Breaking.

if I break
my alabaster on
your holy feet
so that its fragrance

fills everything around you.
Throw away my life
That was never mine. Always yours.
Martyr for my master.

May I sit at your feet
Tell you all the ways I love you
Live in your truth.
In your white light.

Die to myself
My dreams
Trade them for yours.
Can I say "yes"?

And if I say it
Wholeheartedly. Honestly. Sincerely.
Will you promise,
To always be there?

To never leave me
In darkness. In deserts.
To hold my hand.

…his right arm embraces me
and his left arm is behind my head.

By: Lindsey Carmical

How does this poem speak to you?

Opened & Closed Doors

We need to learn to thank the Lord for closed doors just as much as we do for open doors. The reason God closes doors is because He has not prepared anything behind that door for us. If He didn't close the wrong door we would never find our way to the right door.

Even when we don't realize it, God directs our paths through the closing and opening of doors. When one door closes, it forces us to change our course. Another door closes; it forces us to change our course yet again.

Then finally, we find the open door and walk right into our blessing.

But instead of praising God for the closed door (which kept us out of trouble), we get upset because we "judge by the appearances." And in our own arrogance, or ignorance, we insist that we know what is right.

We have a very present help in the time of need who is always standing guard. Because He walks ahead of us, He can see trouble down the road. And He sets up roadblocks and detours accordingly. But through our lack of wisdom we try to tear down the roadblocks or push aside the detour signs. Then the minute we get into trouble, we start crying "Lord how could This happen to me?"

We have got to realize that the closed door was a blessing. Didn't He say that "No good thing will He withhold from them that love Him?"

If you get terminated from your job - don't be down, instead thank God for the new opportunities that will manifest themselves - it might be a better job, or an opportunity to go to school.

If that man or woman won't return your call - it might not be them, it might be the Lord setting up a roadblock (just let it go). I'm so grateful, for the many times God has closed doors to me, just to open them in the most unexpected places.

"The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way." (Psalms 37:23) The Mountain top is glorious, but it is in the Valley that I will grow!

Always remember God gives you...

Enough Happiness to keep you sweet
Enough Trials to keep you strong
Enough Sorrows to keep you human
Enough Hope to keep you happy
Enough Failure to keep you humble
Enough Success to keep you eager
Enough Friends to give you comfort
Enough Wealth to meet your needs
Enough Enthusiasm to make you look forward
Enough Faith to banish depression, and
Enough Determination to make each day a better day than the last.

Life must be lived forward but can only be understood backwards.

"Commit to the Lord in whatever you do and your plans will succeed."
Proverbs 16:3

To Whom Has God Called You?

First and foremost, God has called you to Himself-to get to know Him, love Him, glorify Him. But He has also called you (asked you to follow Him and obey Him in a specific way) to minister to a particular group or certain age range of people? For whom does your heart break? Whose cries echo in your ears? Few thrills compare to the discovery of your life’s calling, including specifics about who, what, where, or how you are to humbly serve. If you have already heard the details about to whom you are called, jot that down today in thanksgiving. If not, ask the Lord to reveal to you ministry opportunities to the general population, as you prayerfully surrender to His will and await further instructions from Him.

Have you heard the call?

Do you gravitate toward church pastors who are computer illiterate, anxious to teach them how to prepare a PowerPoint presentation? Has God specifically urged you to pray for the lepers in Calcutta, India, or support the orphans in Tijuana, Mexico? Do you feel compelled to visit those in jail? Do you ache for children who have special needs, for your churches youth ministry, for those adults with no church family, or for visiting missionaries? Are you a friend to unwed mothers, the homeless, elderly, oppressed, fatherless, or widows? Are you drawn to those who are indigent, fire victims, orphans, hearing impaired, house-bound, or war veterans? Do you feel led to work with a parachurch organization to reach the unsaved around the world?

To whom has God called you?

[God said,] “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart.” (Jeremiah 1:5)

How does this verse speak to you?

From "Praying for Purpose" by Dr. Katie Brazelton - pg. 223-225

What's Going on in your Quiet Time?

