Wednesday, January 12, 2011

my morning game plan

i am not a list person.
something about looking at a list overwhelms me and makes me feel all hemmed in.
if i were to make a list each morning of what i actually end up accomplishing
by the end of the day anyway, i might be prone to climb right back in my bed.
ridiculous right?
i guess i prefer the free bird feeling over the mark it off as i go plan.

i am however a very organized person who rolls better when there's a schedule around.
i like a game plan.

a non-list making organized scheduled rebel type A.
can you say conflicted?

anyway....
this year there are several things in which i have an interest, but debated  'joining the group'.
i think there's a little rebel inside of me that if i 'have to' it takes away the joy.
while i need accountability i also need flexibility too.


while i'm not big on lists
i am big on writing down dreams and journaling my thoughts
so
the other morning dan & i spent the morning together.
we head out on a date each week. 
forget movies and nightclubs, we're all about the eating.
eating out...definitely my love language!  ha!
anyway, over a hollywood omelet at The Flying Biscuit
i read off the litany of things i'd love to accomplish this year
which includes some pretty lofty dreams.
( yes, i did indeed make a list)

while i'll hold off on sharing some of those lofty dreams right now,
i will share a couple of the things i hope to have in my life on a daily basis.



~reading through the Bible in chronological order.

there's no right or wrong way to read the bible. not at all.
i am interested in seeing how the stories are connected.  cause & effect if you will. so i chose this particular order.

i've started this several times but am committed to finishing this year. i have one of my mother in laws bibles (actually i have several of hers ) but i will use her NIV Life Application each morning. 
she has written in the margin of every page. seriously. 
i can hardly wait to turn the page to see prayers and little notes that are years & years old.
just precious & priceless to me.


i use a 24/7 bible to give me the schedule to follow but use her bible to read the actual passages.
i have a little notebook that i use to journal as i go. i don't typically write my personal thoughts or interpretations in this book, it serves more as a what's going on journal.






i especially love the old testament stories. they are full of drama, revenge, family dysfunction, battles and war, sex, love and poetry.....which sets the stage for an amazing redemption later to follow.  
i've mentioned before i basically watch no prime time tv.
an occasional grey's or glee to bond with one of my daughters but that's it. intentionally. 
with all the aforementioned, who needs it right?



~scripture memorization.
thought about joining beth moore's group.
i looked the other day & she has 9000 comments from others joining in this powerful plan & wonderful accountability!
i figure i'd fall flat on bimonthly new scriptures by february,  so i decided to pick a passage a month to work on. period.


i keep these in a small 4x6 simple brand little book. picked up at target.
that way i can have all the scriptures i've memorized together.

i will also write them on little notes to keep with me
or on a chalkboard in my kitchen.
it's just what works for me.


this is my passage for January.
ephesians 3. 14~21
 For this reason I kneel before the Father,  from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name.  I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being,  so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love,  may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,  and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,  to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!
when i was growing up
i remember coming down the stairs
every
single
morning
& seeing my mom
sitting in the living room.  surrounded by notebooks, red pencils, prayer journals
bibles in multiple translations, picture of friends she was praying for,
etc

while i have already gotten behind & it's only the 12th of the month
it is my desire to show my girls
what matters to me.

my hope is to balance a schedule and accountability
with some grace and flexibility.
most of 2010, the girls came down one by one each morning
to find me on photoshop,  fb or blogging.

while these things are good,
i'm tweaking my schedule
& hoping they will see me spending time first thing in the morning
doing what is most important.



Micah 6:8
He has shown you what is good. 
And what does the LORD require of you? 
To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.

37 comments:

Maria said...

Paige, I love that you want to show your girls what is important to you! I think of how often I am vacuuming, cleaning, doing laundry, etc. While I love a clean home, none of that is as important as my relationship with Christ, with my husband, with my children.

This post just gave me some major motivation (not to live in a sty) but to release some of my OCD house tendencies to give more kisses, snuggle in together and put God above all else.

Have a beautiful day.

My Not So Simple, Domestic Life said...

I am LOVING this post! I can't wait to get over to Beth's site and join the club! I {heart} Beth Moore's ministry. Thanks so much for sharing!
~Katie

vintage girl at heart said...

what a treasure to have her bible with her notes in her handwriting...
and the memory of your own mother reading her bible..amazing.
you are an inspiration...

{A*very} Blessed Life said...

Wow Paige! This is awesome! Isn't amazing how we draw back to what we remember as children of what our parents did that really made a major impact on us! You are a great momma Paige to want to "show" yor girls what matters most through "doing" what matters most. I love your index cards. The more I get to know you through your blog posts the more I think, "This girl is like me!" I just wrote about not liking lists although I am admittted type A. I love the phrase "rebel Type A"! Perfect! Enjoy your day, Miss Paige. And thanks for the inspiration. P.S. Love those boots!

