A few February goals

 

Delightful graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

How, oh how is it that 2026 is 1/12 over already?!  Time for me to set a few goals for February.  As always, some are specific to this month, and many are ongoing.  Here goes:

* Keep up with Flylady's homemaking zones of the week
* Spend time with our friends who are younger believers
* Enjoy our church ladies' gathering
* Post in this blog as often as possible 
* Post in my Christmas blog as often as possible
* Continue planning and making Christmas gifts and decor
* Continue planning for family birthday gifts and crafting any handmade ones
* Continue studying and preparing for my Sunday Scripture blog posts
* Read through the February passages of the Daily Walk Bible
* Finish a surprise gift
* Continue stocking my Etsy shop and continue selling vintage items
* Write at least 4 encouraging notes to friends and family
* Help and encourage my local daughter as I'm able
* Plan meals with a greater emphasis on healthy eating
* Get early light each morning
* Get to bed by 8:30 each night we are at home
* Drink enough water each day
* Walk and/or exercise at least 4 times each week
* Get together with friends for brunch and thrifting
* Continue with my Sunday School lesson preparation and teaching
* Complete a 40-day sugar fast
* Work at our volunteer jobs as needed
* Work on typing a manuscript
* Continue our times of teatime discipleship on Wednesdays
* Seek to encourage friends by email and phone chats
* Put up a few Valentine themed decorations
* Figure out finishes for some completed cross-stitch and embroidery projects
* Maybe design and make some banners for winter and maple sugaring season
* Do some freezer meals (and some cleaning) in preparation for our Nevada family's March visit

HEALTHY HABITS FOR FEBRUARY:  Drink more water/get more sleep/exercise daily/intermittent fasting/limit carbs/get morning light

WORD FOR 2025: Intentional

And there you have it -- a few goals for February 2026!

Sunday Scripture

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of December 29.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Health and homemaking -- maintain health goals; get back to walking and exercise.  Accomplish some neglected homemaking tasks.

2)  Etsy -- prepare and send orders; prepare some new listings, especially vintage date books.

3) Ministry --  phone calls and emails, blogging, Sunday School lesson preparation.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.   

Joys: I find blogging to be a joy.  It's also a joy to connect with friends.  I find joy in both walking and homemaking.

Worries: No real worries going into this week.  A few concerns, but they seem to be resolving.

Desires: To improve my health and meet my health goals daily.  To glorify God in all things.  To make real progress with decluttering and downsizing.

Stressors: As always, the limitations of time, energy, and aging.  A few stressful circumstances of life.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... aware of all that this week will hold and You are sovereign over every minute of it.  You are aware of all that I hope to do in this week, and I do believe that these activities line up with Your purposes for my life.  You are able to help me accomplish all that You would have me to.

* Lord, I feel ... tired this week and a bit overwhelmed.  Yet I also do feel optimistic, hopeful, and energized for a new year.  I feel somewhat emotional this week -- a deep-down sadness that I know is very real and also understandable.  Yet I know that You can give me "joy in the place of sorrow, peace in the midst of pain" regardless of what I'm feeling.

* Lord, help me with ... prioritizing and wise use of time this week, and going into the new year.  Help me to accomplish all that You would have me to this year, and this week.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I fail to use my time wisely.  Times when I fall into depression or self-pity and seek comfort from earthly things that will never provide lasting comfort.  Times when I am easily frustrated with my hubby's hearing issues.  Times when I don't stop and think before speaking.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; a granddaughter starting her own business; a friend afflicted with shingles.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Proverbs 3:5-6, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths."  (Proverbs 3:5-6)

O= ESV reads: "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths."

 Three directives; one promise.
🌿 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
🌿 Do not lean on your own understanding
🌿 Acknowledge God in all your ways
--- AND ---
🌟 He will direct your path.

Cross-reference for "trust in the LORD" -- "Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land; and verily though shalt be fed.  Delight thyself also in the LORD; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart.  Commit thy way unto the LORD, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass."  (Psalm 37:3:5)

Cross-reference for "lean not unto thine own understanding" -- "LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself; it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.."  (Jeremiah 9:23)

I learned many years ago the important principle that our own understanding of a situation is often flawed.