You are probably familiar with most of the traditional methods of having a successful quiet time. But the what you do is not the only important part of today's question. That would make this exercise too easy. The tougher and more important question is this: How have you been doing lately in your times with the Lord? God is extremely interested in the heart you bring into the experience. Do you invite the Lord into your quiet time and allow Him to determine what each encounter becomes? If so, these will be some of the most treasured times of your life - when God reveals more of Himself and His plans to you.

Private Meetings with Jesus
There are many ways to enhance your quiet time: writing in a journal; confessing a sin; memorizing Scripture; singing; working through a devotional guide; practicing silence; enjoying God's "outdoor artwork"; or praying with praise, confession, gratitude, and requests. Are you dragging yourself into Jesus' presence and enduring a legalistic obligation? Or are you ecstatic to have the privilege of visiting with Him to praise Him, learn more about Him, and see what assignments He as for you? Is your heart cold or on fire for your Savior?

Scripture to Ponder: "[Jesus said,] "Here's what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won't be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense His grace." Matthew 6:6 (MSG)

Do you regularly spend a "quiet time" with God? If so, how do you spend that time?


From Katie Brazelton's "Praying for Purpose" pg 118-121.

"In the Blink of an Eye"

Ok-so today I’m driving home from work (is it me, or does it seem like the Lord is trying to speak to me on my way to and from work?) and for the first time, I really pay attention to the song that is playing on the radio. I’ve heard this song before, but it wasn’t until this afternoon that the words really hit home:

“In the Blink of an Eye” by Mercy Me

"You put me here for a reason
You have a mission for me
You knew my name and You called it
Long before I learned to breathe
Sometimes I feel disappointed
By the way I spend my time
How can I further Your kingdom
When I'm so wrapped up in mine

In the blink of an eye, that is when
I'll be closer to You than I've ever been
Time will fly, but until then
I'll embrace every moment I'm given
There's a reason I'm alive for a blink of an eye

And though I'm living a good life
Can my life be something great?
I have to answer the question
Before it's too late
If I give the very best of me,
That becomes my legacy
So tell me what am I waiting for?
What am I waiting for?"

I don’t know about you, but I have found these words to be quite powerful. “You put me here for a reason; You have a mission for me.” WOW! As I listened, the question that kept popping in my mind was, how many women actually believe this? Do they truly believe that the Lord has them here for a reason and that He has a specific mission for them (see the story of Esther for encouragement)?

The song goes on to say that “sometimes I feel disappointed by the way I spend my time.” Been there done that! How about you? Are there times that you just feel as though you are “wasting” away the time the Lord has given you? At the end of any given day when you get into bed, have you sat there and thought, what did I accomplish today that was of value? I have to tell you the truth-those kinds of days disappoint me.

Lastly, I love the ending of this song, “And though I’m living a good life, can my life be something great? I have to answer the question before it’s too late. If I give the very best of me, that becomes my legacy. So tell me what am I waiting for? What am I waiting for?” So many times as women, we get caught up in living the comfortable, good life when the reality is that God has so much more for us. But yet, we continue to push to the side that calling because we feel as though we don’t have the time, money, or resources. Many times it requires a step of faith. When God calls you to something, He will provide a way. We just have to learn to trust Him and give Him control.

So here are my questions:

What dreams and aspirations do you have?
What's keeping you from going after those dreams?

Can't wait to read your responses!

Jen

How Often & How Hard Do You Laugh?

Laughter breaks the chains perfectionism, control, manipulation, and bitterness. It also breaks down barriers with others, especially if you learn to laugh at yourself. By the way, if you can't belly laugh yet, practice! It's a stress release and freedom worth gold. Ask God to teach you to laugh. It will help you put your life into perspective. Smile and laugh, alone and with others, ever chance you get.

Smiles, Chuckles, and Belly Laughing

Think about what makes you laugh. Is it your pets, wholesome comedy routines, television bloopers, or costume parties? Is it toddlers' quizzical facial expressions or your teenaged daughter's dramatic reenactment of conversations with her friends? Do you laugh at political satire, practical jokes, comic strips, or home videos?

