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In I Samuel 1:17-28, David writes a song to Saul and Jonathan after they were killed in battle. As I was reading this passage, I was touched by David’s heart for Saul because Saul wanted to kill David. However, David had crafted this beautiful, soulful lament over the passing of God’s anointed leader of His people despite their personal history.

Since I’ve been steeped in Novel Land, it reminds me of the value and utility of giving our best effort in our work (artistic or otherwise), even when the work feels pointless or futile. So, that’s my two cents on today’s passage. Enjoy David’s wonderful song!

And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

This morning I read the short passage about Mary and Martha in the Gospel of Luke. Martha was busy running around, encumbered with all the details of dinner preparation while her sister, Mary, sat at Jesus’ feet listening to His words. Martha was annoyed with this and complained to Jesus about it, but Jesus said Mary has chosen the better thing and it won’t be taken from her.

I’ve been a Martha recently. While I should spend time slowly easing into life with two children, I’ve been a whirlwind of activity instead.  In the wake of all this, my quiet times have also been tossed aside. Although I have freed myself from religious performance guilt when it comes to spending time with the Lord, I feel like I should, at the very least, think about Him during the day.

Do you ever go through your days and it finally dawns on you that you haven’t soaked in God’s presence? These things can easily slip through our hands if we don’t have a plan. That’s part of the reason why I’m excited about my free e-book Visionating. It’s a step by step guide to help you plan all aspects of your life, including the spiritual. I want to take the journey with you starting on May 7th where we will work on creating a life plan, together, using the steps in Visionating.

To get your copy, sign up using the form on the right. Then, on May 7th I’ll start a six week series on Mondays and Wednesdays where we’ll learn to “write the vision,” including God’s vision for how we are to sit at His feet like Mary and soak in His words amidst the endless distractions in our life.

She riseth while it is still night (Proverbs 31:15a)

On Monday I discussed some practical techniques for waking up early and getting adequate rest. When I started on this plan, I resisted the urge to actually get out of bed when the alarm went off. I didn’t feel the need to do so.

I lacked a strong ‘why,’ a purpose for arising and starting my day.

Many times we shuffle through life, heading from one activity to thenextin an endless fog of movement. At the end of the day, we go to bed a little anxious, a little antsy, and thinking: “I’ll have to run go through that wringer again tomorrow.” When morning arrives, we hit the snooze button, not wanting to face another day.

In Monday’s post, I mentioned that the woman in Proverbs 31 was an early riser. I believe she was an early riser because she had a strong ‘why.’

• She had valuable resources to find. She was a savvy shopper. (‘She seeketh wool and flax…she bringeth food from afar” v.13a, 14b)
• She had assets to purchase and invest in. She was an investor. (‘She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard’ v.16)
• She had exercise classes to attend (or something like that!) She took care of her health. (‘She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.’ v.17)
• She had people in need to help. She was a giver. (‘She stretcheth out her hand to the poor.’ v.20)
• She had a household to provide for. She was a homemaker. (‘All her household is clothed with scarlet.’ v. 21 ‘She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.’ V. 27)
• She had fine clothes to wear. That’s enough for any woman to get up early! (…her clothing is silk and purple. V. 22b)
• She had arts and crafts to make and sell. She was a business owner. (‘She maketh fine linene, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.’ v. 24)
• She had other to impart with values and principles. She was a teacher. (‘She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.’ v. 26)

All of this is enough to fll anyone’s plate. She had a strong ‘why’ behind each activity she engaged in and this ‘why’ enabled her to get up early every day. We all have activities, but what about the ‘why’ behind each one. Is the ‘why’ strong enough to motivate you to follow through with the sleep training process so you can get started on your day?

When I was nineteen, I attended one of the top universities in the nation. To the unsuspecting eye, I had it all: I had a vibrant acting career, I attended an Ivy League school and I had money in the bank. But I woke up every day at Noon, or 1pm…or anytime after the morning had passed. I lacked a strong ‘why.’

One day, while getting ready for class, I told my roommate that I thought college was a drag and I wished I didn’t have to go to class. Then she said the most profound statement. I’ll never forget it:

“Then leave school.”

I was flabbergasted. I couldn’t leave school. I had worked on getting into this school for my entire academic career. People would give blood to attend this school. Up and leave? No way. So I continued along and my ‘why’ for attending became weaker and weaker each day until I was forced to leave. I didn’t return to university until I had figured out my ‘why’ for going back. When I did find my ‘why’ and returned, I thrived.

If you don’t have a strong why for any of the activities you engage in on a daily basis.  

1)      Toss the activity

2)      Stop and reflect. Find your ‘why’

If you push this off, you’ll be in danger of trudging through your days, months, years…life frustrated and unfulfilled.

Not cool.

One resource which helped me with this was a wonderful ebook called “Tell Your Time” by Amy Andrews. I’m using this helpful resource to clarifying the ‘whys’ in my life. It’s helping me clarify the ‘whys’ in my life.

Below is a link to the book’s website. This is an affiliate link so if you purchase the book through this link, I’ll receive a small commission.

Let’s Talk: Do you wake up early every morning? Why or why not? I’d love to help you find your ‘why’

Hey everyone,

I’m taking a blog break today. My preggers brain is full right now LOL. I’ll see you on Friday.

How blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, Nor stand in the path of sinners, Nor sit in the seat of scoffers! But his delight is in the law of the LORD, And in His law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers. (Psalm 1:1-3, NASB)

At the beginning of the year, I resolved to spend some time reading the Bible every day. I didn’t have a particular schedule or Bible reading plan to follow. Instead, I was just going to read what I could each day.

So far, my plan has been successful. I’ll usually read in the morning and during my walk. But I’ve discovered that as I make this a greater priority, other less important things (which I previously considered important!) are pushed aside. And that’s a good thing.

Regular exposure to the Word of God is the foundation from which all else is built. If I have a weak foundation, then nothing else I attempt will stand.

What are you doing to make the Bible a priority in your life?

“Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14)

Many times, I want to do things my way. I make plans, engage in activities and attend various events to fill up my time. In the end, I wind up exhausted and frustrated. All of this could have been avoided if I first sought the Lord about it.

Recently, I have felt the need to enroll my son in a lot of activities: swim class, music class, library story time. Although I do like the oportunity to go out, it’s a chore to do so. When I come back home, I’m tired. If I followed the mandate in Romans 13:14, by putting on Jesus, a lot of this could have been avoided. By abiding in Him, I would have not felt the need to fill up my time with other things.

Question for You: Do extracurricular activities leave you exhausted? What will you do about it?

Taking a blogging break today. I will see you on Friday with my review of Mary Manner’s Lost In Lone Creek.

For 2012, I’ve set a goal to read the Bible everyday. That doesn’t mean I’m reading a pre-set amount of verses/chapters per day. I’m simply reading something, even if it’s one verse. Personally, I think daily exposure to the Word should begin in baby steps. And this is my baby step, my absolute minimum for the year. Can it be done? Definitely.

If I properly redeem my time and cut back on non-essential activities (like surfing the net, checking emails a bazillion times a day, talking on the phone, etc.), I’ll be able to use those spare minutes to read a verse or two.

I have a smaller Bible which I carry around with me which will make this goal even easier. Much less intimidating than carrying around a huge Bible (and a lot more practical!)

What are your Bible reading goals for 2012?