Which ones do you like?

–Melissa

1. Believe the best about people. Make trust your default, not suspicion.
2. Be on time. Great leaders are rarely late.
3. Under promise and over deliver. Our tendency is to do the opposite.

4. Stop blaming people. Just stop. Your will start taking responsibility for yourself as a result.
5. Pray for your enemies. You will forgive them…and they will not be your enemies for long.
6. Review the week ahead on Sunday night for ten minutes. Monday won’t seem nearly as intimidating
7. Get up earlier. The early bird actually usually does get the worm.
8. Go to bed earlier. Stop falling asleep on the couch.

9. Read the bible. Read at least 3 verses of scripture every morning, more if you’re up to it.
10. Never say “I don’t have the time.” Instead, say “I’m not going to make the time.” It will change how you see time…and priorities.
11. Smile. Most people look moderately unhappy most of the time.

12. Clean your personal space. A clean desk, car or office makes you feel better about yourself.
13. Give 10%. Give away the first tenth of everything you make. You’ll be surprised at how liberating this is.
14. Pay cash (as in bills in your wallet) for discretionary items. You will spend less and save more.
15. Exercise. Enough said. Just get moving.
16. Do something for yourself everyday. People who care for themselves are better at caring for others.
17. Read outside your area of interest. Apps like Zite and Flipboard even make this so easy.
18. Automate what’s important. Schedule appointments with yourself for what matters. Automatically take savings and givings out of your bank accounts.

19. Serve somewhere. People who serve others live longer and are happier.

20. Show up prepared. Whether it’s a meeting or simply coming home, prepare yourself before you show up.

21. Play. Most of us have forgotten how to play. Rediscover it.

What would you add to this list? What’s helped you the most?

My Top 10 New Year’s Resolutions

Like the explanation below ,  I too have been one to make a non-reolutions resolutions.  I have done this for a few years.  Yes, I do have my goals (usually short term, acctionable goals) but I have found tremendous power behind the choosing of a one little word as a guide for the entire year.  This year as in past years, my word has found me.  It has come to me….and I am certain it is born from a deep place….a guiding from God and His knowledge whispered as something that can bless me if I am mindful of it.  Because it can be remembered, it can be applied to a variety of situations and decisions and simply, everyday life!

My word for 2012?  ORDER

For a creative type like me, this is a challenge but something I know I will need this next year to be able to enjoy, achieve and live my best life!

Yep, this word found me…..and it is perfect for me.

If you are interested in playing along……share with me in the comments what your one word is for 2012.

–Melissa

(from the gritandglory.com blog on the one little word concept):

I’ve never been a New Year’s resolutions girl.

I just can’t bring myself to do it. I think I tried once. And a few months later when I couldn’t even remember what my resolutions were — or where my list was — I felt like a miserable failure.

And I’ve never resolutioned again.

But last year I decided to choose one word to focus on. My own personal non-resolution resolution.

No list. No specifics. No goals. Just one word.

Risk.

And I stayed mindful of it all year.

It helped me make decisions. Take steps. Share my heart. It spurred me on. Challenged me. Inspired me. I loved it and I hated it, but I didn’t forget it.

It was just one word.

But it made a huge difference in my year. In my life.

Many of you joined me in the one word challenge. All year, I journeyed with you through your blog posts, twitter statuses, and conversations. I watched as you embraced your word. As you allowed it to lead you through your year. As God used it to mold and shape you.

One word.

One simple, powerful word.

It’s time to choose a new one for the new year.

I finally settled on mine. It felt like a difficult decision. I had lists of options. All good words. All things I want to be, or live, or do. But ultimately, I needed to choose just one.

And in line with the rest of 2010, I had to risk even in this.

Which, after the year I’ve had, feels like no small thing.

But I felt like God was drawing me to this word. Like it was less about me choosing it and more about it choosing me.

So I held my breath, shut my welly eyes tight, and committed to it.

Will you consider one-wording it with us this year?

Maybe a solitary word grabs your heart right this moment. Maybe, like me, you need to make a list and then ask Him to guide you from there.

And then let’s walk this road together. As a community. As a family.

What do you want to focus on in 2011?

Who do you want to be?

You can do this.

We can do this.

Together.

One Word 2011.

No, they weren’t all that terrified because Santa engaged them in conversation about Jesus and how we love Him and follow Him and there were plenty with good responses.

Santa had a pretty cute helper in elf green with him…..Nancy!  She helped Santa get into his suit and even had to help Santa turn the pages on the big story book….I think Santa had some new gloves on!

What a wonderful visit by jolly ole’ St. Nick!

You are probably giving some thought to the fact that we are nearing the end of the year and the beginning of a new year….2012!

