I take care of me, I can better take care of those I love. 

 

It starts with me in 2014.

 

My Spirit: With our spirit, we feel meaning and feel purpose. We can love or hate.  I want to make an extra effort to LOVE people.  Now, I believe love is a verb, and the most powerful example of love came from the Lord Jesus Himself.  Love, therefore, is sacrificial.  Love is forgiving. Love is so powerful that if we love, we will feel meaningful and purposeful.  I choose love.

 

I will try to love my husband better. I will strive to be more loving toward my children - Stop, Squeeze, Smile peeps!  I will find ways to show love to my family and friends.

 

My Soul: Your soul is your mind - your personality - it is who you are.  Jesus came to save our souls, and I want to make sure mine is worth saving (a futile attempt, but I'd rather die trying to accomplish this than not ;-) 

 

As I said in a previous post, your beliefs (in your mind) translate into actions which then reveal themselves in a personality - you.  I want my personality to be like Christ's. 

 

Toward that end, I want to fill more of my hours reading my bible and reading/watching Christan media.  I'm going to start by trying purposefully do this at least one night a week and build from there.  TV takes up a lot of our down time; it's a great way to zone out after a long day.  However, since it is my only "free" time, I need to be spending it in ways that will help me and not just waste it.  Time is precious, after all.

 

My Body: This one is self-explanatory, I think.  If we don't take care of ourselves physically, our ability to take care of our spirit and soul can be damaged.  It goes both ways too!  If we don't take care of our spirit and soul, it can lead to unconsciously - or consciously - damaging our body.

 

So in an effort to excel in this area, I have a couple goals.  First, I need to run at least twice a week AND, additionally, I need two 5ks outside a month.  Now, these don't have to be races. I can just go to the park and do this, but I've seen a need in my personal level of fitness to run more outdoors.  It's much more challenging - and enjoyable - and I think it will help my running overall. I've also started doing sit ups, leg lifts, and planks.  I need to keep up on my schedule with that.

 

As for food, I need to continue to watch portions.  I also need to drink more water, so I'm going to make a conscious effort to drink one bottled water a day - at least.  Starting small there.  As for the bad stuff, I do believe in living a little, so I'll allow myself one or two cokes a day and sweets only on Saturday and Sunday. 

 

Well, what do you think?  I like my goals for 2014.  I think they are wise, attainable, and good for me and mine.

 

What are your goals?  Make a few new year's resolutions, and let's keep each other accountable! I plan on blogging about my progress at the start of each month.  I'm starting these goals now, so I'll check in with ya'll in February.

 

Here's to a blessed 2014!

 

Today's forget-me-not:  “Now may the God of peace make you holy in every way, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ comes again.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

 

If you haven't liked my new Facebook page, please search for Forget-me-not, Oh Lord! I would love to keep up with you there!

It Does Matter

If you are on Facebook, you've witnessed the arguments ignited by star of Duck Dynasty Phil Robertson's comments about homosexuality in an article he was interviewed for by GQ magazine.  These comments opened a can of worms - so to speak. 

First, let me say, I've never seen the show, so I don't hold any allegiance to the Duck Dynasty or Mr. Robertson in that regard.  Second, I did find his comments about homosexuality to be inflammatory and part of the problem when it comes to the inaccurate pictures of Christianity being propagated by the media and various other outlets.  Third, his comments, however, have raised some very worthy discussion topics, and that is what this post is really about - one of those topics.

The topic of homosexuality and sin. 

Mr. Tyler Smither - fellow blogger - wrote an entry entitled, "What You Believe About Homosexuality Doesn't Really Matter." 

In this blog post, he wrote the following on the topic of homosexuality and sin:

"The fact of the matter is, it doesn’t matter whether or not you think homosexuality is a sin. Let me say that again. It does not matter if you think homosexuality is a sin, or if you think it is simply another expression of human love. It doesn’t matter. Why doesn’t it matter? Because people are dying. Kids are literally killing themselves because they are so tired of being rejected and dehumanized that they feel their only option left is to end their life."

