Last month, we looked at "2 Basic Principles to Help Us Use Our Time Wisely."

Elisabeth shared with us some wisdom from her sister-in-law: “We often feel like we have to keep all the plates spinning all the time, but we really don’t. Pick the plates that absolutely must keep going, and learn to be okay with letting the rest fall.” I love this! It's so true. ​

​This month, we're following up that helpful blog post with "3 Key Considerations to Help Us Use Our Time Wisely."
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While we see that it’s both okay and necessary at times for us to say no, the question remains — how can we know when to say yes and when to say no?

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

​A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job

As a child growing up in the Midwest, we often experienced violent thunderstorms and at times even tornados. It was always comforting for me to run to my parents’ room and find peace and safety in their arms because I trusted them to keep me safe. Storms naturally cause fear, but just like my parents comforted my fears as a child, we can trust God to be with us and lead us through the storms. ​

​​My problem in the storms of life is that I often respond as the disciples did in Mark 4:35-41. Let’s set the scene. In the verses preceding this account, Jesus has been teaching the disciples truths about Himself through parables. The lessons have been taught “in the classroom” and now Jesus is going to test their understanding and application of what He has just been teaching. The test is really that immediate since Mark says in verse 35 that this happened “the same day.” 

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

​A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job

I have long enjoyed, Ed Welch's Small Book series. I first read his book A Small Book for the Anxious Heart back at the beginning of the pandemic. It was perfect timing! Many of us, even if we'd never struggled with anxiety, were struggling by the end of March in 2020.

I also read his book A Small Book About a Big Problem during that time. Little did I know how badly we would need these two books.

Now, Welch has written a new book--A Small Book About Why We Hide. It's a book about how Jesus, our Redeemer, rescues us from our doubts and insecurities, regrets that torment us, past failures that haunt us, and shame that can limit our ability to serve God.

I love Welch's style of writing. He gets right to the point and it's not over our heads. He makes you think, and I believe that's important.

What if we spent a few quiet moments with God each morning? What if we were intentional about making time for it? What if we committed to doing that all year long and by the year’s end we found that we had read the entire Bible!?

How many times, on January 1, have you committed to reading the Bible from cover to cover in a year? I have made that commitment too many times to count, and I have failed too many times to admit.

​A few years ago though, I used a one-year, chronological order of book authorship, Bible Reading Itinerary.

Did you know that Genesis was not the first book of the Bible written? While plans like this vary somewhat, because it is simply impossible to put an exact date on some books of the Bible, the plan I used begins with the book of Job.

I am so excited for this holiday season! All of our children will be home for Christmas this year. We have our annual Christmas cookie bake off scheduled for Christmas Eve. This will be our thirteenth year gathering around my mom's kitchen island baking Christmas cookies together, sharing laughter, loving on one another, and this year there will be four generations of bakers! There's even a photographer coming to capture the day.

But Christmas will be here before we know it, friend, and with all the supply-chain and shipping issues we've had lately we need to get right on that Christmas list!

Speaking of supply-chain issues, I recently read this thought-provoking quote: