I'm one of those people....

...who never clean out their wallet.  I mean, I have to take out the bundles of receipts every once in a while otherwise I can't close it anymore.  But, I do not clean other stuff out.  Seriously...as in I still have my college ID card in my wallet.  And my first employment ID.  And my international student ID.  And the business card from the jeweler who made my wedding ring. 

I don't know...I guess it is all just sentimental.  I love opening it up and seeing little glimpses of my past. It's like having a little scrapbook right in front of me every time I go to pay for something.  I guess I just like nostalgia.

My Bible is the same way.  Every once in a while I stick something in my Bible that is important to me and I just leave it there.  I love looking through the pieces of paper (than inevitably fall on the floor) and think back to when I put it in there and what I was going through at the time.  It is probably why I don't ever get a new Bible...I don't want to give up the memories.  I bought this Bible back in 1998 when I was leaving for a semester in Israel.  Jason and I had just started dating and since then it has held all my special moments.  My spiritual moments.  Those "stones of remembrance."

So last night I was sitting in chapel with my boys and I was glancing through the random pieces of paper in there.  Lots of memories.  One of them was particularly what I needed right then though.  I love how God can prompt our hearts and spirits when we need it. 

The paper was some notes I had taken during a staff conference in Malaysia.  Our speaker was wonderful and made some points that hit home.  I wrote down his major points that day and so I thought I would share them with you.  Maybe God has something to say to you today.

1.  God is pleased with me.

2. God is not finished (satisfied) with me.  (Phil. 1:6). I am completely justified but not completely sanctified.

3. I have enough time and energy to do everything that I need to do today.  (We CAN meet God's expectations of us today...but not necessarily our spouses, kid's, students, etc.) So what does GOD expect of me today?  (Also, this doesn't mean that god will not put us in situations where we will fail).

4. I am not called to be successful; I am called to be faithful. ("Well done good faithful servant.")

5. God has called me to do more than I can do in my own strength.

6. My biggest challenge in life is..ME.  MY SIN.  ME. (NOT whatever I see to be my biggest problem...work, family, stress, sleep, etc).

7. I must learn to practice God's presence in every circumstance. (This is my lot and I will accept it).  Fits right in with my blog header, huh?

8. I must avoid time-wasters. (God worked six days and WHEN THE WORK WAS DONE, He rested.  What are my time wasters.  Be EFFICIENT with things and be EFFECTIVE with people. Always ask, "will this make me a better person?"

9. I must avoid energy-wasters (sin, anger, resentment, gossip, etc.) It saps our energy and our peace.  Most burnout isn't caused by overwork, it is caused by sin.

10. Consistency is the key.  Life is not a sprint, it is a marathon.  Each day...every day.

Lots for me to chew on...

Have a great day!

Comments

[Kresta]

Oooh, good stuff there. Thanks for that - I think I probably needed that too.

[Debra]

Janet -

I've gotten so much enjoyment and inspiration from being a daily blog reader of yours.

Your 10 notes you shared today were particularly powerful for me.

Thank you!

[MandaKay]

How cool to find some of that stuff. I am opposite - I throw away EVERYTHING - missing out on this type of opportunity!

[Becky]

You know what they call that stuff that falls out of your Bible? Bibliadue! LOL! (bible+residue!)

[Hollie]

Oh I never clean out my wallet either LOL! Love the notes you posted--those are great!

[Theresa Marie]

wow - thank you so much for sharing those notes. They are so true and great to be reminded of some of those truths!

[JanMary, N Ireland]

Thanks for sharing :)