I am currently reading Nancy Twigg's book "From Clutter to Clarity: Simplifying Life From the Inside Out." This is actually the second time I've read through it, but I'm amazed at how many things I'm seeing that I missed the first time. (I always do better to read a book twice. It helps ensure that I see all the little nuggets buried deep in the text.)
I highly recommend this book to anyone who feels cluttered or overwhelmed. In the book, Nancy explains that outward clutter is merely a symptom of inward clutter. She says, From now on, think of clutter as any possession, habit, thought pattern, attitude, or activity that (1) you don't need or use anymore, (2) doesn't fit or work for you like it used to, or (3) doesn't add value and meaning to your life as it once did. Wow! How many things in my life fit that description? Too many to count.
The author basically deals with the subject of clutter in three parts: from cluttered thoughts and attitudes to inner clarity, from cluttered lifestyle to outer clarity, from cluttered money matters to financial clarity. This book is a "must read" for anyone who deals with discontentment, worry, bitterness, self-image, lack of time, loss of joy, etc.
I know we are all busy, but please take the time to read this incredible book. I'm sure it will make a difference in your lives.
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:1
Friday, August 29, 2008
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
My Thoughts Afar Off
Psalm 139 says, O Lord, thou hast searched me, and known me. . .thou understandest my thought afar off. Now, I know that the meaning of this verse is that God understands our thoughts when He is afar off, but the other day, I saw another possible meaning.
I was having my daily devotions, and for the life of me, I could not keep my mind focused. My thoughts were wandering all over the place. After repeating the same prayer request for the third time, I got really frustrated with myself, and the Lord brought Psalm 139 to my mind. I laughed. The way I look at it is that it's not God who is afar off, it's my thoughts. They're way out there, but even then, the Lord understands. He knows what I mean to say and what I'm trying to express, even though many times I feel that I don't know myself. He understands my thoughts, even when they are not focused where they should be.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating letting our thoughts run wild all the time. I'm just saying that it's good to know that during those times when our thoughts seem out of control and out of our grasp, the Lord knows and understands. What a great God we serve!
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
I was having my daily devotions, and for the life of me, I could not keep my mind focused. My thoughts were wandering all over the place. After repeating the same prayer request for the third time, I got really frustrated with myself, and the Lord brought Psalm 139 to my mind. I laughed. The way I look at it is that it's not God who is afar off, it's my thoughts. They're way out there, but even then, the Lord understands. He knows what I mean to say and what I'm trying to express, even though many times I feel that I don't know myself. He understands my thoughts, even when they are not focused where they should be.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating letting our thoughts run wild all the time. I'm just saying that it's good to know that during those times when our thoughts seem out of control and out of our grasp, the Lord knows and understands. What a great God we serve!
Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts.
Psalm 139:23
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
I'm Back
From the look of my blog, I've been out of town again, but such was not the case. This weekend, my hubby came down with a terrible head cold. I felt a little under the weather myself, but I could tell he felt much worse. So, I devoted the weekend to trying to take care of him and not get sick myself. Well, I managed the first part. As for the second, why did I even think I could take care of him and not catch what he had? I catch everything! I'm just one of those people.
So, this morning I woke up with a throbbing in my head, a sore and swollen throat, and a brick laying on my chest (not really, but that's what it felt like). I was looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this week, but I guess that will have to wait. In the meantime, I'll try to get plenty of rest and lots of fluids.
The thought I leave you with today is this: sometimes our plans are not God's plans. I didn't plan on getting sick and "wasting" a day of work, but for some reason, God saw fit for it to happen. Maybe He wants me to slow down. Maybe He is trying to tell me something. And maybe He's just reminding me to be thankful for the health I normally have. So, even in the hard times, try to look for the good. It's there . . . somewhere!
So, this morning I woke up with a throbbing in my head, a sore and swollen throat, and a brick laying on my chest (not really, but that's what it felt like). I was looking forward to getting back into the swing of things this week, but I guess that will have to wait. In the meantime, I'll try to get plenty of rest and lots of fluids.
The thought I leave you with today is this: sometimes our plans are not God's plans. I didn't plan on getting sick and "wasting" a day of work, but for some reason, God saw fit for it to happen. Maybe He wants me to slow down. Maybe He is trying to tell me something. And maybe He's just reminding me to be thankful for the health I normally have. So, even in the hard times, try to look for the good. It's there . . . somewhere!
Thursday, August 21, 2008
What a Day!
Have you ever had one of those days? You know, the kind where you just want to eat your chocolate cake and go back to bed. Today--or more specifically--this morning was one of those days. I got up early to make sure I wasn't late for my doctor's appointment. I left the house 30 minutes before my 10:00 appointment even though it only takes 15 minutes to get there. It was a good thing I left early.
Before I go any further, allow me to point out to those of you who may not know that I am horrible with directions. I get lost in the mall. (I wish I were making that up.) I know one way to get to the doctor's office. One way! That's it. Unfortunately, one of the roads that I needed to reach my destination was closed. Instant panic! I got out my GPS. It redirected me to where I basically turned myself in a circle and ended up back at the same "Road Closed" sign. (What good are those things anyway!) I grabbed my cell phone and called Jason. As the phone was ringing, I looked down at the clock on the dash--9:45.
