New Year Motivation Is Never Enough

Tis the season for New Year Resolutions.

Now normally, it's about mid-February before people throw up their hands in defeat under the weight of the vows they made on December 31st. It appears, this year, the surrender came a tad bit earlier for one of my Twitter buddies. The "tweet" simply read, "It's gone. I've looked everywhere. My motivation is gone."

I must admit, that's funny. Because it is so, so, so very TRUE. New Year Motivation isn't gonna carry you very far. Nope, it's never enough.

• I am not saying we shouldn't want this year to be better than last year.
• I am not saying we shouldn't set goals.

I AM saying we need more than motivation. We need unwavering, unshakable determination. 

Unwavering, unshakable determination comes from abiding in Christ.  If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. (John 15:7)

So often, we get this backwards. We resolve to do this or that and then foolishly ask God to follow us. Is there any wonder we run out of steam?

We must begin by ... abiding in Christ.

Then, as we listen to Him guide us through His Word, we surrender our will to His Will.

Jesus leads, we follow.

Want a fool proof New Year Resolution ... Abide in Him, allow His Word to abide in you, and follow His lead. Now that's a winning "better" year resolution.


Father God, fill our hearts with a desire to abide in Christ. Show us what it means to abide in Jesus. Show us what it means to have His Word abide in us. May 2013 be the year that we can boldly say ... Jesus led the way and I followed. Amen.

Sat(her)day - First Love

This past week I was reminded of words spoken to me (and thousands of others) while I was attending a ministry conference nearly 8 years ago. What were the words? "Be careful you don't get so busy doing ministry that you neglect the One who has enabled you to join Him in His ministry."

I remember thinking ... "that's ridiculous!"

I could not for the life of me wrap my mind around how someone could get so busy doing ministry that they could grow cold in their walk with Christ. I just knew it could never happen to me. There was no way I would ever neglect my Jesus!

Over the years, those strong words and promises of mine proved to be simply strong words and promises. Unfortunately, there have been many times I have become so distracted by the details of life and ministry that I have neglected my first love. I wish I could say I have never grown cold in my love for my Jesus but I can not. What I can say is ....

My Jesus has never grown cold in His love for me.

My Jesus has never ceased to draw me back to Him.

My Jesus has been faithful (and jealous) for me to return to Him, my first love.

Maybe you, like me, have become weary with the "heaviness" of the holiday season. The details of life and ministry (the needs of hurting people) have overwhelmed you. How foolish it is to think we can do it in our own power. How foolish it is to continue to try.

He is waiting. He is calling. He is faithful.

Run to Him. Sit at His feet. Allow Him to minister to you today.

That's how I am choosing to spend my "Sat(her)day" today ... with my first love, my Jesus.
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Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )

"Sat(her)day" - Surviving the most wonderful time of the year!

It's the most wonderful time of the year!


With the kids jingle belling
And everyone telling you "Be of good cheer"
It's the most wonderful time of the year


It's the hap-happiest season of all
With those holiday greetings and gay happy meetings
When friends come to call
It's the hap-happiest season of all


There'll be parties for hosting
Marshmallows for toasting
And caroling out in the snow
And tales of the glories of Christmases long, long ago
It's the most wonderful time of the year


There'll be much mistltoeing
And hearts will be glowing
When love ones are near
It's the most wonderful time of the year

It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time
It's the most wonderful time .... of the year!


The above lyrics are from one of the most popular Christmas songs ever. If you haven't heard it yet this season, you will! One of the reasons it is so popular is because it lists many of the traditions we fondly associate with Christmas season. Family traditions are blessings, and should be enjoyed at Christmas. But .... If we're not careful, these very same blessings can end up wearing us out at Christmas.

Because I speak from experience in this area of distraction, I MADE MYSELF "be still" this morning and honestly evaluated my expectations for the holiday season. This is how I spent my "Sat(her)day" morning ... and it was good. : )
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Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )

"Sat(her)day" Snooze Button. : )

My hubby, and countless others I know, actually plan for the extra 10, 20, or 30 minutes of "snooze" time before they get up. Not me! Seems a bit silly to trade "true" sleep for "snooze" sleep. The wake up, snooze, wake up, snooze concept is (frankly) a bit annoying to me.

But I do appreciate a good snooze. This morning was one of those wonderful occasions.

Following a week of getting up every day before dawn to cook feasts and treats for my little family and my HUGE extended family --- I needed a snooze this morning. (grin)

You will not find my "snooze" button on the alarm clock by my bed. Nope, it's on the jet button on the jacuzzi. To each his own ... nothing resets the stress of the fullness of a week like "the snooze" button. : )

What is your "snooze" button?

How long has it been since you pushed it?

During the fullness of the holiday season ... don't forget to hit the "snooze" button occasionally.
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Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )

Give Thanks

Psalm 100 - A Psalm for Thanksgiving.

Shout joyfully to the LORD, all the earth.

Serve the LORD with gladness;

Come before Him with joyful singing.

Know that the LORD Himself is God;

It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;

We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.

Enter His gates with thanksgiving

And His courts with praise

Give thanks to Him, bless His name.

For the LORD is good;

His lovingkindness is everlasting

And His faithfulness to all generations.

"Sat(her)day" - Celebrating A Sweet Traditon

It has become one of my sweetest holiday traditions ....

The Saturday before Thanksgiving is a time the women of my church have set aside for celebration and anticipation of the upcoming Christmas season. Approximately 200 women gathered together today to laugh, share ideas, eat, praise God, and exhort one-another to keep our focus on Christ this Christmas.

I walked away refreshed by spending time with girlfriends. Inspired by new ideas for making Christmas memories. And encouraged by examples of how to keep from being distracted by the busy-ness that makes Christmas feel heavy.

My main take-aways from today were:

1) Keep your Martha in check. Your family & friends would much rather have you than a stressed out perfectionist stuck in the kitchen ALL day. : )

2) You are the gift. Imagine yourself with a big bow tied on top of your head. Through your countenance, your presence, and your attitude be a blessing. Smile, show kindness, and speak encouragement to everyone who crosses your path this holiday season.

3) This one is for us married gals. ~~~ Keep the SIZZLE. Kiss for 5 seconds! (My hubby liked this one - grin) It may sound silly, it did to me too. But with the extra activities and excitement that accompany the holidays, it's easy to get into the "quick peck" mode. The "quick peck" mode is when you're running in two different directions and are "pecking" at each other as you run out the door. Try the 5 second kiss. Count it (One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three... ) by one thousand five .... it's a sizzle. And a sizzle beats a peck EVERY time. : )

From one (easily distracted) girl to another ... Keep the focus and ENJOY the holiday season.
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Sat(her)day may be done on any day (that works well for you) of the week. It is meant to be an encouragement and a reminder to women in leadership to plan time for themselves at least once a week. My Saturday blog has proven to be an effective means of holding myself accountable. I hope it inspires you to the same accountability. : )