How often and how hard do you laugh?

Scripture to Ponder:

Thanksgivings will pour out of the windows;
laughter will spill through the doors.
Things will get better and better.
Depression days are over.
They'll thrive, they'll flourish.
Jeremiah 30:19 (MSG)

From Dr. Katie Brazelton's book, "Praying for Purpose" (pg 202-204).

"Sacred Obsession" by Becky Tirabassi

Beginning the week of March 26th, we're going to start reading and discussing "Sacred Obsession" on this blog. As we've been discussing in the comment section, this book is all about becoming what we chase after. If we chase after God, we become more like Him! It is a small book and quick read, with a huge message that has the potential to transform your life.

I hope that this can be an experience where we learn and grow from one another. So, get the book and start reading.

Published Articles by Blooming Ministries

"Living a Balanced Life" Exhausted? Overloaded? Balance!
By Kelly Thorne

Life moves swiftly and we run frantically to keep up with it. Just the other day, a friend laughed at me for trying to lift a three-pound weight to exercise my arms, while I was blow drying my hair. I was shocked at her reaction. Doesn't everyone multi-task like that? I didn't dare tell her that I actually answer a few e-mails every time she calls and stays on the phone too long! Such constant motion indicates that we may not be pausing enough to regularly examine our lives or ask ourselves how our lives mirror what God desires for us. Today, I challenge you to pause and evaluate your life's pace. Are you exhausted by expectations or thriving in your purpose? Let's take a look at two extreme types of women that you and I have either met or may have even become ourselves! Read More

"Growing in Your Relationship with God"
By Jennifer Bennett

Do you remember how you felt the first time you fell in love? Odds are, you smiled a lot and longed to spend more time with your loved one. When you think about your growing relationship with God, do you notice that, in many ways, it resembles the relationship of couples in love? They love learning more about each other. When they can't see each other, they miss each other; their hearts long for their mate with excitement and anticipation. Read More

A Glimmer of What Is to Come

The other day I was driving my usual route to work, when I came across the renovation of a local downtown theatre. On the outside of the theatre a sign was posted that said, "A Glimmer of What Is to Come". As I pondered this sign, I started thinking about my personal walk with Christ. How many times does Christ try to tell me these exact words, but yet, I don't hear Him because I allow the noise of everything else around me to get 100% of my attention? How many times have I been so focused on what I hope for in the future that I fail to see how God is using me now to make a difference?

As women, it is so easy to think thoughts such as:

· Well, if only I had … (fill in the blank) my life would be much better
· If I only had one more hour a day, life would be much easier
· If I could only get that other job, life would be great
· If I only had the house down the street, I’d be so much happier
· If I only had some extra money, I could accomplish so much more in life

So many times we tend to focus on the “if only” thoughts which cause us to miss out on what God is doing in our lives today and what it is that He is trying to show us. I feel that so many times the Lord is saying, “If you would keep focused on Me, I will give you a glimpse of what is to come in your life.” Yet, we tend to wonder why the Lord is not using us in certain ways or why we have to experience the daily circumstances that come up. We spend so much time focusing on what we don’t have and what we want, that we lose sight of what the Lord is doing right now in our lives.

One of my all-time favorite movie clips comes from the Karate Kid. In the movie, Daniel has decided to allow Mr. Miyagi to teach him Karate so that he can defend himself from some kids who are taking great joy in bullying him in a variety of ways. Well, Mr. Miyagi decides to have Daniel do a variety of “activities” including fence painting and car washing. At one point, Daniel gets so upset that he decides to let Mr. Miyagi know how he feels; he feels like a slave to Mr. Miyagi. It is then that Mr. Miyagi shows Daniel that in every “activity” he has accomplished, he has been learning a variety of Karate moves. Daniel ends up walking away ashamed for his outburst, yet he is amazed by his teacher.

