Tag Archives: Pray continually

The first page of your new year

Leave a reply

 

 

 

 

 

Today is the first page of a 365 page story, the story of your life in 2015.

 

 

Maybe you have some idea of what you want to be part of this year’s story. You have hopes and dreams for what you will accomplish. Likely, there will be surprises that will suddenly appear on your pages. But even when the pages turn unexpectedly, you remain in control of what is written on them. How you respond to life determines your story more than the actual events that transpire. So how will you write this year of your life?

 

You could just wait and see what happens, live life as it comes to you. Que será, será. Put life on autopilot and see where it takes you. Let the spinning wheel spin and see where it stops. It’s easy to get caught up on the merry-go-round, distracted by all the lights and music. Before you know it, a day, a week, a month, a year, a life has passed…without purpose.

 

You could take charge, set your goals, plan extensively, and live with great focus. I tend to be a goal-setter and planner so I suppose I easily fall into this category. I tend to think it is good to ‘count the costs’ and plan well. In the parable of the talents, Jesus praised those who invested well. We too should invest our time well and also our other resources. But sometimes, the best of plans have to be set aside and new strategies adopted. You had intended to write one thing in your book of life, but life itself changes the direction of the next page and chapter.

 

There is a third, more profitable way to write the story of 2015 and that is to devote the year, all of it, to the glory and honor of God. “Whatever you do, do it as unto The Lord” for His purpose and His glory. (Colossians 3:23). “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6) “My presence will go with you and I will give you rest.” (Exodus 33:14)

 

God delights in you and He wants to show you the way to go in this new year. He longs for your joy. Shouldn’t your story be all about Him? How do you do that? Make sure each page of 2015 be filled with three things:

 

Rejoicing – God is good. He will always be with you.
Praying – Talk with God throughout the day. Spend some time listening.
Giving thanks – Find reason to give thank every single day.

 

Write a great story in 2015!  Fill your pages with these things and enjoy a wonderful new year!

 

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

 

 

Growing Faith Through Transitions

1 Reply

Yesterday’s post on using transition times to cultivate a heart of thanksgiving reminded me of when I first became aware of the importance of transition times throughout the day.

It was 1982. I was working in a Mennonite window factory in Washington, Iowa. In fact, it had just opened and I was the only worker at the time. All day I would listen to the Christian music piped into the factory and carry my windows from jig to jig. After years of teaching in the public schools and the past year of completing my master’s degree while also teaching 40+ guitar students, I now had no distractions and was free to focus my day on growing my relationship with God. And I thought to myself, “Why is it so hard to focus on maintaining a relationship with God throughout the day in a regular job?”

I thought about Daniel praying seven times a day. Then it occurred to me that there are times of transition throughout every day, some the same and some at varying times and places. We get up and we go to bed, two essential times for focusing on who God is and who we am in His sight, times for preparing and reflecting on daily agendas. (This would later become an essential leadership lesson for me, understanding the value of not running into the day unprepared.)

We generally eat three times a day, which for many is a customary time of prayer, time for giving thanks, and time for regaining God’s perspective. Though I was never very good or consistent with taking breaks mid-morning or midday, I learned there was value in setting aside some time to back off from whatever projects or stressors, and look at the big picture. Getting up, 3 meals, 2 breaks, and going to bed…7 natural breaks in the day to focus and give thanks and gain perspective. And then I realized there were several other transition times, from one appointment to another, from home to work or school or the stores, from one project to another, times of getting up and times of sitting down.

The point isn’t to make a legalistic tour of the day, but to recognize natural occurring opportunities for connecting with God, for backing off to gain perspective, and for recharging your batteries. Of course, for a Spirit Filled Christian the opportunity is there to develop a relationship so close that every moment is a time of personal relationship with Christ who offers to live IN the heart of the believer. Humbly, I am still in process.

What are the transition times in your life? And how can you intentionally use them for your benefit and the benefit of others around you? It is a habit worth cultivating.

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Staying Healthy

2 Replies

As a Leukemia patient, a significant part of my energy each day is spent keeping myself healthy. Having finished my second round of chemotherapy, my immune system is again on its way down to zero. It seems at this point at least that infection, not Leukemia, is my biggest threat. As well as I am doing through this treatment, a single infection or common cold can drastically change things quickly. And that is true for each of us in this severe flu season.

I have always strived to live a healthy life, but never have been THIS focused on protecting myself from infection. (I’m not quite to the Michael Jackson phase.) We love having visitors but ask them to come only when completely healthy. We ask them to wear masks when they enter my environment and I always wear a mask when I leave my room.

Apart from that, the elements of my regime are beneficial to all of us in this flu season: Wash hands with soap and use hand sanitizer frequently throughout the day. Keep the skin moist. You know the drill.

But are we as careful to practice other essentials of maintaining a healthy immune system?

  • Maintain consistent and quality sleep patterns 
  • Avoid useless (and harmful) worry
  • Cultivate a sense of humor and find reason to laugh
  • Enjoy time with family and friends
  • Encourage others
  • Take short breaks throughout the day to refresh your mind and spirit
  • Pray
  • Find reason to give thanks throughout the day, regardless of how crummy the day seems

    “Be joyful always; pray continually;
    give thanks in all circumstances,
    for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
    1 Thessalonians 5:16

    Stay healthy…in body, mind, and spirit!