To which I respond, Mr. Smither, your comments are exactly why IT DOES MATTER what we believe about homosexuality and sin. 

Because kids -  and also adults I might add - are literally killing themselves due to a feeling of rejection and dehumanization after coming out as gay or lesbian, IT DOES MATTER what we believe about homosexuality. It's a life or death matter - as you point out! It matters because what we believe about homosexuality and sin links directly to how we respond to those that reveal they are homosexuals - which is then a cause of how they feel after revealing their sexual orientations. You cannot separate the two.

And, on that note, what we should believe about homosexual behavior - about any and all sins really - is what God (our Creator) believes about it - and about sin in general (this post is written on the premise that the Bible defines homosexuality as sin).  If we ascribe to His beliefs on this matter, what one will find is the opposite of rejection and dehumanization...

Romans 5:8 "When we were in our sin, Christ Jesus came to die for us."  Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."

You see, the homosexual is not alone in the struggle with his or her sin nature.  We ALL are in that same boat.  So when the subject of homosexual behavior as sin arises, this TOO should also be emphasized.  However, there are too many that like to elevate homosexuality above other sins, and that's not right. I'll say that again; elevation of certain sins above other sins is NOT RIGHT.  ALL sin does its deed - creates separation between us and a holy God.  We need to grasp this, and we need to teach this to our children so hate and violence toward homosexuals ends.  If we believe this about sin, then there are no differences between black or white, homosexual or straight, male or female.  We are all sinners in need of a savior trying to make it in this crazy world.  That humanizes us.   And also on that note, how can anyone then reject another person on any grounds?

Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." 

See, it's right there.  It says, "For the wages of sin is death (eternal separation from God)." It doesn't say, "For the wages of certain sins is death..."  It says SIN.  All of it! Yours. Mine. ALL SIN. We are equal, and if you stop right there, we are all - for lack of a better word - screwed. But then notice the good news in the second part of that verse, "The free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." The polar opposite of rejection and dehumanization from God through Jesus to us!  Talk about LOVE! OMG - it blows my mind!  This is what we should believe about homosexuality, and so this should be the message when talking about sin - there is hope for us all!!! Oh the joy that floods my soul at that thought.

THAT is what we should believe about homosexuality and about all other sins.  If we preached that, how many lives could be saved here on earth from suicide BUT ALSO saved for eternity in heaven (which TOTALLY matters!).

2 Corinthians 5:21 "He who knew no sin became sin for us, that we may be made the righteousness of God through Him."

What you believe about sin matters. It mattered to Jesus so much that He became our sin and paid the penalty for that sin so that we could have a personal relationship with our Creator and Father, God.

Mr. Smither, to you I say, it does matter!!!!

And because of what I believe about homosexuality and sin and Jesus, I do agree with Tyler Smither when he gives the following advice:

"Try telling a gay kid that you love him and you don’t want him to die. Try inviting her into your church and into your home and into your life."

With that, I wholeheartedly agree! Because people matter. They mattered to Jesus so much that He died for us and He left us with the great commission:

Today's forget-me-not: Matthew 28:¹⁸ Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. ¹⁹ Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

It is important to spread His message. Let's do it, Christians!  Because it matters!!

To those who are searching for hope... To those who are in need of a purpose to live and not to die... Please travel the Roman Road.

Stop, Squeeze, Smile

I recently read a blog post at Hands Free Momma that gave me pause entitled "The Bully Too Close To Home."  I'd been seeing many of my Facebook friends re-post the link to this, so I thought I'd check it out.  What I read made my heart sad.  Here's just a portion of what Rachel Stafford wrote:

Calling all the shots was a mean voice in my head. My internal drill sergeant was continually pushing me to make everything sound better, look better, and taste better. My body, my house, and my achievements were never good enough. Holding myself to such unattainable standards weighed heavily on my soul and my inner turmoil eventually spilled out at people I loved the most.

