Scripture Memorization

One of my goals for this year is to memorize one Scripture passage (not necessarily just one verse) a week.  So far, so good.  Today, via Ann Voskamp, I found this great (and free) memory aide.  I tried it out and it is awesome!  Go take a look.  Try it out with John 3:16.  I've got a widget over to the right from there with my current Scripture.

Why memorize Scripture? 

Chuck Swindoll wrote, "I know of no other single practice in the Christian life more rewarding, practically speaking, than memorizing Scripture... No other single exercise pays greater spiritual dividends! Your prayer life will be strengthened. Your witnessing will be sharper and much more effective. Your attitudes and outlook will begin to change. Your mind will become alert and observant. Your confidence and assurance will be enhanced. Your faith will be solidified." (Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life [Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994], p. 61).

Dallas Willard says in a piece entitled Personal Soul Care, "This practice of memorizing the Scriptures is more important than a daily quiet time, for as we fill our minds with these great passages and have them available for our meditation, 'quiet time' takes over the entirety of our lives."

But the best reasons of all are found in the Scriptures themselves.  Here are only two of that multitude of reasons:

"Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee."  Psalm 119:11

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."  Psalm 119:105

Blog Makeover

Okay, people, do you just love it?  The new blog look, I mean.  I adore it.  I just have to brag on my designer, Sharon from Plumrose Lane.

I have been having blog problems for quite some time that I didn't know how to fix.  Stuff on my sidebar was not showing up.  Header all lopsided.  And no one I knew could help me.  So, I contacted Sharon and started all over.  She fixed my kooky sidebar and she came up with a blog theme that I just adore.  I mean, it had to have daffodils, of course.  But the keys, crowns, vintage sheet music, basically all the things I like and have meaning to me -- she managed to put them all together and create something that is SO me.  And for a VERY reasonable fee.  She was also extremely pleasant to work with and so very timely.  No moss grows under her feet!  I cannot recommend her highly enough!

THEN, my husband saw her great work and wondered if she could do the same creative and intuitive work for him.  She could.  She did.  Pop over to Prosperous and Successful and gawk at how gorgeous it all is!  Well, I don't know if Gabe would like the word "gorgeous", but it is!

And if you'd like, go ahead and grab my blog button over there on the right side and display it on your blog.  Even if you couldn't care less about promoting my blog, it is such a pretty piece of art!  Prosperous and Successful has a button, too.  I'm sure he wouldn't mind a bit if you grabbed that button, too!

Winter Manifesto

2011

banner pattern by Tracey from Notes From a Cottage Industry

Naturally, this time of year, there’s a lot of talk about goals and the love/hate relationship we have with New Year’s resolutions. Instead of resolutions, I like to start my new year with a clean slate of what I’d like my coming year to look like. I do try to write down some goals and some aspirations. The past few years, I’ve given the coming year a word or name that summarizes my goals, my mission statement, my vision for the year.

A vision is how you see your life to be in the future (what you will be).

Goals are how you will accomplish your vision.

A mission statement is a short, concise statement of purpose.

Last year, my word was “Yes.” I think I’ve used “graciousness” a few times. (It’s a big motivation behind my personal vision.) This year, I’ve been vacillating between several words.

I’ve written about vision before. About having a vision. About having a written-down vision. That not having a vision in writing is the same as not having one.

Having written goals is as important as having a written vision--if you are planning to accomplish them. Goals without a vision can get you going in too many directions. Goals with a vision keep you focused and give you a great impetus to success.

So, to keep my focus, I’m once again going to name my year. Words I have contemplated for 2011: Here, Balance, Organize.

But, I think I’m going with FREEDOM.

Freedom from stress,

freedom from clutter,

freedom from debt,

freedom from the past,

but most importantly, freedom to be who God wants me to be.