I
learned years ago in Marriage Encounter that I need to find creative ways to
keep love alive. Avoid the boring status
quo and experiment with new ways of doing things. The principle of changing it a bit can be
applied to any relationship, really. Healthy
friendship is a gift but doesn’t just fall in my lap. I have
to work at that too and think of ways to enjoy life together with those special
friends.
I’ve
changed some things around the house recently to spice up things. When I took down Christmas decorations, I placed
my plants in different rooms and rearranged the bookcase to give the living room
a different look.
I
drank my coffee black. Ugh, that did not
work!
I
knew months ago the “read through Bible” plan I especially like and have used
off and on through the years would not suffice this year and found a new way to
pray and study in the morning. How
refreshing to wake up to a new way of saying hello to God!
My
pastor mentioned that he enjoys talk radio as he drives around town during the week. However, when he travels that half
hour to our sister church in another town, the Holy Spirit beckons him to shut
off everything and pray in the quiet drive.
I totally get that!
I
like change as long as it’s not too crazy.
I like it, too, that some things never change like God’s Word. Funny how God’s Word never changes yet it
changes me.
Have
you changed anything around a bit lately?
No ... but I can appreciate the challenge and rise to it. (I think!) What a timely, encouraging post!
ReplyDeletePS - Cracking up at your mention of black coffee. :)
Have a beautiful week, Mary!
Ha, you are the one challenging me most of the time! One thing I know for sure, absolutely sure...black coffee and long hair are not my forte.
DeleteI like change, too, dear Mary, but some change is good and other not so good. I am glad that God's word never changes. He wants us to know His will and does not make it confusing, as it always stays the same. I laughed at your comment about black coffee. LOL! Enjoy your week, dear friend, thank you so much for all your inspiring posts. :)
ReplyDeleteGod is our solid rock for sure! He never changes.
DeleteLove the picture of Sedona in the snow! It is good to make changes. Done a few here myself. I found the past few months I've been reading the Bible, but not really reading it if that makes sense. Not getting into it like I should and gleaning like I should, so decided this year to do some Bible studies on various topics, like anxiety, worry, stress, and others, like through specific books of the Bible, looking up scriptures, delving into answering questions about things discussed, etc. We'll see how it goes :)
ReplyDeletebetty
What a great plan to engage in for personal growth, Betty. 2017 is going to be awesome for you.
DeleteHi Mary! Well, we did just reno the kitchen and family room, and that's a big change for sure. Personally, I'm going to try and cut back on salt, and continue cutting out soda. I think as I get older, I think more of ways to make healthy changes.
ReplyDeleteI love that you tried the coffee black! I don't think I could do it either though. I decided to drink more tea in 2017, and I can do that without sugar. It's all trial and error, that's for sure.
Blessings to you in this exciting new year,
Ceil
That kitchen & family room has been a plan for some time and I'm so happy it materialized for you. I like the idea of more tea, too, for the coming year, Ceil!
DeleteChange can be very constructive: Mark Twain said: “Politicians and diapers must be changed often, and for the same reason.
ReplyDeleteHi, Cho:
DeleteI like Twain’s quote.
I also like Maya Angelou: “If you don’t like something, change it. If you can’t change it, change your attitude.”
I totally understand why your pastor prays in the car...my, we just miss out on so much of the glory of God when we keep ourselves so surrounded by noise. So thankful for the dear Word of God...I love how you said It never changes, but it changes us! To God be the glory! Sending you love and hugs, sweet friend. :)
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful to read God's Word and feel all that peace? Hugs to you, Cheryl.
DeleteAlways looking for fresh ideas for staying connected to Jesus, I enjoy sacredspace.ie, proverbs31.org, and biblelovenotes.blogspot.com. Each one gives me a little different perspective and helps me keep the spark in my relationship with Jesus.
ReplyDeleteAren't you a sweetheart to give us the thumbs up on some special ideas! Great!