Cross-reference for "In all thy ways" -- "And thou, Solomon, my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve Him with a willing mind; for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the the thoughts.  If thou seek Him, He will be found by thee; but if thou forsake Him, He will cast thee off forever."  (1 Chronicles 28:9)

A= To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He is completely, fully trustworthy.  He is sovereign and must be acknowledged as such.  He knows all things and is able to direct the path of each individual.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a finite, limited human.  My intellect, perspective, and sense of direction are all flawed and distorted.  I'm a person in need of God's direction.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should live life with a wholehearted, unwavering trust in God.  I should not lean on my own understanding of life, as that will always be flawed to some extent.  I should acknowledge God is all my ways and become sensitive to His leading and direction.

One writer pointed out: "Verses five and six are the best known and most memorized verses of Proverbs. In fact, they are the life verses of many believers. These two cherished verses describe a life of total dependence and commitment to God. This is what our Heavenly Father wants of us, His dear children -- all who truly follow Him. He longs for us to be completely dependent upon Him and to have utter confidence in Him. This is what it means to trust. The object of the wise person’s trust is the LORD (Jehovah): the covenant-keeping God, the God who cannot lie."

 Warren Wiersbe explains, "The word translated “trust” in verse 5 means “to lie helpless, facedown.” It pictures a servant waiting for the master’s command in readiness to obey, or a defeated soldier yielding himself to the conquering general.”

Another writer commented that trust is an all or nothing proposal: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.” This writer noted that "partial trust is not trust at all. Either God is trustworthy, or He is not. If He cannot be trusted with all, He cannot be trusted at all."

As we think about not leaning on our own understanding, it's so helpful, as I said earlier, to realize that our own understanding of any situation is very often flawed.  Richard DeHaan, in Our Daily Bread, gave an illustration of watching from a 25th floor hotel room as traffic snarled up on a highway below.  From his vantage point he could see the problem, yet of course the cars on the road could not.   Many mistakenly switched into the lane where the stalled car was, thinking to save time, but of course this tactic actually delayed them.  DeHaan wrote, 

"As we travel along life’s road, we do much the same as those misguided drivers. With our limited foresight we select the route that seems best—only to find that the temporary advance has led us into a course filled with delay and heartache. But how reassuring that we can look to One who is above everything, who knows the end from the beginning! This is why the writer of Proverbs could say, 'In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths'.  When the Lord indicates a 'stop' or a 'change of lanes' or a 'wait,' we should gladly obey."

P= "Lord, I'm so thankful for this Scripture passage.  It is so encouraging to know that if these conditions are true of me -- wholehearted trust, acknowledging You as Lord, refusing to rely on my own limited understanding -- that you promise to direct my paths.

    "Help me each day to trust You completely, relying on Your wisdom and not my own, and to acknowledge You in all my ways.   I praise You for the clear instruction in Your Word, and for the guidance and direction You'll give as I look to You.  I pray in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) A truly wonderful Thanksgiving with friends and loved ones.

2) Energy and time to accomplish all that was needed in that busy week.

3) An amazing response to our Christmas on the Common cookie decorating activity.

4) A good crew from the church to help with this outreach.

5) Wisdom and ideas for December posts in both blogs.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on SERVING.  We were to think about those we know who might be in need, and also to consider what resources we have available -- time, resources, prayer, etc.  We were to think about how we could serve those in need this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

Our plan for serving this week includes prayer and giving.  We have many in our lives battling illness and disease, and will be praying for them throughout each day.  We also plan to share Scripture verses and donate to a basket of encouragement for friends coping with cancer treatment.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

I entrust my whole life to the LORD.

What a challenge this thought is!  And yet as we recall it is the all-powerful, all-wise God in whom we trust,  we realize the wisdom and benefit of such a commitment.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

From the January archives, part 2

 

 As readers no doubt recall, I left off with 2016 in my posting from the January archives.  We'll pick up with this one from January 2017: Winter in a jar.  This was a fun project that involved epsom salts, snowflakes and a vintage photo.  I wasn't satisfied with my results, but this decorating idea could be tweaked endlessly.

From the same year, this little study of Psalm 143 might encourage you greatly as it did me.

From 2018, Best Squash Soup is a true favorite just perfect for chilly weather.

Courage was my word for 2019, and I think this is a pretty timely post for where we find ourselves today.

From January 2020 I'm sharing A pretty winter decoration some of you still in the throes of winter (like me) might like to adapt.

 

From 2021 I shared an encouraging read for moms and grandmas in troubled times.  It resonated with many of you then but I think it's worth sharing again today for those who missed it.

