Our pastor passed out this list of questions last night at church. They are from the Biblical Spirituality website, founded by Don Whitney.
"Even those most faithful to God occasionally need to pause and think about the direction of their lives. It's so easy to bump along from one busy week to another without ever stopping to ponder where we're going and where we should be going.
The beginning of a new year is an ideal time to stop, look up, and get our bearings. To that end, here are some questions to ask prayerfully in the presence of God.
1. What's one thing you could do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?
2. What's the most humanly impossible thing you will ask God to do this year?
3. What's the single most important thing you could do to improve the quality of your family life this year?
4. In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?
5. What is the single biggest time-waster in your life, and what will you do about it this year?
6. What is the most helpful new way you could strengthen your church?
7. For whose salvation will you pray most fervently this year?
8. What's the most important way you will, by God's grace, try to make this year different from last year?
9. What one thing could you do to improve your prayer life this year?
10. What single thing that you plan to do this year will matter most in ten years? In eternity?"
About Me
- MamaJ
- SINNER. Saved by GRACE. Living out life as a Mom, Wife, Daughter, Sister, and Friend. I love Jesus, my husband, my children, books, homeschooling and large quantities of coffee.
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Year. Show all posts
Thursday, December 31, 2009
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
My Wild and Crazy Year
I got this from my friend Melanie's blog, and she said we could use it! So, here goes....
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Drive to NC and back, by myself with the kids!
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never make them!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Well, I gave birth and a friend also had a baby.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle passed away.
5. What countries did you visit?
Louisiana. What do you mean that's not another country??? (hehe, like that answer Mel.)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More self-discipline, an RV to travel with, and a bunch of paid-off bills!!!
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
September 13, 2008 - Hurricane Ike, Treyson's birth, and Halia's birth.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Having my daughter!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmm, not sure about this one.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
If I did, I can't remember! (Maybe I have amnesia...)
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oooh, well I am digging the new Suburban a lot, but I also love the new camera.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
XMan seems to be behaving really well lately and he definitely knows his job is to hold the door.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No comment, to protect my children's dignity later on, ha!
14. Where did most of your money go?
To the bank. and then to the bill collectors.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The end of my pregnancy!!!
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
Not sure
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier/sadder,thinner/heavier,richer/poorer?
Hmmm. I weigh the same. I have the same amount of debt, but now I have more hope of getting it paid off. I am happier now with my three kids.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Paid off debt, ha! See a theme???
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spent money unwisely, or watching too much tv
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At my Mom's house in NC.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
I'd guess my Mom, sister or Heather.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Well, it was love at first sight with my little girl!! (Actually the second I found out I was pregnant!)
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
Huh?
24. What was your favorite TV program?
House, and anything Duggar or "big" family. (Except Jon and Kate, I don't really watch them.)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I hate anyone.
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Oh, too many to count! Passionate Housewives; Christian Modesty; Respectable Sins....
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That XMan would like to play the piano and that Little Man can actually sing/hum in tune!
28. What did you want and get?
my camera and a bigger family vehicle!
29. What did you want and not get?
An extra 50lbs to be gone as soon as I had Baby Girl.
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
Hm, can I tell you my least fav? Renting "LEGEND" with Will Smith. Yuck!!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 29, and what did we do? I don't remember...
32. What's one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to end 2008 debt free. (Again with the debt free!)
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Clothing that fits, and doesn't cost an arm & a leg to buy. Oh, and becoming more modest than even before.
34. What kept you sane?
Prozac. Just kidding!!!! Lots of praying and Dan-o calming me down.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I fancy none of them. But, I do respect Kirk Cameron a lot for making his career about his faith.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Do we have to go there? Election.
37. Who did you miss?
Dad.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Michael, and the new ladies at MOPS! Then all my new friends at Ridgewood, also.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
No matter how much you would like to bond with some people, sometimes you just have to let it go.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
"Who needs sleep, never gonna get it. Who needs sleep, tell me what's that for??" by BNL
1. What did you do in 2008 that you’d never done before?
Drive to NC and back, by myself with the kids!
