Day 324 2-9-11

I'm enjoying some much needed relax/down time this morning. The kids are with grandparents and I miss them, but I have been so exhausted lately and have so much back pain that it is nice to relax and sit in the quiet without feeling the guilt of me not being able to do the physical activity I would like with my kiddos. They understand though and are so sweet, most of the time:)

I'm still journeying through Matthew (part of a New Testament Reading Guide Over a Year) and I have been really trying to focus on allowing the Word to dwell within me and to know God and His characteristics better. I have had this prayer lately on my heart to understand better (if He wants me to) what it truly means for Him to live within me. I was just struck by this concept the other morning, because I hear it all the time, but holy cow that is a big deal, not to be taken lightly.

Also, I have been struggling with patience and gentleness, especially in correcting the kids, which is frustrating because I love them so much and I just want to guide their little hearts in line with the Lord's instruction, but I know it is mostly because I am tired and in pain. Whatever the reason though, my kids don't deserve that so I have been praying everyday for the Lord to help me use the characteristics given to me when I asked Him to be the Lord of my life and therefore the Holy Spirit came in and resides in me. Those characteristics I have been focusing on are kindness, gentleness, and patience. I have realized they won't just come naturally, I have to learn to use them with an intentional daily awareness and be ready to carry them out the way God would want me to. It has helped in the daily battle.

Also, I had a bold goal to do my Quiet Time in the morning (which I have never really done because me in the morning is not pretty) because I had this revelation that I owe it to God of course, myself, and those I come into contact with daily to start my morning off right being humbled before the Lord, listening to what He wants to lay upon my heart for the day. I do it at 7:10 when Mark has the kiddos and I have REALLY liked it and I can tell a big difference in my attitude, etc. throughout the day. My goal was 5 times a week, and I have done pretty good with it, especially when Mark sends up Sam to wake me up to tell me to do my Bible time. You bet I get up immediately with that sweet look of innocence standing beside my bed. That's the best alarm clock I have ever seen.

So anyway, I share these things because it is what is on my heart and also for accountability, which I believe is one of the reasons God wanted me to do this blog thing. I can't believe it will be a year I started this adventure in a little over a month! I look forward to reflecting on my posts and digging deep into what God showed me this year.

Day 303 1-19-12

I'm in about the middle of Mathew and I am really enjoying following the New Testament in Year schedule. Mark and I have had some good talks about some things and weirdly had the exact same question over one of the readings, so it's nice to be in synch when we have so much going on in our lives.

Tonight I read about Jesus talking about the sign of Jonah and who the Queen of the South is supposed to be and when the "men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment of this generation" Is it when Jesus is on trial or are we talking end times. I'm going to talk to Mark about it more. It's interesting.

I liked posting tonight, looking forward to doing it hopefully a little more regularly.

Day 287 1-3-2012

My first post of 2012. I have obviously been terrible about posting to this blog. I hope to be better in 2012, but we'll see. I think I have missed 2 or 3 days of reading the Word since my last post, and I am not happy about that, but it is what it is. Mark and I have decided to change it up a bit this year and read the whole New Testament so that is what I have begun this year for my Quiet Time. I'm excited to do this with my husband and see what comes of it:) Happy New Year!