Also from 2021, One Day at a Time shares an uplifting poem perfect for the new year.

A really nice dishcloth pattern is also from 2021.  If you missed this and like to crochet dishcloths, you might wish to check it out.

In 2022 I shared about making a Christmas cookie recipe book.  A fun look at the one I made.

 

From 2023, Strengthening your prayer life might be a blessing.  I'm enjoying some of these posts again myself!

Graphic by Abby at Little Birdie Blessings

 And that's it for now!  I think 2024 and 2025 are fresh enough in people's minds that I needn't share posts from those years.  Enjoy your browse through these January posts from years gone by!

Sunday Scripture

 

Time for another Sunday Scripture lesson from Fix Your Focus!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of November 24.  Here goes ...

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Thanksgiving -- heart preparation as well as food prep.

2)  Etsy -- try and prepare two listings a day to get ahead of Christmas shoppers.

3) Ministry --  SS lesson prep and teaching; finish Scripture post; church outreach for Christmas on the Common.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.   

Joys: Gathering to celebrate Thanksgiving with family and friends will be a joy.  A Thanksgiving prayer and praise service at church is always a joy.  Our cookie decorating outreach at Christmas on the Common will be a joy.

Worries: No real worries going into this week, just a few concerns about how the cookie decorating activity will go and if I have planned and prepared well enough.

Desires: That our Thanksgiving with family and friends will truly honor God and appropriately express our thankfulness to Him.  That our outreach to the community will point others to Him and prompt some to visit our church.  

Stressors: Other people, at times; cold weather; the limitations of aging bodies and less energy; my hubby's health and hearing issues.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... in full control of every aspect of this busy week.  You are aware of how tired I got last week and how much I have to do this week.  You are able to give me strength for all that needs to happen, and for each situation that I will encounter.  You are aware of each of these stressors and You are able to help me manage them.

* Lord, I feel ... somewhat overwhelmed as I consider all that there is to do in this busy week, and I am heading into it tired from a week of ministry.  I also feel grateful and blessed by all that You are doing in my life and all that You have given us, especially our cottage.

* Lord, help me with ... applying lessons that You're teaching me, especially the Scripture from week 35 about not having "eager anger".  Help me to have energy for all that I need to accomplish and do this week.  Help me with my interactions with others.

* Lord, forgive me for ... times when I try to act in my own strength or out of my own so-called wisdom.  Times when I do give in to "eager anger".  Times when my attitudes are not pleasing to You.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed friends dealing with a cancer diagnosis; two busy teenage granddaughters; several young adults who need to deepen their relationship with God and return to Him and to His people.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, 1 John 4:10, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."  (1 John 4:10)

O= Cross-references for "not that we loved God" -- "Not by works of righteousness that we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit."  (Titus 3:5)

 "But God commendeth His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us ...
"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life."  (Romans 5:8,10)

 Cross-reference for "but that He loved us" -- ""In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him."  (1 John 4:9))

Note for "propitiation" --"Christ completely fulfilled -- satisfied -- the just demands of a holy God for judgment on sin by His death on the cross ... Propitiation is not placating a vengeful God but, rather, it is satisfying the righteousness of a holy God, thereby making it possible for Him to show mercy righteously." -- C.I. Scofield

Warren Wiersbe says, "We should remember that propitiation does not mean that men must do something to appease God or to placate His anger. Propitiation is something God does to make it possible for men to be forgiven. 'God is light', and therefore He must uphold His holy Law. 'God is love', and therefore He wants to forgive and save sinners. How can God forgive sinners and still be consistent with His holy nature? The answer is the cross. There Jesus Christ bore the punishment for sin and met the just demands of the holy Law. But there, also, God reveals His love and makes it possible for men to be saved by faith."

Cross-reference for "the propitiation for our sins" -- "And He [Jesus] is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world."  (1 John 2:2)

A=  Considering the fact that God loved us and sent His Son, Dwight Pentecost wrote: ""The death of Jesus Christ did not change the heart of God, as if One who hated us now loves us, rather it opened the floodgate so that the love of God for sinners could be poured out to them through Jesus Christ."

 Charles Spurgeon explains, “If there was to be reconciliation between God and man, man ought to have sent to God; the offender ought to be the first to apply for forgiveness; the weaker should apply to the greater for help; the poor man should ask of him who distributes alms; but ‘Herein is love’ that God ‘sent.’ He was first to send an embassy of peace.”

