7 Day Challenge - Day 6

Almost home on the challenge. It's been tough over the weekend to keep up with the routine.

PRAY I have prayed, but sparingly. I prayed that God will keep Lauran and Elizabeth Anne healthy and safe.
READ I read in 1 Peter 4. There is so much in this chapter that I am going to stay in it for a couple of days. Verse 1 says, "So then, Christ suffered physical pain, you must arm yourselves with the same attitude he had, and be ready to suffer, too. For if you are willing to suffer for Christ, you have decided to stop sinning." I don't think I wake up in the morning with the attitude like, "Ok I am ready to suffer like Jesus did on the cross today!" But the Bible tells us to arm yourselves with this attitude. Are we prepared to face our battles, temptations, struggles in life with this same intensity? The intensity that says, "temptor, you are going to have to nail me to a cross to get me to do that or say that!" I prayed for that kind of attitude and strength to face life.
HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS I am starting to get a complex.
TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD Not yet...

7 Day Challenge - Day 5

We are still going strong in our challenge. Hope you are too!

PRAY I continue to pray for our family and my "two" girls! I am also praying for God to allow me to be a part of something new and creative that he is doing. I am not sure what that is just yet - but it would be something exciting.
READ I read in 1 Peter this morning, but for some reason just couldn't focus.
HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS Still working on this and the one below.
TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD I really am trying to be intentional about this but just can work in a conversation. So, I'll keep at it.

GUITAR!!!!

Whatever you do, do it well! This kid can play.

7 Day Challenge - Day 4

You know, having to post what I am doing is really helping me see a pattern. I think I need more diversity in my prayer life. Also, I don't seem to do the whole people thing too well. This has been a good exercise!

PRAY I prayed after and during reading, see below. I also prayed for my "two" girls. : )
READ I read through 1 Peter 2:12-3:18. During this time, I came up with this simple thought. God wants us to be "no matter what" people. I need to be a "no matter what guy." Respect my leaders and authorities - no matter what. Love my wife - no matter what. Love my critics and enemies - no matter what. God tells us to do these things no matter what circumstances you are in, no matter what the other person does, no matter what - we are to love them! That my friends is one tall order! So I prayed for God to help me be a "no matter what" guy today!
HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS Nobody likes me! : )
TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD Mmmmm....not yet.

Day 4: Lauran's update

Pray: Today I prayed for the health of our baby. I also prayed for God's timing in my life instead of mine.

Read: I read the first part of 1 Peter 3. Verses 3-4 really stood out to me for all us girls. :) "Your beauty should not come from outward adornment such as the braiding of hair or the wearing of fine jewelry, but should come from the gentle and quiet inner spirit which is precious in the Lord's sight." Ladies, this doesn't mean that we can look nice or have nice things...this means that we should not rely on them or find our identity in them. True beauty comes from the heart. You can't mask an ugly heart with pretty clothes, and you can't hide a beautiful heart no matter what you wear!!!

Hang out: I am spending the morning with my mom this morning, and then my dad is coming to visit this afternoon! I have the best family!!!

Tell someone about God: I have not been very good at this for the past couple of days....i need to step it up.

7 Day Challenge - Day 3

If you are keeping up with the challenge, then congrats - you are halfway there! I know that even though it has only been 3 days, it may seem like a burden to keep going. Hang in there - keep it up, it gets easier and easier to continue after a week. Here are my updates for Day 3

PRAY I prayed mostly for Lauran and our baby this morning.
READ I read through 1 Peter 2:1-12, and found a good explanation as to why God wants us to obey him. "This is so you can show others the goodness of God" & "Be careful how you live among your unbelieving neighbors. Even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will believe and give honor to God.." So, I treat people nice, I forgive, I love, I help out - not for me, but so that they will somehow see God. That's a different way of looking at things huh?
TIME WITH FRIENDS Well, we couldn't make the time last night with friends. Although, I did watch American Idol. I have to say that the guy with the goatee was really good. So, still looking for this.
TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD Nothing to report - I need to work on this.

Day 3: Lauran's update

Pray: Today I simply prayed that God would teach me. That He would show me more of Himself and show me how to live more like Him.

Read: I read the second part of 1 Peter 2. Verse 21 says, "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps..." I guess this is a good heart check for me. I already have His example. Am I being careful to follow it? Do I go about my day knowing my purpose or do I just go about my day? I am going to try to go through today being more intentional.

Hang out: I am going to lunch with a former co-worker.

Tell someone about God: Nothing to report yet. Like I said, I am going to try to be intentional today.

Slingshot!

This looks like fun. How many of you would do it?

7 Day Challenge - Day 2

PRAY I did pray again this morning. I prayed after I read - see below.

