On the Tenth Day of Christmas, I Choose...

On the tenth day of Christmas, I choose ten less of something.
Nine dancing minutes, eight days of worship, seven straightened cabinets, six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

We live in a country where more is better, but truthfully less is more. So clean out ten items out of that closet. Have the whole family join in and have the kids clean out their toy or video games collection. Before Christmas morning comes and you add to your clutter, get a jump start by cleaning out a few things.

On the Ninth Day of Christmas, I Choose...

On the ninth day of Christmas, I choose nine dancing minutes.
Eight days of worship, seven straightened cabinets, six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

Ladies, let's start dancing. Get move and celebrate the season. Grab the kids, grab your hubby or grab a friend and dance to your favorite Christmas music. Dancing will burn calories, make you laugh and work off stress. So stop and enjoy the moment.

On the Eighth Day of Christmas, I Choose

On the eighth day of Christmas, I choose eight days of worship.
Seven straightened cabinets, six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

For the next eight days take a few minutes to worship before the Lord. Listen to the words of your favorite Christmas carol as you sing it to him. In all the craziness of the holidays, stop and kneel at the manger each day. And why not grab the whole family and come before God together. We want to make sure the "Christ" stays in Christmas. Why not start keeping "Christ" in Christmas in your own home?

On te Seventh Day of Christmas, I Choose

On the seventh day of Christmas, I choose seven straightened cabinets.
Six minutes of moving, praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

I am not talking about an overhaul of your cabinets, but taking a few minutes to straighten them out and maybe donate a few items you do not use. Whether it is the kitchen, bathroom or in a room, just quickly go through them and get them in order. Maybe you need to re stack pans that were thrown in there or clean out old food or meds. And while you are switching form summer to flannel sheets, why not straighten the linen cabinet?

After you finish, you will feel better and not be embarrassed when your company shows up and opens a cabinet door. Let's be busy little elves and straighten away.

On the sixth day of Christmas, I choose

On the sixth day of Christmas, I choose six minutes of moving.
Praise God for 5 blessings, four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

For six minutes, run, jog, walk briskly, jump rope, skip or anything that gets you moving and your heart rate up. As songs go, "I like to move it, move it." Run off those sweets from the Christmas parties.

On The Fifth Day of Christmas, I Choose

On the fifth day of Christmas, I choose praise God for 5 blessings.
Four clean floors, three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

During the holidays, we easily get sucked into the wanting more and buying more. Instead we need to take time to step back and rejoice for all our blessings. Stop alone or with the family and praise God for five blessings. Make a blessings already received list instead of a gift list.

Mine:
1.Blessed me with four children who have all come to know Christ and follow Him.
2. Blessed with needs being met before I even realize I have the need.
3. Blessed with a church that truly desires to come before God each week and serve others.
4. Blessed to wake up each day with a house, family and food.
5. Blessed to be loved by God in spite of who I am at times.

I would love to hear yours too.

On the Fourth Day of Christmas, I Choose To

On the fourth day of Christmas, I choose four clean floors.
Three exercises, two family verses, one organized drawer.

You can choose closet floors or room floors. Today just pick up and straighten four floor spaces. Get the family to help you out. Just pick up and put up and see the floor again!!!

And I pray that you are enjoying this holiday season by stopping and remembering the true meaning of Christmas. Take advantage of this time of year and do a family advent.

On the Third Day of Christmas, I Choose...

On the third day of Christmas, I choose 3 exercises.
Two family verses and one organized drawer.

Tis the season to be busy, but it is also the season to over eat sweets. Why I hope you get time to work out, I challenge you to pick three exercises that you can do in a time crunch or add to your normal workout. It will keep you feeling better and there is nothing better than a workout and prayer to relieve stress.


Here are some idea:
5 min jog or jump rope
Crunches
Lunges
Kicks
Punches
Dance

On the Second day of Christmas, I Choose ...

On the second day of Christmas, I choose two family verses...
and one organized drawer.

As a parent, we want to raise unselfish and giving children. Why not choose to focus on a couple of verses this holiday season and remember why we celebrate and the importance of sharing it with others.

Ideas:

Luke 2- Christmas Story
John 3:16 - sums up the greatest gift
Romans 6:23 - God's gift to us
John 1:4-5
Romans 8:32
And so many in the Psalms

On The First Day of Christmas I Choose To..

It is time for Christmas!! A time of year that brings great joy yet so much stress. So, we are going to do 12 days of Christmas to help us get ready by distressing, decluttering and giving. Join me for the next 12 days as we make better choices.

On the first day of Christmas I choose to clean one messy drawer.

Whether it is a junk drawer, bathroom drawer or underwear drawer, just pick the drawer you dread to open and clean it out. I promise it will not take that long. And who knows what treasure you may find.

What To You Choose To See

Do you choose to see the storm clouds or the rainbow?
Do you choose to see what is missing from your cup or how much is left?
Do you choose the faults or the good in others?
Do you choose to look at what you want or see all that you have?
Do you choose to wish the day was over or live for that moment?

As we approach Thanksgiving, I challenge you to choose to see the positive and blessing in your life? Look for the rainbow, the good, the blessings that are all around you. The choice is yours to make.

So post in facebook, on here or write it down. I want to know about the rainbows and blessings in your life.

Write this verse on your mirror:
Psalm 107:1
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

My life, I choose to offer prayers of thanks this week.

Count Your Blessings

As you continue to think and pray about our discussions last week, I want us to pause this week for thanks. I want you to change your negative focus into a positive one. Once we stop and really look, you might be surprised at all your blessings.

We are going to make a 100 things to Thank God for this next week. I want you to post as a comment on here or on your facebook status or on the Body, Soul and Home page, 10-15 things a day you are thankful for yesterday, today and tomorrow.

Here are 10 ideas:

Who made you smile today?
Who was there for you when you were sad?
What is a gift God has given you?
Name one person who loves you and would do anything for you.
What is the last present you received?
Did you wake up alive this morning?
What food will you have to eat today?
Are you able to have a Bible?
Do you have the freedom of communication?
Who is someone who has been teaching you?

Psalm 106:1
Praise the LORD. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever

All His

It is Friday and hopefully you are still reading this blog. I know we have had to swallow hard this week, but I know when you and I become humble and listen to God...man, He is going to do something in us.

As you continue to swallow, digest and allow God to speak individually to you, please do not forget how much He loves you and has blessed you. The children that give you gray hair are a gift from God. He has chosen you to raise them in His ways. The house that you would rather burn than clean at this point is also a gift from God. He has provided a place of shelter and refuge and a place to love and serve others. And that body you see when you look in the mirror was created by God. Those hands, feet, eyes, and that mouth were put there by God so you may reach out to a lost and dying world. And all of it, my friend, belongs to God.

May we stop and praise God for the blessing He has given us. Today, may we start to make choices with these gifts that bring glory and honor to God. I pray you find true joy as you remember that it is all His and make yourself, your home and your life completely available to Him.

And since I have been pretty blunt this week, I want you to remember one thing. Listen to this song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq29Owv_8yU&feature=related

Excuse, excuse, excuse

Since I have been stepping on toes all week, (remember it is out of love) I might as well continue today in the home. So, ladies (and my couple of gents) are you ready to stop your excuses? Are you ready to get the priorities and purposes back in your home that God intended? Or (yes this sounds rude but, be truthful with yourself) do you want to keep whining like a two year old or a teenager with excuses?

The saying, "if mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy," is very true. But mama needs to make choices that leads to a happy not so stressed home. So, mama, what choices need to change in your home?

For today, I want us to look at our own choices, not those of other family members. Let's transform ourselves before we go after the family. And because I have been a little blunt this week, we will start with the easy choices.

1. Choose to create an atmosphere that energizes and strengthens one another for the day.
Crank up the worship music in the car and/or at home. Take a minute for a quick family prayer about the day. Do not expect little angels if you let them start their day filling up on the world.