To help with my application of this verse, I answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

He took the initiative in saving us, sending His only Son to pay the price for our sins -- satisfying the just demands of a holy God.  He loved us before we ever thought of loving Him.  His loving us long before we loved Him is the very definition of love -- and that certainly makes sense because 1 John 4:8 tells us that "God is love".

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I am a sinner who could never pay for my own sins.  I am a person who was deeply loved by God long before I ever had a thought of loving Him,  and I'm a person who was loved by Him so much that He sent His only Son to be the propitiation for my sins.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I was loved by God so much that He paid for my sins with the blood of His own Son.  I can never repay that, obviously, but I can determine to live every bit of life as a thank-offering to Him.

"The Bible says that God so loved the world that He gave. . . . Love, in its purest form, is an action. When we give to others what is most valuable to ourselves, we prove our love." -- David Jeremiah

"Those who have yet to discover the intimacy of God often view Him as being cool and demanding toward His creation. But nothing is farther from the truth. Even in the Old Testament, we find God constantly moving toward mankind in an effort to reveal more of Himself on an intimate basis. Love motivates Him to do this." -- Charles Stanley

David McCasland wrote in Our Daily Bread, "In our world of loneliness and despair, there is an enormous need for men and women who know the heart of God, a heart that forgives, that cares, that reaches out and wants to heal."

McCasland suggests that we pray, "Father, please show the wonder of Your great love through me to others today so that they might know they need not walk through life alone. Let my heart personally experience and display Your care."  

He notes: "God's love in our heart gives us a heart for others."

P= "Lord, simply saying that I am grateful for the love You showed me in sending Your Son to be the propitiation for my sins seems so pitifully inadequate.  This was an amazing act of love on Your part, and You planned this long before I had even a thought of loving You. 

    "I know that I can certainly never repay You for this amazing act of love.  But I pray that You will help me as I seek to live every day of life as a thank-offering to You.  Help me to show the wonder of Your great love for others, and to share the truth with them that they need not walk through life alone.   Your love is there for them as it was for me.  I thank You for all that You have done and all that You will do,  in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Revival meetings going well and good decisions being made.

2) A friend trusting Christ as Savior.

3) Good quality time with Christian friends.

4) Strength and wisdom in planning for ministry at my volunteer job.

5) Energy, after a super busy week, to pack up for TWNE and head there on Sunday afternoon.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FELLOWSHIP.  We were to plan a time to fellowship with friends this week.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

This definitely happened as we gathered with both family and friends for Thanksgiving.  We also had opportunities for good fellowship as we worked with friends from church on our Saturday cookie-baking outreach.

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

When I need to be assured of God's love, I need look no further than the sacrifice of Jesus.

We can take this sweet, encouraging, motivating truth into the coming week and seek to share it with those who need to know or be reminded.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

And then there were four (Hodgepodge questions)

 

 Yes, it seems as if maybe this week I can answer four Hodgepodge questions quickly and easily.  Recall, the Wednesday Hodgepodge is hosted by Joyce at From this Side of the Pond.  Joyce asks the questions, bloggers answer them on their own blogs and link up.  Want to get in on the fun?  There's still time, so head on over!  Here are the four questions I picked, and my answers.

1. Ice skating, skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, playing in the snow, or a snowy walk...which winter activity do you choose? Have you done any of these activities so far this winter? 

I'm going to say a snowy walk.  We've had a number of those as we try to walk every day possible.  Last week we walked in a nearby tourist town, and here are a couple of fun photos from that walk.

This welcoming candy-themed snowman was in front of a Christmas Loft store.  I loved the snowflake ribbon on their wreaths, too.

This take a stick, leave a stick library for dogs was on the main street of a little town.

2. Everyone is posting pictures from ten years ago on their social media sites so let's jump on the bandwagon too. Share one photo and one thought to go with said photo from the year 2016. And maybe everyone isn't doing this, but many are and we're going to be part of the fun. 

I had been resisting this trend, but Joyce pushed me into it.  I wanted to show a winter photo from January 2016, but what I ended up with was a photo of my winter hutch that year. 

And then because I wanted some type of outdoorsy photo, I ended up with this one from late April 2016 when we took a mental health hike with some of our loved ones.  It's one of my favorite posts that I've ever written, so you might enjoy reading it too.  Link is here: Poems and a post for the last day of April.

4. 'They' say there's a day for everything and January 21st proves it. National Granola Bar Day. Do you like granola bars? How about just regular granola? Do you like bars of other kinds? 

