Word of the year: Trust

As I mentioned in my first blog post of the year, my word of the year is TRUST. I hope throughout my posts this year, I will be able to show you what I am learning about the word and its place in my life and world around me. When I decided I would pick a word for the year, the word "trust" just stood out to me. I heard it over and over and knew that was the word I should focus on. I may not have chosen the word, but it was definitely chosen for me. My goal in focusing on this word is to learn more about it and to share with you what I am learning. I will be sharing quotes, Bible verses, and stories about trust.

Quote for the day:

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.” 

― Corrie ten Boom

Lastly, I would just like to share my inspiration for this word of the year challenge. I know a lot of authors that I like focus on a word each year, but I was inspired by "One Perfect Word" by Debbie Macomber. 

Here is a link to more information on her book: http://www.debbiemacomber.com/books/one-perfect-word

Why?

In the past few days, my family has had many discussions about why things happen. Some of the discussion is even centered around the question: "why does God let certain things happen?", things that we don't like or want to see happen.  

The questions are many:

Why are we not content with where we are?

Why do children get cancer? 

Why is there this much hurt in the world?

Why do people we love have to die?

Why? Why? Why?

And while I don't know the specific answers to the individual questions, situations, and people, I do know God knows the answer. He see the big picture. 

In John 16:33 Jesus says, "I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world."

Here are a few of the things I have been thinking about and learning in the last few days:

1. Jesus has overcome! Death will not win. Those of us in Christ have the promise of eternal life. 

....“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55 NIV

2. Jesus heals all our hurts. He will comfort us when we are suffering, no matter what our suffering may be. He also heals in His timing, maybe here, maybe in Heaven with Him. 

3. Our time here is just a blink of an eye compared to eternity. We will have trials. He never promised it would be easy. But when we look at things in the grand scheme of eternity, we have hope that there is more. 

4. Lastly, I want to live in light of eternity. Are the desicisions I am making today really that important? Will they make an eternal effect?

***I started writing this blog post on Sunday, but I wasn't sure if I was ready to share it. I think it hurts, because even though I am writing these things, it is still hard to live these things out. It is hard to see the hurt in the world, the hurt in my own family and the families around me, and still believe and trust. But we are called to do so. 

So I am trusting by faith...

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. Hebrews 11:1 NIV

 

2015! A new year, new resolutions!

This year I decided I wanted to try for 5 resolutions/goals for the year. I am also picking a word for the year. One other new thing I am going to try this year is a vision board. I'm still working on what that will be! 

Below are my goals/resolutions:

1. Journaling more! 3-5 times per week

- I'm using the app Day One for this. The app has reminders. It also allows you to add a picture to the journal entry. 

2. Bible reading, studying, memorizing (Listening to bible on cd)

-I have the dramatized Bible on cd in the NKJV that I am planning on listening to. 

3. Learning new things/trying new things (12x)

-Not sure what these will be yet!

4.Read 50 books (at least 10 non-fiction)

-I'm keeping track on Goodreads and also planning on using this book challenge I found on Pinterest. 

5. Pray more specifically and intentional 

-This includes prayer journaling. I'm also trying this method: http://www.liesyoungwomenbelieve.com/index.php?id=2277 

Word of the year: Trust

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Proverbs 3:5-6 NIV

Remembering the Real Reason for Christmas

Christmas is one of my favorite holidays. I love all the holidays, but Christmas is so special. There are so many traditions and memories surrounding Christmas. Some good, some maybe not so great, and some even sad...

My mom has always made the holidays special and so memorable. In turn, I still want to make the holidays great. I get caught up in the planning, the gift buying, the decorating, the baking, and all of the "things" of Christmas. This year, is no exception. 

Today I saw this little picture on Facebook from an author. 

It is the "WHO" we celebrate. It is about the family and friends around us, but even more importantly, it is about Christ coming to earth. He came as a just a babe, a very unlikely Savior. He offered hope to a world in darkness. Today, He still brings light to the world. 

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:2, 6 NIV

And Christ also calls us to bring light to the world. 

In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. (Matthew 5:16 NIV

I look around me and see so many people in need. There is so much hurt in this world. I pray that this season we can shine for Christ! And be there for the people in our lives. It may be that we have to give up the "things" of Christmas. We may have to let a lot of things go. We must remember what is most important and share Jesus' love with the world this season and always. 

Favorites - Christmas Songs

I have many favorite Christmas songs. In fact, I probably like Christmas more than I like any other genre of music! It is hard to narrow down favorites, so I will share a few. A lot of these are sad songs, but I dearly love them. 

One other note, I am very strick when it comes to playing Christmas music. It cannot be played before Thanksgiving, unless it is in July. (There is just something about "Christmas in July"). I recently found a song that shares my feeling very well. 

The Day After Thanksgiving by Brandon Heath

Listen to it here: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XvmLSk9C3Js

My list:

-Going Home for Christmas by Steven Curtis Chapman

-Christmas Shoes by NewSong

The following songs by Matthew West:

-The Heart of Christmas

-One Last Christmas

-Give this Christmas Away

-I heard the bells on Christmas Day (love the Johnny Cash version) 

-I need a silent night by Amy Grant

-Toy Packaging by Sara Groves

-Christmas with a Capital C by GoFish 

And many, many of the traditional songs as well. 

Here are a couple of my favorite Christmas CDs: 

Tears of the Sea by MaryLu Tyndall - Book Review

I had never read a book about a mermaid before, so I was a little unsure whether I would like that type of genre. But I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the story. I loved the allegory weaved throughout the story. It reminded me of the Chronicles of Narnia, The Little Mermaid, and the Pirates of the Caribbean movies all rolled into one fun story. 

There is a lot of depth to the story, while at the same time it is like one of the fairy tales you read growing up. The whole story has you cheering for the heroine to find true love, everlasting love. And of course you want to see the curse lifted... 

The icing on the cake is the fact that my favorite parts of MaryLu Tyndall's books are ones that take place on ships, and in this story, much of the time is spent on the ship or on the sea. MaryLu Tyndall's books have yet to disappoint me and this is another well written books. It will make you want to keep reading! 

Abandoned Memories by MaryLu Tyndall

Abandoned Memories by MaryLu Tyndall

My book review for Abandoned Memories! 

Abandoned Memories is the third book in Tyndall's series, "Escape to Paradise". This book does an excellent job of weaving the whole series together. There are many different story lines going on in this series because each of the characters seem to have some kind of past that they would like to a escape from as the series title suggests. However, this new settlement may not be the "paradise" that these individuals are looking for. 

Throughout this book, and the entire series, the characters struggle in real life situations. They want to be free from their past, but something is holding on to them. 

In Abandoned Memories, the story reaches the climax and each character we have met must come together and work together to face their past, present, and possibly their future in the new town. But the question remains, will their past hold them back or will it make them stronger in order to face their current trials?

I thoroughly enjoyed the ending of this series, Tyndall does such a marvelous job of tying all the books together. I have to say when you get to the epilogue, you will have enjoyed all three books from start to finish, and there is quite the finishing touch. Make sure you read all the way to end, for the last few chapters and the aforementioned epilogue were my favorites!