How many times do we tend to act like Daniel? We get so fed up with our current place in life, that we yell out to God wondering what He’s doing in our lives. We get so fed up that we begin thinking about all those “if only’s” that we think would make our lives so much better and in turn, we try to take control of our lives; all the while, the Lord is whispering to us, “If you would focus your attention on Me, not only would I show you how I am using you this day, but I would also give you a glimpse of what is to come in your life.” Oh Jesus, how we have failed You! Daniel’s trust in his teacher began to fade, that is, until his teacher made it perfectly clear to him that he knew what he was doing. In the end, Daniel becomes one of the best Karate competitors; something he would have never imagined when he was painting fences and washing cars.

So, here’s my question to you; do you tend to act like Daniel? Are you willing to trust God and in that trust, allow Him to use you the way He wants to use you today? Are you willing to make yourself available to Him today and in turn, shut out all the noise around you and wait patiently for Him to whisper in your ear, “Hold on, I want to give you a glimpse of what is to come in your life?”

How is God Developing Your Character?

Do you know how a pearl develops? It happen when a foreign substance slips into an oyster between it's mantle and shell. This irritates the oyster, much like a splinter might bother you. The oyster reacts to cover up and protect itself from the irritant with layers of natural substance, eventually forming a pearl.

God has a similar process for developing character. You sometimes experience irritants through physical and emotional pain, or through trials, temptations, or delays. When you react in a godly way to such mild or severe irritants , an extraordinary character is formed in you. You may feel as though God has been using heavenly sandpaper, instead, to shape your character! With either method, He has probably been taking full advantage of life's rigorous and varied situations to help you grow spiritually, because good character is critical to fulfilling His plan for your life.

God Is An Expert At Shaping Character

Have you been dealing with particularly difficult people lately? If so, perhaps you are learning about the importance of patience. Is God asking you to tithe to teach you obedience, commitment, and generosity? Has He allowed you to remain in a situation in which you have said, "My back is against the wall," so you would learn to trust Him? Has an unfair decision taught you about wisdom and honesty? Has suffering invited humility along?

How is God Developing Your Character?

Phillip Needed His Character Developed

Phillip, one of the twelve apostles, was sometimes a skeptic who could not express a firm belief about the power of Jesus. So, Jesus tested him to help develop him as a man of faith and conviction. Read John 6:5-12. If you could tell God how you would like your next character trait developed, what process would you suggest He use?

Scripture to Ponder:

"You also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptible to God through Jesus Christ." (1 Peter 2:5)

What Insight, Prayer, or Action Step Has God Laid on Your Heart Today?

Exert taken from "Praying for Purpose" by Dr. Katie Brazelton (pg 97-100)

Ten Guidelines from God

1. QUIT WORRYING:
Life has dealt you a blow and all you do is sit and worry. Have you forgotten that I am here to take all your burdens and carry them for you? Or do you just enjoy fretting over every little thing that comes your way?

2. PUT IT ON THE LIST:
Something needs done or taken care of. Put it on the list. No, not YOUR list. Put it on MY to-do-list. Let ME be the one to take care of the problem. I can't help you until you turn it over to Me. And although My to-do-list is long, I am after all...God. I can take care of anything you put into My hands. In fact, if the truth were ever really known, I take care of a lot of things for you that you never even realize.

3. TRUST ME:
Once you've given your burdens to Me, quit trying to take them back. Trust in Me. Have the faith that I will take care of all your needs, your problems and your trials. Problems with the kids? Put them on My list. Problem with finances? Put it on My list. Problems with your emotional roller coaster? For My sake, put it on My list. I want to help you. All you have to do is ask.

4. LEAVE IT ALONE:
Don't wake up one morning and say, "Well, I'm feeling much stronger now, I think I can handle it from here." Why do you think you are feeling stronger now? It's simple. You gave Me your burdens and I'm taking care of them. I also renew your strength and cover you in my peace. Don't you know that if I give you these problems back, you will be right back where you started? Leave them with Me and forget about them. Just let Me do my job.

5. TALK TO ME:
I want you to forget a lot of things. Forget what was making you crazy. Forget the worry and the fretting because you know I'm in control. But there's one thing I pray you never forget. Please, don't forget to talk to Me - OFTEN! I love YOU! I want to hear your voice. I want you to include Me in on the things going on in your life. I want to hear you talk about your friends and family. Prayer is simply you having a conversation with Me. I want to be your dearest friend.