2. Did you keep your New Years’ resolutions, and will you make more for next year? I never make them!
3. Did anyone close to you give birth?
Well, I gave birth and a friend also had a baby.
4. Did anyone close to you die?
My uncle passed away.
5. What countries did you visit?
Louisiana. What do you mean that's not another country??? (hehe, like that answer Mel.)
6. What would you like to have in 2009 that you lacked in 2008?
More self-discipline, an RV to travel with, and a bunch of paid-off bills!!!
7. What dates from 2008 will remain etched upon your memory?
September 13, 2008 - Hurricane Ike, Treyson's birth, and Halia's birth.
8. What was your biggest achievement of the year?
Having my daughter!
9. What was your biggest failure?
Hmmm, not sure about this one.
10. Did you suffer illness or injury?
If I did, I can't remember! (Maybe I have amnesia...)
11. What was the best thing you bought?
Oooh, well I am digging the new Suburban a lot, but I also love the new camera.
12. Whose behavior merited celebration?
XMan seems to be behaving really well lately and he definitely knows his job is to hold the door.
13. Whose behavior made you appalled and depressed?
No comment, to protect my children's dignity later on, ha!
14. Where did most of your money go?
To the bank. and then to the bill collectors.
15. What did you get really, really, really excited about?
The end of my pregnancy!!!
16. What song/album will always remind you of 2008?
Not sure
17. Compared to this time last year, are you: happier/sadder,thinner/heavier,richer/poorer?
Hmmm. I weigh the same. I have the same amount of debt, but now I have more hope of getting it paid off. I am happier now with my three kids.
18. What do you wish you’d done more of?
Paid off debt, ha! See a theme???
19. What do you wish you’d done less of?
Spent money unwisely, or watching too much tv
20. How will you be spending Christmas?
At my Mom's house in NC.
21. Who did you spend the most time on the phone with?
I'd guess my Mom, sister or Heather.
22. Did you fall in love in 2008?
Well, it was love at first sight with my little girl!! (Actually the second I found out I was pregnant!)
23. How many one night stands in this last year?
Huh?
24. What was your favorite TV program?
House, and anything Duggar or "big" family. (Except Jon and Kate, I don't really watch them.)
25. Do you hate anyone now that you didn’t hate this time last year?
I don't think I hate anyone.
26. What was the best book(s) you read?
Oh, too many to count! Passionate Housewives; Christian Modesty; Respectable Sins....
27. What was your greatest musical discovery?
That XMan would like to play the piano and that Little Man can actually sing/hum in tune!
28. What did you want and get?
my camera and a bigger family vehicle!
29. What did you want and not get?
An extra 50lbs to be gone as soon as I had Baby Girl.
30. What were your favorite films of this year?
Hm, can I tell you my least fav? Renting "LEGEND" with Will Smith. Yuck!!
31. What did you do on your birthday, and how old were you?
I was 29, and what did we do? I don't remember...
32. What's one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying?
Being able to end 2008 debt free. (Again with the debt free!)
33. How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2008?
Clothing that fits, and doesn't cost an arm & a leg to buy. Oh, and becoming more modest than even before.
34. What kept you sane?
Prozac. Just kidding!!!! Lots of praying and Dan-o calming me down.
35. Which celebrity/public figure did you fancy the most?
I fancy none of them. But, I do respect Kirk Cameron a lot for making his career about his faith.
36. What political issue stirred you the most?
Do we have to go there? Election.
37. Who did you miss?
Dad.
38. Who was the best new person you met?
Michael, and the new ladies at MOPS! Then all my new friends at Ridgewood, also.
39. Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2008.
No matter how much you would like to bond with some people, sometimes you just have to let it go.
40. Quote a song lyric that sums up your year?
"Who needs sleep, never gonna get it. Who needs sleep, tell me what's that for??" by BNL
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
My 2007 Recap
Well, let's see... We started out 2007 living in the house I grew up in, planning a move to Texas. I had hardly anything packed, and was growing depressed about moving. Amazingly enough, God didn't even need my cooperation! He kept pushing us forward, and things started rolling into place. We had several tearful goodbyes with all our friends and family. Quite a few farewell dinners and even one yummy trip to The Melting Pot with the ladies from my Monday night book/Bible study.
