Permission to Fail
We attended the early service as usual and I was especially touched by the enormity of Christ's sacrifice for me and my own utter unworthiness of the free gift, salvation. I am thankful that we are absolutely unable to repay Him, for if it were remotely possible, I would spend untold effort to do so only to fail miserably... and if it were, there would be no grace! Praise God for grace!
Walking under grace, we walk in freedom. That makes it easier to set goals, make resolutions... for should we stumble or fail, we are not undone. Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."
We have permission to fail and that gives us freedom to try. God sees and knows our hearts, and He is in control. Thank about that a moment. While we are NOT given permission to sin, we ARE encouraged to venture toward horizons we would dare not approach if we would be left twisting in the wind at every misstep.
But I want to take my resolutions seriously. I don't make them lightly... here they are:
1. I will keep my heart, mind and spirit stayed on the Lord by talking with Him throughout my day.
2. I will spend an hour or more in the scriptures every day in structured study as well as short readings whenever I have some spare minutes or am "taking a break."
3. I will spend some time in exercise at least five days a week, working my way up to 30 minutes each time.
4. I will cut at least 300 calories a day from my present diet, aiming at losing 20 pounds this year.
5. Once a day I will check e-mail and reply to all personal notes as I read the mail.
6. I will rebuild Handmaidens and publish the webzine monthly.
7. I will spend some time each day on digital art.
8. I will write my blog daily and at least one article, chapter, essay or poem each day.
9. I will do our books and review our finances every two weeks. We will pay off all credit card debt this year.
10. I will write my family and special friends at least once a week, either in e-mail or snail mail.
11. I will USE MY PLANNER every day and check it often.
12. I will finish at least one chapter of my book each month.
13. I will get at least one piece of artwork online each month.
14. I will do something special for my honey every day.
15. I will reserve some time each day just for me... a long bubble bath, sitting on the porch, watching my fish... just doing nothing.
So, I have fifteen goals to work toward. I will let you know how I am doing... total transparency.
Walking under grace, we walk in freedom. That makes it easier to set goals, make resolutions... for should we stumble or fail, we are not undone. Romans 8:1 "Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus..."
We have permission to fail and that gives us freedom to try. God sees and knows our hearts, and He is in control. Thank about that a moment. While we are NOT given permission to sin, we ARE encouraged to venture toward horizons we would dare not approach if we would be left twisting in the wind at every misstep.
But I want to take my resolutions seriously. I don't make them lightly... here they are:
1. I will keep my heart, mind and spirit stayed on the Lord by talking with Him throughout my day.
2. I will spend an hour or more in the scriptures every day in structured study as well as short readings whenever I have some spare minutes or am "taking a break."
3. I will spend some time in exercise at least five days a week, working my way up to 30 minutes each time.
4. I will cut at least 300 calories a day from my present diet, aiming at losing 20 pounds this year.
5. Once a day I will check e-mail and reply to all personal notes as I read the mail.
6. I will rebuild Handmaidens and publish the webzine monthly.
7. I will spend some time each day on digital art.
8. I will write my blog daily and at least one article, chapter, essay or poem each day.
9. I will do our books and review our finances every two weeks. We will pay off all credit card debt this year.
10. I will write my family and special friends at least once a week, either in e-mail or snail mail.
11. I will USE MY PLANNER every day and check it often.
12. I will finish at least one chapter of my book each month.
13. I will get at least one piece of artwork online each month.
14. I will do something special for my honey every day.
15. I will reserve some time each day just for me... a long bubble bath, sitting on the porch, watching my fish... just doing nothing.
So, I have fifteen goals to work toward. I will let you know how I am doing... total transparency.
3 Comments:
Wow Iona, that's a whole lot...good luck.
Thanks Eva! I'll give it my best shot! P.S. I love Blogger... would be great to publish straight to church web site.
Iona.
Read your 15 things. I think I collapse after just thinking about 8. Go, Woman, Go! Run your very best and be happy at the end of each day. Beverly
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