Day 3: Time Squared- Spending your most Valuable Resource

"A man who dares to waste one hour of time has not discovered the value of life."

-Charles Darwin

Todays chapter of One Month to Live is something that I'm sure everyone could really use some work on... Time Management! Now this doesn't mean getting more things done at work or juggling extra homework. This day and age, life is so hectic and crazy, we can't stop and "smell the roses." We can't enjoy the Life that God has given us. Ask yourself this, when is the last time you really sat down and did something you really really loved and enjoyed? When is the last time you had a nice dinner with your family or close friends and just done some catching up? We only get so much time in life. Why not make every little second count. Because when that second passes, it's gone forever.





"Make It Last for Life"

1. Pastor Kerry and his wife Chris have asked me, you, whoever is taking on this journey with me, to make a journal this week of how we spend our time each day. And this goes from rating how productive our day was to how content we were with it.
2. Now they have also asked in todays lesson, what was the biggest waste of time in the past week? Did any of it pay off for you? Was it a distraction or entertainment? And is there a better way we could have spent this time to receive a greater impact?





I definetly know there are many moments in life that I waste. Those times where I sat up and watched TV for hours, I could have spent time with my grandparents. I could have taken a walk, spent time with God reading the bible, or just checking up on some friends to see how their life was doing. But I let those moments pass, and I would hate to let those moments pass to where it was too late and I couldn't have the chance again. Lets start making every moment count. Do something today you haven't done in a while that you really enjoy.

Prayer Requests:

This is something I also want to start throwing into my blog every day. I don't know why I didn't think of it sooner, but anyone who has a prayer request, whether it be unspoken or not, feel free to comment every day or just message me and I'm sure whoever else is reading this could pray with you and so will I. I do have a prayer request of my own today. Now we are all humans. We all make mistakes. But we also can all be forgiven if we ask the Lord to do so. Well I don't know if this is pregnancy, but I get a little touchy with people every now and then. Some people just annoy me. I ask that the Lord gives me strength, keeps me calm, and remain a lady of Christ.

I do have another prayer request for myself also. There has been a certain someone that seems to be trying everything in their power to bring me down emotionally. I can't stand that when I'm trying to bring myself up, they are constantly pulling me down. I pray that I have strength through this and also pray that the Lord is with that person and heals their heart as well as mine... You can't get anywhere being a bully.

Pray for my friend Leslie's mother, for my friend Erica's stepdad, for my friend Jessica's growing little baby girl in her tummy, and also for my brother-n-law.

Praise:

This is also another thing I want to start doing.

I just want to Praise my friend Scooter for doing this book with me along with many other people in the world. He is really taking in what this book has to offer and is making some awesome changes in his life. It makes me happy to see him happy.



 
 

Day 2: Roller Coaster- Riding the Big Dipper

"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma - which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of other's opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."

-Steve Jobs

If you're like me, there have been many opportunities arise in your life and the only "logical" answers your half-witted mind could come up with was "Ehhh... not today! I've got things to do," "I'm not doing that. That seems too risky. No way that would ever work out," or maybe it's just "Someday I will, but i feel my life needs to be more stable."

Don't you just hate having to grow up? So many responsibilities! I loved being a little kid and not having to worry about going to work, pay bills, or even my love life. The only thing I was ever concerned about was when I got to go out and play. But unfortunately, grown up life isn't that easy.

I don't know how many times when I was a little girl I got in trouble for procrastinating on what my mom had asked me to do. She would always say "You don't do it when you feel like doing it. Do it when I asked you to." Well believe it or not, this is what we're doing in God's eyes.

Today's chapter is all about putting away the "Someday" notion. Stop Procrastinating in life. Make every moment count...for good! A lot of the time, we are so afraid to step out of our boundaries because we're afraid of getting hurt, judgement, looking stupid, or even getting your heart broken. But when we do this, we are missing out on the life that God has intended us to have. He has created such an amazing life for us, but we just don't listen.

"Make it Last for Life"

1. If you were certain your life would end in a few weeks, what would be your biggest regret? Why?
2. In what area of your life are you suffering from the Someday Syndrome? Realize that TODAY is your Someday.

For the past week, I've been reading through the books of Joshua and Judges in the Old Testament. I'm not sure who all has really read the Old Testament but it's pretty harsh. I honestly had to sit down with my dad and ask, "Why is he being so mean and sending people to go kill?" You wanna know what his answer was? Well good because I'm going to tell you. He said "That's because God is a jealous God. All of those other people in the town that they were going to slay, were putting other idols before God. They did things the way they wanted to and didn't look to him." Thank goodness he sent his perfect son Jesus to die for MY sins, for MY imperfectness... because there is no way I would have made it past the age of around 5...when I became accountable for my actions. So to answer question 1, My answer would be missing out on all the God has had to offer me, but I just rejected what he had to say.

Its time to get back on track. Stop living the life you want to live! And stop saying "Someday I'll change or get around to it." It may be fun for now, but there are much bigger and better things out there when you start living your life in accordance with him. Now this step is going to ask for a lot of Faith. For those of you who don't know what Faith is, Faith is "the strong and unshakable belief in something, especially without proof or evidence." (World English Dictionary) Stop settling for less than what your life was made for. It doesn't have to be anything drastic, but even the smallest start helps. I know many of you have heard, 'Kindness is contagious,' and it's nothing short from the truth.

