Day 2: A new name, a better focus

Good morning! I hope you’re all still asleep as I’m writing this—no one should have to get up at 6:00 on a Saturday morning… but Roo hasn’t learned that yet. So here I am.


I am excited to share with you what I put together yesterday. First, the name. Our church has been doing a sermon series on James called “A Working Faith.” The idea is that salvation is not through works, but faith in Christ should produce action. In other words, faith without works is dead. (See James 2:17) And isn’t that really what I am trying to do? I want to serve and honor Christ in my everyday life. And so, I bring you… “Faith in Action”, my 31-day journey.

As I mentioned yesterday, my task for the day was to list my resolutions for each day, but also to define my broader goals—what do I really want out of life? I want my individual tasks to relate to my goals—I don’t just want them to be some random jobs to do. It took a lot longer than I thought it would, but I am very pleased with the results. Some of the days have a bit of a theme to them… On Sundays I’ll be working on a gratitude journal and I’ll have a prayer focus for the day; on Mondays I’ll be focusing on health & wellness; and on Thursdays I will be doing kind acts for others with my kids. But the rest of the days are just filled in with the various tasks on my heart.

So here, my friends, is my completed list.

Faith in Action

Key Verse: “Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.” James 1:22

Goals:
• To serve God in everything I do (“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.” Colossians 3:23-24)

• To grow in Christ (“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.” Colossians 2:6-7)

• To share the love of Christ with those around me (“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” Matthew 5:14)

• To be a better wife, mother, and friend (“Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:12-14)

• To serve others (“Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4)

• To be content in the Lord regardless of my circumstances (“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!... I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” Philippians 4:4, 12b-13)

• To use my time, skills, and resources effectively (“Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:15-16)

• To be healthy, honoring God with my body (“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies.” I Corinthians 6:19-20)

Tasks:
• July 1 – Create list of goals & resolutions

• July 2 – Read my Bible every day, using this guide

• July 3 – Start a gratitude journal, pray about using this month to serve & honor God

• July 4 – Health Day: Exercise 3 times per week throughout this month (starting today)

• July 5 – Create a cleaning schedule of my “regular” duties (so that I don’t get overwhelmed and just give up on them)

• July 6 – Pursue a ministry opportunity (I have a more specific task in mind, but I’m going to choose not to share it on the blogosphere!)

• July 7 – RAK Day: Bake a treat for someone

• July 8 – Read a book with my husband (throughout the month)

• July 9 – Write a note of encouragement to someone

• July 10 – Gratitude journal & prayer focus on marriage

• July 11 – Health Day: Make sure I get at least 5 servings of fruits & veggies each day this week

• July 12 – Make a special dinner for my hubby

• July 13 – Finish my Mozambique journal

• July 14 – RAK Day: Make a card and/or craft with someone

• July 15 – Invite someone to dinner (the dinner doesn’t have to be that night :-) )

• July 16 – Write a thank-you note to someone who has been a help to me

• July 17 – Gratitude journal & prayer focus on kids/family

• July 18 – Health Day: Drink at least 5 glasses of water per day this week (I know it should be more, but considering that I usually drink 1-2, I think this is a good place to start)

• July 19 – Host a thank-you dinner for everyone who provided support for my Mozambique mission

• July 20 – Work on a project around the house that I have been putting off (So many to choose from…!)

• July 21 – RAK Day: Make dinner for someone

• July 22 – Do a special project with Monkey

• July 23 – Limit my internet time to 15 minutes/day for the next week

• July 24 – Gratitude journal & prayer focus on ministry opportunities/direction

• July 25 – Health Day: Track the food/calories I eat this week

• July 26 – Write a love note to my hubby :-)

• July 27 – Invite someone to church

• July 28 – RAK Day: Kids’ choice :-)

• July 29 – Do a special project with Lamb

• July 30 – Pray for a friend… while they’re listening! (Way out of my comfort zone…)

• July 31 – Gratitude journal & prayer focus on relationships

So… wow, that seems doable, right? I am so excited to share with you as I go through this month. I hope that you will be inspired to grow and maybe formulate some goals of your own. If you do, would you share them with me? I said this yesterday, but you can post a comment about your goals here, or you can post on your blog and leave a link. I would love to know if you do a journey of your own, whether it is 31 tasks like mine, a general list of goals that you’re aspiring to, or even just one simple thing you’d like to accomplish. There is strength in numbers, friends.


Alright, I’m off to feed my little guy his breakfast, then read my Bible, then head to 2 parties. I hope you all have a great weekend!