So I've recently started reading through the book of Joshua, and today I read chapter 7. I've heard the story before, but different things jump out at me (aka God's Spirit reveals/highlights new things) today as I focus on this chapter alone within the context of the book of Joshua and the continuing journey of the nation of Israel.
-Joshua, Israel's newly appointed leader and coming off of the victory at Jericho, was discouraged (v. 6-8) after a defeat at Ai
-God responded "Get up! Why have you fallen on your face? Israel has sinned;... Therefore the people of Israel cannot stand before their enemies. They turn their backs before their enemies, because they have become devoted for destruction. I will be with you no more, unless you destroy the devoted things from among you. Get up! Consecrate the people and say, Consecrate yourselves for tomorrow; for thus says the LORD, God of Israel, 'There are devoted things in your midst, O Israel. You cannot stand before your enemies until you take away the devoted things from among you.' ... And he who is taken with the devoted things shall be burned with fire, he and all that he has, because he has transgressed the covenant of the LORD, and because he has done an outrageous thing in Israel."
Observations:
1. Joshua did not understand and was discouraged by feelings of defeat, and he went to God. God did not take time to coddle him but responded with urgency and the explanation that he needed to act upon the core problem in Israel; once the sin issue was properly addressed and dealt with as per God's explicit instructions, God was with them and they could be victorious again.
2. God took sin very seriously there in the Valley of Achor [valley of trouble], satisfied only after the culprit and his sons and daughters and all he had were stoned and burned. A "heap of stones" were even set up in that place, presumably as a remembrance of what took place there, lest Israel should ever forget that the LORD, the JUST God whom we serve, takes sin very seriously. Its consequences are great, and we must never treat it lightly, either.
3. The Valley of Achor was a place where Israel was in Trouble because of sin; yet, even as overwhelming as their defeat had been and the discouragement and punishment that followed, God's presence had not been permanently removed from them. They were not ultimately defeated. Though the very trouble, caused by the sin of Achan, of the tribe of Judah, was very great and serious in God's sight, God was gracious and continued to fulfill His promises in and through Israel, even to the bringing of salvation to all men through a Savior born out of the same line that begat Achan, that line of Judah.
4. Joshua doesn't seem uncompassionate toward Achan and his family, yet he courageously (as per Joshua 1:1-9) follows God's orders to the letter and doesn't waver to the right or to the left of them even for the sake of compassion on one man. It is not recorded whether Joshua agreed with God's way of handling things or whether he felt good about carrying it out; this is because Joshua's feelings weren't relevant, and he recognized that. Joshua knew the important part of his role and responsibility was to trust God and obey Him--regardless of anything else--and that he did.
Wow, that's convicting. Am I courageous enough (Joshua 1:1-9) to be a Joshua? Will I take sin seriously, deal with it promptly and thoroughly, and trust and obey God, no matter how I feel--whether I feel defeated, uncertain, entitled, disappointed, frustrated, angry, and the list goes on--about my circumstances in the Valley of Trouble? If/when I don't feel courageous, will I seek God as Joshua did and tell him honestly what's going on/how I feel, and then willingly accept/submit to His instructions/commands as LORD of my life?
Will you?
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Saturday, March 10, 2012
"Under Orders" with Elisabeth Elliott
Christian discipline means placing oneself under orders. It is no mere business of self-improvement, to be listed along with speed-reading, weight watching, jogging, time management, home repairs, or how to win friends. Such programs have a strong appeal that is largely self-serving: what's in it for me? Will I improve my IQ, my looks, my build, my efficiency, my house, my bank account? Will I be better liked, courted, taken more seriously, promoted? If these are the goals, certainly it helps to pursue them with the encouragement of and in the company of others with the same ambitions. Social pressure goes a long way, but in the end a do-it-yourself program depends on willpower alone, which is not enough for most of us.
The disciple is one who has made a very simple decision. Jesus invites us to follow Him, and the disciple accepts the invitation. I do not say it is an easy decision, and I have found that it needs to be renewed daily. The conditions are not such as attract multitudes. Jesus stated them:
1. He must leave self behind
The result of the decision is guaranteed:
The disciple is not on his own, left to seek self-actualization, which is a new word for old-fashioned selfishness. He is not "doing his thing" to find his own life or liberty or happiness. He gives himself to a Master and in so doing leaves self behind. Any ordinary life in any ordinary town provides ample opportunity to do this. Riding on a New York bus recently, I saw a woman reach over and slide open a small section of a window. The bus was very crowded, and I was glad for a little fresh air. The window was angrily slammed shut by another woman.
