Is rest really important? You only have to look at the first chapter of the Bible to answer that question. So why do we try to do so much and put rest on the back burner?
Our bodies were made by God. He created us to get rest. Why fight with the way we were made? Or why drink all these different things for energy instead of healthy eating and sleep for energy? If the creator and Lord of all things can rest, why shouldn't we?
What is keeping you from a goodnight sleep? Too busy? TV? Cannot fall asleep? Children?
If children are keeping you up then maybe you should give them an earlier bedtime. Children require a lot more sleep than we do. Depending on the age they may need 10 hours of asleep. You can put them to bed an hour or two before your bedtime and give yourself enough time to get ready for bed. Choose to set a bedtime for all of you.
If it is your favorite show on TV, then record it or catch it online at a later time. Let technology benefit you. If it is the news, you can catch it online or catch it earlier. I know in my area there is local news on at least one of the channels from 4 pm to 10 pm. Choose your bedtime and watch your shows around it, instead of a choosing a bedtime around your shows.
If you cannot fall asleep, you may need to look at a few things. You may need to cut out caffeine earlier in the day. You may need to read instead of staring at a computer or TV before bed. Some people need a warm bath to relax. Find a way to let your body unwind sooner to help you fall asleep when you get to bed. Choose to take steps to relax (including your mind) before bed.
If you are too busy and getting home too late most of the week then you definitely need to reevaluate your priorities. It is not healthy for you or your children. Choose to put your health over too many activities.
If you get your body on a bedtime schedule, it will become easier for you to fall asleep and get a goodnight's rest. Choose to do it for you, your body, your work and your family.
February Action Plan
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule and life.
Week 1 Action Plan
Choose to rearrange your schedule to get 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Week 1 Day2 Action Plan
Choose to ask God to show you how to get the rest you need.
Choose to read Genesis 1-2:2
Choose to work out your abs during commercials and lift cans during the show.
Choose to do a Family 15 and pick up at least the living area.
Choose to go to bed on time.
Monday, February 1, 2010
Feb. Week 1 Day 1: Choosing Good Health
The first month of the new year of the new decade is over. We have started a new month that comes with new choices everyday. Some of the choices are very important especially the ones concerning your health. We are going to start this month looking at our choices to get in better shape and better health.
We have talked about the three choices that effect our health in previous blogs, but let's do a quick review. You have to choose to exercise, eat healthy and get plenty of rest. They are all choices you have complete control over. You know if you choose to eat too much or not enough there are consequences. You know if you choose to get little sleep several days in a row, you are not productive. You know if you choose to not exercise, you are at risk not only for weight gain but also heart disease.
Making three better simple choices could lead to feeling better, more productivity, and probably happiness. The reward of choosing to take care of your health is too great, yet so easy to reach.
And these choices are not just for people who are over weight. These choices are important for everyone. The question to you is, "Is your health and life important to you?"
I hope you said yes. If you want to say yes, but are hesitant here are some reasons.
We have talked about the three choices that effect our health in previous blogs, but let's do a quick review. You have to choose to exercise, eat healthy and get plenty of rest. They are all choices you have complete control over. You know if you choose to eat too much or not enough there are consequences. You know if you choose to get little sleep several days in a row, you are not productive. You know if you choose to not exercise, you are at risk not only for weight gain but also heart disease.
Making three better simple choices could lead to feeling better, more productivity, and probably happiness. The reward of choosing to take care of your health is too great, yet so easy to reach.
And these choices are not just for people who are over weight. These choices are important for everyone. The question to you is, "Is your health and life important to you?"
I hope you said yes. If you want to say yes, but are hesitant here are some reasons.
- You were created by God. You are His masterpiece. Treat yourself like one.
- You were created for a purpose. Your good health effects you fulfilling that purpose.
- You may have been blessed with a precious gift, your child(ren). Your health is important in raising them.
- Your success in work, raising a family, etc depends on good health.
- Exercise and rest can lower you stress level.
