Without a Name

At the beginning of the year,

I mentioned a goal of finding new ministries.

The struggle has been that we wanted to presume on our ministry.

I went to school to be a teacher.

Shouldn't my ministry involve teaching?

Hubby went to school to be a pastor.

Shouldn't his ministry be teaching or preaching?

With a prayer to find our place,

God has continued to show us ministry after ministry.

Sometimes ministry doesn't have a name.

Ministry can be faithfulness in the every day.

Ministry can be a smile.

Ministry can be a note.

Ministry can be just doing what you do.

This week,

I was asked to spearhead the college care packages.

Ministry.

Ministry that I already do.

But I can encourage others while doing it.

Hubby has helped with machine repair.

Hubby has texted Bible verses.

And he has ministered to others.

I write this to encourage you.

Ministry does not always have a name ...

it is not always "pastor," or "teacher," or "deacon,"

or "pianist," or ...

I may still struggle from time to time - 

but I am thankful for the peace and direction right now.

In Front of the Mirror

In the year of refocus,

I am spending time trying to put myself in others' situations.

I am trying to work more on grace and gracious living.

I am trying to give room for my own growth and for the growth of others.

I desire grace and forgiveness and want to give that to others as well.
Verses in the Bible on longsuffering jump off the page
and supplemental reading on acts of grace and open door living continue to drive home the point.

God continues to put reflections of myself before me in the form of others.
God is showing me that 

broken people hurt others.

I have hurt others in my own pain;

and I have been hurt by others 

and now see that much of it was because they were broken.
Grace demands the second chance.

Sometimes people can be helped,

sometimes they can't.

I have abandoned many relationships prematurely.

I was tired.

It was work.
The hurt caused seemed too great.

I didn't want to acknowledge any fault on my part.

It is humbling to admit brokenness and weakness.

Only in humility can broken people be helped.

God has also shown me that not every relationship can be saved.
There is a time to distance one's self.

If there is always an excuse,

if the fault is always in someone else,

the cycle of pain and brokenness will continue.
There are people who use for self-gain
and then cut off when crossed or when there is nothing more to gain.

There will not be healing until there is an acknowledgment of a need for change.

It is hard to know when.

Remember yesterday's post?

I need Thee every hour.

I need His help in my life ...

concerning my actions and responses

and concerning my relationships.

Recharge

Sometimes there is no choice but to recharge.

I have had an absence on the blog because I have been absent from health.

Two weeks ago, I got a sore throat,

that became laryngitis,

that came with some feverish days,

that left a nagging cough that liked to hit in the middle of the night.

So for one week, I had no choice but to recharge.

I literally did very little but make the bed,

get meals together,

and rest.

Sometimes the body just needs rest.

There is still an occasional "tickle" in my throat,

but all in all I am glad to be "back in the saddle" again.

February Update

It is time for another update on the 2008 goals.

February was a little rough ... we struggled with sickness or fighting sickness for 1 - 2 weeks.

During those weeks, I definitely got a little lazy.

Definitely have some ground to make up this month especially in Bible memory.

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 
(used my new 3x5 card system and feel more organized in my effort to suppot others in prayer)

Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (Barely Psalm 3)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(nothing this month)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily.  (missed about 2 days of hitting 13,000 steps)

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Added 15 in February (short by one) for a total of 56 lessons)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 1 whole and 2 halves - finished book on George Washington, read one on Florence Nightengale, 1/2 of one on the home)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(suffered a little, but we are getting our rhythm back)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (eeked out at least 1 per week)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (14 valentines to local students, 2 valentines to nonlocal college student, 1 card to recruit in boot camp)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(5 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 1)

Find a place of ministry.
(still focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (Yes, it is organized as we speak!)

January Update

Thank you for holding me accountable.
There is something about putting your goals out and letting others know.
Most of you would not ask probably and are too far away to check up on me,
but you have encouraged me to greater diligence this month.
I am still far from where I want to be, but I am encouraged to see progress.