"It's not really cold out," said the first. "Can't we have a little air?"
"Not on my back you can't," came the reply, a perfectly natural one.
The disciple, however, lives by a different rule, a rule not natural to anyone who is a sinner. He will let himself be "lost." It is the great principle of the cross that he takes up--out of his own loss comes another's gain, out of his discomfort another's comfort. How easily we profess a willingness to follow, imagining some notable work for God, some great martyrdom--but forget the first condition the minute there is a little cold air on the back of the neck.
...
["A soldier on active service will not let himself be involved in civilian affairs; he must be wholly at his commanding officer's disposal." 2 Tim. 2:4] Any "soldier," any candidate for Christian discipline, ought daily to report to his commanding officer for duty. At your service, Lord. What the soldier does for the officer is not in the category of a favor. The officer may ask anything. He disposes of the soldier as he chooses. The very thought strikes horror to the modern mind. "Nobody's going to tell me what to do. Nobody has a right to dispose of me."
This pattern of thinking has its powerful effect on Christians as well, so that we have come to imagine that discipleship is somehow an "extra." We suppose that we can be Christians, going to church, saying our prayers, singing those sweet songs about loving and feeling and sharing and praising, without taking our share of hardship. Those who wish to make a special bid for sainthood, we tell ourselves, might try discipline ("it has its place") as though it were an odd or fanatical life-style, not the thing for most of us.
It is as though we might be Christian without being disciples.
"Yes, I want to be a Christian, but no, I don't want to be Your disciple, Lord. Not yet, anyway. It's a bit much to expect."
"Yes, I'll be a disciple, but no, I certainly don't want to leave self behind."
"I'll leave self behind if You say so, Lord, but don't ask me to take up any crosses. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with that."
"Follow You, Lord? Well, yes, sure--but let me have a little input, won't You, about where we're going?"
Nothing could be further from the spirit of the Gospel. The very reason Christ died "...was that men, while still in life, should cease to live for themselves, and should live for him who for their sake died and was raised to life."
To be a Christian in New Testament terms is to be a disciple. There are no two ways about it. We have a Savior who has forgiven and saved us from the penalty of sin. Most of us would happily settle for that. But He died to save us also from our sins, many of which we love and hate to part with. Christ could not have done this if He were not Lord over all the powers of evil. Jesus Christ is Savior because He is Lord. He is Lord because He is Savior. I cannot be saved from my sins unless I am also saved from myself, so Christ must be "commanding officer" in my life.
--Excerpted from Elisabeth Elliott's Discipline: The Glad Surrender
The disciple is one who has made a very simple decision. Jesus invites us to follow Him, and the disciple accepts the invitation. I do not say it is an easy decision, and I have found that it needs to be renewed daily. The conditions are not such as attract multitudes. Jesus stated them:
1. He must leave self behind
2. he must take up his cross
3. and come with me
The result of the decision is guaranteed:
1. Whoever cares for his own safety is lost
2. but if a man will let himself be lost for my sake, he will find his true self
The disciple is not on his own, left to seek self-actualization, which is a new word for old-fashioned selfishness. He is not "doing his thing" to find his own life or liberty or happiness. He gives himself to a Master and in so doing leaves self behind. Any ordinary life in any ordinary town provides ample opportunity to do this. Riding on a New York bus recently, I saw a woman reach over and slide open a small section of a window. The bus was very crowded, and I was glad for a little fresh air. The window was angrily slammed shut by another woman.
"It's not really cold out," said the first. "Can't we have a little air?"
"Not on my back you can't," came the reply, a perfectly natural one.
The disciple, however, lives by a different rule, a rule not natural to anyone who is a sinner. He will let himself be "lost." It is the great principle of the cross that he takes up--out of his own loss comes another's gain, out of his discomfort another's comfort. How easily we profess a willingness to follow, imagining some notable work for God, some great martyrdom--but forget the first condition the minute there is a little cold air on the back of the neck.
...
["A soldier on active service will not let himself be involved in civilian affairs; he must be wholly at his commanding officer's disposal." 2 Tim. 2:4] Any "soldier," any candidate for Christian discipline, ought daily to report to his commanding officer for duty. At your service, Lord. What the soldier does for the officer is not in the category of a favor. The officer may ask anything. He disposes of the soldier as he chooses. The very thought strikes horror to the modern mind. "Nobody's going to tell me what to do. Nobody has a right to dispose of me."