Let's choose to start making our health important. Let's choose to start today.
February Action Plan:
Choose an exercise routine and program that fits your schedule and life. (we will be discussing it)
Week 1 Action Plan:
Choose to rearrange your schedule to allow for 7-8 hours of sleep and memorize Luke 12:7.
Day 1 Action Plan
Choose to thank God for creating an unique and special you.
Choose to read Luke 12:6-8. Reread it again. Do you get your importance?
Choose to exercise by jogging, jump roping, dancing during your TV show.
Choose to clean up the kitchen and give it a fresh start for the week.
Choose to get a full nights rest.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Week 3 Day 5: End of the Month
It is the end of the month. You are feeling very accomplished, frustrated or like you are making progress. No matter how you have been doing on your choices, I want you to remember that you need to take your choices day by day.
You had choices yesterday, today and will have them tomorrow. Some days you making the right choice will be easy. Other days life will get in the way and make it harder to make the right choice. But just because a difficult day comes along, please do not give up. You need to hold yourself accountable, but not be critical or frustrated. Admit you made the wrong choice and then choose wisely the next time.
As I have said many times, I hope you choose God daily and choose to get rest and exercise. I hope you are starting to get your life more organized and are cleaning out the mess. But it will take time and we will do it together one step at time.
As we say goodbye to another month, choose to finish a closet and have a schedule for yourself. Please feel free to ask me for any advice on either of those.
But most importantly, choose to remember how precious you are to God and how much He loves you. No matter how messy life may be, your Father is right there with you. So choose to take a moment and enjoy His presence.
January Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet.
Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet and memorize Psalm 100
Week 3 Day 5
Choose to sit in the presence of God.
Choose to shout Psalm 100 to God.
Choose enjoy a physical activity with loved ones.
Choose to pick up your room and enjoy this weekend.
Choose to smile because God is good!!
You had choices yesterday, today and will have them tomorrow. Some days you making the right choice will be easy. Other days life will get in the way and make it harder to make the right choice. But just because a difficult day comes along, please do not give up. You need to hold yourself accountable, but not be critical or frustrated. Admit you made the wrong choice and then choose wisely the next time.
As I have said many times, I hope you choose God daily and choose to get rest and exercise. I hope you are starting to get your life more organized and are cleaning out the mess. But it will take time and we will do it together one step at time.
As we say goodbye to another month, choose to finish a closet and have a schedule for yourself. Please feel free to ask me for any advice on either of those.
But most importantly, choose to remember how precious you are to God and how much He loves you. No matter how messy life may be, your Father is right there with you. So choose to take a moment and enjoy His presence.
January Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet.
Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet and memorize Psalm 100
Week 3 Day 5
Choose to sit in the presence of God.
Choose to shout Psalm 100 to God.
Choose enjoy a physical activity with loved ones.
Choose to pick up your room and enjoy this weekend.
Choose to smile because God is good!!
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Action Plan Week 3 Day 4: Choosing To Finish
As of today, you have either not started on your closet, half way started on your closet, or maybe you are even finished. If you have not started or in the process of working on it, you have to make the choice to finish. The next three days you have choices to make to finish it or you will choose to put it off.
Your whole life you have been making choices to finish what you started or to put it off another day. I want you to finish your closet by January 31. I want you to have that feeling of accomplishment. But more importantly, I want you to choose to finish the race. I want you not to put off God another day.
Maybe you are like the turtle in the race and have slowly grown in your relationship with God. Or you might be like the hare, you got off to a fast start but stopped to rest. You came to know the Lord and you were excited. Your relationship was on fire but somewhere along the way you choose to take a break. Whether you are the turtle or the hare, it is only important that you finish the race and you finish strong.
Choose to not put off today what you can do today. Do not stop or give it up because you feel you are in the back of the race. Today choose to get back in the race. Today choose not to stop because you get tired or because the path gets filled with potholes and bumps. Lets choose to finish this race together.
