House (?) Cleaning & Snow, Snow, Snow

One of my email accounts has just been transfered by my ISP, so I figured it was a great time to start cleaning house on my computer. I have too many email accounts, member accounts with various websites, etc. I am also on WAY too many mailing lists, which means I don't read most of them anymore.

So I'm merrily going along and UNSUBSCRIBING like crazy. Then I can start fresh with just a FEW that I actually have the time and interest to read on a regular basis. Whew! I love email, the internet, IMing, blogs, etc., but it also provides an opportunity for me to add more STUFF in my life. Just as I have to be careful with allowing more to come into the house, I really need to be more diligent in not allowing so much information to enter my home through the computer! At least with housecleaning, I'm getting some sort of physical activity. With computer cleaning, I'm just stirring up my carpel tunnel problems, drying out my eyes (already switched to glasses), and causing a stiff back (sounds like I'm old, huh?)! I'm not very good at remembering to get up and stretch and blink and all those good things I'm supposed to do for myself!


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It's also snowing again today here in lovely Colorado. We've had more snow in the past few weeks than we've probably had in the past few winters! The boys and I got out and built snow forts. I also got to bury them! (They asked me to) Then it was time to come inside, warm up with some lunch, blankets, a fire, and a movie. Definitely a perfect Friday.

Making My Plans

In the page finder of my day planner, I have the following scripture:

"A man's heart plans his way , but the Lord directs his steps."

Proverb 16:9

When I make my plans for the day, I like to view this proverb as an overlay to my plans. While I may have certain ideas about what my day will be, God is the One who is ultimately in control of how things turn out. I desire to have the flexibility that allows Him to alter my day as He determines. Of course, He's free to change my day all He wants - it just works out so much easier for me when I bend according to His will! This also puts me in the position of seeking His direction, as opposed to the days where I think I'm in charge! Ha! Ha! That's a facade anyway. I'd much rather get on God's plan than attempt to maneuver my own.

New Year's Resolution

I always think about New Year's resolutions this time of year. But I was also pondering the fact that I have never in my life heard of one single person who made a change in his/her life based upon a New Year's resolution. I think it's just one of those things that we (humans in general) do. Is it because it seems like such a good idea? Is it tradition? Is it perfect timing with the major holidays past? Maybe it's that brand new calendar with a brand new year and pretty, clean boxes just waiting for a new and improved life.

On the one hand, if I have no goals and no desire to change, then I will lead a mediocre and unfulfilling life - definitely not one that will bring glory and honor to God. But in and of myself, I cannot make lasting changes in my life. Those changes have to come from the Lord. So what does He want for me in this new year? That's been the real question for me recently.

Thankfully the Lord is always faithful to answer my questions and give me direction. In this case, it was through my quiet time. I've been going through a book called "Revive my Heart!" by Catherine Martin. It's based mostly upon Psalm 119. The chapter for this week is titled "The Prayer of Revival." On the second day, the author focuses on resolve and commitment - aha! - this ties in to the whole idea of a new start! I can't say that my prayer life has been very good of late, so this was exactly what I needed to hear. I believe the Lord gave me three verses this morning to meditate and focus upon for 2007.

"I will meditate on Your precepts, and contemplate Your ways. I will delight myself in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word." Psalm 119:15-16

"Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving."
Colossians 4:2

"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thessalonians 5:16

While I have other things in my life I want to see changed, I believe it all begins with my prayer life before the Lord. So I will start there and see where He plans to take me this year.