This pattern of thinking has its powerful effect on Christians as well, so that we have come to imagine that discipleship is somehow an "extra." We suppose that we can be Christians, going to church, saying our prayers, singing those sweet songs about loving and feeling and sharing and praising, without taking our share of hardship. Those who wish to make a special bid for sainthood, we tell ourselves, might try discipline ("it has its place") as though it were an odd or fanatical life-style, not the thing for most of us.
It is as though we might be Christian without being disciples.
"Yes, I want to be a Christian, but no, I don't want to be Your disciple, Lord. Not yet, anyway. It's a bit much to expect."
"Yes, I'll be a disciple, but no, I certainly don't want to leave self behind."
"I'll leave self behind if You say so, Lord, but don't ask me to take up any crosses. I'm not sure I'd feel comfortable with that."
"Follow You, Lord? Well, yes, sure--but let me have a little input, won't You, about where we're going?"
Nothing could be further from the spirit of the Gospel. The very reason Christ died "...was that men, while still in life, should cease to live for themselves, and should live for him who for their sake died and was raised to life."
To be a Christian in New Testament terms is to be a disciple. There are no two ways about it. We have a Savior who has forgiven and saved us from the penalty of sin. Most of us would happily settle for that. But He died to save us also from our sins, many of which we love and hate to part with. Christ could not have done this if He were not Lord over all the powers of evil. Jesus Christ is Savior because He is Lord. He is Lord because He is Savior. I cannot be saved from my sins unless I am also saved from myself, so Christ must be "commanding officer" in my life.
--Excerpted from Elisabeth Elliott's Discipline: The Glad Surrender
Monday, January 31, 2011
Water-gulping!
So... My brother and sister have mentioned this Bible-reading plan that they and their classmates were challenged to do, and many (including both my siblings, I think) are doing. As I've been struggling a bit to come up with a daily Bible-reading plan I'm excited about, and I've clearly [see last post] been rather thirsty... it seemed to be a good time to take on this challenge and follow it through. Also, I keep finding myself really anxious about lots of unknowns and such, worrying unnecessarily when I should be trusting God instead. The verse in Isaiah comes to mind (the one found in Isa. 26:3, to be more specific, hehe), which says, "You will keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on You."
So, in light of these things, and largely as an effort to keep my mind stayed on Him so to generate peace instead of needless anxiety, I've just begun B90X--reading the entire Bible through in 90 days. I've just completed Day 2, and I'm excited. I've already begun to see the Bible in a whole new light... God is gracious and merciful, and I'm starting to really see that His stories are the absolute best--no joke! It's more fulfilling than any other book I could challenge myself to read, and it really can be read in 90 days! :) So, at the pace of approximately 10 pages per day in the particular Bible that I've selected for this challenge, I'm off on the adventure!! :)
If you want to join me, the schedule I'm following is a simple Genesis-to-Revelation plan (as opposed to each day's reading being something from Old Testament, New Testament, & Psalms... or something like that), and it is found by clicking on (or copy/paste-ing) the link below:
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/B90X.pdf
I might tweet about it, too, as I go along, so if you're interested just look for my "tweetonym"--> skrudd.
Okay, that's it. Just thought I'd share. Enjoy! :)
So, in light of these things, and largely as an effort to keep my mind stayed on Him so to generate peace instead of needless anxiety, I've just begun B90X--reading the entire Bible through in 90 days. I've just completed Day 2, and I'm excited. I've already begun to see the Bible in a whole new light... God is gracious and merciful, and I'm starting to really see that His stories are the absolute best--no joke! It's more fulfilling than any other book I could challenge myself to read, and it really can be read in 90 days! :) So, at the pace of approximately 10 pages per day in the particular Bible that I've selected for this challenge, I'm off on the adventure!! :)
If you want to join me, the schedule I'm following is a simple Genesis-to-Revelation plan (as opposed to each day's reading being something from Old Testament, New Testament, & Psalms... or something like that), and it is found by clicking on (or copy/paste-ing) the link below:
http://www.stevenfurtick.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/08/B90X.pdf
I might tweet about it, too, as I go along, so if you're interested just look for my "tweetonym"--> skrudd.
Okay, that's it. Just thought I'd share. Enjoy! :)
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Cravings on the Journey? Stay on the Path!
"It's not the 'how-to' I'm missing. It's the 'want-to' ... really wanting to make changes and deciding that the results of those changes are worth the sacrifice" (Lisa TerKeurst in Made to Crave).
Lately I've been craving so many things--mostly an effective escape from what my deepest craving (for God) would point me to. Wow. How dumb is that?? Yet, admittedly, that's about where I'm at. Even seeking God as I also feebly attempt to do, I am not really going to Him on His terms--surrendering my will/desires to His good purposes. Maybe that's because I'm not really trusting that His purposes are better than mine. I allow myself to get distracted by sources of immediate gratification, and I stop just off of the Straight and Narrow to get some sustenance in easy, worldly ways... which tends to pull me in and make me want more of that type of sustenance, even though more and more and more of that type of sustenance would yet never truly be satisfying. It's quite a mystery to me, frankly, why I turn to the right or the left for temporary fulfillment, when I have a bottle of Living Water that goes with me all the time. If I need to pause for refreshment, He's all I need... I have no business chasing after things that will get me nowhere but into a mess of frustrated misery and depression. The Living Water is really all I need for this life-long journey that stretches out straight in front of me. I can only see the part of the path that is right in front of me, but as I continue to stay on the path, he stretches it out before me, step-by-step. If I veer off to the right or the left, it only slows me down and wastes time. This is evidenced by the fact that whenever I take a good long drink of the Living Water again, I no longer desire the side-of-the-road attractions. The Water I carry with me is completely satisfying and fulfilling, and I truly need nothing else. It's encouraging to have others join me on the path, and the generous blessings of additional delights/pleasures are enjoyable and beautiful also. However, the pleasures I tend to crave from the side of the road are mere cheap imitations, at best, of the bountiful treasures God has in store, which are beyond my ability to imagine or ask for. There is an inheritance I will receive when I reach the very end of the path, and He gives me little tastes of that inheritance early while I travel to encourage me and strengthen me on my journey. In fact, the best part is that Living Water. And along with my water bottle, I have a Friend who walks with me. He stays very close to me--closer than a brother, in fact. Since He has walked a very similar path before and struggled with His own fleshly desires for off-the-path adventures, His selfless ministry to me is such an encouragement, as He nourishes my soul with His presence and His time-tested words of Truth. He reassures me that the wisdom He speaks is pure Truth, and that the only way to finish the journey well is to keep walking straight ahead, taking long, satisfying gulps of the Living Water, relying on His Faithful companionship, and conforming my pace to His own, while heeding His sustaining Words of instruction and encouragement and maintaining open communication with Him about the journey as we walk side-by-side. I know I couldn't walk it alone, let alone run! Still, if I remember that He is with me, and I trust that He is there and sufficient to satisfy my needs and desires, this could be a really cool trip! :) The joy in the journey has a lot to do with who you've got as a travel buddy; in my case, I think this adventure could be great--even good and joyful--no matter what direction the path turns. Just gotta remember to stay on it--do not turn right, do not turn left, do not pass 'GO', do not collect $200... "Just keep swimming"--er, walking--straight ahead!
Lately I've been craving so many things--mostly an effective escape from what my deepest craving (for God) would point me to. Wow. How dumb is that?? Yet, admittedly, that's about where I'm at. Even seeking God as I also feebly attempt to do, I am not really going to Him on His terms--surrendering my will/desires to His good purposes. Maybe that's because I'm not really trusting that His purposes are better than mine. I allow myself to get distracted by sources of immediate gratification, and I stop just off of the Straight and Narrow to get some sustenance in easy, worldly ways... which tends to pull me in and make me want more of that type of sustenance, even though more and more and more of that type of sustenance would yet never truly be satisfying. It's quite a mystery to me, frankly, why I turn to the right or the left for temporary fulfillment, when I have a bottle of Living Water that goes with me all the time. If I need to pause for refreshment, He's all I need... I have no business chasing after things that will get me nowhere but into a mess of frustrated misery and depression. The Living Water is really all I need for this life-long journey that stretches out straight in front of me. I can only see the part of the path that is right in front of me, but as I continue to stay on the path, he stretches it out before me, step-by-step. If I veer off to the right or the left, it only slows me down and wastes time. This is evidenced by the fact that whenever I take a good long drink of the Living Water again, I no longer desire the side-of-the-road attractions. The Water I carry with me is completely satisfying and fulfilling, and I truly need nothing else. It's encouraging to have others join me on the path, and the generous blessings of additional delights/pleasures are enjoyable and beautiful also. However, the pleasures I tend to crave from the side of the road are mere cheap imitations, at best, of the bountiful treasures God has in store, which are beyond my ability to imagine or ask for. There is an inheritance I will receive when I reach the very end of the path, and He gives me little tastes of that inheritance early while I travel to