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)