I seldom eat granola bars.  I do like them, but not the crunchy kind.   I don't really care for bars of other kinds all that much, although some of the Clif Bars are quite good.  Here is a great recipe for Homemade Granola Bars.  I do like regular granola, especially as a topping for yogurt.  I usually give granola as a Christmas gift each year.  Here's my recipe: Christmas granola.

5.  A frozen lake, a trickling stream, a raging river, or a deep well...which one describes something about your life right now? Elaborate as much or as little as you like. 

I'm going to say a trickling stream.  For the most part life is moving along quite smoothly and calmly right now, which is good because I'm really embracing the idea of easing into a new year. But yet there are the inevitable things that might disturb the stream, and do -- sickness, for example, or life events either joyous or difficult that make the stream take a temporary turn.  There are those places where the stream bubbles along very swiftly indeed and I see those as the busy times of life.  I had such a day yesterday, filled with ministry and phone calls.  So in general, I'll compare life right now to a trickling stream.

Above photo is from a winter walk, photo below from a snowshoe hike.

And there are my four answered Hodgepodge questions for this week. 

Sunday Scripture

 It's time for another Sunday Scripture!

This week's lesson was actually done by me the week of November 10.

🌿 WEEK-AT-A-GLANCE CHECKLIST is further on in each week's section. But since I am working on Fix Your Focus all week long, I find it works best for me to do this checklist first. This checklist offers us four points:  

* To make a plan for reading our Bibles and praying.

* To add any upcoming events to our calendars.

* To jot down a to-do list of tasks that must be completed this week.

* To make a note of our top three priorities for this week.

This last point is one that I need to pay special attention to every week.  I've been finding it so helpful.  (The other three points are things that I'm consistently doing.) 

For this week, my top three priorities are:

1) Revival meetings at church this week

2) Friendships -- time with friends from Vermont on Veterans Day, and with friends from Indiana on Thursday

3) Ministry --  planning, packing, and food prep for next week's ministry at TWNE.

[If you are following along with our study, this is the place to make a Week-at-a-Glance checklist and/or priority list for yourself!]

🌿 The first actual prompt for each week is JOURNAL.  We are encouraged to take a few minutes to our fears, joys, worries, desires and stressors concerning the week ahead.  [If you are following along with us, take a moment in a journal or notebook to do just that.]. Here's what I wrote on Monday, breaking it down into the suggested categories:

Fears: No real fears going into this week.  A few concerns.   

Joys: Hosting friends at our camp is always a joy, especially friends we seldom see. 

Worries: Jesus said not to worry, and I seek not to.  But I have a few concerns, mostly about a vehicle that's supposed to arrive here and hasn't yet.  We have a lot to do this week and can't be bothered waiting around for it.  I'm sure it will arrive in God's timing, so I'm trying not to worry.

Desires: That God will be glorified in the events of this week.  To experience personal revival and be encouraged in my walk with God.  To be an encouragement to friends going through hard times.  To be a blessing to friends we visit with.  To plan and prepare well for next week's ministry.

Stressors: A lot of non-communication concerning a vehicle delivery.  The limitations of aging.  Energy and time constraints.  The stress of trying to get to church for revival meetings every evening.  Trying to make sure we are around when this vehicle arrives and yet having a very busy schedule to try and work around.

🌿 The next prompt is PRAYER. It was suggested that we use several prayer prompts to have a conversation with God about the week ahead.  [You can do the same.  Use the very same prompts for your own prayer.]

* Lord, You are ... in full control of this week and all that it will hold. You are aware of my limitations and of all the stressors present in this week.  You are the One who will orchestrate this week as You see best.  You are able to give strength and You promise that Your strength will be made perfect in my weakness.  You are able to expand my time and I praise You that I've so often seen You do this.  You are fully aware of the location of this vehicle and we will trust Your timing and omnipotence in getting it safely to us.  You are so good to give us Christian friends and times of fellowship and revival!

* Lord, I feel ... a bit overwhelmed by all of the planning and details to keep straight.  A bit unsettled as we continue to wait for this vehicle to arrive.  I feel tired as it's been a busy week between revival services and hosting friends.  I feel a bit disorganized and not ready to leave on Sunday night for a week of ministry.  I feel completely inadequate to do any of this on my own -- and I guess that's actually a very good thing.

