The Old Book

At the end of 2012, I bought a journal book for 2013 and I have written in it every day (minus 2 or 3 days).   The binding is broken and the pages are pretty tattered but we have become good friends this year.   When I look back through the pages I realize it contains more of a summary of things I did everyday rather than deep thoughts and the baring of my soul.   It works for me although I would like to get better at expressing more of my feelings than just facts.  

A couple weeks ago Maddy Welch (my 6 year old granddaughter) was here after school and she saw my journal for the first time.   She asked me what it was.  I showed it to her and read her a few entries.   She wanted to hold it herself and leaf through the pages.  She immediately was attached to it and she told me she liked it because it was old looking.....and because she loves notebooks too.

The next day after school Maddy and her cousin Izzy Martinson (my 7 year old granddaughter) were here.  Maddy asked me if she could show Izzy my “old book."  They both headed up to my bedroom and I could hear them admiring my old, broken down, tattered journal.  

It's now the last day of the year and I'm about to write my last entry for 2013. In saying goodbye to this old tattered friend, I intend to find a quiet place to read through all the words recorded which sum up a year of my life.

My new 2014 journal is already purchased and is a beautiful leatherette book.  I can't wait to make my first entry, but by this time next year it too will look like an Old Book.

 

Fulghum's Recommendations

I'm reading Robert Fulghum's "It Was On Fire When I Lay Down On It," and really like 9 recommendations he made:

1. Buy lemonade from any kid who is selling
2. Anytime you can vote on anything, vote
3. Attend the 25th reunion of your high school class 
4. Choose having time over having money
5. Always take the scenic route
6. Give at least something to any beggar who asks
7. And give money to all street musicians
8. Always be someone's valentine
9. When the circus comes to town, be there

A few recommendations of my own:

1. Make family a priority
2. Read books your grandchildren are reading
3. When you see someone you know, always speak to them and call them by name
4. Express gratitude
5. Plan to be generous
6. Stay in touch with friends
7. Don't wait until you've cleaned house to invite friends over
8. Find time to be still
9. Get involved in a local church
10. Do what you enjoy doing
11. Always eat birthday cake

Quotes from Catalyst West 2013

My husband (Pastor Dave) & I were blessed to attend Catalyst West this year.  (Thanks LifePoint for sending your pastor).

Quotes from Catalyst West 2013.

Andy Stanley - Senior Pastor, North Point Ministries.

• Info and insight alone do not a leader make.
• Our greatest contribution to the kingdom of God may not be what we do, but who we raise.
• It's better to make a difference than a point.
• Dads, your words to your kids count!
• When we're doing good, we learn nothing.

Jim Collins - Best-selling author.

• Most people will not live a great life because they settle for a good life.
• Never confuse personality with leadership.
• Turn from being interesting to being interested.
• Arrogance will lead to destruction.
• Bad decisions with good intensions are still bad decisions.
• If your organization can't be great without you, it can't be great.
• Creativity is natural.  Discipline is not natural.   Marry the two.

Jud Wilhite - Senior Pastor, Central Christian Church. 

• I want to be made into a leader who is known for a faithful and sincere heart, not for a spectacular ministry.
• It all comes back to Jesus.

Tom Shadyac - Screenwriter and Director. 

• The more we give away (or serve) the wealthier we become.

Matt Chandler - Lead Pastor, The Village Church.

• The Bible speaks to everything.   We must start with the Word.
• God works in the mess.

Louie Giglio - Pastor, Passion City Church.  

• Would you let Jesus serve you?
• Those who are served, serve well.
• As a church leader, what motivates you?  The gospel or a paycheck?

Andy Stanley:

• How to create high-performance teams:
• Select performance-oriented people.
• Clarify the "what" and the "why."
• Orchestrate and evaluate everything.

John Ortberg - Senior Pastor, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church

• Ministry begins with
• Acceptance of God
• Sustenance (prayer, close friends, worship)
• Significance
• Achievement
• Eliminate hurry from your life.  (Ortberg quoted Dallas Willard)

Christine Caine - Author and Founder, the A21 Campaign

• Stop being the church on Sunday and start being the church 24-7.
• Tolerance is not endorsement.
• It's not about me but about the generation that's coming
• Get your face out of Facebook and into the Word, and our face on the ground - praying.

Songs that blessed me:

• Oceans, Hillsong
• And I will call upon Your name and keep my eyes above the waves.  When oceans rise my soul will rest in Your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine.
• Forever Reign, Kristian Stanfill
• I'm running to Your arms, I'm running to Your arms, the riches of Your love will always be enough.  Nothing compares to Your embrace.  Light of the world forever reign.
• O Praise Him (All this for a King), David Crowder Band
• Come to my Rescue (Be Lifted High), Hillsong
• In my life, be lifted high, in our world, be lifted high, in our love, be lifted high
• Cornerstone, Hillsong
• Christ alone; cornerstone.  Weak made strong; in the Saviour's love.  Through the storm, He is Lord, Lord of all.