January Action Plan
Choose to finish your closet
Shoes: You can store them in clear containers, some type of cubby, or a basket in the bottom of the closet. Pick something that fits your personality. If you take the time to pull them off then containers might work. If you take them off quickly then some type of open cubby works best. If you fling them off your feet then a basket might be best to keep them off the floor.
Purses/Bags: Sit them on a shelf and use dividers to help them stand up or use clear containers to store and protect them. If you have built in cubbies use them for your bags. If you have wall space or back of a closet door, you can use hooks to hang them.
Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to finish your closet and learning the verse.
Week 3 Day 4 Action Plan
Choose to thank God for choosing you for this race.
Choose to read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 1 Corinthian 9:24-27
Choose to actually go for a jog or walk and think about the race God has called you to.
Choose to have a race and see who can pick up the house or kids room the fastest. (Have a prize like an extra piece of dessert.)
Choose to get a full nights sleep so you are ready for the race.
Your whole life you have been making choices to finish what you started or to put it off another day. I want you to finish your closet by January 31. I want you to have that feeling of accomplishment. But more importantly, I want you to choose to finish the race. I want you not to put off God another day.
Maybe you are like the turtle in the race and have slowly grown in your relationship with God. Or you might be like the hare, you got off to a fast start but stopped to rest. You came to know the Lord and you were excited. Your relationship was on fire but somewhere along the way you choose to take a break. Whether you are the turtle or the hare, it is only important that you finish the race and you finish strong.
Choose to not put off today what you can do today. Do not stop or give it up because you feel you are in the back of the race. Today choose to get back in the race. Today choose not to stop because you get tired or because the path gets filled with potholes and bumps. Lets choose to finish this race together.
January Action Plan
Choose to finish your closet
Shoes: You can store them in clear containers, some type of cubby, or a basket in the bottom of the closet. Pick something that fits your personality. If you take the time to pull them off then containers might work. If you take them off quickly then some type of open cubby works best. If you fling them off your feet then a basket might be best to keep them off the floor.
Purses/Bags: Sit them on a shelf and use dividers to help them stand up or use clear containers to store and protect them. If you have built in cubbies use them for your bags. If you have wall space or back of a closet door, you can use hooks to hang them.
Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to finish your closet and learning the verse.
Week 3 Day 4 Action Plan
Choose to thank God for choosing you for this race.
Choose to read 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 1 Corinthian 9:24-27
Choose to actually go for a jog or walk and think about the race God has called you to.
Choose to have a race and see who can pick up the house or kids room the fastest. (Have a prize like an extra piece of dessert.)
Choose to get a full nights sleep so you are ready for the race.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Week 3 Day 3: Choosing to Find Some Order
As you clean out your closet, you are probably finding a lot of things you do not need. Closets easily become cluttered because we keep throwing more and more stuff in them. Sometimes we throw so much stuff in them that there is no room for the items the closet is supposed to store.
Does your life feel like your closet? You keep cramming more and more into the week that you are about to pop. You have stuffed so much busyness in to your week that there is no room for the important things in life.
Whether it is our closet or our life, we have to make sure we are choosing to arrange important items and choosing to clean out the not so important things that take up too much space. As you clean out your closet, I want you to really think about what you are trying to cram into your life. What in your life is like that shirt from 3 years ago that is just taking up space? Would you notice if it was not part of your life anymore? Would it be a relief to have that time back?
As you continue to work on your schedule from last week, make sure you are cleaning out your schedule like you clean out your closet.
January Action Plan:
Choose to clean out a closet
Find containers to store items on top shelf.
Try not to use your shelf under your clothes for items.
Try to designate a place for shoes (options coming tomorrow)
Organize by sections (dress and casual, colors or by sleeve length)
Week 3 Action Plan:
Choose to clean out your closet and memorize Psalm 100.
Week 3 Day 3 Action Plan:
Choose to thank God for providing you with life and ask for wisdom in your choices for your life.