Delete"God’s Word never changes yet it changes me."
ReplyDeleteThat says it all right there!
It sure changes me, like nothing else! Blessings to you sister.
DeleteI'm with Sandi, have to agree with that quote! That's an excellent way to put it. A good reminder to meditate on the Word too, thank you.
ReplyDeleteThanks also for stopping by my blog for Ceil's interview today. It's great to meet you! :) May your week be blessed abundantly!
A blessed week right back at you, Karen!
DeleteHappy New Year sister Mary! I had to stare for a while at your header pic. So lovely! There is something about winter that's mesmerizing with the sight of fallen snow! A surely welcome change after blistery summer!
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'm sorry that though I agree with you in most of your heartfelt posts, I don't think I can join you in drinking "black coffee!" LOL. That's funny. Like I saw you spit it in your sink! :)
Joking aside, truly loved your reminder that no matter what changes come our way, we serve a constant God Whose Word doesn't change but instead changes a person's heart. I love that sister Mary! What a beautiful reminder as we start another year!!! God bless and stay strong in the Lord's mighty power!
"I meant welcoming change" re:winter :) I think "snow" reminds me too that part from the Bible that our sins are covered with "snow"...All that dirt becomes white. Thanks be to Jesus!
DeleteBlack coffee and other things are hard to change for me but not impossible for sure! May the New Year bring you abundant blessings, sister.
DeleteWhat a beautiful picture in your header, Mary! It is breathtaking actually! Changing things around is just what I have in mind to do. I'm rather slow...I do have the decorations from Christmas taken down and packed away, but I've not put out all of my "winter" decorations yet. I plan to put them in different spots this time. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love that the Word of God never changes, but that it changes us!
Thank you for a thought provoking post, my friend. I will be thinking of you on Wednesday when I get started with changing things up a bit around here.
My neighbor also left her Christmas decorations up for a while because they bring her joy! Happy changes to you.
DeleteThank you for writing, and thank you for sharing. Bless you, Sis.
ReplyDeleteBless you, dear one.
DeleteI like change too but find comfort in routine. The other day when we mall-walked, we decided to go the opposite direction. I felt like a fish swimming upstream against a wall of people. But we saw sights we hadn't seen before and eventually enjoyed the change.
ReplyDeleteThat is a neat testimony of change. Thx for sharing. Have a great week.
DeleteI don't do black coffee either! Give me a little cream please! Think I might need to change some things up at my home too Mary! And Yes my friend....Praise the Lord that His Word never changes! Hugs and blessings, Cindy
ReplyDeleteAll I need is a few changes in the house and I'm motivated to clean it more! Ha. Love you, Cindy.
Delete"Funny how God's word never changes, yet it changes me."
ReplyDeleteThat's an awesomely simple yet deeply profound statement. His word changes the hearts and minds and finally the world.
I've been doing some dreaded changes in the way of a remodel at our house. I like the change… but I don't like the process!
Oh, I wonder why you don't like the process...you are a talented man and I bet everything looks terrific!
DeleteAn everlasting and unchanging God.
ReplyDeleteindeed!
DeleteI think too many of us are missing quiet reflection in our lives. I listen to podcasts (which are like talk radio) all the time. Unloading the groceries, doing laundry, walking on the track at the gym... If I simply shut off the noise and savor the silence for a while, I do some of my best thinking!
ReplyDeleteI like the quiet too, but I like podcasts!
DeleteI pray in my car on the way to church, but on the way home, I feel I can listen to a CD or a tape. Your pastor is on the right path to pray on his way to the sister church. I can't say we have changed anything around the Moon household lately. I am so glad that God does not change, but only changes us. Thanks for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story. I love your photo even if it makes me feel cold. :-)
ReplyDeleteThe photo reeks of coldness and wetness! I get into routines in my car but the Holy Spirit can tell me to turn it all off anytime. I don't want to miss an opportunity to hear directly from God!
Delete