encourage me and strengthen me on my journey. In fact, the best part is that Living Water. And along with my water bottle, I have a Friend who walks with me. He stays very close to me--closer than a brother, in fact. Since He has walked a very similar path before and struggled with His own fleshly desires for off-the-path adventures, His selfless ministry to me is such an encouragement, as He nourishes my soul with His presence and His time-tested words of Truth. He reassures me that the wisdom He speaks is pure Truth, and that the only way to finish the journey well is to keep walking straight ahead, taking long, satisfying gulps of the Living Water, relying on His Faithful companionship, and conforming my pace to His own, while heeding His sustaining Words of instruction and encouragement and maintaining open communication with Him about the journey as we walk side-by-side. I know I couldn't walk it alone, let alone run! Still, if I remember that He is with me, and I trust that He is there and sufficient to satisfy my needs and desires, this could be a really cool trip! :) The joy in the journey has a lot to do with who you've got as a travel buddy; in my case, I think this adventure could be great--even good and joyful--no matter what direction the path turns. Just gotta remember to stay on it--do not turn right, do not turn left, do not pass 'GO', do not collect $200... "Just keep swimming"--er, walking--straight ahead!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Pulling Away from Facebook... This Guy Understands
Just came across this excellent blog post about (bad) blogging in light of I Tim 6:4, and the excerpt below pin-points incredibly well some of the biggest factors that led me to finally take a step away from Facebook earlier this week. Social networking may not affect everyone in exactly the same way, but I finally came to realize its effect on me and some of the reasons I had become so drawn to it. I also know that there are SO many other things I need/desire to be accomplishing with my time, which I could do a lot more effectively if I took the hours spent online each week and put them towards life in the real world. I'm not saying Facebook is all-in-all a bad thing necessarily, if kept in moderation and used for God-honoring purposes, but I, for one, am prone to addiction--yes, much like an alcoholic or a porn-addict. I could elaborate into a full-length post on this subject, but... I have more important things to do at the moment. See if you relate, as I do, to Dane Ortlund's explanation:
8. I believe there is a common root heart issue from which both pornography viewing and online obnoxiousness emerge. In both cases 1) it is usually a man 2) who logs on to his computer, 3) is most prone to fall into this sin when tired or depressed, 4) feels personally inadequate, 5) is spurred on in this online activity by not having to truly engage another human being but instead has no relational demand placed upon him, 6) generates self-identity and bolsters his own sense of vaunted masculinity through his time online, 7) finds the activity addictive, immediately satisfying yet only leaving him hungry for more, 8) underestimates how much damage he is doing to himself and to others, and 9) logs off feeling a little more dirty.
(For the context of this blog excerpt, see his entire post here.)
8. I believe there is a common root heart issue from which both pornography viewing and online obnoxiousness emerge. In both cases 1) it is usually a man 2) who logs on to his computer, 3) is most prone to fall into this sin when tired or depressed, 4) feels personally inadequate, 5) is spurred on in this online activity by not having to truly engage another human being but instead has no relational demand placed upon him, 6) generates self-identity and bolsters his own sense of vaunted masculinity through his time online, 7) finds the activity addictive, immediately satisfying yet only leaving him hungry for more, 8) underestimates how much damage he is doing to himself and to others, and 9) logs off feeling a little more dirty.
(For the context of this blog excerpt, see his entire post here.)
Monday, August 30, 2010
Ahh...Back to Camp :-)
I seem to be venturing out on my own a little more lately. Friday I decided to attend a Belmont ladies soccer game by myself after work... just because. :) Today I was reminded by yet another person about Radnor Lake--& she gave me written directions :). She was recommending I go at least 3 times a week for my own sanity and health amidst my rehearsing, researching, writing, and working, "to commune with nature." I'm not sure exactly what the "commune with nature" bit means, but I certainly agree that there is benefit to spending time in God's glorious creation, especially by peaceful water. :) I had been wanting to get over to Radnor and check out the trails and lakeside view for over a year now, so I stopped there after work tonight and hung out for an hour. Note: This included walking at least a half mile (one-way), in my work clothes on a sticky day, mind you, to get to a nice view of the lake--i.e. Walked a mile! :) It reminded me of Camp Barakel. Aside from all the people there tonight and the algae covering a good chunk of the viewable portion of the lake, I could almost imagine that I wasn't in Nashville anymore, but I was actually at camp walking the trails around Shear Lake. Happy, inspiring memories... It also made me miss Lake Michigan all the more. Lakes are beautiful, but local lakes can't quite measure up to the ocean-like rhythm and the freshly scented breeze of good ol' Lake Michigan. Still, this was a lovely visit, and I hope to go again in the near future. I left just as the sun was beginning to set. It was pretty. :)