Finally, the day came and God provided willing backs to help load the truck! We spent the night with some friends and the next morning headed back to get going. That is, until we couldn't find the truck keys!! They had mysteriously ended up in the playroom of our friend's house. (I promise, it wasn't me!) Penske cut us a new one and within 2 hours, we were rolling once again!
We arrived in Texas, to find out our work was only just beginning. God had some MAJOR tests waiting for us!! Including some unsavory behavior from family members and the loss of our family dog, Reagan. Living conditions were rough until we found our house and moved on. We settled in to our new church and met some new friends. We got used to Daddy's crazy schedule as a petroleum inspector, and learned all about ships, barges and shore tanks. We also learned the difference between crude oil and an R-Bob. Don't ask.
We saw Bald Eagles, crawfish and LOTS of mosquitoes!! Did I mention we encountered LOTS of mosquitoes?? We went back to NC to get the remainder of our things in June. That trip seems so bittersweet now, because it was the last time I actually saw my dad. He wasn't doing well, and looking back on it, I wish we'd had more time together...
We came back to Texas, and started exploring all our homeschooling options. We still haven't settled on a specific curriculum! We endured our first hurricane together, and in turn watched the world's-longest-shed-building ever. Before we could really get into school, I got the life-changing call from my brother that my Dad had taken his own life. We immediately took off for NC and Hubby drove us through the night to get there. The things we had to observe and decide there were harder than anything I have ever done. I would go through boot camp again; even losing our son was a different kind of pain.
When things settled down, we spent some time with family around NC. We went to the mountains, the state fair, and to our old church as much as possible. We left once again for TX, this time sadder than we had been before.
There's really no way to explain the hollowness you feel when someone dies in this manner. A feeling of being robbed, being blind-sided, of complete guilt and despair for those left behind. I found some wisdom by looking at the stories of others who had gone through our situation.
In the end, I know God will carry us completely through.
We spent the rest of year trying to be together more, to love on our kids more, and just rest in God's care. I hope 2008 will hold some exciting things for us!
Finally, the day came and God provided willing backs to help load the truck! We spent the night with some friends and the next morning headed back to get going. That is, until we couldn't find the truck keys!! They had mysteriously ended up in the playroom of our friend's house. (I promise, it wasn't me!) Penske cut us a new one and within 2 hours, we were rolling once again!
We arrived in Texas, to find out our work was only just beginning. God had some MAJOR tests waiting for us!! Including some unsavory behavior from family members and the loss of our family dog, Reagan. Living conditions were rough until we found our house and moved on. We settled in to our new church and met some new friends. We got used to Daddy's crazy schedule as a petroleum inspector, and learned all about ships, barges and shore tanks. We also learned the difference between crude oil and an R-Bob. Don't ask.
We saw Bald Eagles, crawfish and LOTS of mosquitoes!! Did I mention we encountered LOTS of mosquitoes?? We went back to NC to get the remainder of our things in June. That trip seems so bittersweet now, because it was the last time I actually saw my dad. He wasn't doing well, and looking back on it, I wish we'd had more time together...
We came back to Texas, and started exploring all our homeschooling options. We still haven't settled on a specific curriculum! We endured our first hurricane together, and in turn watched the world's-longest-shed-building ever. Before we could really get into school, I got the life-changing call from my brother that my Dad had taken his own life. We immediately took off for NC and Hubby drove us through the night to get there. The things we had to observe and decide there were harder than anything I have ever done. I would go through boot camp again; even losing our son was a different kind of pain.
When things settled down, we spent some time with family around NC. We went to the mountains, the state fair, and to our old church as much as possible. We left once again for TX, this time sadder than we had been before.
There's really no way to explain the hollowness you feel when someone dies in this manner. A feeling of being robbed, being blind-sided, of complete guilt and despair for those left behind. I found some wisdom by looking at the stories of others who had gone through our situation.
In the end, I know God will carry us completely through.
We spent the rest of year trying to be together more, to love on our kids more, and just rest in God's care. I hope 2008 will hold some exciting things for us!
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