Choose to read Matthew 6:25-34
Choose to jog or jump rope during every commercial break during a TV show.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms. (Lysol wipes are fine.)
Choose to go to bed on time.
Does your life feel like your closet? You keep cramming more and more into the week that you are about to pop. You have stuffed so much busyness in to your week that there is no room for the important things in life.
Whether it is our closet or our life, we have to make sure we are choosing to arrange important items and choosing to clean out the not so important things that take up too much space. As you clean out your closet, I want you to really think about what you are trying to cram into your life. What in your life is like that shirt from 3 years ago that is just taking up space? Would you notice if it was not part of your life anymore? Would it be a relief to have that time back?
As you continue to work on your schedule from last week, make sure you are cleaning out your schedule like you clean out your closet.
January Action Plan:
Choose to clean out a closet
Find containers to store items on top shelf.
Try not to use your shelf under your clothes for items.
Try to designate a place for shoes (options coming tomorrow)
Organize by sections (dress and casual, colors or by sleeve length)
Week 3 Action Plan:
Choose to clean out your closet and memorize Psalm 100.
Week 3 Day 3 Action Plan:
Choose to thank God for providing you with life and ask for wisdom in your choices for your life.
Choose to read Matthew 6:25-34
Choose to jog or jump rope during every commercial break during a TV show.
Choose to wipe down the bathrooms. (Lysol wipes are fine.)
Choose to go to bed on time.
Monday, January 25, 2010
Week 3 Day 2: Choose to Clean Out
If you have not cleaned out your closet already, this is the last week in January. So let's choose to get it done.
Yesterday we talked about smaller portions. Your probably think you need a bigger closet or more storage space. Instead if griping about our closet size, let downsize by getting rid of all the junk we do not use.
Yesterday we talked about smaller portions. Your probably think you need a bigger closet or more storage space. Instead if griping about our closet size, let downsize by getting rid of all the junk we do not use.
- Get a trash bag, recycle bag, and a donation bag.
- If you have not wore it this past year then goodbye.
- If you are hoping it comes back in style and it might, still say goodbye
- If there is a hole or repair that you have planned on fixing this past year then goodbye.
- If you are storing pictures or papers, get containers that sit nicely on your top shelf.
- If you have an abundance of paint/can get messy t-shirts, narrow it down to under five shirts unless you are a professional painter.
- If it is no where near your size anymore, then goodbye.
- If it is cassette tapes that have no cassette player then why do you have them?
- If it is a bag/purse that is older then your children, goodbye.
I think you get the idea. So work on getting rid of the old stuff and tomorrow we will work on arranging the things we keep.
January Action Plan:
Choose to clean out the closet.
Week 3 Action Plan:
Choose to stop putting off cleaning out a closet and memorize Psalm 100.
Week 3 Day 2 Action Plan:
Choose to praise God for another day of life.
Choose to read Proverbs 4.
www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=prov%204&version=NIV
Choose to exercise by doing some type of ab and arm exercises during a TV show.
Choose to do a Family 15 and pick up the clutter.
Week 3 Day 1 Action Plan: Choosing Smaller Portions
We are a super size nation. We super size our food, our homes, our cars, our stuff and our stress.
The other day as we were getting ready for dinner, my son makes a comment. He says he wished we had more money so we had more food at dinner. I had to laugh. He was shocked when I told him he was eating proportional sizes. But I realized his generation has been raised as a super sized generation.
A super size generation is not happy with meeting its needs, it thrives on getting what it wants whether it needs it or not. Choosing not to be satisfied and wanting more is only going to lead to unhappiness. We do not need super sized meals, super sized homes (that you do not want to clean), or super sized stuff (by price or size). We only need a super sized God (which I am so glad we have).
It is time to choose smaller portions that lead to much greater joy. Let's look at a few examples.
1. You choose to eat the large, super size portions. It may taste yummy for the moment, but afterwards you feel like crud. And eventually after too many super sized meals, you do not like what you see in the mirror.
