Day 17 - hard to believe that we're almost done!
How is your habit going? Is it starting to feel 'normal' to you?
Being that we are coming close to the end of our 21 day journey, it makes me think of a thing that Leslie and I do.
Whenever we are in the middle of a process - usually one that has a clear beginning and end - we plan to do something fun at the end of it to celebrate. I remember when we completed our bible school together, we celebrated. I remember that when we took our last group through 301 we had them join in a celebration (one that they didn't see coming :-)).
So as we're on the verge of completing this journey, I ask you: what will you to do celebrate? Sleep in? Take the family out for ice cream? Buy yourself a porsche? (If you choose the last one, I would like to speak with you. I have a business proposal for you.....Just kidding :-))
Whatever it is, I recommend that you do celebrate. However you decide to do it - choose something that celebrates the completion of your journey. Establishing a habit is not an easy thing. As many of you have found out, it takes determination, focus and consistency. Going through with it and achieving a new normal is something to be celebrated!
Question for the day: What will you to celebrate the completion of your journey?
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Twenty One Days - Day 16
I was supposed to run yesterday, but I didn't.
It could have been due to any number of things. Schedule, busyness, laziness - the fact of the matter is I was supposed to run, but didn't.
This is an interesting position to be in. As we were researching this series, we read what Rick Warren (pastor of Saddleback church) had to say about establishing habits. To summarize, he said that in doing the 21-day journey if you have one lapse it can be fatal to your journey.
I think the key word there is can be.
Sure, if I get down on myself, start beating myself up, I believe that the lapse could be fatal. I could decide to quit now. Maybe wait a couple weeks and then take another stab at it.
But here's what I decided yesterday: I'm not going to let my disappointments define my life. I'm not going to focus on those. Not in my 21 day journey or in my life.
Sure, I missed a day. But I've got 15 days where I didn't. I've got time, energy and sweat invested into this journey. And you know what - I'm not going to let it become that big of a deal to miss a day. Today I'm back on the wagon right where I left off, and I'm going to run 3 miles today.
So today I'm choosing to look ahead, rather than behind me. I'll focus on what I can do with today, rather than what I didn't do with yesterday.
Question for the day: Have you missed a day on your 21 days so far? If so, are you focusing on the day you missed or the days you didn't miss?
It could have been due to any number of things. Schedule, busyness, laziness - the fact of the matter is I was supposed to run, but didn't.
This is an interesting position to be in. As we were researching this series, we read what Rick Warren (pastor of Saddleback church) had to say about establishing habits. To summarize, he said that in doing the 21-day journey if you have one lapse it can be fatal to your journey.
I think the key word there is can be.
Sure, if I get down on myself, start beating myself up, I believe that the lapse could be fatal. I could decide to quit now. Maybe wait a couple weeks and then take another stab at it.
But here's what I decided yesterday: I'm not going to let my disappointments define my life. I'm not going to focus on those. Not in my 21 day journey or in my life.
Sure, I missed a day. But I've got 15 days where I didn't. I've got time, energy and sweat invested into this journey. And you know what - I'm not going to let it become that big of a deal to miss a day. Today I'm back on the wagon right where I left off, and I'm going to run 3 miles today.
So today I'm choosing to look ahead, rather than behind me. I'll focus on what I can do with today, rather than what I didn't do with yesterday.
Question for the day: Have you missed a day on your 21 days so far? If so, are you focusing on the day you missed or the days you didn't miss?
Monday, August 4, 2008
Twenty One Days - Day 15
The team that has come back from Uganda shared some great stories last night at Collide. Stories of the different places they went, the people they interacted with and the incredible ministry things that happened while they were over there. (They will be sharing those stories, as well as showing pictures and video, this coming Sunday morning at GCF.)
As a couple of them shared their stories, I got the distinct feeling that once they got their feet under them and got used to the surroundings, they were able to establish some momentum going from one meeting to the next and that God used them in powerful ways.
Momentum is so important for us this week as we are seeking to finish strong. John Maxwell writes, "With enough momentum, nearly any kind of change is possible".
Hopefully by now you have established some sort of momentum in your 21 day journey and, as we discussed yesterday, you can start to feel your habit become normal to you.
As we go into this last week of our journey, I hope and pray that each one of you will continue on with this process so that in 6 short days you will indeed have a new normal in your life!
Question for the day: Is there anything coming up in your week that will be a threat to the momentum that you have established? If so, how are you planning on dealing with that?
As a couple of them shared their stories, I got the distinct feeling that once they got their feet under them and got used to the surroundings, they were able to establish some momentum going from one meeting to the next and that God used them in powerful ways.