Kerri said...

Paige, I love this powerful post! Thank you! Just last night I pulled out Calm My Anxious Heart which I never finished last year. And ironically, I read the chapters on purpose and anxiety. These are the two things I need to work on this year! I am right with you! Oh how I wish we lived closer so we could chat over a cup of coffee or tea!

XO,
Kerri

slip4 said...

Another great post. I am almost finished my one-year chronological bible (it has taken 3 years) and I have found it so helpful in my understanding of when things happened in relation to each other. I also never realized how much of the bible is Old Testament! For some reason, it always seemed like half old, half new. Duh. Thanks for sharing...you are an inspiration!

Love Being A Nonny said...

Love that that is your memory of your mother every morning. And I love that it will be the memory your girls have of YOU. And I love the little Simple note card thingy from Target. But, I AM a list maker so I guess we don't agree on ALL things! Oh, and I LOVE Flying Biscuit. Will be in your city today and tomorrow. You may find me there!

3 Peanuts said...

Love those verses....the last one especially as I have been focusing on humility and posted about it the other day. I too want to memorize more scripture. We do not really do that in our church. I am going to Target today and getting one of those little notebooks to do exactly that!


LOVE you journal. I did not do that when I read last year. I underlined and asterisked etc...but never made notes. I should have...I am sure I would have gone deeper. I will tuck that away for the future.

You always inspire me sweet Paige!

traci said...

i love this. we are kindred spirits i think. i too have decided to switch from the computer to god in the morning. my house is quiet so really it is the perfect time. and i too have a bigger journal where i write more of how i am dealing with things written in the bible and i have a smaller journal with passages to remember. i will think of you tomorrow morning while i read and reflect. xo!

Leslie said...

I am so motivated after reading this! My heart is ready to open my life even more to Christ and reading the Bible needs to be my priority. My sweet little girl is always bringing her Bible to me asking me to read it to her, she just melts my heart. She talks about Jesus openly and honestly, I need to be more like her. Thanks for the push I needed, I am going to look for the 24/7 Bible today!!
We have a collection of old family Bibles in our home, some are in German, I just treasure them all and will display them prominently in our new home.

Anonymous said...

I've totally been working on this too. Neal and I get up at 5am every day to read together. Then Nattie will get up and join us. I love this. I completely agree with you that the old testament is fascinating! It's better than a blockbuster movie! (although Emma was reading in Genisis the other day and asked me what making love was... UGH!) Luckily she accepted a short answer for now! Maybe my 7 yr old should start with the new testament! Except for the fact that she found the story of abraham and isaac so fascinating!

Katie said...

Paige1 That is so great and something I am hoping for myself and my children. I used to be so good about early morning scripture studying and even joined the % O'Clock Club with Girl Talk, but that quickly stopped after I got pregnant and when I probably needed it most.

I hope you get some great quality time with the Lord and see a lot of fruit from this.

Jen Kershner said...

I love that you are so in tune to what your priorities are Paige. You are also a great roll model to those girls of yours.

melissa said...

As always ... you are SO inspiring Paige! I too am committed to reading the bible in a year (have attempted and failed in the past). I LOVE my NIV Life Application bible and also makes notes throughout. Hope some day others (maybe sons?) will cherish it as you do you MIl's :)
Blessings!!

Renee said...

Thank you, Paige. My goal is to read the whole Bible in 2011 as well. I have a Bible that if you read 12 pages a day, you can read the whole thing in 90 days. I started that a couple of years ago and just never finished. So, I picked up where I left off. For the simple reason that I have read Gensis and Exodus countless times, I'm pretty sure there are some treasures that I am missing. BUT...my intension is that when I'm done, I will go back and read the stuff in the begining. Mostly, so I know that I did the WHOLE thing in 2011. Good luck and happy reading!!! I pray that each of us reach our Godly goals this year. :0)

Dawn said...

Paige...oh thank you for this wonderful post. I have been inspired to read the bible through this year...I am using the one year bible which is not "my everyday bible", so I love that you shared you took notes because I wanted to put thoughts down somewhere. I am also going to go to Target and get one of those little card files...memorizing scripture is something I really want to do.

I think the biggest thing that struck me was, the first thing my boys have seen in the morning is me on my laptop, I used the excuse that the morning was a great time to "check in" on blogs, update mine, etc....but I have been thinking that it is not what I want them to remeber about me...so thank you for sharing your thoughts.

Thank you for all the inspiration

Lori Lucas said...

That post speaks volumes. LOVE it. Lori L

Between You and Me said...

no better way to start your day....and finish it!

the boys & I are memorizing Ephesians 6:1-24 this year...

So far, we've tackled the first twelve verses....it's one of my favorite times in the morning together....and they love it to!

you are a constant source of encouragement to all of us!

