Life Changing Habits

Matthew 6:21

Where your treasure is, there your heart is also.

At the beginning of every year, resolutions are made.  But for many of us (me especially), they are soon forgotten and I'm back to old habits.

A few years ago - I dumped resolutions and determined to make life changes.  Meaning, when July rolled around, I was still working on my habit change.  (One of my first changes was developing the habit of not only being on time - but being early.)  I still work on this! Yet, I'm so much better than I used to be.  

Between our Making a Difference Women and Girls Conference (much to tell you tomorrow!) and Iron Sharpens Iron (NEXT WEEK!) - we want to empower and encourage you to make meaningful changes and habits to your everyday life.  Habits that will bring eternal results.

With that said, first up:

Iron Sharpens Iron - Friday, January 17th

Register HERE

General Session

One Woman, One Family; One Generation

The Power of One Woman in her Corner of the World

Do you realize the power and influence one woman can make within a family?   When one woman determines to exchange her religion for a relationship (regardless of denomination) -  a family can be changed.  When a family changes, an entire generation can change.  It's Biblical and it's happening now in the 21st century.  

In the General Session, you'll learn:

• The difference between religion and relationship with Christ -
• How to establish a vibrant quiet time that makes for impact in your everyday life -
• Practical tips for life priorities and meaningful life impact within your family - 
• Modern day testimonies of God changing families and generations because of ONE WOMAN.

Workshop

Growing Stronger Roots in Prayer,

Tools for Organization and Growth

Do we realize the power of prayer?  Do we realize that even the simplest of prayers release the unlimited power of God into a person's life or situation?

Tara will be releasing her new Prayer Journal, Growing Stronger Roots in Prayer.

She will be teaching:

• Basic fundamentals of prayer -
• How to hear God speak in your everyday life and situations -
• How to hear promises for yourself and family through Scripture.
• How to begin praying promises over your family or situations.

This workshop is for the seasoned believer or the girl that seeks to grow beyond God is great; God is good.  

Friday, January 17, 2014

General Session - 11:30am - 1:00pm

$21- Now through January 15th 

$25 - At the door

Workshop - 1:15-2:00pm

$5 with lunch

$15 for workshop only

Location:

MacGregor Downs Country Club

430 St. Andrews Lane

Cary, NC 27511

You will not want to miss either session.  Hope to see you there!

Second:  Women and Girls Conference - more tomorrow!

10 Ways to Honor your Mom and Dad

(I realize some of you may have had a difficult childhood.  See note below) 
 

Ephesians 6:2-3

"Honor your father and mother" - which is the first commandment with a promise -
that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth.

I did not realize this until today.  The commandment to honor your parents is the first commandment TIED TO A PROMISE.  God promises "it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life."  
Clearly, parent honoring is IMPORTANT TO GOD!

What are ways we honor our father and mother?

1. Be intentional about spending time with them - regardless where they live.  (Not just during Christmas and Thanksgiving.  Be intentional about doing activities they enjoy and talking about their life - not always about YOU!
2. Be intentional about staying in touch - whether you live across the county or across the country.  Skype and FaceTime are now available.
3. Be intentional about being good to them - ask the Lord to give you creative ideas.
4. Be intentional about showing them respect and speaking to them with respect.  (What is your tone of voice?  Being careful NOT embarrassing them in front of others.  It's also disrespectful when we make them feel old, irrelevant or not understanding the times...) 
5. Be intentional to live in peace.  If your relationship with your parents is strained - be the one to apologize.  "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."  Ephesians 4:2
6. Be intentional about setting healthy boundaries if your parent is unreasonable or verbally abusive. 
7. Be intentional about appreciating them.  Tell them on a regular basis how much you love and appreciate them.
8. Be intentional about honoring your in-laws.  God considers them your parents as well once you marry.
9. Be intentional to take care of them as best you can with a clear conscience if they are in need of help.
10. Be intentional about modeling the importance of extended family to YOUR children.  If you make extended family important... Chances are, your children will make YOU important later in life.

My only living grandmother lives in an Assisted Living facility.  My mother and my 2 aunts travel a great distance EACH DAY to check on her; to spend time with her; to take her out for coffee or ice cream.  Many days, they sit on a urine smelling sofa in the TV room, just to be next to her.  Visiting with her...  Sometimes just sitting in silence.

What an amazing example they are to me and the rest of the family.  Teaching us to honor your parent - even when it's not easy or involves great sacrifice. 

For this to be the first commandment tied to a promise, clearly it's IMPORTANT TO GOD.

New Year Challenge

Genesis 6:9

Noah was a righteous man...and he walked in close fellowship with God.

I love the start of a new year.  Something about the year flipping feels like a clean start; a new slate; a do-over; a mulligan (for you golfers.)

There have been some years, I desperately needed a fresh start. 

During those tough years, (and since) I've asked the Lord to give me a fresh word for the new year. A word of hope.  A word of encouragement. 

He has graciously answers when we ask with simple faith.  Let me share some example:

• "But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."  Phil 3:13-14

Another year it was:

• "Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress."  Isa. 9:1

My verse this year: 

• "If Your Presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here."  Exodus 33:15

You will not know what these verses mean.  But I do.  It is God Almighty Himself, speaking personally to me in a way that only HE and no one else can as I choose to walk with Him each day.  Spending time listening to His quiet, reassuring, loving voice.  

I received a note yesterday from a KGM Team Member.  Let me share her words:

"On New Years Day, I was reading Psalm 90.  This verse struck my vision like a laser!  Psalm 90:12  'Teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom.'  This MUST be  my verse for 2014.  365 days.  God was speaking loud and clear to me." 

 

As we start the New Year - I challenge you: 

1. Ask the Lord for a personal Word for the upcoming year. Do you need hope?  Wisdom?  Direction?  A Purpose?   He'll do it!  It's the fruit of walking in close fellowship.
2. Then write your verse in a prominent place in your JOURNAL as a reminder.

His Word is a new years resolution that will not fade away nor be forgotten.