Goodbye 2019...Goodbye Decade

Hello 2020

In these closing hours, I’m ready for a new chapter. I’ve been too busy to both look back at this past year and embrace the possibilities of the next ten years, but I’m ready for something new. What; I don’t know...yet, I’ll take the next weeks to quiet myself so I can listen to God. 

But this I do know will guide me into the new decade.

Consider Jesus. 

Know Jesus. 

Learn what kind of Person it is I say I trust, love and worship. 

Soak in the shadow of Jesus. 

Saturate my soul with the ways of Jesus. 

Watch Him. 

Listen to Him. 

Stand in awe of Him. 

Let Him overwhelm me with the way He is. 

John Piper

Perhaps that’s the only launch I need. 

Pastor Duane has been encouraging us to enter Sabbath rest, a time to tune out all the noise and focus on the LORD.  He reminds us that it looks different for each one of us, but it needs to be intentional.

Saturdays seem to work best for me and I'm trying to make Wednesday mornings a midweek break from the chaos as well. All said, it's a lot easier for someone who has raised her kids and retired from the workforce. Even so, I have to make it happen.

I have a beautiful handmade prayer journal, a gift from my dear sister-in-law; it's filled with prayer prompts: quotes from pastors and writers, prayers I've copied, some I've scratched myself.  The pockets are filled with Bible verses I'm memorizing and a running log of prayer requests.

It's such a treasure that helps me focus.

John Piper's thoughts direct my Sabbath rest. 

Consider Jesus. Know Jesus.

Learn what kind of Person it is that you say you trust and love and worship.

Soak in the shadow of Jesus.

Saturate your soul with the ways of Jesus.

Watch Him.  Listen to Him. Stand in awe of Him.

Let Him overwhelm you with the way He is.

                                                                              John Piper

What does your intentional time with God look like?

Let's encourage one another.

Salty Joy

John Piper says it so well! 
"The taste of life people are aching for is to see a person who is happy in the midst of pain; who's got something so deep, so unshakable, so indomitable and invincible that when all around their soul gives way, their joy doesn't give way...That would be so salty, so bright, so bright that it would look like the glory of God on earth...You'll be the salt of the earth. You'll be what the world needs and even what the taste buds of their soul are longing for and they don't know it."
Happy in the midst of pain...not lighthearted, not fun to be around...instead, Confident!  Unshakable confidence in the sovereignty of God.
Paul and Timothy, with their hearts wide open, declared their state: sorrowful, but always rejoicing: truth for the church at Corinth, truth for us, and truth for those considering a place on a pew.
Authentic suffering held together with deep conviction that God is doing a profound work in the midst of our pain...sounds like JOY that invites souls to taste and see that the LORD is good. Salty joy!