 Stand up for what God is asking you to do and how to act. You may think you look ridiculous, but when you take a step back, those people that are looking down on you or judging you are actually the ones that look moronic. And you never know, you standing up for what you believe in could actually change the decisions of entire group.

"Make it Count Moment"

Are you doing anything in your life right now that requires Faith? If not, then why? Are you looking from God's perspective or from everyone elses?

"Therefore we are always confident and know that as long as we are at home in the body we are away from the Lord. We live by faith, not by sight. We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. For we must all appear before the judgement seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

2 Corinthians 5: 6-10 (NIV)

Day 1: Living the Dash

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord and shun evil.

This will bring health to your body

and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the Lord with your wealth,

with the firstfriuits of all your crops;

then your barns will be filled to overflowing,

and your vats will brim over with new wine"

Proverbs 3:5-10 (NIV)

So I'm not sure who all is reading this book and going on this same journey with me, but what I'm going to do throughout this blog is give you a little description of what I've read and what It is teaching, then I will share how it is affecting me and how I'm doing throughout each day.

This first chapter is pretty much an introduction to the book. It lets you know what the book is designed to do and what it was written for. Now this book is not intended for you to really live as if you had one more month..its not asking you to go out and quit your job, spend all your money, etc. Its progress. To start living your life to where you are no longer ashamed of it... To be the best father/ mother, husband/ wife, be a good example to others,and showing God's grace in everyday situations.

My dad has always given me an example.. You can't fill up a glass with Tea and expect milk to pour out. What you fill your mind and your soul is what will come out. As he always says, "trash in, trash out."

At the end of every chaper is what Pastor Kerry likes to title "Make It Last for Life." What this does is it offers ways to act on what has been presented in that chapter. So today on Day 1, It presents us with 3 things:

1. Without really thinking, what 5 things would you change in your life if you knew you had only one month to live. Choose at least one and begin changing it today.
2. Describe how you would like your life to be different in one month after reading this book. What drew you to purchase this book and what is going on in your life to make you want to think about who your are and your purpose here on earth?
3. Tell at least one other person- friend, family member, or coworker- that your reading this book. Ask that person to mark their calendars for one month from today and to ask you how your life has changed.

Well the first question really got me thinking. I could list a lot more things than just five. But since I'm sharing this journey with you, I will let you know what five things I put on my list.

1. My foul language
2. Respecting my friends and family more.
3. Reading the bible daily and doing my devotional
4. Getting rid of the trash that is bringing me down (whether it be media, friends, lifestyles, etc.)
5. Lust

Today I decided to start focusing on my language problem. Didn't really take notice to this problem until maybe about a couple of weeks ago when I wanted to start doing better for myself. Goodness gracious, never really noticed how trashy it sounds either. Now I'm not sure who all is in the same boat as me, and I hate to say it, but I've been using such foul language for such a long time that they just seem to be "filler" words to me... and Lord help me when I'm on the road, drop something, or injure myself. This has really got to stop. No way I want my son to use that type of language.

So today has been a challenge. One or two words did slip throughout the day, but this is also progress. Not everything is going to change over night but at least I'm trying.

Second question I have already answered at the very beginning and start of this blog project. If you don't know what I'm talking about please refer to it.

And last question asked me to tell a family member, friend, or coworker that I'm reading this book and there were soon to be changes in my life. Well I did all three. My friend Scooter is taking on this book with me and I couldn't be happier. I thank the Lord so much for having such a close friend do this with me. Accountability!!

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it."

1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

The Reason

Well some of you may already know that I am bringing another life into this world very soon. His name is Preston Randal and I couldn't be more excited that I'm having a son. With saying that, I also couldn't be more scared. Throughout my life so far, I thought I was a pretty "alright" kid. I've never been arrested, I've never done drugs, never killed anyone, and so on. But I have been in and out of bars, I haven't been the nicest person to people, I haven't really watched my language, etc. I just pretty much did what I want and thought as long as I wasn't going to jail, I was doing pretty good for myself and was doing better than a lot of people my age. But in reality I wasn't. I haven't realized that until just recently.

Now some of you may laugh at me and think this is a total joke but I really want to change myself for the better. There are so many things that I've done in my life that I'm not proud of. It's sad when you feel like you can't talk to some of your family because you feel like they are judging you...and who can blame em'. For the longest time I've been wanting to get close to my sisters. I hate to think that they don't like me and can't stand being around me. I want my parents to be proud of me again...and I want my son to look up to me and not be ashamed that I'm his mom.

To be honest, I'm scared to be a mother. This is one of my greatest fears. I know I'm not the only one and this is a fear to most soon to be mothers but I'm just so scared that I'm not going to be able to provide for him, or care for him, or bring him up into this world like a little boy should. I want him to have a great life... a godly filled life. But being the one raising him, I can't teach him the right things if I'm not right myself. Can't teach about God if you don't know him.

So this is my first step.. I have to start somewhere. I am now attending The Fellowship of the Woodlands in The Woodlands, TX. The lead pastor and his wife, Kerry & Chris Shook, have written a book that some of you may have heard of already, One Month to Live. This book is a 30 day challenge to a no regrets life... to live as if you had One month left. It's time to make each day matter. I want to live each day as God has intended me to live- passionately, fully alive, and with no regrets.