2007 New Years Resolution

For the last week I have had a rather extensive list made out in my head as to what I was determined to change in the next year or do better but this morning during worship it was summed up in two simple but complex words: to die.

In the year of 2007 my deepest desire that will shape all areas of my life is to know nothing except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2) I realized this morning that I am to much alive. In this new year I am going to die every day and view each day through the lens of the cross. I am going to take up my cross everyday and live life zealfully for His glory.


But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith--that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.
Phillipians 3:7-11

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

New Year

....I launch my bark on the unkown waters of this year,
with thee, O Father, as my harbour,
thee, O Son, at my helm,
thee, O Holy Spirit, filling my sails.
Guide me to heaven with my loins girt,
my lamp burning,
my ear open to thy calls,
my heart full of love,
my soul free.
Give me thy grace to sanctify me,
thy comforts to cheer,
thy wisdom to teach,
thy right hand to guide,
thy counsel to instruct,
thy law to judge,
thy presence to stabalize.
May thy fear be my awe,
thy triumphs my joy.

Week 1 ~ Knowing God

Here are my plans for this coming week begining on Sunday and going through Saturday.

Morning (daily):

• Personal Prayer
• Bible Reading
• Valley of Vision Prayer

Afternoons:

• Praying God's Will for Your Life (M,W,F)
• Screwtape Letters (T,Th)

Evenings (daily):

• Sacred Parenting
• Psalm 1 memorization
• Prayer: for lost and suffering

At some time during Mondays and Friday probably during dinner preperation I will listen to a sermon. I am going to rely on God to lead me in deciding which ones to listen to and by whom but will post them at that time.

I am also contemplating on reading on the side maybe a weekend reader Storie Omartian's other book The Power of a Praying Wife but will probably just wait until I finish Praying God's Will for Your Life.

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

It is coming

The new year that is fastly approaching and for me it is an opportunity to have a new begining. It feels as though I can start with a clean slate for the coming year of 2007, a new year with my boys, a new year with my husband and a new year with the Lord. Tomorrow is New Years Eve in which a day where I will leave all of my past failures behind giving them all completely to Him and will make my first "new years resolution" to do this often not holding on to them and allowing them to bog me down hindering my walk. Life is such a blessing and as it has been pointed out to me very often lately I need to learn to enjoy it more and my family and my heart desires to enjoy my Creator more as well. We are given one chance here on this earth as sojourners to not only live and enjoy this life but in it to praise Him. We will not get another chance to worship Him in the world where we are called to be His lights, to show all those around us who do not believe and are lost in the darkness the true light by how we praise and worship Him in our daily lives. Our hearts and minds need to be constantly reminded of how we once were lost and how we were found, that while we were still sinners Christ died for us, that we like Paul are wretched and undeserving but by His love have been lavished in His grace.

I am excited about this new start. All of my reading will begin tomorrow but my heart has already begun. If anyone would like to join me in my bible reading plan, book readings or memorization I would be delighted. Just let me know and we will set up a plan together!! I encourage you to embark on a journey this new year of getting to know Him better through reading His word, prayers, memorization and encouragement.

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

Knowing God

When someone acts weak, negligent, or casual in a duty - performing it carelessly or lifelessly, without any genuine satisfaction, joy, or interest - he has already entered into the spirit that will lead him into trouble. How many we see today who have departed from warmhearted service and have become negligent, careless, and indifferent in their prayer life or in the reading of the Scriptures. For each one who escapes this peril, a hundred others will be ensnared. Then it may be too late to acknowledge, "I neglected private prayer," or "I did not meditate on God's Word," or "I did not hear what I should have listened to." John Owen

(click on the quote to go to some more thoughts on Knowing God)

Reading His Word

With much thought about how I have been neglecting my meditation on the word of God I have devised a plan to get into it more consistently. I found what I think will be the best reading plan for myself and plan on begining on January first. I have also planned out some prayer books to read to help move me along in that area as well. Here is the bible reading plan that I have chosen:

52 Week Bible Reading Plan : There is a reading each week that is centered on Epistles, Law, History, Psalms, Poetry, Prophecy and the Gospels. This plan intrigued me.

I have tried other plans and I always fail to follow through. I pray that I will persevere in my attempts to get in His word on a daily basis and that God will reveal more of himself to me through my study.

For my prayer studies I am reading Praying God's Will for Your Life by Stormie Omartian (the workbook) and am planning on listening to a Puritan Prayer from Valley of Vision daily. I also would like to memorize some of the prayers that are in the bible as well.

JOYfully in Him,
Kelli

What is the point?

Lately when I have gone or even thought about reading the word this question has plagued my mind and heart. I am saddened to admit that this is where I am at right now in my relationsip with the Lord. I am in a desert wandering blindly and only on feeling. It has been difficult trying to do everything alone. I have no excuse for my lack of faithfulness to the Lord. My life on the outside is not much different from anyone's perspective.

Things need to change..............