2. Choose to minimize.
Minimize the stuff in the schedule and the stuff in your home. Busy schedules and a house full of stuff is not making anyone happy. A hectic schedule makes you stress which makes your kids stress. A cluttered dirty house starts to drive you crazy and yet you buy more junk. Stop! If it makes you crazy why keep it.

3. Choose to turn it off.
Turn off the phones, TV and computers and sit down as a family over dinner or at least dessert. If all you do is harp on your kids and never stop to just talk, well how do expect to have a good relationship with them?
Also, just turn everything off so you can get laundry done or pick up or clean up from dinner. The longer you let things compile the longer it will take to fix it. If your child is struggling in school do you put it off until they fail? Of course you don't. Then why put off putting up a couple of things every day and not be left with a huge mess. Again, you are the adult and the one that should be teaching responsibility. You put off your chores for TV or the computer, do not be upset when your child or husband does the same.

You desire to raise godly, responsible, success free kids. It starts with you and I in the home. Are you ready to be the adult? If the excuse does not fly with you when your kids use it then it should not fly when you use it.

Ask and You Will Receive Good Health???

(Before I began, let me say a few things. Unfortunately there are times in our life or a loved ones life that cancer or certain illness comes upon us. There is nothing we can do to prevent it and we may never understand why or how a person contracted the illness. The discussion below does not include these things. I am only discussing the things we can prevent or control by our choices.)

A verse quoted often is the 'ask and you shall receive.' But are you and I asking God to answer our prayers concerning our health and strength when we make choices to hinder our own health? Do you ask for strength for the day after we choose to stay up late watching pointless television or surfing the Internet? Do you ask for healing of an illness but not make lifestyle changes that will cure the problem? Are you waiting on God to heal and give you strength or is God waiting on you to make choices for your health so he can answer your prayer?

In my own life, I know because of family history I am at risk for diabetes, thyroid, breast cancer and heart problems. Now, do I just pray and ask God to not let me have any of these health issues and live any lifestyle? Or do I ask to God for his protection of these illnesses but also make choices to exercise, eat healthy and let my body get rest that may help prevent these issues?

Sometimes we cannot prevent illness and have to rely on the mighty healing power of God. But you and I can make choices that will give us better health now and in the long run. Only you can make better health choices for yourself.

What poor health is plaguing you or might in the future? Are you exhausted and run down most of the time? What choices can you make to change theses things?

And as I have said before, God created you. You are a child of God. So why not make choices that honor God and our bodies so we are ready to be used by God?

Here are few ways to get started:
1. Give yourself a bed time. You require sleep so get it.
2. Add some healthy choices to your menu.
3. Pray to God for wisdom on healthy choices and ask for forgiveness on the choices you have made that have caused poor health.

No More Excuses

Do you schedule around God or fit God in somewhere around you schedule?

Remember when answering this question, honesty is the best policy. More than likely you desire to put God first, but on most occasions you squeeze God into your hectic schedule. This is one choice and one habit, you and I need to change.

Today the excuses stop.

1. No more 'I was so tired, I needed the sleep.'

Turn off the TV and computer and either be with God before bed or go to bed on time so you can get up in the morning. Or maybe your lunch break would be a better time for God. Make God your lunch date.

2.No more 'I have little ones at home and they do not give me a moment.'

I have four kids and have had a small child in my house for 14 years. I understand them being at your feet all day. So maybe the one year old will not understand everything you say, but why not read it to them. Or maybe some days your bible study will be out of his/her devotional Bible. God has spoken to me through my kids studies. What a great example and memory your children will have of the importance of studying God's Word.

3.No more 'I do not know what to read in the Bible.'

In the age of the Internet, this excuse is long gone. You can sign up for daily reading plans. You have access to sermons and teachings. And no church falls short of offering Bible studies. You can do a Beth Moore study and never run out of them. For reading plans, go to http://www.biblegateway.com/. Any Beth Moore or Stormie Omartian (great ones on prayer) study I would reccommend plus there are many more out there, also.

4.No more running or hiding from God.

We will cover this more next week. But God knows, so it's time to just bring it before Him.

Ladies, like I said yesterday (remember it is in love and I say it to myself, too), you and I cannot act like a little 2 year old who does not know better or be a teenager full of excuses. We are grown ups and we should start reflecting that in our walk with God. Remember we are to have faith like a child not act like a child.

Hebrews 5:11-15
11 We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13 Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil.

Choose To Stop Being A Baby

First, let me apologize for our journey having to take a pit stop. Now I am back and hope you join me again. Below is just a reminder of where we were in our journey. But I do have one thing to add before we begin this week. It may step on your toes, but these words come out of love for you and my desire for you to have the life with God He has planned for you.

You and I can no longer make excuses about our choices. Based on our age and the fact we know enough about God, we should be making better choices. As your child grows up, you expect them to become more mature and responsible. A 10 year old should not be in diapers and drinking from a bottle anymore. My dear friend, you and I should not be that 10 year old wanting someone to put a bottle in our mouth. It is time we choose to grow up, stop waiting for others to take care of our problems and stop being selfish like a newborn infant. It is time for you and I to grow and mature in our walk with God and for our lives to reflect and glorify Him.

(Again these words come from my love for you and these words are for myself too)

Choose God
1.Choose to study John 15 this week.
2.Choose not to hit the snooze and spend 10 minutes in prayer.
3.Choose to give up 30 minutes of TV time, facebook or reading time to spend in God's Word.

Choose a Healthy Body
1.Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time so you can get up to pray.
2.Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day) and 3 days of toning.
Maybe a workout during a TV show or a walk during lunch or during your child's practice.
3.Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies)

Choose to make it God's home
1.Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture. Schedule a once a week family prayer time before bed or maybe in the car if you have a commute.
2.Choose to schedule chores for everyone and have a Family 15 at the end of the day to pick up.
3.Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week. Schedule it and let everyone know.
4.Choose to remember that everything (family and home) is a gift from God. Treat it that way.

Why You Must Choose God

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5


Before we look at our schedule, I want to remind you why choosing God everyday is so important. My pastor reminded me and our congregation this Sunday so I am going to relay a couple of Pastor Darius Johnston's points.

Read the verse above a few times. Did you get the point on why you must choose God everyday? If you are not connected to God, you can do nothing. If you are not plugged in daily to God, there will be no fruit. Let it sink in for a moment. Without being plugged in to God, even your actions will produce nothing.

Take a deep breath, breathe in and out and let us look at our schedules. Your crazy schedule is not working because you are not plugged in to the power source. You are tired, weary and sad because you are not completely plugged in. So, how are you going to plug into the power source?

If you do not hit snooze, can you get 10-15 minutes of prayer before you start your day. Post scripture in your bathroom, kitchen or where ever you start your day to claim and pray. And what about the end of the day or maybe small children's nap time, can you spend time reading God's Word? It is part of the power source.

Read the passage below. Write it and put it in your bathroom, car and kitchen. Memorize it this week. Have the whole family memorize John 15:5.


"I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. 6If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15:5-8

Time with God and His Word should go on our schedule first and everything else around it. Whether it is choosing not to hit the snooze, read the bible instead of a book at night, watch one less TV show so you can read His word, you must and have to choose to plug into the power source. Otherwise you are producing nothing.

I would highly recommend listening to my pastor's sermon once it is online. Go to http://www.christchurchfw.com and click on podcast. It will be the sermon from 10-25-10.

So before you start your week with no power, choose to plug in.

Make adjustments and plan the week

Here are some suggestions as you look at your schedule from last week and better choices you can make in your schedule. We will go into more detail and ideas as we get into the week

Choose God
1.Choose to study John 15 this week.
2.Choose not to hit the snooze and spend 10 minutes in prayer.
3.Choose to give up 30 minutes of TV time, facebook or reading time to spend in God's Word.