Momentum is so important for us this week as we are seeking to finish strong. John Maxwell writes, "With enough momentum, nearly any kind of change is possible".
Hopefully by now you have established some sort of momentum in your 21 day journey and, as we discussed yesterday, you can start to feel your habit become normal to you.
As we go into this last week of our journey, I hope and pray that each one of you will continue on with this process so that in 6 short days you will indeed have a new normal in your life!
Question for the day: Is there anything coming up in your week that will be a threat to the momentum that you have established? If so, how are you planning on dealing with that?
Friday, August 1, 2008
Twenty One Days - Day 12
You already know this but life continues on day by day no matter what "other" things happen in our life. The sun rises and sets, meals need to be made, children need to be dressed, work needs to be done! In the course of regular life we are trying to interject a new idea, a new thought. It's easy to let it get lost in the furor of life. And yet one of the most important concepts for us to grab hold of is to keep our new normal at the center of our thinking.
Today it has been difficult to write this blog. The problem - I slept in later than normal. Yes I know I'm on vacation and yes I know I am free to change the routine but the truth is that today illustrates my point perfectly. Since I am getting at this task later in the day I am surrounded by a whirlwind of activity. The boys are up and full of life and vigor. They want to play. Their voices rise and fall or should I say rise and then rise some more. Needless to say the distractions are amazing. They just want Grandpa to play Lego Star Wars or Indiana Jones or help them finish their wooden models that Grandma bought for them. And then of course, the inevitable happens. They end up in a little spat with one of them crying and the thought process is interrupted or should I say destroyed!
I can empathize with you as you navigate daily life. I understand how our new normal can get lost in the stuff. The first step to being on top of things is to be aware of some of the pitfalls. Watch and pray is a good exhortation for us today. Plan to set some time aside to do your new normal and include God's help as you do. He wants to be close to you today.
Today it has been difficult to write this blog. The problem - I slept in later than normal. Yes I know I'm on vacation and yes I know I am free to change the routine but the truth is that today illustrates my point perfectly. Since I am getting at this task later in the day I am surrounded by a whirlwind of activity. The boys are up and full of life and vigor. They want to play. Their voices rise and fall or should I say rise and then rise some more. Needless to say the distractions are amazing. They just want Grandpa to play Lego Star Wars or Indiana Jones or help them finish their wooden models that Grandma bought for them. And then of course, the inevitable happens. They end up in a little spat with one of them crying and the thought process is interrupted or should I say destroyed!
I can empathize with you as you navigate daily life. I understand how our new normal can get lost in the stuff. The first step to being on top of things is to be aware of some of the pitfalls. Watch and pray is a good exhortation for us today. Plan to set some time aside to do your new normal and include God's help as you do. He wants to be close to you today.
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Twenty One Days - Day 11
Halfway - yeah! You have done so well persevering these first 10 days. Thankyou for the comment Rebecca. Your experience indicates so clearly the process we are walking through. When we determine in our heart to be diligent with a new behavior it suddenly rises in our consciousness. We are more tuned into it and it begins to become a part of our routine - almost automatic. I still remember when teaching school a long time ago I was ready to go for my mile and a half daily run. I had just finished marking a set of exams my students had written and actually said with real joy in my heart, "Finished! I now get to go for my run." I have never been a natural runner and so I actually startled myself with this enthusiastic anticipation.
These days I don't run anymore but I spend time working out on my elliptical. When I am focused on getting daily exercise my day seems incomplete without carving (and I mean carving) out the time to work out. There are so many other things to do but if I'm going to get some exercise I simply have to prioritize it or it won't happen. I'm sure that's what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Unless we make seeking God a priority it doesn't happen naturally. Now that you've decided what is important to you, keep it as a priority and do it every day. Making time everyday to read God's Word and talk to Him will strengthen you to finish the course. Only 10 more days to our new normal.
I hope you are planning to tell us a bit about your story on August 1oth. What is your new normal? At least part of the Sunday morning will be set aside to hear from you.
Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not loose heart." In "due season" is in another 10 days. Keep on keeping on! May God bless you as you walk through another day of your new normal
These days I don't run anymore but I spend time working out on my elliptical. When I am focused on getting daily exercise my day seems incomplete without carving (and I mean carving) out the time to work out. There are so many other things to do but if I'm going to get some exercise I simply have to prioritize it or it won't happen. I'm sure that's what Jesus was talking about when He said, "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." Unless we make seeking God a priority it doesn't happen naturally. Now that you've decided what is important to you, keep it as a priority and do it every day. Making time everyday to read God's Word and talk to Him will strengthen you to finish the course. Only 10 more days to our new normal.
I hope you are planning to tell us a bit about your story on August 1oth. What is your new normal? At least part of the Sunday morning will be set aside to hear from you.