I have enjoyed a daily reading in the Book of Proverbs…..and it has been a huge encouragement!  I am excited that most recently, both my son and daughter have joined me in reading Proverbs daily.  It gives me an opportunity to copy my favorite verse in the daily reading and share via twitter and send to my kids via a text message.

The system is easy.  There are 31 chapters in Proverbs…..one for each day.  I read the chapter that corresponds to the day.

They are wildly practical….deep….applicable to daily life…..offer steps to deal with people and acquire wisdom as we get to know and honor God more.  Wisdom!  It is a concept not often talked about.  It is important.  The ability to exercise good judgement.  Wow it’s easy to see why this is needed in our world. But what we don’t often reflect on is that it is so needed in our own lives.  That’s always a good place to start……our need.  Read Proverbs for yourself. It is a gift you give yourself.

I have used the free bible app for my smart phone  (also available on your computer) offered by lifechurch.tv called YOUVERSION.  I have been reading out of the Message translation which uses a modern idiom.  I love the fresh way it communicates.

Consider it as a way to begin, restart or revitalize your reading of God’s Word for next year.  It has taught me a great deal over the last few months. I think you will also be blessed.  I would love to hear about how it goes with you.

Consider also joining a HOME group in the new year.  We launch our new series and HOME groups again on the weekend of January 7th and 8th.  More info to follow.

Focus on how you can get to know Jesus better and love Him more.  It is a good thing!

They say a picture is worth a thousand words…..so enjoy….

Children receiving last minute instructions

The backdrop of the mountains was beautiful!

The narrator: Pastor Schmidt

The children singing J-E-S-U-S

The Angel announcing to the shepherds that Jesus is Born!

Two of the Three Kings

Mary and Joseph

The Preschool Teaching Staff of Concordia

I loved the end of year encouragement to reflect and give thanks … AND create a plan!

Thought this was great:

1. Do NOT go into debt for Christmas. Make a year end plan today that will save you from spending yourself into debt.

2. Pay something off today. Make a payment on a credit card or bill that will pay it off or put a dent into the lump sum.

3. Spend a few minutes after you’ve read this letter to ask God to give you direction on who needs a blessing in their life and how you can bless them.

4. Automate some savings. Go into your online banking and set-up an automatic withdrawl of a percentage of your income to your savings account.

5. Stop right now and name 5 things that you are thankful that God has provided for you and your family.

6. Re-quote your insurance. The average person who re-quotes their insurance receives a $500-700 savings per year. Look at netquote.com as a great website to use.

7. Ask God how He wants you to be obedient in your generosity through the end of the year.

Later in the letter it lists the things that God has done at Concordia over the last year and half through and with us!

• 25 people have been baptized!
• 294 people attended worship services on Easter weekend 2011
• We have first guests EVERY Sunday except one!
• 750 people attended the Living Nativity last year
• Over 2,000 people attended the Easter Eggstravaganza.
• Over 100 car packages were packed for the military.

Yes, its good to stop and reflect….stop and give thanks….stop and plan….stop and SEE WHAT GOD HAS DONE! This made my day.

Love the clean slate. Love considering what God wants to do with and through us.  How could we think small?  That is incongruent with a big amazing God who does things greater than we could possible ask or imagine! (Ephesians 3:20)

No other way than to be BOLD!

What is in store for you in 2012?

Wow…that really hit me between the eyes!

I decided (….more like listened to the whisperings of God to my spirit) that we needed to first create some significant space to stop and reflect on what God had taught us over the last 10 months of great things, not so great things and everything in between.  I am absolutely convinced that God teaches us through the good, the bad and the ugly!  (sometimes more through the bad and ugly then the good!)

We spent the first three hours doing this … reflecting on what God taught us, who He is and then communicating directly with Him in supplication and prayer.  We only got in another three hours of planning before we had to stop because we were all four battling various stages of a bad cold!  We spend a couple of hours in fun….playing dominoes and watching a chick flick!

This morning I was delighted to hear that despite our colds we all had a good night’s sleep and spent another 2 hours in reflection and prayer.  In total we spent 5 hours in prayer and 8 hours total in planning.  You might suspect…..yes, we got more planning done than if we had spent the entire 13 hours in strategy and planning!  Not only that, but we were able to talk deeply and openly in a way that I had not recognized before.  Our team is maturing in our understanding of our unique calling and work, I am convinced.

It was good to seek  margin for these two days.  What has God shown you over the last 10 months?  Carve out the time to reflect on this in your life.  You might discover some interesting lessons and truths that are meant just for you!

Thanks to Messiah L.C. who helped us with the $150 to make this retreat possible!  You continue to challenge us to ask the big questions and we are grateful!

Here is our Tijuana ministry team (from left to right:  Tere M., Legna L. and Jhoselyn P.)  I am privileged to serve alongside of them!