6. HAVE FAITH:
I see a lot of things from up here that you can't see from where you are. Have faith in Me that I know what I'm doing. Trust Me; you wouldn't want the view from My eyes. I will continue to care for you, watch over you, and meet your needs. You only have to trust Me. Although I have a much bigger task than you, it seems as if you have so much trouble just doing your simple part. How hard can trust be?

7. SHARE:
You were taught to share when you were only two years old. When did you forget? That rule still applies. Share with those who are less fortunate than you. Share your joy with those who need encouragement. Share your laughter with those who haven't heard any in such a long time. Share your tears with those who have forgotten how to cry. Share your faith with those who have none.

8. BE PATIENT:
I managed to fix it so in just one lifetime you could have so many diverse experiences. You grow from a child to an adult, have children, change jobs many times, learn many trades, travel to so many places, meet thousands of people, and experience so much. How can you be so impatient then when it takes Me a little longer than you expect to handle something on My to-do-list? Trust in My timing, for My timing is perfect. Just because I created the entire universe in only six days, everyone thinks I should always rush, rush, rush.

9. BE KIND:
Be kind to others, for I love them just as much as I love you. They may not dress like you, or talk like you, or live the same way you do, but I still love you all. Please try to get along, for My sake. I created each of you different in some way. It would be too boring if you were all identical. Please, know I love each of your differences.

10. LOVE YOURSELF:
As much as I love you, how can you not love yourself? You were created by me for one reason only -- to be loved, and to love in return. I am a God of Love. Love Me. Love your neighbors. But also love yourself. It makes My heart ache when I see you so angry with yourself when things go wrong. You are very precious to me.

The Way God Works

For the past month, my high school students have been reading the book, "To Kill a Mockingbird". The book is set in the 1930's and the plot revolves around a black man that has been falsely accused of raping a young white woman. Atticus Finch (The Lawyer) decided to take on the case of defending this man, even though he knew it meant that he would be looked down upon and would receive insult after insult by the white community. Even though he was consistenly put down by others, he continued to treat those people with respect and dignity.

The main lesson that Atticus was trying to teach his two young children through this case and his actions towards others, is that you can't make assumptions about people until you have walked a mile in their shoes. This theme is all throughout the book. As my students have been reading this novel, we have been talking a lot about how often we tend to think certain things about people without even knowing who they truly are.

Well, the Lord has been teaching me this lesson this week. For the past week, my husband and I have had a 19-year old staying at our house. He came to Clermont from Wisconsin because he wanted to help our church (we are a new church plant) out in different areas. Well, "John" is a free spirit. He's all about adventure and he's all about developing relationships with others. He's also a college age student. One who doesn't always clean up his room or his mess in the kitchen. If you know me, you know that I tend to be a clean freak! So, it has taken some adjusting on my part. At one point, I was allowing myself to really get mad about all of this. At one point, I was getting annoyed by the smallest things. Then it happened. The Lord really spoke to me. He reminded me of what I was just teaching my students this past week. He reminded me of who it is that we are called to love. He reminded me of those people that he reached out to. All I have to do is think of the 12 Disciples. Talk about a crazy group of men. I'm sure they were not always the easiest men to get along with. But you know what, the Lord loved them, believed in them, and helped them in any way possible. And guess what-The Lord has told me that this is what I need to do with "John"-love him, encourage him, and help him in any way possible even if I get "annoyed" at times.

So, who in your life is the Lord calling you to love, encourage, and help? Who are those people in your life that tend to annoy you?

When you start to get annoyed with someone, remember how patient the Lord is with us. His love for us never fails. He continues to believe in us, encourage us, and help us-if we will allow Him to.

Blessings,
Jen

The Daffodil Principle...

Several times my daughter had telephoned to say, "Mother, you must come to see the daffodils before they are over." I wanted to go, but it was a two-hour drive from Laguna to Lake Arrowhead. "I will come next Tuesday", I promised a little reluctantly on her third call.

