Happy New Years Eve

Hi Gals,

Can you believe it's going to be 2012 in less than 24 hours? Wild! I remember when 2000 hit and we thought Y2K was going to blow up the world. I also remember that was the year my family got our first computer. It was huge. Likely comparable to a tank and here I am on my little MacBook Pro. Dah! Babies born today will grow up knowing Facebook, Twitter, Smartphones, and Kindles as the norm. Gosh, that makes me feel freakishly OLD! Y'all are younger than my youngest brother. WEIRD!

Enough with my sap and on to you and Jesus. I'd love for you to focus your time with the Lord today on Psalm 100. As you read through this text, dig deep and contemplate over these three things:

1. What does this Psalm say about who God is?
2. What does this Psalm say about people in general?
3. What does this Psalm say about me (how does it apply to me)?

With 100 in mind, I'd love for you to write down 100 things that you're thankful for from 2011. You'll be surprised at how easy this is and will give you an optimistic and focusing on his faithfulness (v. 5).

On the Planning Note...

Yesterday Kendra gave some very good insight into planning for the new year. I'm a HUGE planner by nature. FREAKISH actually. You could call me "Type A". I mean, I'm the TSC coordinator. My job is one constant plan. I plan almost everything, but have learned (on most days) to hold them with an open hand and to be flexible. One message that influenced my thinking about planning is Proverbs: Planning by Mark Driscoll. I'd recommend it because it gives a very clear picture of what it means to plan biblically and even gives some practical tips (which I always appreciate)!

We all know plans change. So, if something isn't working for you and it's in your power to change it (and you're feeling the Lord give you the "go ahead") then just do it! For instance, Joel and I have done a year-long bible reading plan the past two years. It's been awesome to read through the Word, have some accountability and to read together on some days of the week. However, after getting through 1/2 our plan this past year, my husband felt overloaded (He was working full-time ministry with growing responsibilities and was getting his Masters of Theology) and felt like he was reading his year long plan to get it done instead of reading to know God more, fall in love with him, and obey Him for His glory. So we stopped and changed our plans. I jumped into an in-depth study and he headed through some New Testament books at a little slower pace. That said, hold your plans with an open hand and be diligent to seek the Lord when creating them. Lets be honest, the only constant in life is change! One of the clearest relational examples of us with God in the bible (like we just read in Ch. 9) is marriage. If Joel and I don't plan to spend time together or plan to go on vacation, etc... it won't happen! If you don't put some effort into planning out your relationship with the Lord for the coming year, you'll end 2012 disappointed. Spend some time praying about where the Lord would lead you this year (if you haven't already) and ask him for direction.

Over the past month I've sensed a deeper desire to really dig into the life of Jesus. To know Him more (as silly as that may sound).

I have a variety of "plans" (personal, marriage, friendship, home, family, etc), but here are my "relationship plans" with Jesus for 2012:

1. Do the Beth Moore study "Jesus the One & Only" with a TSC gal (Spring)
2. Read & discuss "Jesus + Nothing = Everything" with my Leaders Group (Spring). 
3. Most often, listen to the bible in the car (iPhone App). I'll be focusing on listening and re-listenging to Psalms, Proverbs & the gospels. 
4. Memorize 1 verse/every 2 weeks (see link below).
5. Create prayer cards for particular people I'm committed to praying for (and choose a verse to pray over them for the year, also written on the card). 
6. Be a constant reader and learner. Make more reading/studying plans as the year goes on and adjust as needed!

Yesterday, Kendra mentioned that I've been doing a scripture memory "plan" for the past year. It's been really encouraging! I found this "plan" on Beth Moore's blog. I'm a HUGE Beth Moore fan. If you've never heard of her, click here.  I've done a ton of her bible studies (and am doing another one starting in Jan), read her books, follow her on twitter, and when I have time to read blogs-- I read hers! Not ONLY does she love Jesus and hold tightly to His Word, she is HILARIOUS and so REAL! You can find the in's and out's of the scripture memory plan here. Even if you've tried a million different things and none of them have really worked or you've never stuck with it, I HIGHLY recommend this and use a similar structure for some Salt gals I lead regularly.