Develop a Habit of Change

My one resolution for 2013 is:

Develop a Habit of Change

I don’t want to be satisfied with the status quo nor do I want to have a false sense of security with my worldly possessions…to become so blindly contented with my surroundings that I cannot accept change or that I would stop wanting to change.  And that is a scary thought.

Why do I need to develop a habit of change? Because I am easily distracted and truly fear that I will atrophy without a plan to develop a new routine, a new rhythm that will excite a movement towards change.

I recently read this:

“The way you spend the first 21 days of 2013 will set the pattern for how you spend the next 344 days of the year.” ~Carey Nieuwhof

That is really true. And from personal experience,  I know that I must be intentional about developing a habit of change and the best time to start is now.

Here are five areas that I want to improve in…to develop a habit of change:

Develop a Habit of Daily Personal Worship

Developing this spiritual discipline is crucial for becoming mature and equipped. It is not just a religious thing to do. It is a spiritual channel through which God’s glory, grace and truth continually flow into my life. To develop a lifelong habit of embracing Jesus in daily personal worship, I will do this for 21 days and will repeat for another 21 days and another…

Develop a Habit of Mentoring

Establishing a monthly routine of consistently meeting with one or two people to mentor. This will take discipline to set aside a few hours every month to meet with a friend(s). I like seeing the names of friends written on my calendar! On the flip side of this, I need to be mentored as well. I’m very encouraged and blessed to have a friend write my name on her calendar!

Develop a Habit of Organized Journaling

I keep a small notebook handy and carry it with me when I travel (a lot of great ideas come to mind when sitting in an airplane), I tend to clutter the top of my desk with post-it notes (creative ideas jotted down) and I always use the “Notes” app on my iPhone or iPad during meetings. I need a simple solution to stay organized in this area…so I will learn how to use Evernote.

Develop a Habit of Hobby

I will focus on improving skills in two creative outlets: water-color painting and photography. I’ve grown to appreciate the fact that God is very creative and the more I learn about Creator God, the more creative I become.

Develop a Habit of Storytelling

I want to be intentional about telling my children and my grand children wonderful stories about the history of our family. We have been rescued. We are continually rescued.

“Generation after generation stands in awe of your work; each one tells stories of your mighty acts.” Psalm 145:4 (The Message)

“Stories we heard from our fathers, counsel we learned at our mother’s knee. We’re not keeping this to ourselves, we’re passing it along to the next generation–God’s fame and fortune, the marvelous things he has done.” Psalm 78:1-4 (The Message)

How about you? What areas in your life do you want to change? What kind of habits are you developing?

This Book & Mark

I think I shall read the “King’s Cross” by Tim Keller over and over again. This book is for those who are looking for a closer connection to Jesus and Christianity. It is an unforgettable look at Jesus Christ, and one that will leave an indelible imprint on every reader.

“It is an extended meditation on the historical Christian premise that Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection form the central event of cosmic and human history as well as the central organizing principle of our own lives.” ~Tim Keller, King’s Cross: The Story of the World in the Life of Jesus

I’ve taken my time reading this book, underlining phrases, making notes, turning down the corner of pages while I also study the gospel of Mark…which is why this book is so alive with meaning.  Keller focuses on the gospel of Mark and describes the essence and depth of being a child of the King and how to appropriate all of that truth into the now.

Reading, King’s Cross along with the gospel of Mark has been the best thing I’ve done this summer to help develop the habit of spending time daily reading God’s Book, and meditating on His word.  Selecting a “study book” to companion my reading through the gospel of Mark was a good idea, especially since both books are a page turner.