TDPL-Day 5

Day 5 - Seeing Life From God's View

Point to Ponder: Life is a test and a trust.
Verse: "Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones."
Luke 16:10a (NLT)
Question to Consider: What has happened to me recently that I now realize was a test from God? What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?

UPDATE ~

I must change my definition of life and replace it with biblical metaphors. I hope to stand before God at my final evaluation and receive his three promises: affirmation, promotion and celebration.

Life is a test. I do not want to fail any of the tests God places before me. Although sometimes I feel tested beyond my strength or ability, God is shaping my character.

Life is a trust. I need to be a better steward of all God has entrusted to me here on earth. None of it is mine; it is all a gift from God, entrusted to my care.

Life is a temporary assignment (Day 6).

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - week 7

Week 7 of the 2 Peas in a Bucket challenge had us organizing our IDEAS. Since I don't subscribe to any paper crafting magazines, nor do I belong to any monthly kit clubs, I assumed this would be an easy-peasy week. In fact, the first part was easy. I have three design books by Jeanette B. Lynton, founder of CTMH. They are filled with tons of layouts and sketches and are my "go-to" items when the scrapping mo-jo is not flowing. I decided to display them throughout my space, two in my desk unit and one in the Expedite. They are temporarily propped-up with photo boxes behind them. I'm still looking for the right display stands to hold these gorgeous books.

The execution of part two has been a thorn in my side for numerous weeks now. In the top photo, you can see a bunch of publications standing to the left of the Reflections design book. These are my CTMH Keynotes, issued six times per year and filled with creative ideas and tips, plus business and product education. I have been searching for two magazine holders to store these on the book shelf. No such luck finding the right color, in the right design, for the right price! But my search continues and I'm determined.

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Below are the next design books I plan on purchasing. They have been on my wish list (no pun intended), waiting for me to take the leap into cardmaking. Originals and Wishes are two cardmaking programs (also from Jeanette B. Lynton) filled with hundreds of patterns, templates and artwork. Now I'll have no excuse for purchasing another over-priced, cookie-cutter, plain store card!

I think I've passed the "it'll get worse before it gets better" part of this re-organization. My scroffice was a disaster during the first few weeks of the challenge. Stuff that was pulled-out from every cabinet, drawer and cubby hole in my space was then scattered over the floor in preparation for sorting. Although we have 16 weeks left, I have been addressing some other areas each week and the light at the end of the tunnel is burning brighter!

TPDL-Day 4

Day 4 - Made To Last Forever

Point to Ponder: There is more to life than just here and now.
Verse: "This world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever."
1 John 2:17 (NLT)
Question to Consider: Since I was made to last forever, what is the one thing I should stop doing and the one thing I should start doing today?

UPDATE ~

My life on earth is just preparation for my life in eternity, as designed by God. My relationship with God, while here on earth, will determined my relationship with him in eternity. I need to focus less on the worldly concerns of here-and-now, think more about eternity and begin living in light of eternity. I look forward to the change!

"Every act of our lives strikes some chord that will vibrate in eternity."

"For us this is the end of all the stories ... But for them it was only the beginning of the real story. All their life in this world ... had only been the cover and the title page: now at last they were beginning Chapter One of the Great Story, which no one on earth has read, which goes on forever and in which every chapter is better than the one before."
C.S. Lewis (Chronicles of Narnia)

TPDL-Day 3

Day 3 - What Drives Your Life?

Point to Ponder: Living on purpose is the path to peace.
Verse: "You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you."
Isaiah 26: 3 (TEV)
Question to Consider: What would my family and friends say is the driving force of my life? What do I want it to be?

UPDATE ~

5 benefits of knowing and living a purpose-driven life:

1. gives meaning to your life
2. simplifies your life
3. focuses your life
4. motivates your life
5. prepares you for eternity

"Without God, life has no purpose, and without purpose, life has no meaning. Without meaning, life has no significance or hope. And hope comes from having a purpose. Purpose produces passion."

FOCUS is the word that stood out to me in this chapter. More than stood out ... it was like a flashing neon sign, blinking at high speed to get my attention. I need to simplify my life based on the question, "Does this (activity, commitment, involvement) help to fulfill God's purpose for my life?". Effective by selective is my new motto.

I want to pass God's final exam. I need to FOCUS God's blessings on me and use them to fulfill his purpose for me."

Organize Your Stuff Challenge - weeks 9 & 10

Trudging through the challenge over at 2 Peas in a Bucket and I'm very pleased with my progress so far. Week 9 had us gathering, sorting, purging and organizing our embellishments, all with a fake smile upon our faces. The photos below show my CTMH embellishments cases, IKEA RAJTAN glass jars with flowers and buttons, sparkly bling stored in a pretty ceramic planter and 2 small tackle boxes filled mostly with metal and acrylic embellishments.

Love my Clip-It-Up shown below! I held off on this purchase for over 3 years thinking it wasn't necessary. I purchased just the base unit about 3 months ago and could smack myself for waiting as long as I did. It's a fabulous product, built sturdy and it rotates as smooth as butter. It holds a ton of stuff and currently houses rub-ons, stickers, chip board and some smaller embellishments. The top unit add-on would be perfect for the smaller items and might be a purchase later down the road.

I need to back-track to week 7 (Ideas) and post photos of my design books and how they are displayed in my space. Over-all, progress is good and the work flow of my scroffice is improving. What more could I ask for!

TPDL-Day 2

Day 2 - You Are Not An Accident

Point to Ponder: I am not an accident.
Verse: "I am your Creator. You were in my care even before you were born."
Isaiah 44:2 (CEV)
Question: I know that God uniquely created me. What areas of my personality, background and physical appearance am I struggling to accept?"

UPDATE ~

Nothing in my life is arbitrary. It's all for a purpose. WOW! That sets your mind wandering back through events and experiences from years past. "Chance encounters" are not by chance. He's like a Puzzle Master, fitting all the right pieces together.

God never does anything accidentally, and he never makes mistakes. There is a reason for everything he creates. I struggle with this daily ... sometimes hourly. I know I'm not meant to understand everything, but that doesn't take away the desire to know.

I am an expression of God's love and my life has profound meaning in God's plan.

TPDL-Day 1

The Purpose Drive Life is divided into six main sections and the first is titled "What On Earth Am I Here For?". Great place to start, don't you think? Each daily devotional is followed by a section called "Thinking about My Purpose". I'll include these points of interaction each day. Going forward, I'll post the devotional early in the day and then add to that post later. I need to digest the message and reflect, taking time to consider its' implications on my life.

Day 1 - It All Starts With God

Point to Ponder: It's not about me.
Verse: "Everything got started in him and finds its purpose in him."
Colossians 1:16 (Msg)
Question to Consider: In spite of all the advertising around me, how can I remind myself that life is really about living for God, not myself?

UPDATE ~

I exist only because God willed my existence. I was made by God and for God. I need to let go and let God use me for his purposes. His purpose for me was planned before I even existed and I need to focus on becoming what God created me to be. Without God life makes no sense.

God's 5 purposes for me:
1. Worship helps me focus on God
2. Fellowship helps me face life's problems
3. Discipleship helps fortify my faith
4. Ministry helps to identify my talents
5. Power helps fulfill my Mission

"Unless you assume a God, the question of life's purpose is meaningless."
Bertrand Russell, atheist