Choose a Healthy Body
1.Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time so you can get up to pray.
2.Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day) and 3 days of toning.
Maybe a workout during a TV show or a walk during lunch or during your child's practice.
3.Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies)

Choose to make it God's home
1.Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture. Schedule a once a week family prayer time before bed or maybe in the car if you have a commute.
2.Choose to schedule chores for everyone and have a Family 15 at the end of the day to pick up.
3.Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week. Schedule it and let everyone know.
4.Choose to remember that everything (family and home) is a gift from God. Treat it that way.

A letter from me

Dear Friend,

Life has not turned out the way you planned. As a little girl, you dreamed of what your life would be one day. Unfortunately, reality has crushed and changed those dreams. At times you have hope and other times hope seems to be gone. But my dear sweet friend, there is a dream, a plan for your life, your home, your children. It is so much bigger than you or I can imagine.

Will you join me and start to live the dream God has planned for you? If you close your eyes imagine what God would do for you. Are you ready to start taking steps and making choices that lead to what God has promised?

We will look at where we have been, where we are and where we can be if you and I start making choices to live for Christ including in our health and homes. Through this journey we will cry, laugh and shake our heads, but in the end we will experience something grand.

I want to change my life, my children's life and generations to come. The choice we make today could impact generations to come. Let's impact them for God!

Finish your homework for the week, and next week you and I will start a journey on our choices. Be ready to surrender your life, your health, your home to God so God can do His thing. And what an amazing thing it will be for you, myself and our families!

Please invite others to join us. Let us share this experience and God's plan with others.

Your sister in Christ,
GaLynn


Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.
Proverbs 22:6

Ephesians 6:4
Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.


Titus 2:3-5
3Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God.


Deut. 6:4-9
4 Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one. 5 Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.


Proverbs 31:10-31
10 [ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.

12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.

15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls.

16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.

18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.

19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.

21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.

26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:

29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all."

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Choices of the Home

As you are keeping track of your schedule this week, ask yourself these questions.

1. What does my schedule say about the home? Is it just a place to sleep and eat? Does it serve a purpose? for the family? for others?
2. Does my schedule include time to care for home or do I just squeeze it in?
3. Does my hectic schedule overwhelm me or does my home overwhelm me?
4. Does my schedule and time allow my home to be a place of refuge, teaching, serving and worship?

Keep tracking your time and answering questions. Remember to be honest so you can truly see your choices. And do not criticize or condemn yourself for any choices. God does not condemn just convicts. Be sensitive to the Spirit but do not let the enemy tear you down.

A Look At Your Health Choices

I hope you have started recording how you spend your time. As you are recording the time spent, I want you to record the time you go to bed and the time you fall asleep each night this week. And then write down the time your alarm goes off and the time you actually get up. Plus make a side note of time you need to get up to have a smooth morning.

Plus I would like you to figure the average time you spend on TV and the average time on the computer. Add to the average time, what time of day you watch TV? For example, do you watch it right before bed, morning, afternoon?

And there is one more thing to record. I need you to write down what you eat or at least what fruit and veggies you eat throughout the day.

Continue recording all this information. We will be using it next week. Remember, we cannot know what choices to change until we see the ones we need to change.

May you all have a blessed week.

Choosing To Make God a Priority

If I were to ask if God was the number one thing in your life, you would probably answer yes. And in our hearts, God may be the most important, but in our life, in our time, in our homes - not so much. You and I have chosen to make other things a priority. Some choices come after deep thought, others just tend to happen unintentionally.

Because I know you desire to have a more intimate relationship with Christ and truly want to sit in His presence everyday, I want to help you. You are going to closely look at where your time is going each day. Now, I know you think you know your schedule but I want you to look at it closely this week.

Get a notepad and write down the time you spend doing everything. I mean everything from time hitting snooze to picking out clothes to driving in the car. Write it all down (don't forget time on phone.) Do not judge your schedule or beat yourself up. Just write and then we will discuss.

But if you want to cheat and go ahead and spend time with God, I will let you.

Plan Your Week Now

Let's get ready for our week by making the choice to plan it out.
Choose God

1.Pick a Book or chapter of the Bible for this week. If you do not have one, may I suggest Psalm 27 or Deut. 6 for this week.
2.Choose to pray before you get out of bed. Don't forget your armor.
3.Choose a time for quality prayer time and personal worship for this week. Put it on your schedule.

Choose a Healthy Body

1.Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time.
2.Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day) and 3 days of toning.
3.Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies) .

Choose to make it God's home

1.Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture. (check out website for printable family devo. www.bodysouandhome.com)
2.Choose to schedule chores for everyone and have a Family 15 at the end of the day to pick up.
3.Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week. Schedule it and let everyone know.
4.Choose to remember that everything, family and home, are a gift from God. Treat it that way.

Choosing the Purpose of Your Home

(Last review. If you have read this a year ago, I encourage you to read it again and see if your answers have change any.)

The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down." Prov. 14:1

You live in a house, apartment or duplex. It might be huge. It might be small. You may live alone or you share it with many. But to each and every one of us that place is our home.


So what is the purpose of a home? Think about it for a minute and write down your answers somewhere.


Now I want to know what purpose is your house serving. Try to be honest when answering that question.


There are a couple of purposes that are obvious: a place to eat and a place to sleep. But I think there are other purposes of the home that we have forgotten or have such a mess in our homes we cannot let the home serve its purpose.

1. A place of worship
2. A place of refuge for ourselves and for others
3. A place of teaching
4. A place to serve


You might be thinking that sounds like a church. I would have to agree it does, but I think it still is the purpose of the home. Please open your mind for a minute and listen.


1. A place of worship: Whether you live alone or have a family, we should be coming before the Lord in prayer and in song. We should praise him when we sit to eat, when we rise, when we lay down, when we feel the breeze or raindrop in the backyard, and even when we hear our noisy healthy kids run through the house.
"I will extol the Lord at all times; his praise will always be on my lips." Psalm 34:1

2. A place of refuge: After a long day, our home should be a place we can take a break from the world. It should be a place others know they can come when they are hurting.

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8


3. A place of teaching: If you are a parent listen carefully, your home is the most important place in your child's learning. I am not talking academically or athletically. I am talking about the spiritual training. It is to start in the home. If you are not a parent, it may be learning with your spouse, roommate or even a neighbor that is watching.
"Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home, when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." Deuteronomy 6:7


4. A place to serve: We should be serving one another in our homes. We should be helping one another not waiting on someone else. We may not physically wash each other's feet, but we should be willing to serve our family members or roommate in the way needed.


We will get into each one of these in days to come, but for now ask, are the purposes of my home a choice? Have I chosen the right purposes for my home? Can my home even have a purpose because I have chosen to let it be such a mess? Are my choices building my house up or tearing it down? Have my choices put more of the world than of God in my home?


I am so ready to dive into all of the discussions, but I will have to wait. I want you to reflect on the choices you have been making for your home. I want you to go before God and ask Him to show you the choices you have made that negatively and positively impact your home. Most importantly, I want you to praise Him for your home. We are so blessed to live in places that have four walls, a floor, and a roof over our heads. So many do not even have that privilege.


I look forward to the days ahead and the journey we will take together. Please choose to join me on this journey as I learn with you and you with me

Why Choose To Be Healthy?

(Still reviewing why we are making these choices)
*This is about physical health. But it is not a focus on your weight.

Your five year old has a specific bed time of 8 p.m. Company comes in town for a few days and your child does not get to bed until after 9 p.m. Sometimes it is almost 10. After a couple of days of less sleep, your sweet child has become Godzilla destroying anything and everything in his/her path. And you can forget about taking your child to church on Sunday mornings because they are so tired.

Have you been choosing not to be physically ready for day to day life and any challenges that come your way? Have you been choosing not to get the enough rest and therefore can be very irritable?

