Friday, December 30, 2011

A New Path



     As I consider the end of 2011 and prepare to begin a brand new year, 2012 I find myself on a new path in my life as well. In October we purchased several acres of mostly wooded property from an Amish fellow in a nearby community. After finally getting a road built to a future home site, purchasing an older model RV from a former pastor and getting it set up, and getting electric service run to our site we were able to enjoy the last fleeting days of Fall and the beautiful leaves throughout the woods.
     Today while spending a quiet afternoon at home alone, not a frequent occurrence, I took the time to enjoy the view in front of my new home. Even though the leaves are gone I still find it awesome. I have a basket of books, all put aside when packing things for storage, waiting to be read over these Winter months. As I have this time to spend in our RV before our cabin is built and there is very little housework to do I must admit I look forward to curling up on the sofa under a favorite throw with a cup of hot tea and a good book.
     Besides reading I hope to get back to this new endeavor of blogging that I began last year and found there was just not enough free time then to devote to writing. I do enjoy writing very much and am in the process of writing a book compiled of stories from my childhood which will be dedicated to my grandchildren. I suppose the fact that I find myself on the far side of fifty is causing me to realize all the more the brevity of life. I want to slow down and learn to squeeze every sweet moment from this life I have been blessed with. I wish I could say I have lived my life with no regrets, I cannot do that. However, as I begin the journey of a brand new year I can choose to put forth the effort to live my future years without regret.
     If you stop to think about it just how would you go about living a life for which you would have no regrets? Surely this question would produce a host of varied answers. No matter ones age I should think it would be an achievement with great benefits. Every life I come in contact with may be affected either in a positive or a negative way by me, what an awesome thought.
     After some deep thought on how to go about making 2012 a fruitful, happy year without regret, for me; I have come up with a plan. Is it a perfect plan, one that is complete without need of additional steps? No, for sure it is not, but it is a start and one I am sure is in the right direction. Now I know that as a human with faults and weaknesses there will be times of failure as I seek to achieve these goals in my life, but there will be times of success as well. My prayer is that as I undertake to be diligent in some areas in my life that need improving I will be a blessing and inspiration to those around me and those I meet along the way.

                                  My Goals for 2012

1. Regular Bible Study: A must in order to learn principles, not just reading but study. Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15 ,
     But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be entreated,   full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

2. Be careful of my Speech:  Use words that help rather than harm. Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in they sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer. Psalm 19:14
     These are the things that ye shall do; Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgement of truth and peace in your gates: Zechariah 8:16
3. Seek a sweet Spirit:  Work on a mild and calm demeanor. But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is n the sight of God of great price. I Peter 3:4 
  
4. Guard my Thoughts:  Our thoughts strongly influence our speech and actions. Finally, brethern, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Phillipians 4:8 

5.Work on being more Considerate: Thoughtfulness for others leaves an impression. Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. Colossians 3:12, 13
     But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:4
     Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. II Corinthians 1:4






    I want to thank each of you who take the time to read as I put my thoughts and ideas to print. In the coming weeks and months I will post updates from this new path I find myself on. As I seek to get "back to the basics" and simplify my life in several areas I find I am learning so many new things and I expect to learn much more. I hope some of the things I share here will be a help or an encouragement or maybe an inspiration to you my readers.


Have a Happy and Healthy New Year,
Debbie