Setting Goals

Have you noticed how many writers were captivated by fall? Jane Austen helped me to notice, in "Persuasion" she wrote :

My favorite piece outside of this is F. Scott Fitzgerald's "life starts over again when it gets crisp in the fall." Now, I know, it snowed the other day, BUT, it's fall until the day after Thanksgiving. 

 

Like Austen, "every poet worthy of being read", Fitzgerald, and probably even you, fall inspires me.

Fall is a time for me to reset. Resetting looks like reflecting on what has happened and resolving to adjust, change, or continue. 

This year, my fall resolves or goals look like this:

* Get the last few credits I need to FINALLY complete my degree. (College got off to a roaring start for me back in Jan 2008. I worked sooo hard through 2010. The last few years have obviously been spent NOT doing school.) - Math credits and Public Speaking credits have been waiting. 

 

* Study writing and set aside time to write. This is my "reward" after finishing ^that^. I'm putting together a list of resources that I plan to go through. 

* Find a "from scratch" recipe for alfredo sauce. 

* Begin journaling recipes again.

* Get your hair healthy, trim a tiny bit every six weeks no matter what. (Since I cut my own hair, it's not about saving $$...I just need to do regular trims.) 

 

* Keep DRINKING from that fountain of living water that God has led you to! If you haven't been reading, this just means read the Bible and asking God to use it to show me more of Him. 

 

What are your goals? 

 

Do you have a favorite quote about fall?

Longing for More

Yesterday, I wrote about how we are here to DECLARE and DEMONSTRATE the good news of the Gospel.

After listening to ND Wilson's message at the Desiring God National Conference, I was reminded of something that makes this NEED even more real to me. 

You see, there are other versions of supposed "good news" being spread. I'm going to be really blunt here. These other versions are straight LIES. 

The worst part is, they are lies that WE believe. 

Wilson said, "Every effective lie appeals to man with a false gospel release. A release from your guilt, a release from your burdens..." 

Look around you, our souls are LONGING for more and all around us are OFFERS to satisfy that longing.

There is a battle going on.

If your soul has been satisfied in God, it is your JOY to share that satisfaction you have found with others. 

Today, OBSERVE some false offers, some of the lies, that are being spread as versions of "good news". 

I apologize if it makes you feel discouraged...

Remember, THAT place of discouragement is where your soul dwelt before God came in.

 Realize that that dark place is where the majority of the souls around us spend their entire LIVES. 

This is bad news. 

Click ^^^ for a list of all the posts in this series.

Living Coram Deo

-Chapter Two-

All about "God, My Heart, and Media", this chapter holds its fair share of issues. Craig Cabaniss speaks clearly when he challenges Christians to take discernment seriously in all areas of their lives. 

This chapter specifically deals with visible media: magazines, TV, internet, movies, theatre, and even person to person communication. Christians must consistently and actively hold everything to the Word of God in order to determine wether it pleases God. 

This life long task is not done legalistically, because it is not rooted in a desire to gain or earn God's favor. Rather, it is done in love with a desire to have more of God and live like it. The grace God bestows upon salvation is the source that lives on and manifests itself in God-pleasing lifestyles. 

I came away from this chapter with one broad thing:

I need to take time to evaluate both the quality and the quantity of my media involvement. 

I leave you with one quote from the text:

"Watching coram Deo leads to acting coram Deo." 

(p.60)