Tiffany said...

Paige, so inspiring and heartfelt.
thank you for sharing this part of your heart.

xoTiffany

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

We are two peas in a pod today. I've got my boots and jeans on (my uniform practically) and Im totally type A but hate lists. I didn't hate the as much when I was younger. More of a new thing. Lately I've been pondering, "Did Jesus have a to-list?" I think not. I think he just stayed connected with his Father all day. I want more of that!

Keep us posted on your scripture memory. Love your Ephesians verse.

Hugs,
Linsey

Bravehearted Beauty {formerly LLH Designs} said...

P.S. Thank you for your sweet, encouragng and affirming comment onr my post yesterday. People like you make it so much easier to be authentic in the blog world. Hugs!

Privet and Holly said...

Our congregation
recites Micah 6:8
at the end of every
service and it is my
guiding star. Good
luck with all of your
wonderful intentions,
Paige. You continue
to inspire me to reach
higher.
xx Suzanne

Sheri said...

Hi Paige - I just watched your video and it is awesome. I'm new to blog land and it's blogs like you that make me sit up until 3 a.m. reading - LOL. Your story is beautiful as is your soul and family. May God continue to bless you richly in 2011. :)

Kelli said...

This is so wonderful. How amazing that you have you MIL's Bible and will be able to see all of her notes. I for one LOVE to see Bibles that have been "lived" in...what a gift. I am also reading through chronologically and so far it has been a challenge, but one that I'm determined to do...to hear what He has to say to me. I would love my children to see me studying His Word often instead of seeing me on the computer as often...very true. I love those note cards and will have to be on the look out for them. I need to be better about memorizing Scripture and this would be a good tool. I pray for you to be blessed through this and truly grow more as a woman of God. God is using you to inspire others, me included :)

Adrienne said...

i have heard beth moore in person, speak, preach, what have you on the very verse you chose for january. wonderful and good for you! i too enjoy a daily study and reading... i just purchased the NIV New Womens Bible (Zonderman).... love!! i read my first womens bible over and over before finally passing it onto a friend.

Jennifer said...

I LOVE this post! This has to be one of the most inspiring and motivational posts I've ever read! I attend a Discipline Bible Study that is awesome but I love your ideas and would love to incorporate some of them into my study. I want to set a better example for my son, just as you are doing for your girls. Thank you again for being so open!

Team Houston said...

I started a Beth Moore Study last week called Believing God.

We are only in our first week but I love it so far!!!!

Love your blog.

Yolanda said...

I have never heard of the 24/7 bible I might have to look this one up and I may do like you and only memorize a scripture a month.

Adrienne said...

I just found your blog and I'm thrilled to see that you are doing much the same as my 'plan' for the year. I'm reading through the New Living Translation One Year Bible and using the Joyce Meyer Amplified Bible for a bit more study. And I'm doing the Beth Moore Scripture Memorization, too. I will be back again and again to see what you have to share. I feel as I found a new friend here today.
~Adrienne~

Julie said...

A long time ago, probably before kids, I used to do this, notes and everything. I've been thinking lately about my kids needing to see me in the Bible more.

I'm doing the BM memory thing. I hope I can stick to it.

Thanks for the motivation. xo

Restoration House said...

LOVE IT! Thanks.
Kim:)

Lemonade Makin' Mama said...

I love you.

Phil said...

Hi. What a great passage to begin 2011 with in EPHESIANS 3:14-21. I love it when God comes through big in fulfilling 3:20. My favorite Scripture memory website is www.memverse.com which could bring some additional encouragement and inspiration to your Scripture memory.

In Christ, Phil Walker philjohn1558@yahoo.com

Unknown said...

I so enjoy following your blog! I too am reading the Bible in chronological order! I'm a little off schedule, but am not going to let that stop me! I am also being challenged & held accountable by friends to memorize scripture...my verse this month is Ephesians 4:29.

Alecia said...

I have the same little 4/6 Real Simple book from Target for my scripture memory...I carry it in my purse! I love your ideas and I'm encouraged and challenged by your goals. I pray the Lord gives you grace for this new season and that you love every moment with the Lord and that the Word becomes so alive that you don't have to worry about your goals...you'll be running toward it with excitement and anticipation of what's to come!

Courtney Walsh said...

Paige,

This is hugely inspiring to me. In a world where people in ministry have let me down, where they've shown their true colors to be, well, not beautiful like a rainbow, it's so encouraging for me--the cynic--to see that there are people who truly do have a heart for the Lord. I want to be one of them again.

Vava (aka Virginia) said...

JUST found your blog and consider you my new BFF! :) We are on the same "plan" for our mornings. I'll be back here, fo sho! Like you, Beth's crowd overwhelmed me. I've got my methods...much like yours! Here's to our God-kissed mornings!