Putting Your House In Order

I'm excited to begin a series titled "Putting Your House in Order". This series of posts includes some of my bloggy friends who will be writing on other areas. I have been assigned the area of faith. I hope you will visit my friends!
Children: Connie from Smockity FrocksDecorating: Myra from The Casabella Project and My Blessed LifeFinances: Alyssa from Kingdom First MomFood: Jessica from Good Cheap Eats and Life as Mom

Order - I crave order. I make schedules and lists and plans and then the children wake up...and well - the order goes out the window! That's when I light my candle, put on some classical music and say a prayer for peace in our home lol!


Every year on January 1st, I attempt to get my spiritual life in order. I crack open a fresh, simple 5 subject notebook and transfer my favorite quotes and verses from last year's journal to this years journal. Then I write out my spiritual goals for the year and begin my first devotion of the new year!

I have been journaling since I was 16 - so for about 19 years (I'll save you the math - I'm 35 years old lol!).


So you may ask, what do I write in my journals? My answer: It's a massive plethora of stuff - that's why I get the 5 subject, college rule, notebooks!. I write:


1. My daily prayer requests. Sometimes they are in list form and sometimes I write out entire prayers.


2. Praises. Sometimes I write them in list form and sometimes I write out entire prayers of thanksgiving.


3. Confessions. I confess my sins in my notebook - yikes - do not let the kids get a hold of these lol! Lately, I have grown more private and I use code words or often I write the word "confessing" and then I pause to confess my sins but I don't write them down. The discipline of confessing is unnatural - it is easy to become neglectful in this area.


4. Verses. Often I write out verses from my quiet time that I don't want to forget.


5. Book notes - when I read a good book, I consider the author my mentor. Often times I journal quotes that have touched my soul.


What I don't journal:

1. Bad things my husband says or does. At one time I would go to my journal when we fought and just pour out my frustrations...to the Lord. Taking my frustrations to the Lord was good but journaling them not so good. Here's why...a few years later, I was reading through a journal and came to a point where Keith and I were fighting - oh it was ugly! All the feelings rushed back as if it had just happened only moments ago - what a tool from the enemy to distract me from the forgiveness and grace God had helped me to extend. I learned that day to no longer journal when I am angry...if you feel a need to write - tear it out and toss it - it's amazing how anger can be restirred up simply by remembering.



2. Bad things about others. Here and there in my journals, I express disappointment when a friend or family member has hurt me. It's amazing how years later, I can see my immaturity in some situations to the point that I am embarrassed of myself when I read what I wrote - sin is so evident all over the pages! I do not want to sin in my journal!


So it's a new year and time for new beginnings. It's time to get our spiritual lives in order. If you have never tried journaling, I encourage you to hit the nearest Target and get yourself an inexpensive notebook. I can testify that it has been a powerful tool in my spiritual life.


Next, start reading your Bible. If you don't know where to read, I have the perfect Bible study for you! TODAY, the on-line James Bible study launches over at my sister site GoodMorningGirls.org. We have over 135 Good Morning Girls Groups and over 935 Girls enrolled from all over the USA and in Brazil, Korea, Austria, Germany, Canada, Scotland, Australia, and Croatia. You do not have to have a Good Morning Girls Group to participate in the James study! Join Angela on Mondays, a link up on Wednesdays and I'll be there blogging on Fridays.

Here's a video from Angela with all the details:

Join me for the James Bible Study as I put my house in order starting with my spiritual life.


Walk with the King!


The Be My Valentine Marriage Challenge and Link Up begins this Wednesday!