And now, mostly due to a slight headache that came while I was at Radnor and has not yet left me, I think I shall go to bed early... and hopefully wake up early--hint: It wouldn't take much to get up earlier than I did this morning. :-p Oh well. These things take time... :-)
"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." -Ps. 37:5
And now, mostly due to a slight headache that came while I was at Radnor and has not yet left me, I think I shall go to bed early... and hopefully wake up early--hint: It wouldn't take much to get up earlier than I did this morning. :-p Oh well. These things take time... :-)
"Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it." -Ps. 37:5
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Daring to Discipline - A newly documented journey
Fear has been something of a stronghold in my life, for a LOOONG time. Only recently--in the past couple years, in particular--have I truly begun to recognize it. During this time, God has shown me areas one after another in which I have habitually lived in fear, blinded to my self-appointed slavery that has made a mockery of His costly purchase of my freedom. As God has so very graciously and profoundly opened my eyes to more and more ways in which fear has been my way of life, He has also been faithful to teach me to walk in faith instead of in fear. One of my favorite passages of Scripture now, and one of which I still need frequent reminding, is the first chapter of the book of Joshua, in which God repeatedly commands Israel's new leader to be courageous. Verse 9 seems to say it best:
"Have I not commanded you? 'Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'"
Knowing this, I am motivated to stop making decisions based on the nagging fears that may continue to present themselves in various forms, and instead to rely on the knowledge that the God who created the universe and has sustained it for thousands upon thousands of years, is right here with me always, and faithfully resides within me constantly, no matter where I go.
Though I'm sure there will be many more weeds of fear for God to pull from my heart and life in order to create more space for the fruit of the Spirit to grow there instead, this next phase of growth is one in which I think some accountability may be helpful. Ergo, inspired by some who have utilized this mode of expression and accountability before me, here is my blog. Mostly for my own benefit, but open and transparent enough that it will be harder for me to allow myself to quit early because I will know that I am not the only one that knows or that might be affected.
Here is the deal...
As I have a voice recital coming up in exactly 8 weeks--October 24--I have MUCHO work to do before then if I am to be prepared to give a performance God would be proud of--i.e. one for which I have put forth my utmost effort to diligently prepare and present my best for His glory. I also do not have a structured schedule this semester other than whatever schedule I create for myself, because I don't have any real classes to attend (unless we count my Monday voice lesson and the Thursday studio class that goes along with lessons). There are a number of elements that can help me prepare, but having an overall structure of good habits and a healthy lifestyle is not something to be overlooked, as is has significant potential to contribute effectively to my ability to present my very best vocally, musically, and expressively.
Specific goals:
1. Get up at 5am each morning Monday thru Friday, & no later than 6 or 7am on Saturdays and Sundays.
This is a HUGE one, because it is the very first decision of the day, deciding whether to start my day out for myself--i.e. getting up 'whenever I FEEL like getting up'--or giving the day to God--getting up at a strategically pre-selected time in order to most effectively, diligently, and joyfully make use of the time God has granted in this new day. This allows time each morning to accomplish certain core things before other pressing matters arise, to fight to conquer procrastination by radically getting ahead from the start.
2. Set aside some time during this early part of the day to seek the face of God.
This has hopefully obvious importance, because this whole endeavor or set of goals WILL end in failure, as so many similar attempts have done, if it is not reliant upon God to give me strength and endurance and ultimately to be the One Who brings me through all the way to the finish line (in this case, October 24, but it applies to the rest of my life afterward as well, until I SEE Him face to face). What happens during this time may consist of a number of things at this point--prayer journaling, Scripture reading, Scripture study, prayer for friends' concerns, listening to Scripture read aloud (via audio recording), singing prayers/praises, etc.--as the main focus right now is to establish a habit of setting this time aside and seeking God at the beginning of the day.
3. Physical exercise--at least 30 minutes/day at least 3-5 days/week.
It should most often be in the morning during that 5-8am window, but if going to the athletic center at school on some afternoons (when I don't have to be at work) ends up replacing or adding to that early morning time of exercise, then that's great also.
4. Eat well--thrice per day.
This is healthy for obvious reasons, and my hurdle often occurs as a lack of planning, resulting in a lack of intentional grocery shopping, resulting in a lack of useful food stuff for cooking and creating lasting meals for a week or two at a time. Fulfilling this goal will involve planning ahead (which implies planning a time for planning) what to cook, keeping/making lists of what to buy, and following through by taking the time to cook or prepare whatever food has been planned and purchased for a given meal.