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week  (you all can attest to this one)

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February. 
(was encouraged to use 3x5 cards - just put together yesterday and am excited)

Read through the Bible in the year. (On track)

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.  (Psalm 1 and 2)

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).
(not as far as I wanted, but Galatians 1-2 are reviewed)

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily.

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)
(Started strong with 41 lessons done in January)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.
(Read 1 1/2 - One on Encouragement and one on George Washington)

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.
(suffered a little, but we are getting our rhythm back)

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.  (sometimes 2-3 times)

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day. (Improvement seen)

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.  (3 cards, 4 happy mails, 14 local Hershey snowmen)

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).
(4 for the month)

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.  (got in 2)

Find a place of ministry.
(we are seeing how narrow minded we have been in this area - 
right now we are focusing on encouragement for others)

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.  (Failed!)

Work to organize and declutter 5 home areas - 2 under bed areas, 2 closets, and 1 shed.

Dealing with the "Antsy"

In the past month,

we have gone from full throttle

to full on stop.

It is an odd feeling.

It is easy to feel useless.

It is easy to waste time.

But I was reminded as I work on memory in Galatians,

there is a time just to wait.

Paul was miraculously saved on the road to Emmaus.

He had his orders.

He was more than qualified and trained.
He could have taken the world by storm as soon as he regained his sight.

But God had plans for him for 3 years away from the action.

It is easy to get antsy when I am used to the hustle and bustle.

But there is so much to learn in the stillness.

There are quieter ministries.

There are people who are easily overlooked in busy-ness.

There is learning that needs to take place.

And there is a refocusing and recharging that is easier in the peace.

Just Trust ... and Refocus

I mentioned that Tuesday was a down day.

I needed to heed what I was memorizing and reading.

I needed to refocus and trust.

I don't feel like my faith was very great,

but then again ... all it takes is a grain of mustard.

I mentioned that I wanted to minister to young people.

On this thankful Thursday,

I am thankful for an answer to prayer.

On Wednesday,

an opportunity presented itself.

What a blessing!

God is waiting to bless,

I need only to "trust and obey."

So easy to say,

so hard to do.

I am also thankful for our snow day yesterday.

Nothing beats having company ALL day!

Hubby humored me and took me for 2 - 4 mile walks (I know it sounds like I am a dog).

The first one was fairly comfortable, the second was a lot more windy and cold.

Reader Forum: Focus in Prayer

Prayer is definitely a discipline to be learned and practiced.

You saw that one of my goals was to be more deliberate and focused each day.

I am so easily distracted (I think most people are)

I think that my method may be a prayer journal,

BUT ...

then I thought I would ask for help.

While what works for you may not work for me,

it may spark something that leads to a good answer ...

or since most of my readers are family and think like me,

it may be the perfect answer.

So here is the forum question:

How do you "attack" a lengthy prayer list?

How do you systematically pray for all of the needs on your heart and in your life?

Do you pray for certain things on certain days?

Do you pray through the same list daily?

There it is ...

HELP!

And Refocus Again ...

Well,

I thought that part of my "woman's work Wednesday" would include volunteer work at the hospital in 2018.

This morning, I was one step closer ...

turned in vaccination records,

took flu shot,

had TB test started ...

...and then this afternoon,

they didn't need me.

And so now, I refocus.

I pray and seek where God would use me and my extra time,

the place where I can minister to people.

It is time to apply the word of the year - refocus.

It is time to remember that the answer "no" is not the end,

it is just a redirection.

Yes, I am disappointed,

but I happen (by God's design) to be reading a book dealing with disappointments and difficult times,

and it is time to apply the principles,

God is at work.

*UPDATE*
It turns out that volunteer opportunities are quite competitive.
Next time I go with a resume and full list of references.😄

Recharge and Refocus

In my effort to hit the restart,

I think that it will be profitable to set goals ...

