TOP 25 CHECKLIST August 5, 2008

1) Begin your day with prayer acknowledging God as ruler of the universe and seeking Him.

2) Take a walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate antidepressant.

3) Allow yourself to sit quietly for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

4) Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

5) Eat more foods that grow on plants and less that are manufactured in Plants.

6) Drink herbal tea and plenty of water. Eat broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

7) Smile at everyone you meet today.

8) Clear clutter from your mind, house, car, and desk so that new energy can flow into your life.

9) Don’t waste your precious energy on gossip, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead, invest your energy in the positive present moment.

10) Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class …….but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

11) Eat less—you will feel better.

12) Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

13) Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14) Stop waiting for a special occasion: go on and burn those ‘special’ scented candles, use the 600 thread count bed sheets, the good china and wear your fancy clothes now. Every day is special.

15) Realize that no one is in charge of your happiness except you so get busy : )

16) Forgive everyone for everything—including yourself.

17) Find time to move and be active everyday.

18) Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Put your family and friends first.

19) Get rid of anything in your life that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.

20) Don’t waste time on envy. You already have all you need. God provides, remember?!

21) No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

22) Always do the right thing! Always!

23) Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements:

   I am thankful for __________.
               Today I accomplished _________.

24) Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don’t want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

25)  LIVE, LOVE, LAUGH. Life is a gift. That’s why it’s called the PRESENT – UNWRAP IT!

     Have a blessed day!

One Thing… June 11, 2008

Since January I have been using the “one thing” concept to pray for my family (refer to my very first post to this blog). It has turned out to be one of the most effective spiritual habits I have ever experienced. My prayer life is no longer stuck in a rut repeating the same requests over and over. I am using Beth Moore’s “Praying God’s Word Day by Day–A Year of Devotional Prayer” book, however, any devotional type book will do.

As I read each day’s thought and pray it for myself, then I simply pray it for each member of my family, too. This practice gives focus and direction to my prayer and enables me to concentrate on one or two aspects of God, His will for us, or some character trait to develop. With five children, four grandchildren and one on the way, parents, and spouse that adds up to a lot of people I love. I want my prayers to be effective and firmly rooted in God’s Word. This practice absolutely does the job!

Give it a try and see if it doesn’t put some excitment back in your own prayer life!

 

 

Holy Obedience February 1, 2008

God has definitely been working out His grace in my life this week. Again, I have been reading from Richard Foster’s Freedom of Simplicity where he points out what the first steps are to ”begin bringing the grace of the holy obedience into your life.” Of course, it is the desire to know God and walk with him!

 God put it on my heart today to write out this prayer and  make it a part of my very being:

   Lord, I ask that you increase the light of Christ in my life. I ask that the Shekinah, the glorious, radiant presence of Your Godness, which once filled the temple’s mercy-seat, fill my heart to overflowing. In every task of this day I seek to live in utter surrender, listening and obedient to Your will. I pray You will help me to make Holy Obedience a priority today. I ask that I would begin this very moment! 

   In Your Son’s Holy Name, Amen.