Galatians 6:9 says, "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not loose heart." In "due season" is in another 10 days. Keep on keeping on! May God bless you as you walk through another day of your new normal
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Twenty One Days - Day 10
Video games are a normal part of my Grandsons life. I never grew up with video games. In fact the first vido game I played was in the middle of the night at a truck stop on Christmas eve on our way to Florida with some friends. We had our three children with us - Keira was just 4 months old. Our van had some mechanical problems and Malachi (that was the name of the mechanic) was workng to fix the starter. I still wonder to this day if he was an angel. Two o'clock in the morning - on Christmas eve - somewhere in Georgia - are you kdding me? Anyway it was at that truck stop that I was introduced to video games.
Max's favorite game (for right n0w) is Star Wars. From the time he wakes up and any free moment he has it is his chosen passtime. I remember when my children got the newest system out - Nintendo 64. We played together for many hours on end. After the kids were in bed I would go back and play some more. It quickly became an obsession - to beat the game (by the way I was the first one to do so).
An obsession! Those words are a little ominous. King David said, "One thing have I desired, to dwell in the house of the Lord." What is it that you are obsessed by? What is it that controls your time, your energy? It may be mindless activities or it may be really good things. But what about your relationship with God? Where does He fit into your schedule? I have found that when I give Him priority in my life other things fit easier. I get more accomplished with a greater degree of peace. On our way to our new normal why not give God the rightful place He deserves in your day and just see if your new behavior/habit isn't more easily accomplished. God encourages us to try it, to "taste and see," to try His ways.
Keep it up! Keep going! Today we pass the half way mark to "your new normal."
Max's favorite game (for right n0w) is Star Wars. From the time he wakes up and any free moment he has it is his chosen passtime. I remember when my children got the newest system out - Nintendo 64. We played together for many hours on end. After the kids were in bed I would go back and play some more. It quickly became an obsession - to beat the game (by the way I was the first one to do so).
An obsession! Those words are a little ominous. King David said, "One thing have I desired, to dwell in the house of the Lord." What is it that you are obsessed by? What is it that controls your time, your energy? It may be mindless activities or it may be really good things. But what about your relationship with God? Where does He fit into your schedule? I have found that when I give Him priority in my life other things fit easier. I get more accomplished with a greater degree of peace. On our way to our new normal why not give God the rightful place He deserves in your day and just see if your new behavior/habit isn't more easily accomplished. God encourages us to try it, to "taste and see," to try His ways.
Keep it up! Keep going! Today we pass the half way mark to "your new normal."
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Twenty One Days - Day 9
Yesterday, as Jennifer and I were driving in our van, I made a very honorable suggestion to her. In a moment of extreme godliness I suggested we take the next week and decide to speak positively about everything we encountered or thought about. After a short silence we looked at one another and a little snicker broke into a laugh. We talked about what a great idea it was but how difficult it would be.
Have you ever given yourself a challenge like that and then realized the ramifications of what you have just proposed for yourself? Easier said than done - right? We were just beginning our eargerly anticipated vacation and were looking forward to some "down time." The truth is that in our walk with the Lord there is no down time. We have an enemy that doesn't take vacations - he looks for every opportunity to trip us up. Vacation doesn't give me the right to behave badly - just because I want a break from the regular routine. And especially when we make a decision to change something for the better about ourself.
Today the sun is shining and we are getting ready to go and watch "The Prince of Egypt." It's a free movie provided for children. Tristan has been looking forward to going to see it with Grandpa and Grandma J for several weeks now. It's one of his favorites. Free admission works for me - and the popcorn is only a dollar. I love popcorn at the movies. Oh well, so much for the popcorn - not this time! But I'm on vacation! What does that have to do with anything?
We're having a great time with the boys!
Have you ever given yourself a challenge like that and then realized the ramifications of what you have just proposed for yourself? Easier said than done - right? We were just beginning our eargerly anticipated vacation and were looking forward to some "down time." The truth is that in our walk with the Lord there is no down time. We have an enemy that doesn't take vacations - he looks for every opportunity to trip us up. Vacation doesn't give me the right to behave badly - just because I want a break from the regular routine. And especially when we make a decision to change something for the better about ourself.
Today the sun is shining and we are getting ready to go and watch "The Prince of Egypt." It's a free movie provided for children. Tristan has been looking forward to going to see it with Grandpa and Grandma J for several weeks now. It's one of his favorites. Free admission works for me - and the popcorn is only a dollar. I love popcorn at the movies. Oh well, so much for the popcorn - not this time! But I'm on vacation! What does that have to do with anything?
We're having a great time with the boys!
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