SMART goals ...

Specific Measurable Achievable Realistic Timely

My goal will be to be accountable to you at the end of each month - 

Will I reach the marks?

Some of the goals will be relatively easy,

others (primarily the Bible memory) will be harder,

but if I shoot at nothing ... I'll be sure to hit it (nothing).

Personal Goals

Blog at least 3 times a week

Develop (and use) a Prayer Journal to be more focused in prayer by February.

Read through the Bible in the year.

Memorize 24 Psalms (1-24) - 2 per month.

Review/Rememorize - James, I - II Thessalonians, I-II Peter, II Timothy, Galatians, Jude (1 per month).

Memorize I,II,III John (remaining months after reviewing others).

Exercise 4 days per week.

Meet step goals daily.

Learn Hebrew Using Rosetta Stone program - 4 lessons a week - 2 years.
(I've failed this one in previous years)

Read 12 books (1 per month) emphasizing American History and Missionary biographies.

Family Goals

Help encourage, format, and edit hubby's commentary on the book of Isaiah.

Walk at least 4 miles together each week.

Be done with regular housekeeping by the time hubby comes home each day.

Ministry Goals

Write 1 card to a college student each week.

Write one note of thanks or appreciation each week (in the home, at church, in the community).

Entertain in our home at least once a month for a meal.

Find a place of ministry.

Home Goals

Continue developing a useful meal/recipe book - Reorganize it monthly.

Work to organize and declutter 5 home areas - 2 under bed areas, 2 closets, and 1 shed.

Are you challenging yourself this year?

Care to share?

Do you want to challenge me as well?

Welcome 2018!

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2018!

I just love fresh starts,

the blank slate,

the expected time to reassess.

Many people choose a word for the new year.

I have in the past.

Contentment in 2012

Dependence in 2013

Consistency in 2015

This year, my mind keeps returning to 2 words.

Recharge ... and ... Refocus

Recharge

The past year, maybe more, has been wearying.

For many reasons, I feel drained and empty.

Partly because this "people pleaser" has let people down this year - 

though necessary sometimes, it is still a drain (and also a burden that I should not carry).

Partly because I have taken on too much.

Partly because I have given and not sought out a source or sources to be refueled.

Partly because I took ministry that was without personal contact and interaction.

Partly because I have let many times with God become stale or perfunctory.

Partly because I have lost some focus.

Refocus

Over the past year, maybe more, I have not felt challenged to grow.

I have not seen (possibly my own fault) a challenge from others.

I have not experienced others living an example before me that left me feeling challenged 

to be better, to do better, to grow.

When I married, hubby was memorizing books of the Bible.

He challenged me and we learned numerous passages and books together.

I also give the example of my Fitbit.

When I got my fitbit 2 years ago, my goal was 10,000 steps a day.

Sometimes I was running around at 8:45 trying to get those last 2,000 steps before bed.

When hubby got a Fitbit in May, suddenly I had a challenge, someone to push me.

Now my goal is 13,000 and I really want to see 20,000 a day!

I needed the challenge!

In my desire to refocus,

I want to be challenged and have felt that challenge in recent days.

I am seeing friends and family excited about God and growth with God.

I am hearing people quote Scripture from memory.

I am hearing reference to facts and history and things that I should or could know if I put in the effort.

I am challenged to have ...

an eagerness to arise early and spend time with God,

a return to Bible memory,

a discipline to read beneficial books to stretch my mind,

a return to learning a language with hubby,

a focus in my ministry choices,

a concerted effort to ask for feedback so that my ministry is meeting the desired goal,

more personal contact in ministry.

What does 2018 hold?

I really don't know.

We are still in a place of searching,

a place of begging God for His direction,

a place of moving with the anticipation of an open door or even a closed door.

I may not know what the future holds,

but I want to grow in 2018.

I want to learn from others

and I want to be an example in return.