I love summer. No wait, I don't think I said that loud enough. I LOVE SUMMER!!!!! When it finally starts getting hot enough to make me sweat I sincerely wonder how I made it through the winter. How in the world did I go all of those months with no flip-flops?? Seriously.
This summer I have decided to do things a little differently. I am going to rest. I am making a conscious decision not to get involved in anything new, not take any summer classes (!) and.... are you ready for this? Drum roll please........ I am giving up TV for the summer! (Did I hear gasps?) Yep, you heard me right. No TV! Not only am I going to rest this summer, I am going to grow. Which part of me is going to grow you may be wondering? Well, sadly I won't be growing a few inches taller like I'd like to, but I am going to take steps to deliberately grow my relationship with Jesus. I have adopted Philippians 3:10 out of the Amplified Version as my summer goal:
"For my determined purpose is to know Him, that I may progressively become more deeply and intimately acquainted with Him, perceiving and recognizing and understanding the wonders of His person more strongly and more clearly."
Isn't that just awesome? That's what I'm aiming for this summer. To KNOW Him. I can't think of anything worth pursuing more than that. Hence me giving up TV. (Were you wondering if I was going to get back to that?) That's where the "being deliberate" comes in. During those times I would normally veg in front of the TV, I am instead going to spend time in the Word, in a good book (Jesus by Charles Swindoll has been recommended to me), and in a good Bible study. I am being deliberate in my pursuit of a deeper relationship with Christ.
What about you? Have any of you decided what you are going to do to pursue Jesus this summer? I'd love to hear the books you may be reading or any studies you may be attending. (Here's where I shamelessly plug Breaking Free at The Creek powered by Ignite, beginning June 8th.)
Let's be deliberate in our pursuit girls. He is so worth it!
Love you all dearly!
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Well, this post just re-emphasizes what I'm learning in the Daniel study - BE RESOLVED!
ReplyDeletePaulette, you will LOVE not watching TV. We gave it up as a family over 2 years ago under the direct prompting of the Holy Spirit. Not saying everyone should do it.. just sayin' we've been BLESSED as a family by it!
I am currently reading Demon, A Memoir. Interesting.. thought-provoking in a good way.. but I definitely need some deeper reading for the summer. Love Charles Swindoll, so maybe I'll read Jesus, also.
The fasting on Wednesdays throughout the summer, and perhaps for the rest of my life, honestly.. is what I'm doing deliberately. It's an incredible reminder to be in prayer about EVERYTHING.
Knowing Him more and making Him known.. life doesn't get any better than that!!!
This summer, I'm being deliberate about prayer by starting (and KEEPING) a prayer journal to help stay focused and see what God is doing more clearly.
ReplyDeleteI'm being deliberate about seeking the TRUTH of God's word by finishing reading through the Bible for the first time.
I'm being deliberate about staying outside of myself and pursuing authentic relationships with the awesome women that God has placed in my life so that we can encourage one another.
I'm being deliberate about moving forward, living and walking in the FREEDOM that Jesus has given me, and sharing the AMAZING news about our freedom in Christ! I'm determined not to waste one bit of the freedom that Jesus bought for me! I am so excited about doing Breaking Free at The Creek this summer. I truly believe that God is doing incredible things in the women of Ignite and The Creek, and I just can't wait to watch His awesome plan unfold!!!
Hebrews 6:11-12
ReplyDelete"We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. We do not want you to become lazy, but to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised."