Status Updates From What If God Wrote Your To-D...

Well written ... thought provoking ... short chapters get right to the point ... from a Christian point of view ... Good call to action at the end of each day's reading ... based on biblical principles.

I used this for a one year devotional (a few weeks off). I read one chapter each Saturday, used the next week to put it into practice.

Highly recommended instead of more. secular, feel-good "to do" training plans.

Currently reading this, doing one chapter a week (since there are 52 chapters). Too bad I didn't start in January--but oh well, I'll get done when I get done.

So far have found the advice very pertinent, though sometimes a bit patronizing.

I've been wondering why it is taking me so long to read such an EASY book to read. Now I know. I needed today's little nugget... TODAY. "Finish what you start."
Lesson received.
Back to rewriting my lost scene in Finding a Memory.

None of this is earth-shatteringly new. But it is an encouraging reminder of why we do the things we do.

I'm reading this with a group; otherwise, I would definitely set it aside. It's not worth reading.

"Benjamin Franklin said, 'You may delay, but time will not.' And that's the best point of all. One year from now, you will either have gained a year's experience or will still be deciding whether or not to take the leap."

"All believers-recent and longtime followers-have a responsibility to give and receive."

"...being a little spiritually hungry is also a good thing. It keeps you turning to the Bible for answers. But starving yourself leads to spiritual immaturity."

"Give that bitterness to God." I.e. Forgive and let go of those who hurt you. You can't move on and it only hurts you, not them.

"...I think you can claim victory every time you recognize sin. As you live the examined life, you can also claim victory when you find yourself sinning less frequently. In addition, you frustrate Satan any time you sin less severely."

"Pray right then and there." Not sure where I heard it from originally, but the concept is brilliant. That way you don't miss praying for the person/situation.

What's your life verse? It was in 2 Kings. Now? Not sure. This will take some careful thought.

"Keep doing your best. But when you fail (and you will), be broken by the sin, atone, and make amends. Your humble repentance may be the greatest evidence of Christianity some people will ever see."

"Do what you can and don't be surprised if it turns out to be much more than you thought."

"Fight to the death for those core truths you know are indisputable. But for most of your ambitions, allow humility and curiosity to open the door to fresh winds and inspirations. You don't have all the answers. You're not home yet."

"Anyone who thinks they are 100 percent heavenly minded is probably no earthly good." Echoes of CS Lewis here. :)

"So here's the big question. Tonight, when your head hits the pillow and you look back on your day, can you honestly say you either did something great or prepared to do something great? Or did you pretty much waste a day's worth of oxygen?" I'm taking a snow day. :p

The most life-changing thing Henry Varley said to Dwight L. Moody, Varley didn't even recall saying. What we say, whether we remember it or not, could have an epic effect on those who hear it. I'm spooked. I hope what I say has been heard positively! I need to watch what I say. :/

Dwight L. Moody quotes. "The Bible will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from the Bible." "I believe Satan to exist for two reasons: first, the Bible says so; and second, I've done business with him." Mic. Drop.

"Ironically, when you say yes to too many things, you're actually saying no to everything." Preach!

Was going to note each of the 52 to-dos. Just going to note ones that strike me. Commenting takes away from my reading!

7. Ask yourself THINK before you post something. Is it True? Is it Helpful? Is it Inspiring? Is it Necessary? And is it Kind? Solid advice.

6. Make the world wonder what got into you. And then tell 'em. Be salt. Be light. Shine. Point to God.

5. We don't want to live in the past. Or dwell on the past. Or run from the past. But we can reflect on the past to help is see that God can make all things new.

4. When God offers a way out (second chance), take it.

3. Is thinking on your to-do list? It should be. And the strategy for being productively thoughtful is to dwell long and hard in ideas that uplift rather than drag down. Maybe start with Colossians 3:2 "Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things." Read things that have at least been proofread. (Ie. not just tweets!)

2. Eating a frog (figuratively speaking) takes courage and discipline. But the rewards are many. Hebrews 12:11 (esv) promises, "For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." Give attention to being intentional about starting your day.

1. Making your bed in the morning is a specific task. And it's a metaphor. If you begin your day, week, or year with a small achievement, bigger achievements are more likely to follow. Start strong.