Physical Health Choice: Will I choose to exercise regularly so I will have the endurance for today and the next challenge? Will I choose to get the rest I need so I do not go Godzilla on my family and friends?

Are you thinking about telling me that you have tried? Admit it, you just did. Are you thinking of all your excuses why you haven't? I am a mother of four and the wife of a quadriplegic. Yes, I know there are times when you have to take care of a sick kid or a newborn. I have slept on a hospital cot for days at a time when my husband is in the hospital. I have been up all night with a friend who is facing a crisis. There are times when sleep in not an option. But because there will be times of illness and emergencies, you have to choose to take care of your physical health. It is something else we cannot "try" to do. We must and have to choose to exercise and get the rest we need so we will be ready to serve God and alert to trials and temptations.


So, how do you stop trying and choose to exercise and get the rest you need? It is a change of mind. Our only reason for exercise cannot be because we want to look better. Think about the show "The Biggest Loser." Every contestant is tired of the way they look, but most of them have another motivation. It is usually health and sometimes that they want to be healthier so they can be a better parent. As believers in Christ we also have another reason.

"You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body."
1 Corinthians 6:20

Whether you are 100lbs or 200lbs, you need exercise to be healthy, and you need to be healthy so you will have endurance for the race God has chosen for you. It may be endurance to raise your children. It may be endurance to travel to a nation in poverty. It may be endurance to teach and love a classroom of children. It may be endurance to care for a terminally ill family member. It may be endurance to work a demanding job and be a loving spouse. If we are not taking care of our physical health by exercising on a consistent basis, we are going to be like a high school football player on the first day of practice in 105 degree weather. We are going to have severe exhaustion because the pressure and heat wear us down too quickly.


Getting enough rest is another area we need to have a change of mind. We usually get too little sleep until we cannot go any longer and then we crash. But just like that three year old child's exhaustion affects you, your sleep deprivation affects others, too. You know that the more tired you are the less patient you become, the less productive you become, the less kindness you may show, the less likely you are to spend time with God. Your choice not to get enough rest leads into many more bad choices. And will those choices reflect...

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience,
kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self control." Galatians 5:22-23


In the last blog, we admitted that we must choose God; it is not option. We must choose to come before Him every day so we can face what comes our way and answer God when He calls. But if we choose to survive on little sleep, we lose focus and that could mean we lose focus of God. If we let our bodies become weak and fragile, our health could hinder us.


We must choose God. We must choose to exercise and get rest. Those couple of choices will start affecting so many more. You get a full night's sleep, you wake up refreshed and able to focus on God first thing. You go for a walk or run and use that time to focus on God, worship God or enjoy time with a loved one. And then you are refueled and re- energized both spiritually and physically. You are getting strength and endurance from God and your body will gain strength and endurance. Can you imagine how that will impact other choices and those around us? Do you realize the burden and stress that will be gone because you have given it to God and worked it out in your exercise. Are you getting the difference these choices can make? I know you want it. But don't say you will try, say I WILL CHOOSE.

Choosing God Today Is Not An Option

(This is from one of my first blogs, but a little review never hurts. And I hope this speaks to those of you who are new.)

Today you choose to go to work even if you wanted to stay home. You choose to feed your kids even though you know they will gripe about what you feed them. You choose to brush your teeth so you will not offend anyone with your breath. You choose those things because you know they are not an option. If you keep choosing not to go to work, you lose your job. If you keep choosing not to feed your kids, they might attack you or your kitchen. If you keep choosing not to brush your teeth, well let's say your friends will only talk to you on facebook. If you keep choosing not to put God first, you will...I think you can finish that statement.

Your first choice of the day is to talk to God. It is a choice, but is it an option? Will you be tempted today? Will there be opportunity to stumble or stay on path? Will there be a trial?


"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the powers of the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12


Is it an option? No. We have to choose to start our day with God. We need to humble ourselves before Him so we remember we need Him. We need to shout out His names and remember who He is. We need to praise God for who He is and what He has done so we will remember what He can and will do. We need to clothe ourselves with the Armor of God so we will be prepared for the battles. We need to pray for our eyes to see others the way Christ sees them so we may see their needs. We need to pray for our ears to listen not only to God but to others calling out for help. We need to pray for our mouths to speak only in truth and in love. We need to pray for our hands so that they may serve. We need to pray for our feet so they are ready to go when called.


"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when (notice it is when not if) the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." Ephesians 6:13-18a

"It is good to praise the Lord and make music to your name, O Most High, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp. For you make me glad by your deeds, O Lord; I will sing for joy at the works of your hands. How great are your works, O Lord, how profound your thoughts."
Psalm 92:1-6

Choose to call out to God first. Choose to sing His praises first thing in the morning. Instead of the news or cartoons, play worship music or worship dvd for kids. Read a Psalm to start your day and see how that choice affects your other choices throughout the day. Notice how you hold your tongue better. Have more patience in the grocery line because a worship song is stuck in your head. Not yell at the car that cuts you off, but you thank God for His protection instead. Your first choice will affect many, so what will you choose? And remember it is as much of an option as it is to brush your teeth.

Now stop trying and choose to call on God. Put a note that says "What will I choose?" on your bed, on your bathroom mirror, on the TV or remote that you usually turn on, or on the toilet paper roll. Put it anywhere that will remind you of your first choice.

And remember...
1.Choose God
2. Choose a healthy body. (More tomorrow)
3. Choose to make it God's home. (More on Thursday)

Stop Trying, Just Choose

Yes, even though I may not be near you, I know you are still in that 'I will try to do better' mindset. Well, stop trying and start choosing day by day. And for now this blog will remind you of those daily choices. The simple choices you make today will impact not just today but tomorrow and the next.

Choose God

1. Pick a Book or chapter of the Bible for this week. If you do not have one, may I suggest Proverbs 31 for this week.
2. Choose to pray before you get out of bed.
3. Choose a time for quality prayer time and personal worship.

Choose a Healthy Body

1. Choose to get a minimum of 7-8 hours of sleep. Set a bed time.
2. Choose your cardio exercise for this week (minimum of 30 minutes a day)
3. Choose to plan healthy sit down dinner meals for the week (even if you have to pick up already cooked meat and fresh veggies)

Choose to make it God's home

1. Choose to have a weekly family prayer time and scripture.
2. Choose to schedule chores for everyone.
3. Choose to have at least 4 family meals this week.
4. Choose to remember that everything, family and home, are a gift from God. Treat it that way.

This will be the beginning of each week. Tuesdays will cover more on choosing God. Wednesdays will cover choices on your health and tips. Thursdays will cover choices in our home and tips. Fridays will be about accountability.

So all you have to do now is make your choice, what is it going to be today?

It is all God's

I took a little break, but I am back. I am looking forward to guiding you to a life of less mess and stress. We are going to do things a little different on the blog, but my prayer is that it enables you to live it out.

But before we start it next week, I have one thought to share with you.

Your life, Your home, Your family and Your body all belong to God, are a gift from God and were created by God.

Please spend few days before God acknowledging these facts. Ask God to change your mind set that everything is yours and change it to everything is His.

Your children belong to God, you were chosen to raise them in the ways of the Lord in your home (also a gift from God).

You were created by God so that you may glorify Him and be used by Him.

You are God's child, chosen by Him.

As you change your mind set, will you be ready to live out your life as if it all belongs to God?

I am looking forward to Monday when we begin this journey together.

Survivor

Yes, I survived. My house survived. My family survived.

After putting everything into practice for 6 weeks while I worked a full time and part time job, I can now completely prove it works. (And completely prove, I am not a 5 am morning person, no matter how much sleep I get.) Setting a bed time for myself, a schedule for the family and household chores, and meal planning to fit our schedule worked.

