Reviewing 2012 & Eagerly Expecting 2013!

HAPPY (belated) NEW YEAR!!!

  Yes, I know today is now the seventeenth day of January. Yes, I know that we are well into our way into the near year. But... It has been a busy couple of weeks & this is the first time I have had time to sit down & reflect on what God has been doing in my life... So... Here we go!

2012: A Year in Review

 Please check out my photography blog for a photo post of highlights from 2012. Thank you! :)

 My highlights/ favorite events from 2012 were...
The annual CHEF Conference (& Scottish Ball!) in June,
Traveling to Yellowstone in June
Making some new friends,
And...
Beginning a Courtship with Mark in August!

Favorite memory from 2012: Dancing at the CHEF Ball with my best friend!!! :)

The most impacting lesson I learned in 2012 was to: learn to surrender my precious dreams to God! [You can read more about that journey here, here & here]

Verse of the Year: Isaiah 55:11 (For context, click here)

Best books I read in 2012 were: Jesus Culture by Banning Liebscher & It's (Not That) Complicated by Anna Sofia & Elizabeth Botkin

Summary: 2012 was a hard year for me. Full of lots of decisions, stretching, trials & pain. But it also had its highlights, that's for sure! Not as much growth as I would have liked. God taught me a lot during the year- about Himself, His Faithfulness, myself, life, family, love, friends... He was (& still is!) Faithful, Sovereign & Good. He had a Plan & a Purpose (Romans 8:28) for the Path He took me on! Looking back now, it sure was a crazy ride, that caught me by surprise (in a good way!)... :)

My top 5 most popular devotion blog posts of 2012 were: Avery John Notgrass, What is "True Modesty?" Part II, Guard Your Heart, Joshua Steven Eddy: Go With God & A Multi-Generational Vision.

My top 5 most popular photo blog posts of 2012 were: CHEF Scottish Ball Photos I, Conference Photos Part III, Conference Photos Part I, Last Conference Photos- Part IV & CHEF Paintball Event.




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So, in hindsight... Some questions for you:
What were the most significant events in your life & your family in 2012?
What did you read that most impacted you the most in 2012?
How did your relationship with God change in 2012?
What was the most important life lesson you learn in 2012?
What was the most significant decision you made in 2012?
What habits (good & bad) did you form in 2012?
What is your favorite memory from 2012?

2013: Expectations!

New Year's Resolutions: None (I don't believe in them).

Some of my goals for 2013: Make improvements/ growth concerning my character, journal daily (not going too well so far), pick a verse for the year (soon!), read 52 books (one book a week) in the year (4th year running, still unaccomplished, as of yet!), as well as some personal goals, not to be blasted all over the Internet! ;)

Expectations for 2013: Growth. Change. Major life changes. Um... Yeah. We're gonna leave it at that! ;)

Prayer request: Character growth! I desperately need to grow in the areas of maturity, trust, discernment & wisdom!

Verse of the Year: ??? (undecided, as of yet!)

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So, looking ahead... Some questions for reflection:
What are some of your "New Year's Resolutions"?
What do you expect God to accomplish this year, in your life?
What areas of your life most need improvement?
How are you a different person, than you were a year ago?

Have a blessed New Year! May 2013 be the best year yet!!! :)

Unrepentant Sin

Two years ago today, I lost one of my friends & mentors to the Consequences of unrepentant sin. Memories are rushing through my brain... It seems like it was just yesterday... How quickly time flies by!

This one situation changed the way that I view everything- God, faith, family, life, love, marriage etc. Not a day goes by that I'm not affected by it... September 2010 was the hardest thing that I have ever walked through.

It taught me the utter importance of accountability. A person is a lot less likely to make decisions that will adversely affect the community around them, if they walk in accountability with other believers, being mentored by older Christians...

"A lone ranger is a dead ranger..."

It taught me the importance of community. My Church family grew a lot stronger & closer together, as the result of this event. I have never seen so many people from so many different walks of life pull together & rally together as the result of this decision.

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love & good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another,
& all the more as you see the Day drawing near..."

- Hebrews 10:25

It taught me the importance of honesty and vulnerability. If we aren't honest with those around us & let them see our faults, weaknesses & sins, then we are twice as likely to do things that we wouldn't dare to do, if we were being held accountable.

"My lips will not speak wickedness,
& my tongue will utter no deceit.."

- Job 27:4

It taught me the importance of self-control. We must learn to bring our flesh, desires, thoughts, hearts etc into submission unto the Lord.

"But among you, there must be not even a hint of sexual immorality &
all impurity or covetousness, as is proper among saints..."

