True confession time:I can only start something new on Monday.
I know, that's awful. I can sometimes manage to force myself to try something on the 1st of the month but for the most part, it has to be on Monday. I'm not sure why that is ... and I've tried to talk myself out of this little neurosis but so far, after 38 years, it just seems that I'm a "Monday only starter."
So, if you're like me, you have a few days to determine what to do with all the great information you have received this week from Sandra, Alicia, KLee, and Kama. Of course, you are probably already overwhelmed with decisions about which of their delightful ideas you are going to immediately put into action early Monday morning and so for me to offer you a couple of more suggestions is only going to make your weekend a little more stressful ... for that, I do apologize!
But, I couldn't resist sharing a couple of those habits - one older and one brand new - that I have in my life which have had such a profound impact on me.
Off we go ...
Reading Proverbs daily.
I started this around 8 years ago, I think. It's a Billy Graham suggestion that has been recommended by countless people but it's such a vital part of my day now that I cannot imagine not doing this. Every day I read the chapter of Proverbs that corresponds with the date ... so today, October 30, I'll read Proverbs 30. Because I've been doing this awhile, I can tell you that one of the verses that I most love in this chapter is this one: he is a shield "Every word of God is flawless; to those who take refuge in him." (verse 5). {It's also worth noting how very thankful I am that every month does not have 31 days because that Proverbs 31 woman is too intimidating for me to read about every month!!}
he is a shieldPraying for my church daily.
A brand new habit ... in fact, as I am writing this post, I have not completed my first month in doing this but already it has been such a powerful tool in my life. God had laid a burden on my heart to pray for my church but to also encourage others to pray for their churches as well. I began looking through Acts to learn about what made the early church so vibrant and dynamic and as God revealed things to me, I took notes and formed 30 Days, 30 Prayers, 30 Minutes ... a tool for praying for our churches. I am sharing it on my Facebook page and once we finish the full 30 days I'll add it to my blog ... the goal is to work up to praying for 30 minutes for our church. Each day we pray the previous prayers and a new one ... by the end of 30 days, we will be praying 30 specific prayers based on 30 passages in Acts and it will take about 30 minutes. My goal is to continue praying a prayer for my church each day ... again, using the date to keep me on track (that is praying day 1 on the first, etc.). I'd love to have you join me in this prayer project ... you can find all the details here ... 30 Days, 30 Prayers, 30 Minutes.What about you? What spiritual habits are you forming? And how is God using them to strengthen you?
I am the SAME way about Mondays...it's nice to know I'm in good company. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm also the same when it comes to starting things on Monday.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing! I need to start somewhere, and Proverbs sounds like a lovely idea.
I can only start things on Monday too... I am trying to journal. It's not something I do normaly, but I have a bad memory and writing helps me to remember how God has worked in my life. And since I won a journal back in June...from Teri Lynne...I've been trying to be more faithful with writing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your thoughts. I look forward to the 30 days of prayer when it hit your blog.
I'm so glad I'm not the only one who can only start things on Mondays. Y'all make me feel better already!! :-) Thank you for the sweet comments ... and, as always, thank you to the delightful ladies of Today's Housewife for the opportunity to share with your sweet readers.
ReplyDeleteI am also a Monday starter.
ReplyDeleteWe have recently had some major staff changes in our church and therefore I am definitely learning all about praying for my church. Thanks for the reminder!
I totally am a Monday beginner. I read a proverb a day but i do not pray for my church daily. Thank you for this reminder.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to seeing your 30 30 30 on your blog!
Ooooh... heading over to read the 30,30,30 note! Thanks for the great (and convicting) challenge!
ReplyDeleteI love the Proverbs idea. I've done the read through the Bible in a year and other devotions and now it's time to concentrate on something different, so perhaps this is it. Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteI am so thrilled to have stumbled across this site--not sure how it happened!
ReplyDeleteI am challenging myself to be a better steward--of my body, my time, my home, my money.
I recently saw a video on Lysa TerKeurst's blog where she addressed addiction to sugar/junk food, and since I am overweight, I am meditating on this verse she referenced: "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible"—but not everything is constructive." 1 Corinthians 10:23.
So my challenge is to ask myself this question each and every day...throughout the day:
"Is this beneficial for me? For my family?" in regards to the choices I make regarding eating habits, tv viewing, surfing the internet, etc.
There are only so many hours in a day and I want to make sure that I make the most of them and that what I do is glorifying to God.
So glad to be in such illustrious company - I too can only start things on Monday, and it has to be an even date (ok, maybe that part is just me) on the Monday. I love the idea of 30-30-30 and I look forward to spiritually joining the movement of prayer.
ReplyDelete~Living in God's presence, Loving in God's way~