While I would be exhausted after two jobs in one day, my body still got the required sleep it needed. I continued to use the morning commute for worship and time in God's word (with the occasional disruption of moody children.) Scheduled family chores kept the laundry done, kitchen clean and house picked up. And thanks to a persistent 5 year old, we still had family prayer time. While there were not so perfect moments, all in all it went better than I thought it would.

So what did I learn through these six weeks? I think my quote would say, "While life around you may get chaotic, you can choose to outwit the chaos." It may take a little planning and sticking to a schedule, but in the end you have time to breathe and avoid becoming overwhelmed because things do not pile up on you.

Whether you have snickered or rolled your eyes at my theories on choices, I am here to say they do work. Simple daily choices make a huge difference in your life. So, may I encourage you to choose God, choose rest and exercise, choose to make your home a place of refuge. It is the only way to survive this chaotic world and whatever it throws at you.

4 weeks and counting

"Survival of the fittest"

"Only the strong survive"

"Where there is a will, there's a way"

Survive, strong, will, way? After the first two weeks of a crazy schedule with two jobs, I am so glad I do not live by motto's. I rejoice that I do not have to depend on my own strength and will to survive. How excellent it is that there is someone who sees the bigger picture and is someone I can depend on yesterday, today and tomorrow.

My God is truly awesome in the fact how He has been preparing me for this time even if I did not realize it. All my studying and writing were a training ground for now. But the funny part is I was writing for you because I did not know God had this season of extra serving planned for me. A smile just comes to my face when I think about it.

Even though not everything has been perfect and patience has been lost, priorities have stayed in place. With careful planning, family dinner has stayed in place. God has stayed a priority in my own life and the kids have not lost their focus. And the best part, we have still had the energy and time to open our home on the weekends to other kids. Oh, and there has been the miracle of getting to bed on time.

My goal this week is to find a little more time to workout a little longer. Being in a computer lab means sitting a lot more. I am going to have to increase my workout or find a creative workout at the desk.

My journey has been interesting. I am finding my strengths and weaknesses. Four more weeks are left on this journey and though I may grow tired I look forward to what God has to teach me. And so far I have learned whether you are the strongest or the weakest, I serve a mighty God who will win.

Can I get a WOO, WOO?

Control

Well, I cannot believe things are going so well. Chores are staying done and on time. I even had myself ready and cooked a healthy TAKS breakfast for the kids and still left the house by 6:30 a.m. Plus having bathroom duty at the school meant I got to read a whole book.

As crazy as it seems, the chaos is not controlling us, we are controlling the chaos. Our biggest problem yesterday was an argument over the correct size of a bite. Evidently, it is a hard concept for a teenage boy to understand. And there were a few minutes of a sibling spat. But really yesterday and today have ran smoothly.

Making the most of every opportunity has been crucial. Using the morning commute for worship has been wonderful. While the girls are taking a bath, preparing lunch or items for dinner the next night gives me more time with them or time for sleep later. Making sure everyone lays out their clothes the night before saves so much time in the morning. (And making myself stick with what I picked out for myself helps too.) Using bathroom duty to read a good book was enjoyable. And using the lack of quality television to be in bed at nine, well, let's just awe! God, communication, organization and not worrying has made this crazy time very enjoyable.

I have to laugh at myself for thinking God was crazy for asking me to step up and the finish the school year. It seemed maybe he had lost his mind. So God was right when he said "trust me."

So three more days of subbing and two clients do not worry me at all. We will survive and when I think I might not at least I know who to lean on.

Here I go...

*In case you do not know: Last week a teacher unexpectedly passed away. The principal asked me to finish out the school year in her computer lab. So, I am working full time at the school, keeping my own business going, being a mom of four and continuing my writing. Therefore, I am using this blog to journal the next 5 weeks because everything I have been teaching you on choices to have less mess and stress I will have to put into practice.

My Monday actually started last night at 5 p.m. After a wonderful morning of worship and an afternoon of rest in the sun, the family and I started preparing for our week. And I was actually pretty proud of everyone for their effort.

(Part of surviving the next five weeks will only work and be enjoyable if it is a family effort. Last week I made a chore chart for each day of the week so every one knows their responsibilities. We had a family meeting to discuss how important it was for everyone to pitch in.)

At 5 pm on Sunday, laundry was sorted and ready to be washed. The boys finished up the yard work since we had been out of town. My girls cleaned up their toys and pulled out their outfits for Monday. Even my five year old packed her bag for granny's house, shoes and all.

After such a great group effort, we all sat down for dinner at 6 p.m. Of course after dinner, everyone helped with clean up (it is on the chore list) and I even packed my lunch for today. Following dinner, bath rotation and devo time started.

I even got in an ab and leg workout while talking to my mom on the phone. (which is easy since she does most of the talking. Love ya, mom.) Plus all the laundry was washed and sorted by person so they can put it up when they get home today. (tip: I start with the smallest and fastest drying loads and end with the biggest and slowest drying load)

Even though I was in bed on time, 5 a.m. came very early. My body is still adjusting to 5 a.m. instead of 6 a.m. I was able to be ready by 6 a.m. and get the kids up to get ready. Even with one extra person in our house, we were ready to leave at 6:30 am. All beds were made and house was neat (because of cleaning up last night). We will come home to put up laundry and fix dinner.

My commute is 45 minutes to the school. It is a great time to crank up the worship music. Listening to the words of the song and watching the sunrise over the beautiful fields is a great way to start the day. And thanks to technology, I read a couple of Psalms on my phone. No, I was not driving. And just before arriving, I used the chorus of Brandon Heath's song, Give Me Your Eyes, as a prayer for myself. It is so important that I truly do see each of these students through God's eyes and let God use me to reach them.

Now, it is time to sub. My goal today is to figure out some desk workout moves since I am sitting at a desk more. Plus be there for any kid who needs me. And I am very excited I only have this job today.

It is Well

I am postponing writing about my day. Today, my heart mourns as we lay to rest a precious teacher, mother, grandmother and friend, Mrs. Patsy. Yet I rejoice because she has gone home to be with the Lord.

This week and the following five weeks, I will run her computer lab. It is very difficult to sit in her room, but at the same time witness all the lives she has touched. Mrs. Patsy worked 27 years at this school. What a blessing she has been to so many faculty and students!

While we mourn, she is rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. And the song, "It is Well With My Soul," seems to be appropriate when you face a loss like this one.


When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
when sorrows like sea billows roll;
whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well with my soul,
it is well, it is well with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
let this blest assurance control,
that Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
and hath shed his own blood for my soul.
(Refrain)

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!
(Refrain)

And, Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
the clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
the trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
even so, it is well with my soul.
(Refrain)


What makes this song hit home is the story behind it. The article below is from http://christianmusic.suite101.com/article.cfm/hymn_it_is_well_with_my_soul

Text Author and Hymn-Writer Horatio G. Spafford
Spafford was born on October 20, 1828 in North Troy, New York. He was a successful lawyer in Chicago who maintained a keen interest in Christian activities, deeply spiritual and devoted to the scriptures.

Chicago Fire and a Son's Loss
Sometime in 1871, a fire in Chicago heavily devastated the city, and months before that , Spafford had invested hugely in real estate by the shore of Lake Michigan. The disaster greatly wiped out his holdings. Before the fire, Spafford also experienced the loss of his son.

Calm Before Spafford's Worst Life Storm
Two years after the fire, Horatio Spafford planned a trip to Europe for him and his family. He wanted a rest for his wife and four daughters, and also to assist Moody and Sankey in one of their evangelistic campaigns in Great Britain. He was not meant to travel with his family. The day in November they were due to depart, Spafford had a last minute business transaction and had to stay behind in Chicago. Nevertheless, he still sent his wife and four daughters to travel as scheduled on the S.S. Ville du Havre, expecting to follow in a few days. On November 22, the ship laden with his wife and daughters was struck by the Lockhearn, an English vessel, and sank in few minutes.