- Ephesians 5:3

It taught me the importance of prayer. Prayer changes things!

"Therefore, confess your sins to one another
& pray for one another, that you may be healed.
The prayer of a righteous person availeth much..."

^{- James 5:16}

It taught me the importance of holding our family & friends accountable. If I see one of my fellow believers backsliding & falling into sin, it is my duty before the Lord to humbly confront

"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression,
you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.
Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted..."

- Galatians 6:1

God is bringing Good from the Pain. He is working all things together for His Glory & our Good. He has a Plan & Purpose for all involved through this. He knows what He is doing. And we are trusting Him through this. :)

"And we know that God works all things together

for the good of those who love Him,
who have been Called according to His Purpose..."

- Romans 8:28

Do Hard Things Conference 2010- Recap

August 28, 2010

Today marks the two-year-anniversary since we attended the Do Hard Things Conference in St Louis, MO. Alex & Brett Harris' book Do Hard Things has changed my life. God used it at the exact moment that I needed to hear its message. The twins' message still daily impacts my life.

They've impacted my blog too. Particularly, my posts on "Walking With the Wise," modesty (Parts I & II here) & do hard things (Parts I & II).

I'll never forget that day. It was early, it was long, it was late. I spent it with some of my best friends. I made new friends that day too- great friends! We heard a great message, left inspired & ready to take on the world! 

Last year, Alex & Brett announced on their website that they're no longer touring the USA with the DHT message. Since Alex & Courtney got married & the twins are now done with College (at Patrick Henry), we're excited to see what God has in store for them next... Maybe they'll go on to write more books like their big brother Josh? :)

That day in 2010 also marked a major milestone in two of my friends' lives & the mess that followed that Autumn- the hardest thing I have ever experienced to date. That Autumn changed the way I look at everything.

 

As a refresher, some of the principles in Do Hard Things are:

5 Kinds of Hard Things

1) Things that take you out of your comfort zone (taking risks in order to grow)

2) Things that go beyond what is expected or required (pursuing excellence)

3) Things that are too big to accomplish alone (daring & dreaming big)

4) Things that go against the cultural norm (taking a stand for what's right)

5) Things that don't earn immediate payoff (being Faithful & choosing integrity)

I would encourage you to read the book, follow the blog & buy the Conference DVD today!

Walk with the Wise

"Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, 
but the companion of fools will suffer harm."
- Proverbs 13:20

You can tell a lot about a person by the company they keep.

"Show me your friends & I will show you your future." - John Kuebler

WOW. That is a sobering thought! Our friends do influence & impact us, even if we do not realize it or try to disagree. They influence our everyday decisions, thoughts, words & actions. Who we spend time with, who we idolize, who we pattern our lives after is who we will become. That is a scary thought!!!

So, some questions for you-

Who are your friends?
Who is impacting & influencing you?
Are they suitable companions for you?
Who is following whom, in this friendship?
Do they encourage you to walk in integrity, to follow the Lord's statutes?
Or do they discourage you from walking in righteousness?
What sorts of decisions do you end up making, when you are with them?
What kinds of decisions are they making in their lives?

"Do not be misled: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'"- 1 Corinthians 15:33

Don't be deceived. You might think that you are the one doing the influencing in this situation. Maybe you're trying to "missionary date" or are befriending someone, so that you might lead them to Christ.

I am reminded of a visual that my best friend tells all the time- One person is standing on a chair with another person on the ground next to them. They link arms. It is much easier for the person on the ground to topple the person on the chair & pull them off, than it is for the person on the chair to pull up the person on the floor. In the same way, it is much easier for unbelievers to pull us down to their level, than it is for us to bring them up to ours.

 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers.
For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?
Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 
What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?
Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?
What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?
For we are the temple of the living God."
- 2 Corinthians 6:14-16

"Do not be yoked with unbelievers." Hmm... A commandment. Pretty straightforward, if you ask me!

Another thought- Your friends are more than just the people you associate yourself with. In blog post entitled "My iPod Is My Best Friend," authors Alex & Brett Harris (founders of the Rebelution & authors of Do Hard Things & Start Here) give us this radical thought- your friends are anything that has an impact or an influence on you! Whether it's books, the Internet, movies, music, magazines or whatever. If you can't put it down; if it rules your pocketbook, if it consumes your time- it's a friend. [You can read the whole article here]

So I ask you again, what is influencing you? Where do you spend your time and money? What occupies your thoughts the most?

"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 
Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction;
whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 
Let us not become weary in doing good,
for at the proper time we will reap a harvest
if we do not give up."

- Galatians 6:7-9

Where are you sowing? Where do you spend your time? What will your harvest be?