My loving husband pulled up a map on his computer at work and patiently navigated me around the closed road. (It didn't help that some of the roads I came to were not on his map. Who's responsible for that anyway? I'd like to talk with them.) I pulled into the parking lot at 9:58. Jason's final words to me were "Breathe, Dana, breathe."
I left the doctor's office at 11:00 (record time), and immediately called Jason. "I don't know how to get home." He laughed, then guided me back to familiar territory. Once there, I decided to pick us up some lunch since he was starving and I was just in the mood to eat.
The trip to the store was amazingly quick, but on my way to drop off Jason's lunch at his work, I came across . . . you guessed it--"Road Closed." You have got to be kidding me!!!! I called Jason back, reminded him how thankful I was to work from home, and promised that after dropping off his lunch I was going home for good. The day has greatly improved since then.
So, what was the point of all that. In the book of Psalms, David says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." It's hard to say that on days like today. However, as I study that Psalm, I can't help but notice that it doesn't say, "If things go our way, we will rejoice and be glad in it."
In other words, as Christians, every day should be a good day. Why? Because we've been redeemed! And, in eternity, the streets of gold will never be closed, so what does it matter down here?
Before I go any further, allow me to point out to those of you who may not know that I am horrible with directions. I get lost in the mall. (I wish I were making that up.) I know one way to get to the doctor's office. One way! That's it. Unfortunately, one of the roads that I needed to reach my destination was closed. Instant panic! I got out my GPS. It redirected me to where I basically turned myself in a circle and ended up back at the same "Road Closed" sign. (What good are those things anyway!) I grabbed my cell phone and called Jason. As the phone was ringing, I looked down at the clock on the dash--9:45.
My loving husband pulled up a map on his computer at work and patiently navigated me around the closed road. (It didn't help that some of the roads I came to were not on his map. Who's responsible for that anyway? I'd like to talk with them.) I pulled into the parking lot at 9:58. Jason's final words to me were "Breathe, Dana, breathe."
I left the doctor's office at 11:00 (record time), and immediately called Jason. "I don't know how to get home." He laughed, then guided me back to familiar territory. Once there, I decided to pick us up some lunch since he was starving and I was just in the mood to eat.
The trip to the store was amazingly quick, but on my way to drop off Jason's lunch at his work, I came across . . . you guessed it--"Road Closed." You have got to be kidding me!!!! I called Jason back, reminded him how thankful I was to work from home, and promised that after dropping off his lunch I was going home for good. The day has greatly improved since then.
So, what was the point of all that. In the book of Psalms, David says, "This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." It's hard to say that on days like today. However, as I study that Psalm, I can't help but notice that it doesn't say, "If things go our way, we will rejoice and be glad in it."
In other words, as Christians, every day should be a good day. Why? Because we've been redeemed! And, in eternity, the streets of gold will never be closed, so what does it matter down here?
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Decisions, Decisions
I despise making decisions. Often, when faced with a difficult decision, I envy the days of my youth when any choice could easily be made by the flawless "eeny, meeny, miny, moe" method. Such is not the case anymore.
Sometimes, I think I try so hard to make the right decision that I over-analyze and make things far more complicated than they should be. It's so important to me to follow the Lord's will. And, while it may be important, it is certainly not always easy to know what His will is. Some things are spelled out in the Bible. Thou shalt not kill, steal, lie, etc. It's there in black and white. Other things are not quite so obvious.
At times like this, it is imperative to listen intently for the still, small voice of God. Sounds easy, right? WRONG!!! Sometimes it's hard, and many times, it involves patience. (Yuck!) In fact, there have been times when I've tried so hard and waited so long for an answer that I've just given up and done whatever I thought was best. While it seemed like a good idea at the time, it ended in disaster. So, why, at this moment, when faced with another decision and no sound from God, do I want to take matters into my own hands again? Haven't I learned my lesson? Somewhat. I haven't taken things into my hands . . . yet. I'm only thinking about it. That alone shows growth--small growth, but growth nonetheless. Oh, how I wish there were a Miracle-Gro for the Christian life!
So, what am I going to do? I'm going to try to wait. And while I'm waiting, I'll continue to listen. I guess, for right now, that's God's will for me.
Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Psalm 55:1
Sometimes, I think I try so hard to make the right decision that I over-analyze and make things far more complicated than they should be. It's so important to me to follow the Lord's will. And, while it may be important, it is certainly not always easy to know what His will is. Some things are spelled out in the Bible. Thou shalt not kill, steal, lie, etc. It's there in black and white. Other things are not quite so obvious.
At times like this, it is imperative to listen intently for the still, small voice of God. Sounds easy, right? WRONG!!! Sometimes it's hard, and many times, it involves patience. (Yuck!) In fact, there have been times when I've tried so hard and waited so long for an answer that I've just given up and done whatever I thought was best. While it seemed like a good idea at the time, it ended in disaster. So, why, at this moment, when faced with another decision and no sound from God, do I want to take matters into my own hands again? Haven't I learned my lesson? Somewhat. I haven't taken things into my hands . . . yet. I'm only thinking about it. That alone shows growth--small growth, but growth nonetheless. Oh, how I wish there were a Miracle-Gro for the Christian life!
So, what am I going to do? I'm going to try to wait. And while I'm waiting, I'll continue to listen. I guess, for right now, that's God's will for me.
Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Psalm 55:1
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