Sunday, March 30, 2008
A Year in the Making
2006 was a year of spiritual growth for me -- for both of us. We began the year with "revelations" about health, and following God's plan (what the Bible says) about nutrition, rest, and other health-related principles. It was a fantastic year of discovering eye-opening truths and learning to trust God in new ways we hadn't considered before. God radically changed our lives through applying words we had heard and read many times before, but never took to heart in the way we began to that spring, and so had never actually applied to us. (And the Dr. Phil test, "How's it workin' for you?" -- was, and is still, -- GREAT!)
2007, however, was a maintenance year, a year of stability -- but not of growth. After 2006 was so exciting to experience, 2007 was a little disappointing. We did have some neat life events in '07; we began the year in Hong Kong, in the summer we moved to "our little house in the country," and we ended the year with a new baby on the way. But it was not a year of discovering new truths; I felt like I was the same person in December as I was in January. I was a little frustrated, but I also knew God has plans for those times, too. I also knew I hadn't "backslidden," just stayed the same -- and deep down I knew that's important, too. As far as the health part goes, it was important to me to see that over a year later, and really almost two, we were still living and applying the principles that were so fresh at the beginning of '06. I believed all along it was a "real" change, but continuing to live it after a lot of the "hype" was over showed me it really was real to us.
And now for 2008:
So far, 2008 has been exciting -- it has been a new time of growth for us. The Lord began opening doors for growth right at the very beginning of the year, which have just escalated. The main tools He's using to grow us right now, in addition to His Word of course, is the book "No Perfect People Allowed," by John Burke (eye-opening! life-changing! very challenging!) and Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" Bible Study. I literally feel like my eyes are open a little wider, that my heart is more tender, and I can't help but feel a little regret for living so differently the past 30 years. I wish I could have known these things all along! But I also know God's timing is perfect. God shows us things as we're ready to handle them. I have to admit, though, all this change and new thinking is a little overwhelming -- in a good way, but overwhelming none the less. Partly because I know the Lord is not showing us all this for our knowledge or even primarily for our benefit, but for His glory and to benefit His kingdom. So we both know "God has something up His sleeve" for us -- we just don't know what that is right now. But we're not scared, we're excited! And trying to be patient (not our strongest suit). In that, too, God will show us when He's ready. And that's fine.
There's so much more I could write, but this is probably enough for now. All I can say is, based on what God is teaching us through these two resources, I highly recommend both "No Perfect People Allowed" (primarily for church leaders, but applicable to every Christian) and "Breaking Free." Get a copy of one or both of these and see for yourself. And please, let me know if you do! I'd love to hear your thoughts and perspectives. God has changed us so much, and I like the person I am now so much better than the person I was a year ago through these changes -- that I want to share with everyone and give everyone the chance to experience the same!
2007, however, was a maintenance year, a year of stability -- but not of growth. After 2006 was so exciting to experience, 2007 was a little disappointing. We did have some neat life events in '07; we began the year in Hong Kong, in the summer we moved to "our little house in the country," and we ended the year with a new baby on the way. But it was not a year of discovering new truths; I felt like I was the same person in December as I was in January. I was a little frustrated, but I also knew God has plans for those times, too. I also knew I hadn't "backslidden," just stayed the same -- and deep down I knew that's important, too. As far as the health part goes, it was important to me to see that over a year later, and really almost two, we were still living and applying the principles that were so fresh at the beginning of '06. I believed all along it was a "real" change, but continuing to live it after a lot of the "hype" was over showed me it really was real to us.
And now for 2008:
So far, 2008 has been exciting -- it has been a new time of growth for us. The Lord began opening doors for growth right at the very beginning of the year, which have just escalated. The main tools He's using to grow us right now, in addition to His Word of course, is the book "No Perfect People Allowed," by John Burke (eye-opening! life-changing! very challenging!) and Beth Moore's "Breaking Free" Bible Study. I literally feel like my eyes are open a little wider, that my heart is more tender, and I can't help but feel a little regret for living so differently the past 30 years. I wish I could have known these things all along! But I also know God's timing is perfect. God shows us things as we're ready to handle them. I have to admit, though, all this change and new thinking is a little overwhelming -- in a good way, but overwhelming none the less. Partly because I know the Lord is not showing us all this for our knowledge or even primarily for our benefit, but for His glory and to benefit His kingdom. So we both know "God has something up His sleeve" for us -- we just don't know what that is right now. But we're not scared, we're excited! And trying to be patient (not our strongest suit). In that, too, God will show us when He's ready. And that's fine.
There's so much more I could write, but this is probably enough for now. All I can say is, based on what God is teaching us through these two resources, I highly recommend both "No Perfect People Allowed" (primarily for church leaders, but applicable to every Christian) and "Breaking Free." Get a copy of one or both of these and see for yourself. And please, let me know if you do! I'd love to hear your thoughts and perspectives. God has changed us so much, and I like the person I am now so much better than the person I was a year ago through these changes -- that I want to share with everyone and give everyone the chance to experience the same!
# posted by David and Aleecia @ 10:59 PM 