Sadly, there was one person in particular who bore the brunt of my discontent: my first-born daughter.

She could not make mess without me shaking my head in disappointment.

She could not forget her homework, her jacket, or her lunchbox without me making a big deal about it.

It goes on - read it at the above link; it's a worthy read - but I think you get the picture...

That's me.  Rachel hit the proverbial nail on the head of ME when she wrote that.

Beth and I.

A couple things happened inside me after reading her blog post.  First, I was relieved that someone out there had taken pause and diagnosed this problem - a problem I knew but didn't know I had. You know what I mean?

And second, an overwhelming sadness flooded my soul.  This is not how I want Beth to grow up.  This is not how I want her to remember her childhood - her mom.  But what do I do about it?!

Well, thankfully, after writing that blog post, Rachel posted a helpful article written by Andrea Nair entitled "Seven Steps to Being Less Hard on our Kids"on this very subject.  This is another worthy read - take a few minutes mommas!

Basically, Andrea gives practical advice toward fixing the bully mom - so to speak.

The most important thing to remember is that we have a choice. We can actively choose to be friendly instead of harsh. The trick is to have a strategy in place — I call this an Angry Plan which helps when you don't feel friendly.

I enjoyed reading her Angry Plan, and it inspired me to write my own.  I actually started using this when I picked up the kids today, and I was pleased with the results. 

Use in Case of Anger Emergency: Stop, Squeeze, and Smile

1 - Stop - Take a deep breath!
2 - Squeeze - Hold the child's hand or Hug the child.
3 - Smile - Make eye contact, say "I love you", and make your request.

Beth has responded very well to this approach, and doing this, I get my way without all the drama - that is arguing and back talk. 

Also, I feel better about me. I feel happier this evening - content.  I would HIGHLY recommend reading Andrea Nair's article if you are at all like me and have problems with anger.

So thankful to have read these posts for the sake of my relationship with my oldest daughter!

Today's forget-me-not: "In your anger, do not sin." Ephesians 4:26

the Christmas season

Christmas is fast approaching!

I love this time of year.  The time when our Elf on the Shelf - Elf George - comes back from the North Pole to keep an eye on the girls behavior and report it back to Santa each night.  The girls love looking for George each morning to see where he's landed after returning to our home. It's beyond precious to watch them squeal in delight when they find him - often he's doing something cute or naughty. 

Elf George in my fridge!? Naughty elf!

It's the time of year when I paint a piece for my Christmas village.  I have a piece for every year Michael and I have been married.

A picture of just a small portion of my village.

I love the glow of the Christmas lights while watching Christmas favorites like A Christmas Story or Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. 

I love gift giving.  It's that time of year where we give gifts in honor of the ultimate gift that was given to us - Jesus.

Toward that end, we don't buy an amazing amount of gifts for the kids to open on Christmas morning.  The girls get one gift that will be open and under the tree from Santa - our nod to St. Nick - and then they get three other gifts (wrapped, of course).  I figure, baby Jesus got three gifts on His birthday, and since three gifts were good enough for God on this special occasion then three should be good enough for Beth and Hannah!  Lastly though, we do fill the stockings with some other goodies. 

Oh, I forgot! Christmas Eve, they do get new PJs from Elf George. ;-)

It's simple. I like to keep Christmas simple.  He is the reason for the season.

I know this time of year can be especially hard for some.  To those, my prayers go out to you and yours.

Let's all try to keep Christmas simple this year and strive to remember why we - as Christians - celebrate this holiday.

Today's forget-me-not: Luke 2 ¹⁶ So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby, who was lying in the manger. ¹⁷ When they had seen him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, ¹⁸ and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. ¹⁹ But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. ²⁰ The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

from Women Living Well on Facebook