__________________________________________

After that tragedy is when he wrote the song.

I do not know what tragedy is in your life. You, like me, may be mourning the loss of someone close to you. Maybe you are in a battle for your own life. Maybe you have lost everything financially. May you, like Horatio, feel God's presence and comfort in your life today.

Listen to the words and picture a man out at sea mourning the loss of his family. Listen to it again and claim those truths for your own life.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOKQu4-ZVlk

Hello

I hope you have started the Choice and Consequence Journal study. I just finished writing Week 2 and will have it on the website sometime on Thursday. I am really excited about us looking at the choices we have been making and learning.

And coming in the next couple of days, I will be blogging my own personal journey of choices each day. Everything I have written I will have to put into practice to survive the next six weeks. Stop by and see how I am doing.

Remember the Choice/Consequence Journal Study is on the website http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/

Plus check out the family devo and prayer journal.

New Study...Sort of

God has really laid on my heart to continue with the Choice/Consequence Journal. I have already put the first week on my website. Since you will need to be writing more on this one, it will be available to download on my website. It is still free so do not worry.

You will have a topic to think about and then will fill out the journal. I encourage you to do the journal. I truly feel it is the next step in making better choices.

I will also be posting some other material on scheduling, action plans and organization real soon. Plus I will be adding family workout videos to the website in the next couple of days. And be sure to check out the Family Devotional and Prayer Journal on my website too. It is all free to download.

Please continue with me as we get rid of the mess and stress. And let God get control of our body, soul and home.

front page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/
Body page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/biography.html
Soul page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html
Home page: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/shows.html

Blog 100

Wow, 100 blogs!!! You have been listening to me ramble for awhile now. Hopefully, God has used me to challenge and encourage you. Out of 100 blogs, there are a few points I hope you have come to understand and apply.

1. Choose God daily!!!! Choose to be with Him and live your life for Him. (Not an option at all.)
2. Choose to take care of your health through rest and exercise. God needs you ready to do His work.
3. Choose to make your home a place of refuge, teaching, serving and worship. There is not a lot of hope in this world, but we should make sure it is in our homes.

I do not know about you, but God has done some amazing things in my life as I traveled on this journey with you. I have truly enjoyed this journey even though I had to be smacked upside the head a few times to live out what I was typing. But as I have been faithful in the choices to live for God, take care of my health and make my home a place of hope and learning for my children, God is really start to work in my family's life.

May you be encouraged as you continue on your journey to know and serve Christ. Remember, God has chosen you. Now, let's choose Him.

I will be creating a new study journal as we continue on our journey of choices. Plus I will also have a family devotional study. You all have become my friends and I hope you continue on this journey with me. I love you all.

And I know most of you are quiet and do not like sharing, but I would love to hear your stories and lessons God has been teaching you on this journey.

April Week 2 Day 4: Learning From Our Choices

Here are some more questions to use to write in your Choice Consequence Journal. Remember they are not to make you feel bad or condemn you. I want you and myself to learn from our previous choices, good and bad, and use that wisdom in the future. Let's be good students and learn from God's teaching.

1. What is a good choice I have made on my physical health? Bad choice?
2. What is a choice I have made about getting or not getting rest?
3. What is a choice I have made on making or not making my home a place of refuge?
4. What is a choice I have made on choosing to make or not make God a priority?

Use the Choice/Consequence journal sheet to answer each question. Just click on the link to my website. It is on the right hand side under Study links.
http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to start a Choice/Consequence Journal
Memorize:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:3-6

April Week 2 Day 4
Choose to read the passage above and claim it as truth. Choose to believe, know it and apply it.
Choose to exercise. Get outside.
Choose to put up the laundry.
Choose to get a good night's sleep

April Week 2 Day 3: Let's Choose To Learn

Today, I am not going to talk too much. I want you to do the writing. I just have a few guidelines.
I would like for you to print or use as an example the Choice/Consequence Journal. It is on my website on the Soul page underneath the study links heading.
http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html

I want you to use two pages to answer these two questions.

1.What is a choice you have made in your home that has had a positive spiritual impact on your child(ren)?

2.What is a choice you have made in your home that has had a negative spiritual impact on you and your child(ren)?

After you finish, spend time talking to your Heavenly Father. Be honest about your answers and with God. What changes in choices do you need to make to have a more positive and less negative impact? And remember, God does not condemn, He convicts. Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit, but do not let the the devil tear you down.

Proverbs 4:6
Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you.


April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to start a Choice/Consequence Journal
Memorize:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:3-6

April Week 2 Day 3
Choose to read a Deut. 6 and use the "Our Home's Prayer" to help you pray for your home and children. http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/shows.html
Choose to exercise. Get outside.
Choose to do a Family 15.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

April Week 2 Day 1&2: Choosing To Learn From Choices

We have been on our Choices journey for awhile now. I do not know about you, but I know I still do not always make the right choice. While I have greatly improved on recognizing the choices I make daily, I am still not perfect. (I know you are in total shock.)

But tonight I am asking myself if I am learning from my bad choices? Or do I still continue to make the same dumb choice knowing the consequences?

As usual, God has been teaching me as He uses me to teach my son. As God gives me the words to say to my child, I realize they are for me, too.

Today, my child made a bad choice on where he choose to sit which led to one more stupid little bad choice. But, unfortunately the consequences have been big. Now he has recognized the consequences of his choices. In a very mature way, he owned up to them and sought forgiveness. At the same time, the enemy was tearing him down. All of this led to a discussion of learning from our bad choices.

So, here is what God taught me while I was teaching my child:

1. We have to take responsibility for our choice no matter how little it may be.


2. We need to evaluate the consequences of our choice. (Remember the Holy Spirit convicts not condemns.)


3. We need to apologize to those affected by our choice even if they do not realize how they were affected.


4. We have to choose if we want to learn from our choice.

Most likely we think we learn, yet we seem to soon forget and the bad choice repeats itself. So, how can we truly learn from our bad choices?

I am going to start a Choice/Consequence Journal. As I make the right choice and reap the benefits, I will record it as an encouragement of making the right but not so easy choice. I will also record the bad choices and the consequences to serve as a reminder if the choice comes before me again. Please also record the consequences of days when you put your focus on God and the days you choose to loose focus. Not only will the journal help you, it will be a teaching tool for others.

So, who is with me? Who wants to truly learn from our choices?

Choice/Consequence journal available on website: http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/discography.html

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 2 Action Plan
Choose to start a Choice/Consequence Journal
Memorize:
3 By wisdom a house is built,
and through understanding it is established;
4 through knowledge its rooms are filled
with rare and beautiful treasures.
5 A wise man has great power,
and a man of knowledge increases strength;
6 for waging war you need guidance,
and for victory many advisers. Proverbs 24:3-6

April Week 2 Day 1&2
Choose to read a Proverbs 24:3-6. Do you have wisdom? Learn from your past choices to have wisdom for the next war.
Choose to exercise. Get outside.
Choose to clean up the kitchen.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

April Week 1 Day 5

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-UDWk6e_aE&feature=PlayList&p=EAF7F630247FDB30&playnext_from=PL&playnext=1&index=13

No matter where you are in your life. No matter how much you have messed up. It is never too late to choose God. It is never too late to give God control. And it is time we start trying to change ourselves. Let's choose to let God consume us and change us from the inside out.

Listen to this song and read the words. And make it your prayer to God. Cry out from your soul to Him.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tv0qZl_Qu84&feature=related

From the Inside Out (Hillsong United)

A thousand times I've failed
Still your mercy remains
And should I stumble again
Still I'm caught in your grace

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart and my soul, I give You control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise, become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Your will above all else, my purpose remains
The art of losing myself in bringing you praise

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

My Soul cries out to You
My Soul cries out to You
to You, to You

My heart, my soul, Lord I give you control
Consume me from the inside out Lord
Let justice and praise become my embrace
To love You from the inside out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out

Everlasting, Your light will shine when all else fades
Never ending, Your glory goes beyond all fame
And the cry of my heart is to bring You praise
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out
From the inside out, O my soul cries out.