Next Tuesday dawned cold and rainy. Still, I had promised, and reluctantly I drove there. When I finally walked into Carolyn's house, I was welcomed by the joyful sounds of happy children. I delightedly hugged and greeted my grandchildren. "Forget the daffodils, Carolyn! The road is invisible in these clouds and fog, and there is nothing in the world except you and these children that I want to see badly enough to drive another inch!"

My daughter smiled calmly and said, "We drive in this all the time, Mother."

"Well, you won't get me back on the road until it clears, and then I'm heading for home!" I assured her.

"I was hoping you'd take me over to the garage to pick up my car."

"How far will we have to drive?"

"Oh...just a few blocks," Carolyn said. "But I'll drive. I'm used to this."

After several minutes, I had to ask, "Where are we going? This isn't the way to the garage!"

"We're going to my garage the long way," Carolyn smiled, "by way of the daffodils."

"Carolyn," I said sternly, "please turn around."

"It's all right, Mother, I promise. You will never forgive yourself if you miss this experience."

After about twenty minutes, we turned onto a small gravel road and I saw a small church. On the far side of the church, I saw a hand lettered sign with an arrow that read, "Daffodil Garden." We got out of the car, each took a child's hand, and I followed Carolyn down the path. Then, as we turned a corner, I looked up and gasped. Before me lay the most glorious sight. It looked as though someone had taken a great vat of gold and poured it over the mountain peak and its surrounding slopes. The flowers were planted in majestic, swirling patterns, great ribbons and swaths of deep orange, creamy white, lemon yellow, salmon pink, and saffron and butter yellow. Each different-colored variety was planted in large groups so that it swirled and flowed like its own river with its own unique hue. There were five acres of flowers.

"Who did this?" I asked Carolyn.

"Just one woman," Carolyn answered. "She lives on the property. That's her home." Carolyn pointed to a well kept A-frame house, small and modestly sitting in the midst of all that glory. We walked up to the house.

On the patio, we saw a poster. "Answers to the Questions I Know You Are Asking" was the.

The first answer was a simple one. "50,000 bulbs," it read.

The second answer was, "1 at a time, by 1 woman. 2 hands, 2 feet, and 1 brain."

The third answer was, "Began in 1958."

For me, that moment was a life-changing experience. I thought of this woman whom I had never met, who, more than forty years before, had begun, one bulb at a time, to bring her vision of beauty and joy to an obscure mountaintop.

Planting one bulb at a time, year after year, this unknown woman had forever changed the world in which she lived. One day at a time, she had created something of extraordinary magnificence, beauty, and inspiration.

The principle her daffodil garden taught is one of the greatest principles of celebration.

That is, learning to move toward our goals and desires one step at a time -- often just one baby-step at time -- and learning to love the doing, learning to use the accumulation of time.

When we multiply tiny pieces of time with small increments of daily effort, we too will find we can accomplish magnificent things. We can change the world.

"It makes me sad in a way," I admitted to Carolyn. "What might I have accomplished if I had thought of a wonderful goal 35 or 40 years ago and had worked away at it 'one bulb at a time' through all those years? Just think what I might have been able to achieve!"

My daughter summed up the message of the day in her usual direct way. "Start tomorrow," she said.

She was right. It's so pointless to think of the lost hours of yesterdays. The way to make learning a lesson of celebration instead of a cause for regret is to only ask, "How can I put this to use today?"

Use the Daffodil Principle.

Stop waiting.....
Until your car or home is paid off
Until you get a new car or home
Until your kids leave the house
Until you go back to school
Until you finish school
Until you clean the house
Until you organize the garage
Until you clean off your desk
Until you lose 10 lbs.
Until you gain 10 lbs.
Until you get married
Until you get a divorce
Until you have kids
Until the kids go to school
Until you retire
Until summer
Until spring
Until winter
Until fall
Until you die...

There is no better time than right now to be happy. Happiness is a journey, not a destination. So... work like you don't need money, Love like you've never been hurt, and dance like no one's watching.

If you want to brighten someone's day, pass this on to someone special. I just did!

Wishing you a beautiful, daffodil day!