* Lord, help me with ... "just everything", as one of my girls used to say.  Help me with prioritizing, with knowing what must be done and in what order, and what can be left undone for now.    Help me to think clearly as I prepare for next week's ministry at TWNE.  Help me to have the energy needed to do all that must be done.

* Lord, forgive me for ... attitudes that don't please You; any time when I try to act in my own wisdom or strength; any lack of trust on my part.

* Make a note of 4 or 5 people you are specifically praying for.  I listed a friend dealing with severe pain; his wife as she tries to help and encourage him; and two widows in their 80s who are traveling (one by car, one by plane) this week.

🌿 The next section in this helpful guide is SCRIPTURE MEDITATION.  I chose to first meditate on this week's Scripture, Ecclesiastes 7:9, using the SOAP method, and then answered several suggested questions.   [You can use your own preferred method to meditate on this verse, and answer the questions below for yourself.]

S= "Be not hasty in thy spirit to be angry; for anger rests in the bosom of fools."  (Ecclesiastes 7:9)

O=   This is a very simple directive: 

Do not be hasty in your spirit to be angry.

WHY?

Because anger rests in the bosom of fools.

"Hasty" implies impatience, hastiness, or readiness to become angry.  The picture is of a person who is easily provoked or lacking restraint.   This is not just about external outbursts, explains one scholar, but the inner posture of a person.  This calls for Spirit-enabled self-control, slowness to anger, and inner calmness.

 "For" explains why you should not be eager to be angry.  The reason: because anger rests, or resides,  in the bosom of fools.  This thought gives us the picture of fools making their home with anger.  Anger is welcome in their home and they allow it to reside there undisturbed.  Fools keep their anger close, nurturing it, and acting out of it.  Anger here is not righteous indignation, but irrational, self-centered, destructive emotion.  Fools are driven by their emotions, but the wise exercise restraint.

Michael Eaton explains that the Hebrew word translated anger here  (ka'as) is "anger tinged with exasperation."

Cross-references  -- "He that is soon angry dealeth foolishly, and a man of wicked devices is hated."  (Proverbs 14:17)

"He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city."  (Proverbs 16:22) 

"Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath."  (James 1:19)

Cross-references for "anger resteth" -- "Be ye angry, and sin not; let not the sun go down upon your wrath."  (Ephesians 4:26)

A= The upshot is that those who are quick to anger reveal a foolish heart.  True wisdom involves controlling your temper and refusing to let anger live in you.

Precept Austin points out that this verse "forces us to ask: Is anger merely a guest in your heart -- or a resident?  Solomon doesn't deny that we all experience anger.  But he warns against eager anger -- the kind that is ready to flare, rooted in pride or control.  Anger is not always sinful, but harboring it [or] nurturing it ... is the path of the fool.  Am I prone to quick irritation, defensiveness, or range?  Do I entertain anger or do I release it to God?  Am I living like a wise person -- or a fool with a seething heart?"

The same source, Precept Austin, also offers such practical tips for applying this verse that I simply must pass them on to you. 

🌿 Be slow to anger.  We can do this by the power of the Holy Spirit and God's Word.  "Practice pausing, praying, and breathing when irritation rises."  In my prayer journal, I encourage myself to stop, think, and even pray before speaking.  I have seen firsthand the damage done by speaking before thinking.

🌿 Refuse to host anger in your heart.  Instead we must confess it and cast it aside.  Don't let bitterness take root.

🌿 Be alert to "eager anger".  Do you find that certain situations or people trigger a quick, angry response from you?  [Confession: I do!]  "Ask God to supernaturally transform your reactions through the Spirit."

🌿 Choose your words carefully.  "Fools explode.  The wise speak with measured grace."

🌿 Pursue reconciliation right away if anger has lingered in your heart toward someone.
 

To help with my application of this verse, I also answered the three questions from Fix your Focus:

* Reflect on what this verse tells you about who God is.

Although this verse does not specifically mention God, it is in His Word, so He inspired it.  I can infer that He is a God who cares about how His people live life, and who gives clear and practical instruction to that end.

* Think about what this verse tells you about who you are.

I'm a person who needs to learn how God wants me to live life.  I'm a finite human and I don't have the wisdom or strength in myself to live this life in a God-honoring way.  I'm also a person who is prone to quick anger, springing from irritating people and irksome situations,  and so I am deeply in need of God's instruction and His Spirit's empowerment to help me do right.