April Week1 Day 3: Choose A Friend

You are a friend of God.

Did you hear I what I said? You are a friend of God.

Praise God! Not only did Christ's bloodshed cleanse us from our sins but it makes us able to approach the throne of God. Because God is God, the King of kings and Lord of lords, we need to humbly approach Him with the utmost respect. But because He is a God who died for you and loves you, you can come before Him as a friend.

While I would never want you to lessen your reverence for Christ, I do not want you to be afraid to come before Him. My heart breaks to think that some of you are missing out on a close personal relationship with Christ because you have forgotten you are His friend.

Go share thoughts, heartache, celebrations with your friend today.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UtsxdtEN_G4 Nothing But the Blood
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZu-VyrK4-4 Friend of God



April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 1 Action Plan
I will choose God daily by reading His word, prayer and being still to listen.
Memorize:
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

April Week 1 Day 3
Choose to read John 15:13-15
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2015:13-16&version=NIV
Choose to exercise.
Choose to file paperwork.
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

April Week 1 Day 3: Choose To Live

When I survey the wondrous cross...

Stop for a moment and survey the cross while listening and worshiping with the song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_sKcw9_PQYA&feature=related

Christ died for you, will you choose to live for Him? As you look at the cross, will you choose to give Him your attention or walk away?

My dear friend, may you and I choose to live our lives for Christ. May the way we parent, work, care for our bodies, care for the gifts He has given us, and the way we care for those around us; all be to glorify God.

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 1 Action Plan
I will choose God daily by reading His word, praying and being still to listen.
Memorize:
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

April Week 1 Day 3
Choose to read Isaiah 53 and see the prophecy of Christ's suffering.
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=is%2053&version=NIV

Choose to dance and worship the lord for exercise.
Choose to put up the laundry.
Choose to get a good night's sleep

April Week 1 Day 2: Choose Not To Forget

What a glorious holiday we were able to celebrate!! Oh how I love worship on Easter morning. It keeps my blood flowing and my heart pounding. How great is our God!!!

But, my dear sweet friend, does the power and excitement of Easter morning have to stop? Do you and I walk away from the cross and forget? Do you celebrate the empty tomb and then turn away?

So, maybe we do not forget the cross and grave, but do we give it the focus, the celebration in our daily lives it deserves? Why are we not celebrating and worshiping Christ for his death and Resurrection everyday like it is Easter?

Stop for a moment and think about it. If you and I start everyone morning with our own glorious and powerful Easter worship, how would it effect our day, our life? Coming before God, sitting at the cross of forgiveness, and shouting out praise for the new life we have. Wow! My heart is pounding just thinking about it. Do you not desire to experience your own powerful, daily worship?

Let's do it. You and I are going to choose to come before the cross and grave daily. We are going to experience God as we worship Him daily. As we worship, we will be reminded that Satan has no hold and we are not defeated. You and I will know everyday how much God loves us!

Let's not just choose God, but let's CHOOSE GOD!!!!

Start with this worship song (Ps Share your favorite worship song with us. Leave a comment, I will find it):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O3o3DiMVdOI&feature=related

April Action Plan
To put it all to action.

April Week 1 Action Plan
I will choose God daily by reading His word, prayer and being still to listen.
Memorize:
Exodus 15:2
The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him.

April Week 1 Day 2
Choose to sit in the sun while you worship the Son..
Choose to read Psalm 138 as a prayer
http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+138&version=NIV
Choose to get out and go for a run, walk, skip...just get up and get moving.
Choose to pick up the most messy room in your house..
Choose to get a good night's sleep.

Footsteps to Remember

(*This final day of the The Footsteps Study will be available on the website this afternoon so you may print it up and wirte your answers)

1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb.
2There was a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord came down from heaven and, going to the tomb, rolled back the stone and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards were so afraid of him that they shook and became like dead men.

5The angel said to the women, "Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay. 7Then go quickly and tell his disciples: 'He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see him.' Now I have told you."

8So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples. 9Suddenly Jesus met them. "Greetings," he said. They came to him, clasped his feet and worshiped him. 10Then Jesus said to them, "Do not be afraid. Go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me." Matthew 28:1-10


If you look you will his see Jesus footsteps one more. The footsteps start inside the tomb and walk right out. I like to see CSI explain that one. How amazing that day must have been!
But as we have looked at Jesus steps to Jerusalem, to the cross and from the grave, have you stopped to examine your own?

If someone were to write about your steps, what would they say about your life? Do your steps lead to Christ, walk with Christ, or no where near Christ? Why?

You have looked at Jesus footsteps for a week. As you looked you saw the pain he endured, the prayers he cried, but most of all you saw Christ's love for you in each and every step. Knowing what Christ did for you, how have your desires changed to live for him? Or have they changed? Why or why not?

My dear friend, Easter has come and gone. We cried at the cross. We celebrated the Resurrection. We cried at our sins that nailed Christ to a tree. We celebrate the new life we have in Him. But today a new story begins, a story of your steps.

Will your footsteps now take up your cross and follow Him?

The road will be long and will be bumpy at times. Your feet will may tire and even get a few blisters along the way. But when your footsteps end, just like Christ, you will rise and be with your Heavenly Father. Oh to hear my Father say about the footsteps of my life,

"Well done my good and faithful servant."

Now start the story of your footsteps, I know it will be amazing.

The Last Footsteps

download on website: www.bodysoulandhome.com

My friend, I pray you stop and look at the feet on the cross.

Love is flowing from His hands, From His brow

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLy-B9LuqMo

Footsteps in the Garden

There are many footprints leading to the garden this evening. But only one set continued to walk further into the garden. And when the footprints stopped, knee prints and an outline of a head would appear.

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will ." Matthew 26:29

These prints would be covered in his sweat.

And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Luke 22:44

Jesus knew what was about to happen. He did not wonder, He knew. And Jesus also knew the Will of His Father. As He arose after praying, Christ's footsteps would lead Him to the crowd that came to arrest Him. God's Will was about to be done.

Jesus' steps would now lead to the cross. But tonight He would be mocked and beaten. If you look, you might see the first drops of blood in the footsteps.

I pray you take the time tonight to fall on your face before God. The God who sent His Son to be beaten, flogged, mocked and crucified for you. Not because you deserved to be saved, but because God loves you!

May tears of repentance and joy fall down your face as you come before the Lord.

Footsteps of Betrayal

Please make sure to visit the website and download the study. I truly want you to have this Easter study to keep.

www.bodysoulandhome.com

Footsteps of a Teacher

Available on website: www.bodysoulandhome.com

Footsteps That Lead to Amazement and Understanding

Next lesson is available on website http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/

Easter Week

This week lesson will be available on my website. It is titled "The Footprints of Easter." You can open the individual days. And it is still free :)

http://www.bodysoulandhome.com/

March Week 4 Day 5: Choose to Focus

It feels as if we just celebrated the birth of Christ. And now it is time to draw near to the cross and the empty tomb. Oh my spirit leaps, my heart pounds, my eyes fill up with tears as I come near the cross and the empty tomb.

Next week, we will be taking the time to study the week between the triumphal entry and Resurrection. So, I ask you to start preparing yourself, your heart and your mind. Be ready to focus on our Savior and even ourselves as we come near to our Savior.

Let's start our focus on Christ predicting His death.

Matthew 20:17-19

Jesus Again Predicts His Death
17Now as Jesus was going up to Jerusalem, he took the twelve disciples aside and said to them, 18"We are going up to Jerusalem, and the Son of Man will be betrayed to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death 19and will turn him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified. On the third day he will be raised to life!"