(Author Unknown)

Proverbs...

I LOVE the book of Proverbs because there is SO much wisdom in almost every verse. Here are two of my favorite verses about God's plans for our life from Proverbs.

"Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take." Proverbs 3:6

"Commit your actions to the LORD, and your plans will succeed." Proverbs 16:3

What do these verses mean to you?

New Year...Already?

I still don’t feel like it’s a new year. I am a planner and organizer, so usually by this time I have my new calendar ready, my list of goals prepared, and all of the previous year’s “stuff” put away. Well this year is completely different. I’m still sorting, dreaming, and getting ready for the New Year. Where does the time go?

As I was starting to think about goals for 2007, I think I’ve come to the conclusion that the most important goal is “Becoming the Woman God Desires,” which can only be done by growing my relationship with God. I’ve decided that if I put all of my energy into developing this important relationship, then everything else will fall into place. Don’t get me wrong, I have LOTS of other goals and aspirations for the year (I warned you that I was a planner), but in reality in order to accomplish those things I must be spending quality time with God letting Him lead my life.

My “Quiet Time” has become the most sacred part of my day. It is during those moments that God begins to mold and shape my life. Over the years my “Quiet Time” has looked very different. However, just a few months ago, I adopted a new format that has radically changed my life and most importantly my time with God. I learned this method from Becky Tirabassi when I saw her in conference. However, since then she has released an amazing book, “Sacred Obsession: What you Chase After, You Become.” I highly recommend the book, in fact, I’ve been passing around several copies to all of my friends…they are tired of hearing about it! Anyway, in the book she outlines the prayer method that she has used for many years. So, I decided to try the method for myself. There is nothing radical about it…just a way of responding and listening to God speak. What happened for me was amazing. I would sense that God was telling me something, so I would write it down, then in most cases it would be confirmed in the scripture readings for the day. It has been an amazing experience, that hasn’t happened just once or twice, but almost daily. As a friend says, “it is like God is sitting on my couch and we’re having a conversation.”

What is your primary goal for 2007?

How do you spend your time with God?

Have you read “Sacred Obsession” by Becky Tirabassi? If so, what were your favorite aspects of the book?

Do you practice Becky’s prayer method? If so, please share your experiences.

Happy New Year!

Can you believe that it's 2007 already? I can't. Today my husband and I decided to do some shopping that relates to one of our resolutions for 2007-getting in shape once again! I found it very interesting how stores like Target and Walmart "strategically" placed a variety of work out equipment in areas that people would no doubt see them. Like many other people, my husband and I have really decided to make excercise a priority this year. No more excuses for us. We have also made the resolution to eat healthier. First off, we just spend way too much money on eating out and then when we do eat out, we eat the not so healthy stuff. We are determined this year to not only eat healthy, but to actually take the time to eat at home. My goal is to lose 30 pounds this year. I'm DETERMINED!!

Another area that I am really wanting to explore this year is that of writing. For some reason, I have just felt like the Lord is really laying it on my heart to not only develop my writing skills, but to also make time to write those things that are upon my heart. My goal is to hopefully try to attend 1 writing conference this year, hopefully two.

Lastly, but yet, most importantly, I desire to draw closer to the Lord. I don't know about you, but it's so easy to allow everything else to get in the way (kinda like the whole excercise thing) that by the time the day ends, you have not spent one minute with that most imporant person in your life-Jesus. I am determined to focus more on what the Lord has to say to me both through his word and prayer. Like most women, I have my days where I'm like, ok, what am I here for? Lord, what are you doing in my life? I have those times where I experience that deep longing that only the Lord can fulfill. But yet, I allow the things of this world to take me away from spending that precious time with him. You would think that since I know what it is that would fill that longing and yearning, I would chase after that, but alas, I don't always do that. My goal is that by the time 2007 comes to an end, I would not be the same Jennifer that I am today. Instead I want to be the Jennifer who is so well connected to her Lord, that she allows nothing to take the place of His time with her.

So there you have it-my goals and aspirations for 2007. What do you hope to accomplish in 2007? Looking forward to reading your responses.

Blessings,
Jen