* Throughout the week, consider how this verse should affect the way you live.

 I should be slow to anger.  I should stop and think and even pray before responding to a difficult person or situation.  When quick anger does spring up, I should quickly confess it and ask God to help me cast it aside, rather than allowing any root of bitterness to develop or allowing anger to make a home in my heart.  If I have hurt someone with quick, angry words, I should seek to get it right with God and with that person as quickly as possible.

P= "Lord, I'm so thankful that You give clear instructions in the Bible for how You want your people to live.  I praise You for the important principles in this one little verse from Ecclesiastes -- principles that are relatively easy to read and to agree with, but that may be difficult to apply in real-life situations.  I know this is certainly true for me.

    "I pray that You will help me to pay attention to this every day.  Help me to be slow to anger in difficult situations or with difficult people.  Help me to stop and take a deep breath, to think and weigh my words before responding, even praying for the right words.  Help me to cast quick anger aside as soon as it springs up.  If those times come when someone is hurt by my hasty words, I pray that you will help me to quickly make things right with them.   I thank You for how You will help me,  in Jesus' name, Amen."

🌿 GRATITUDE is the next prompt.  We were to reflect on the way God has shown His faithfulness to you over the past week and list five things we are thankful for.  [If you are following along with us, be sure to make your own list of five things!]. Here is my list:

1) Time up north with our widowed friend Charlotte.

2) Getting to attend a ladies' Bible study with Charlotte and her two friends.

3) A delightful teatime with Deanna, Jenn, and children.

4) Wisdom in planning meals for a week of ministry at TWNE.

5) Guidance in planning Sunday Scripture posts for November and December.

🌿 SPIRITUAL GROWTH is the next prompt, and this week there's an emphasis on FASTING.  We were to consider fasting from something this week and to make a plan for how we'll replace our fasted item with the pursuit of God.  [And again, if you are following along, please think about this for yourself.]

My plan for fasting: We do intermittent fasting every day, usually about 17 hours.  This practice always opens up extra time to spend in God's Word and in prayer.  

🌿 Lastly is a GOSPEL-CENTERED AFFIRMATION: 

I will not rush into anger but will act in wisdom.

We can take this thought into the coming week as we purpose not to respond to challenging situations and people with quick anger, but instead to respond wisely.

And there's the Sunday Scripture for this week!

Three wintry questions

 

 In the interests of a quick, simple and enjoyable blog post here at midweek, I'm borrowing just three questions from the Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce at From This Side of the Pond.

I picked questions 1, 2, and 5.

1. What kind of winter person are you-snow lover, fireplace snuggler, winter adventurer, or indoor hibernator? Elaborate. 

 I'm a little bit of all four, I guess.  I do like snow, and especially enjoy watching it fall.  I hate driving in snow, but I don't mind walking in it if I have proper footgear.  We don't have a fireplace, but do have a wood stove in both home and cottage, so snuggling up to those is a definite option.  There is truly nothing like wood heat.  I don't mind a winter adventure like a walk, a drive, or even an easy hike, but nothing more adventurous than that, thank you.  There are times when I feel like hibernating indoors, but that said, I do try to get outdoors every day in winter, whether to walk or just get some early morning light.

2. The Pantone color of the year is cloud dancer, described as a gentle, billowy off white shade. The color symbolizes 'peace, clarity, quiet reflection, renewal, and a soft reset'. Of the terms just listed which do you need most in your life this winter? 

Quiet reflection and renewal.  I would also love to do a gentle 7-day home reset.  Our little cottage in the woods, below, is a magical place in winter and invites times of reflection and renewal.  It's very seasonal though so we tend to pick nights with warmish temps to stay there.

5. Thomas Wentworth Higginson is credited with this quote-

"How many lessons of faith and beauty we should lose, if there were no winter in our year." 

Agree or disagree? Tell us why. 

I agree completely, both regarding actual winter and also the wintry seasons in our lives.  The Bible contains many references to winter, snow, and ice, and I am glad that we have actual winter to show us what those look like.  I am thinking especially of Isaiah 1:18 which pictures salvation as a fresh fall of snow: 

"Come now, let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

And I do believe too, that it is very often in the wintry seasons of our lives where we learn the lessons of faith and beauty that Thomas Higginson alluded to.  Those are the times we learn to lean on God and to trust His workings in our lives, and we find that those seasons have their own unique beauty.

And there are the three wintry questions and my simple thoughts and answers to them.