5. Practice diligently.
Between 9am and 1pm each day, if not longer--allowing for some variation based on eating lunch, my work schedule, day of the week (voice lesson Monday & seminar Thursday), and possibly a minimal number of other factors I am not thinking of right now--I plan to be on campus at Belmont practicing or researching/writing for my recital paper. I need to be strategic about how, how much, and what to practice each day, trying to keep things as consistent as possible from day to day and week to week so as to avoid the need for extra planning.
6. Keep up with household things.
Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, tidying, other cleaning, etc. Let's just say if there's any good habit set of regularly accomplishing these things, that will be an improvement. :-p
7. Keep close track of my money, and use it responsibly.
8. Update this blog.
9. Call friends/family to catch up, see what new things I can pray about, etc. - at least 2 per week.
10. Don't watch TV.
These goals (and there are others I'd love to add but this is plenty right now) may sound a little radical--if they don't, then it's probably because you don't know me very well :). Seriously, I have got to be one of the LEAST disciplined people you could ever know, not that I'm proud to say it but it's the honest truth. However, this makes the goal all the more worthwhile, because, as I see it, I am like the altar soaked with 12 buckets of water, which God sent a fire to utterly consume. I've tried enough times to know that my own determination falls entirely short, and this is impossible for me to actually accomplish. If transformation happens, it's all God, not me! Through His strength, Your encouragement, and my endurance, I hope God will use these goals to grow me during these next 8 weeks and to know Him in deeper ways than I ever have before.
Not only in the obvious ways through creating the habits themselves and reaping the benefits of each one of them, but also by virtue of creating discipline in my life, as I Timothy 4:7 says to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." I won't say that my motives are always pure, but holiness and the glory of God are motivations that make victory possible and the fight worthwhile. Ultimately my objective is not to draw people's attention to me because of some 'oh-so-incredible' performance at a recital, nor to impress them through my religious practicing of certain disciplines in my life--that's aiming for a moving target, and people will disappoint. If these were my goals, I would be intimidated and give up, or I would try and disappoint myself. However, my objective in these things is obedience to God in what I believe would honor Him. He is gracious when I fall, and He is pleased when I get up again and keep going. In all these things, I seek not to gratify my own desires, but to work out my salvation through Christ who lives within me. In human terms, and in my own eyes, I am a selfish procrastinator, frequently falling short of the expectations I myself and often others also rightfully have for me, and powerless to change myself or my bad habits of hiding in fear and making decisions based on what I want in the moment. But God has called me His own and now He looks at me as if I had never failed or come up short in any area. God sees me as good, righteous, and perfect, because His Son Jesus took my sin upon Himself and gave me His goodness to wear around me.
Now, God says, "Become the person that I see you as already being. Grow in goodness, come out of the slavery I freed you from, and be holy. Live for Me, not for yourself. There is greater joy and freedom in living solely for Me than you could ever imagine. Test that, and see if it be true. Let me show you Who I AM. Walk by faith instead of fear. Try it. I DARE YOU."
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." -Galatians 2:20
"Have I not commanded you? 'Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.'"
Knowing this, I am motivated to stop making decisions based on the nagging fears that may continue to present themselves in various forms, and instead to rely on the knowledge that the God who created the universe and has sustained it for thousands upon thousands of years, is right here with me always, and faithfully resides within me constantly, no matter where I go.
Though I'm sure there will be many more weeds of fear for God to pull from my heart and life in order to create more space for the fruit of the Spirit to grow there instead, this next phase of growth is one in which I think some accountability may be helpful. Ergo, inspired by some who have utilized this mode of expression and accountability before me, here is my blog. Mostly for my own benefit, but open and transparent enough that it will be harder for me to allow myself to quit early because I will know that I am not the only one that knows or that might be affected.
Here is the deal...
As I have a voice recital coming up in exactly 8 weeks--October 24--I have MUCHO work to do before then if I am to be prepared to give a performance God would be proud of--i.e. one for which I have put forth my utmost effort to diligently prepare and present my best for His glory. I also do not have a structured schedule this semester other than whatever schedule I create for myself, because I don't have any real classes to attend (unless we count my Monday voice lesson and the Thursday studio class that goes along with lessons). There are a number of elements that can help me prepare, but having an overall structure of good habits and a healthy lifestyle is not something to be overlooked, as is has significant potential to contribute effectively to my ability to present my very best vocally, musically, and expressively.
Specific goals:
1. Get up at 5am each morning Monday thru Friday, & no later than 6 or 7am on Saturdays and Sundays.
This is a HUGE one, because it is the very first decision of the day, deciding whether to start my day out for myself--i.e. getting up 'whenever I FEEL like getting up'--or giving the day to God--getting up at a strategically pre-selected time in order to most effectively, diligently, and joyfully make use of the time God has granted in this new day. This allows time each morning to accomplish certain core things before other pressing matters arise, to fight to conquer procrastination by radically getting ahead from the start.