Wow! Read it again and remember Jesus knows exactly what is going to happen and is sharing this information with the disciples.

Personally, I do not even know if I would willing go somewhere just to be mocked. But Christ went to Jerusalem knowing He would be mocked, flogged and crucified. Do you truly understand that part? Christ knew his fate before he even started on the journey to Jerusalem.

Why? Why would Christ travel by foot to face mocking, flogging and death?

As a parent, I would run anywhere, face anything to protect my child. Even if I knew, I might face injury myself. Love for her children will make a mama do crazy things. So, is love what drove Christ to start that long walk to Jerusalem? Did Christ see my face, your face as he walked that road? Did Christ know my stupidity would need saving?

Oh, my dear friend, Christ walked the rode to Jerusalem knowing his fate. But, Christ made that journey for you, for me, for our children, for our loved ones, for our neighbors because He loves us. Every step on that dusty road was made to save us.

Stop and focus on the footprints on that dusty road and remember, they were made for you.

John 10:10-11

10"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.
11"I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.

Print the footprint or save it as your wallpaper and focus on the journey Christ made for you. And my friend, who do you know that needs to hear about the footprints made for them.

March Week 4 Day 4: Choose to Let It Out

Today is going to be brief. As I was starting to write, my heart became heavy. I feel the Lord is telling me one or more of my dear sweet friends needs me to speak to them. So I am. If you are not that person or persons, will you read the blog and pray for our fellow friend.

This week I have been praying and desire greatly for you to cry out to God so you may be healed of your wounds. But I know your wounds are deep. You have been trying to bandage them up yourself and ignore the pain. But my dear sweet friend, the pain is paralyzing you. It paralyzes you in your relationship with God and maybe even relationships with those around you.

My eyes are filling up with tears as I write to you. My dear sweet friend, you do not have to hurt anymore. My sister, fall on your knees before God. Weep in His arms. Tell your Heavenly Father your pain, your hurt. Let it all out. Stop and be still before God. Hear Your Savior tell you how much He loves you. Maybe it is even forgiveness you need. Your Savior is there ready to forgive you.

Play "Healer" again. Believe the words you sing through your tears.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug

Call a friend and weep together before God. Spend as much time as it takes before God to let it out and let the healing begin.

I do not even know if I know you. But you are my sister in Christ and I love you. May you experience the healing hand of God.

March Week 4 Day 3: Choose to Renew by Being Still

Psalm 46:10
"Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

Do not steal. Do not use the Lord's name in vain. Those are pretty easy. Be still? Are you crazy??

Being an American in the 21st century and being still seem to contradict each other. Our lives get faster and we keep trying to do more and more. Evidently Taco Bell was not fast enough so we now have Taco Bell Express. Sadly, prayer lives are a to go item also. While I completely agree we should talk to God throughout the day, we, as a nation, as a church, as Christians have forgotten to stop and be still before God.

If you, if I , do not stop and be still what are we missing? What is God doing that we do not notice? Are you missing His healing, His miracles, His answers?

Life is and will continue to be crazy. But and I mean BUT, God is still faithful, still has the power to perform miracles, still forgives, still loves and still has a plan and purpose for you. My question to you, will you choose to be still? Will you choose to be still and listen? Will you choose to be still and see God working?

As Samuel told the Israelites in his farewell speech,

1 Samuel 12:16
"Now then, stand still and see this great thing the LORD is about to do before your eyes!"

You may not see the power of God like the Israelites, but you will see God.

If you need healing from your wounds and hurts, will you choose to be still and let God heal you? If you need an answer or are seeking God's will, will you be still to hear God speak? If you need to renew your relationship with God, will you be still in His presence?

My friend, God is there and here. God is working. Will you choose to be still and know that He is God?

Remember your assignment is to choose to let God heal you. Now be still so God can.

Memorize Psalm 147:3 and I would suggest the verse above too, Psalm 46:10.

March Week 4 Day 2: Choose to Renew through Worship

Nothing makes you feel more renewed than an amazing worship service. Feeling the presence of God sends chills down your spine. While there is nothing like corporate worship, can you not experience worship in your home?

Whether it has been awhile or maybe you have never tried it, I recommend that you experience an intimate worship experience in your home. Just you praising and worshiping your Almighty Creator, your Heavenly Father. Stopping to connect with God through song and prayer.

Now, some of you are already making excuses on how silly you would feel or you are too scared to be in God's presence by yourself. My sweet friend, you are being silly.

Make a playlist of worship songs you love and that claim the promises of God. Simply start by playing and singing them. Listen to words you speak about your God. As you speak those words, truly believe them. My sister, you may start shouting, weeping or be in complete silence because of who God is.

As part of your healing process, choose to draw close to God as you worship Him.

Remember your only assignment is to choose to let God heal you from your hurts and memorize:

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3

Now go worship your Savior.

March Week 4 Day 1:Choose To Heal

You had a week to continue on your journey of refreshing and renewal. Some of you may be trying really hard, but you still feel lost, hurt or too burned out to feel refreshed. You are missing a step.

You are trying to refresh your life the same way you refresh your house when last minute company walks through the door. Yes, you are cramming all the junk in the closet and giving a false sense of cleaning up. Eventually the door is going to bust or the company is going to open the door looking for the bathroom and all the junk is going to come tumbling out.

What hurt, memories or guilt are you pushing down and trying to ignore? My dear sweet friend, you do not have to hold it in. You do not have to hide the pain. You do not have to carry the secret that haunts your memory. My friend, I promise you that my God, your God, can heal you.

Please stop shutting the door to hide the pain. Come before your Heavenly Father and let Him heal your Spirit, Soul, body and mind. He is your Healer.

If God can heal a victim of date rape, verbal name calling from a loved one and a betrayed relationship, plus the numerous years of rebellion. He can heal you.

Play this song and come before your Father. Lay it down at His feet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaB53_AS7Ug

Healer

You know my every worry
Calm my raging sea
walk with me through fire
Healer of my disease
I trust in you (x2)

Chorus:
I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need (Oh Jesus)
I believe you are my portion
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

Oh my healer (You're my healer)

You know my every worry
Calm my raging sea
walk with me through fire
Healer of my disease
I trust in you (x2)

Chorus:
I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need (I believe)
I believe you are my portion
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

Nothing is impossible for you (x3)
You hold my world in your hand

Soloist: Nothing

Nothing is impossible for you (x3)
You hold my world in your hand

Repeat Chorus
I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need (Soloist: Everything I am)
I believe you are my portion (Soloist: Yes you are)
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

Soloist:
Reach out to the Lord
our deliverer
Everything we need(x2)
All I need is found in you (x4)
All sufficient one
All: All we need is found in you

Soloist:Nothing is impossible for you

Nothing is impossible for you (x3)
You hold my world in your hands.


I believe you are my healer
I believe you are all I need
I believe you are my portion
I believe you are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

More than a enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

You are more than enough for me
Jesus you are all I need

You're more than enough for me.

Do you believe God is your healer? Do you have enough faith that He can and will heal you from your hurts and wounds? Will you choose to go before your Father and let Him heal you? Will you choose to reach out and touch His cloak?

I pray you will. I lived a wounded life filled with hurt. I am the one above who was healed by my Father.

*If you have faced abuse of any kind, rape, etc, please seek Christian counseling. I can point you in the right direction. If counseling scares you, please talk to me, your pastor or a Godly woman in your church.
*If you are currently in an abusive relationship, then leave immediately and seek help. Go to your church, a friend, family member or a women's shelter immediately. You do not deserve to be abused and it is not your fault.

This week your only action plan is to spend time before the Father and find healing.

Memorize

"He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds" Psalm 147:3

Website

It is not completely finished, but it is up and running. I hope to have the videos and downloads soon. Plus more study material.

www.bodysoulandhome.com