A New Year for Living Intentionally!

Do you feel the excitement of being at the starting line? The energy that fills the air as the gun shot echos across the crowd. The runners lunge forward for the race ahead, full of promise and dreams of finishing strong!

That exactly how the New Year feels to me! Full of promise for the race ahead! I am at a place in my faith and life, we're I am more determined than ever before to press on harder, knowing that life is training ground for the eternal prize. I've shed the beliefs of my younger years, thinking things will eventually get easier, that I'll get better, that life will become more doable. Instead, I've settled into a comfortable stride, knowing this race requires determination and discipline, and I'm willing to put forth the effort.

Philippians 3:13-15 (The Message)

Focused on the Goal

^12-14I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward—to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back.

^15-16So let's keep focused on that goal, those of us who want everything God has for us. If any of you have something else in mind, something less than total commitment, God will clear your blurred vision—you'll see it yet! Now that we're on the right track, let's stay on it.

As this Scripture passages so eloquently declares, "I don't have it all together!" But I want to reach out for Christ more and more. God, in His marvelous way, reached out for me! Because of His extravagant grace, He offered a new life to me through faith in Jesus Christ. I know full well that all that I am, and all that I have the potential of becoming, is because my life has been formed by the transforming power of Jesus at work within my soul.

How has the transforming power of Jesus changed your life?

It is God's transforming power through His marvelous grace that enables us on to live intentionally. It isn't about setting lofty goals and improving our earthly standing. It is about considering God's principles and commands for our lives and looking for ways to live according to His Word, together!

How is God calling you to live intentionally this year?

In this particular season for me, living intentionally means a few things, which I would love to partnership with you in throughout the year:

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Being a Woman of the Word. I will continue my 24 Verses Scripture Memory by selecting a new verse on the 1st and 15th of every month, and posting here at EG. This was inspired by Living Proof Ministry Siesta Scripture Memory Team. If they do it again, we'll just sign in there instead! If not, I'd love for you to stop by here and spur me on with your verses! Join me to share your January 1st verse here.

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Becoming a Woman of Prayer. As I've done the past two years, I will continue to prayer, specifically for the salvation of my loved ones and friends. This year, I'll be doing it on the 10th of every month. Again, please do stop by and and share your prayer commitment with us!

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Becoming a Titus 2 Woman. This one is a new addition to living intentionally. AS the Lord burdens my heart to fulfill the call to mentor and train, specifically my daughters as well as other women, I'm realizing that I need to focus my attention on following through with this desire. I am also praying for God to bring a mentor into my life, and to be humble enough to receive such a gift. The plan will be to spend the 2nd Tuesday of each month looking closely at the Titus 2 passage, breaking verses 3-5 into 12 different topics of study. I hope you will join me each month for a lively discussion and reflection about Becoming a Titus 2 woman. I also recommend to you, At the Well, where there is a treasure of Titus 2 inspiration available for our benefit.

Ultimately, my hunger for Jesus, and living His way, is insatiable, yet I see so many ways in which that is not reflected in my heart and actions. That is why my verse for the year and theme for the year are...

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My Mission for 2010...

It is a mission without walls or boundaries. A plan without goals or parameters. Rather it is a life seeking to live simply... in my habits, relationships, pursuits, needs...holy...before God, with others, as a reflection of God's consecration of my life for His purposes...deeply in Christ...in my identity, purposes, hopes, perspectives, responses.

How will you go about living intentionally this year?

What is your theme verse? Theme statement or expression?

What are some of the goal the Lord has inspired you to set and how will you go about seeing those realized?

Please do share with us, either in a comment below or through a link to your post at your blog. Living Intentionally Together is exactly what God wants for us as sisters in Christ. Let's use this blogosphere to spur one another on!

By His Grace & Mighty Power,

NOTE SOMETHING NEW: I will be giving away one copy of "Praying for Purpose for Women", which I'll draw on January 8th, from the MckLinky list! Read this post to learn why! Giveaway is limited to US residents due to the cost of shipping!