2. Set aside some time during this early part of the day to seek the face of God.
This has hopefully obvious importance, because this whole endeavor or set of goals WILL end in failure, as so many similar attempts have done, if it is not reliant upon God to give me strength and endurance and ultimately to be the One Who brings me through all the way to the finish line (in this case, October 24, but it applies to the rest of my life afterward as well, until I SEE Him face to face). What happens during this time may consist of a number of things at this point--prayer journaling, Scripture reading, Scripture study, prayer for friends' concerns, listening to Scripture read aloud (via audio recording), singing prayers/praises, etc.--as the main focus right now is to establish a habit of setting this time aside and seeking God at the beginning of the day.
3. Physical exercise--at least 30 minutes/day at least 3-5 days/week.
It should most often be in the morning during that 5-8am window, but if going to the athletic center at school on some afternoons (when I don't have to be at work) ends up replacing or adding to that early morning time of exercise, then that's great also.
4. Eat well--thrice per day.
This is healthy for obvious reasons, and my hurdle often occurs as a lack of planning, resulting in a lack of intentional grocery shopping, resulting in a lack of useful food stuff for cooking and creating lasting meals for a week or two at a time. Fulfilling this goal will involve planning ahead (which implies planning a time for planning) what to cook, keeping/making lists of what to buy, and following through by taking the time to cook or prepare whatever food has been planned and purchased for a given meal.
5. Practice diligently.
Between 9am and 1pm each day, if not longer--allowing for some variation based on eating lunch, my work schedule, day of the week (voice lesson Monday & seminar Thursday), and possibly a minimal number of other factors I am not thinking of right now--I plan to be on campus at Belmont practicing or researching/writing for my recital paper. I need to be strategic about how, how much, and what to practice each day, trying to keep things as consistent as possible from day to day and week to week so as to avoid the need for extra planning.
6. Keep up with household things.
Laundry, dishes, vacuuming, tidying, other cleaning, etc. Let's just say if there's any good habit set of regularly accomplishing these things, that will be an improvement. :-p
7. Keep close track of my money, and use it responsibly.
8. Update this blog.
9. Call friends/family to catch up, see what new things I can pray about, etc. - at least 2 per week.
10. Don't watch TV.
These goals (and there are others I'd love to add but this is plenty right now) may sound a little radical--if they don't, then it's probably because you don't know me very well :). Seriously, I have got to be one of the LEAST disciplined people you could ever know, not that I'm proud to say it but it's the honest truth. However, this makes the goal all the more worthwhile, because, as I see it, I am like the altar soaked with 12 buckets of water, which God sent a fire to utterly consume. I've tried enough times to know that my own determination falls entirely short, and this is impossible for me to actually accomplish. If transformation happens, it's all God, not me! Through His strength, Your encouragement, and my endurance, I hope God will use these goals to grow me during these next 8 weeks and to know Him in deeper ways than I ever have before.
Not only in the obvious ways through creating the habits themselves and reaping the benefits of each one of them, but also by virtue of creating discipline in my life, as I Timothy 4:7 says to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness." I won't say that my motives are always pure, but holiness and the glory of God are motivations that make victory possible and the fight worthwhile. Ultimately my objective is not to draw people's attention to me because of some 'oh-so-incredible' performance at a recital, nor to impress them through my religious practicing of certain disciplines in my life--that's aiming for a moving target, and people will disappoint. If these were my goals, I would be intimidated and give up, or I would try and disappoint myself. However, my objective in these things is obedience to God in what I believe would honor Him. He is gracious when I fall, and He is pleased when I get up again and keep going. In all these things, I seek not to gratify my own desires, but to work out my salvation through Christ who lives within me. In human terms, and in my own eyes, I am a selfish procrastinator, frequently falling short of the expectations I myself and often others also rightfully have for me, and powerless to change myself or my bad habits of hiding in fear and making decisions based on what I want in the moment. But God has called me His own and now He looks at me as if I had never failed or come up short in any area. God sees me as good, righteous, and perfect, because His Son Jesus took my sin upon Himself and gave me His goodness to wear around me.
Now, God says, "Become the person that I see you as already being. Grow in goodness, come out of the slavery I freed you from, and be holy. Live for Me, not for yourself. There is greater joy and freedom in living solely for Me than you could ever imagine. Test that, and see if it be true. Let me show you Who I AM. Walk by faith instead of fear. Try it. I DARE YOU."
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me." -Galatians 2:20
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