READ I read through 1 Peter v. 13-25. Verse 14 says, "Obey God because you are his children. Don't slip back into your old ways of doing evil; you didn't know any better then." I prayed that I would never slip back into may old ways. Then, I got to verse 22 which says, "Now you can have sincere love for each other as brothers and sisters because you were cleansed from your sins when you accepted the truth of the Good News. So see to it that you really do love each other intensely with all your heart." Man, what a challenge! So, I asked God to help me with that one.

HANG OUT Friends over to watch American Idol tonight!

TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD Nothing new to report here. I did have a meeting with one of my accountabilty group partners today though. Does that count? : )

Day 2: Lauran's update

Pray: I prayed today mainly about being a good mom and a good friend. I want to be a godly example for our little girl, and I want to be the kind of friend to others that I want others to be for me. I want to learn how to love even more as that is the basis of who God is.

Read: I read the first part of 1 Peter 2 today. The first part of the chapter stood out to me the most. Verse 2 says, "As newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord." That got me thinking about how the milk we give our baby is essential to her life. Do I view God's word as that? Do I crave it like newborns crave milk? wow...what a reality check!!

Hang out: I got to spend time with my mom today during lunch. We have such a great friendship and bond, and I am eternally thankful for that. We will also have two of our best friends over tonight to watch American Idol!!! Jimmy and I are so thankful for friends that we can relax with and laugh with!

Tell Someone: I got the opportunity today to share with one of the teachers at one of my day cares just how blessed I feel to be able to have a child. I got to tell her that I view every child first and foremost as a gift from God. Their thought processes, their words, and their actions are so precious to me.

Day 1: Lauran's update

Sorry for the late post for Day 1...I'm new to the whole blogging thing. Here is my update:

Pray: I prayed this morning for my family, for my daycares and students, and for our Sunday School class. I prayed that each of you would know that you touch our lives.

Read: I read 1 Peter 1. Verse 13 stood out to me the most, "Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ."...reminding me that I need to pay attention and be aware of where God is working instead of wandering through my day. God is working at all times around us, and we miss opportunities to share Him, love Him, and be loved by Him if we are not paying attention.

Hang Out: I taught classes at the studio tonight. It is a blessing to have the friends there that I do. Some I have known my whole life, and others I am just getting to know. It is also nice to share with these friends the same passion for dance.

That is it for me today. I hope everyone has a wonderful day!!

7 Day Challenge - DAY 1

We are starting a 7 Day challenge to Pray, Read, Spend time with friends, and Tell someone about God. (See post below) Here is how I am doing so far:

PRAY I did pray this morning. I prayed for the day. Thanked God for our family. I prayed for this challenge and the youth group.

READ I read in 1 Peter this morning too, the first 12 verses. I particularly liked v. 8-9 "You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him, you trust him; and even now you are happy with a glorious, inexpressible joy. Your reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." It is hard to believe and trust in something or someone you don't see. But I just do, and I am glad I do.

HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS Today was all work, no play. However, we are excited that we are having friends over tomorrow night!

TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD Didn't do that today. It's difficult to just open up about God in the midst of my daily activities. I will keep an eye out for tomorrow.

That's day 1 for me. Hope you are making strides too!

Ronald Steele Buzzer Beater

Hey.... I had to post this. It's my team!

Roll Tide!

The Challenge to Follow

Today, we discussed Luke 5:1-11

Summary and our 7 Day Challenge



- Making a decision to follow Jesus will result in change. Both external and internal. It's this change that sometimes scares us.

- Peter has a decision to make, follow Jesus or remain a fisherman. Peter decides to put aside whatever fears he has and follows Jesus.

- Peter learns from Jesus. His life and heart is completely changed. His life is filled with amazing experiences. Experiences that he would have never dreamed could happen to him, an ordinary fisherman. (see Acts 4:13)

- The same invitation offered to Peter, is offered to us. Follow Jesus, and experience amazing changes in your life, both internal change and external change.

Our 7 Day Challenge to Follow

As a group, we are going to do our best to follow Jesus for 7 days. Here are the four things we are challenged with:

1) PRAY Each day for 7 days. (7 different prayers) Pray for others. Pray about what you read. Confess. Give Thanks.

2) READ Each day for 7 days. (read in 1 Peter) As we read, we will ask, "God, what do you want me to do?"

3) HANG OUT WITH FRIENDS At least one time during the next 7 days. Hang out with or even join a cell group. Enjoy time with friends. Laugh, talk, encourage. Pray together. Share your thoughts.

4) TELL SOMEONE ABOUT GOD At least one time during the next 7 days. Share your thoughts about God. Tell someone what Christ means to you.


Every day for the next 7 days - we will keep up with this challenge on this blog. Read about how Lauran and I are making it through the challenge. Feel free to sign in and leave a comment on how you are doing.

My prayer is that you will meet God during the next 7 days, and get a taste of what it is like to follow him.