If you choose smaller portions, you can save money because you split a meal or eat off the dollar menu which is a more appropriate portion size. You do not feel yucky afterwards and eventually your stomach is satisfied by the smaller amount. Choosing smaller portions equals a smaller waistline and more money.
2. You choose to up size your home with or without the fiances. It leads to more debt, more to clean, and if you are not careful, less time as a family. And all of those lead to more stress.
Do not choose a bigger home if you do not have the finances. It is not an option. Do not get caught up in the bigger home because it is the American dream. For generations, many families have survived and enjoyed their average size home. Choose to have a home you can easily make a place of refuge and a place to train your child in the ways of the Lord (it will be different for each person).
3. You keep choosing more stuff for your home and for yourself. More stuff only leads to more to clean, more to wash, more debt, less satisfaction. Be careful to define what is a need and what is a want.
4. Choose to have a super sized God. Choose to have a super sized relationship with Him. It will make you want a whole lot less and help you discern between needs and wants.
It is time we start choosing the right portions not just for ourselves but for the next generation. We can choose to stop obesity, selfishness, and dissatisfaction with life. It is our choice and our responsibility to teach the next generation.
January Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet.
Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to stop putting off cleaning out your closet and clean it out. Choose to continue to memorize Psalm 100.
Week 3 Day 1 Action Plan
Choose to write a list of all God has given you and what he has done for you.
Choose to read Psalm 25. Isn't He a great God?
Choose to jog, dance or walk off those super size proportions you ate.
Choose to clean up the kitchen from this weekend.
The other day as we were getting ready for dinner, my son makes a comment. He says he wished we had more money so we had more food at dinner. I had to laugh. He was shocked when I told him he was eating proportional sizes. But I realized his generation has been raised as a super sized generation.
A super size generation is not happy with meeting its needs, it thrives on getting what it wants whether it needs it or not. Choosing not to be satisfied and wanting more is only going to lead to unhappiness. We do not need super sized meals, super sized homes (that you do not want to clean), or super sized stuff (by price or size). We only need a super sized God (which I am so glad we have).
It is time to choose smaller portions that lead to much greater joy. Let's look at a few examples.
1. You choose to eat the large, super size portions. It may taste yummy for the moment, but afterwards you feel like crud. And eventually after too many super sized meals, you do not like what you see in the mirror.
If you choose smaller portions, you can save money because you split a meal or eat off the dollar menu which is a more appropriate portion size. You do not feel yucky afterwards and eventually your stomach is satisfied by the smaller amount. Choosing smaller portions equals a smaller waistline and more money.
2. You choose to up size your home with or without the fiances. It leads to more debt, more to clean, and if you are not careful, less time as a family. And all of those lead to more stress.
Do not choose a bigger home if you do not have the finances. It is not an option. Do not get caught up in the bigger home because it is the American dream. For generations, many families have survived and enjoyed their average size home. Choose to have a home you can easily make a place of refuge and a place to train your child in the ways of the Lord (it will be different for each person).
3. You keep choosing more stuff for your home and for yourself. More stuff only leads to more to clean, more to wash, more debt, less satisfaction. Be careful to define what is a need and what is a want.
4. Choose to have a super sized God. Choose to have a super sized relationship with Him. It will make you want a whole lot less and help you discern between needs and wants.
It is time we start choosing the right portions not just for ourselves but for the next generation. We can choose to stop obesity, selfishness, and dissatisfaction with life. It is our choice and our responsibility to teach the next generation.
January Action Plan
Choose to clean out a closet.
Week 3 Action Plan
Choose to stop putting off cleaning out your closet and clean it out. Choose to continue to memorize Psalm 100.
Week 3 Day 1 Action Plan
Choose to write a list of all God has given you and what he has done for you.
Choose to read Psalm 25. Isn't He a great God?
Choose to jog, dance or walk off those super size proportions you ate.
Choose to clean up the kitchen from this weekend.
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