Moving Forward

In "The Word for You Today" devotional I ran across one that really hit home so I would like to share it with you.

The Title of the devotional is "The Righteous Keep Moving Forward" Job 17:9 for Dec. 31, 2008

The subtitle is S.M.A.R.T start the New Year! (I figure it is good ANYTIME!)

"Whoever said "Procrastination is the thief of time" was right. We keep postponing, promising ourselves we'll do better. Be honest, how many of last year's resolutions did you keep? This year do things differently. Make your goals S.M.A.R.T. In other words make them:

(S)pecific: Get up earlier in order to read your Bible and pray before going to work. Make time for your family. Exercise. Eat right. Take care of your body; it's God's temple. (See 1Co 6:19-20).

(M)oderate: Tackling more than one project at a time dilutes your focus and makes it harder to stick with. When you start too much you finish too little. Start small and build on your successes by mastering and maintaining one thing at a time (See Php 3:13).

(A)chievable: Don't try to swallow the whole elephant in one bite. Baby steps are the name of the game. Talk in terms of what you will do instead of what you won't. For example, instead of saying "I'm not going to be so critical," say "Today I'm going to look for something good in everybody I meet" (See Php 4:8).

(R)ecordable: You can't manage what you can't measure. Documenting your progress (or lack of it!) makes you accountable, shows how far you have come and what you need to work on.

(T)ime-specific: Review your goals weekly (or daily if your struggling). That way you can trouble-shoot early, and change direction when necessary. The Bible says: "Throw yourself into your tasks so...everyone will see your progress" (1Ti 4:15 NLT).

Come on, make up your mind, get up off the couch and go for it!

Attention Christmas Shoppers!

If you are purchasing Christmas gifts this year (as opposed to holiday gifts or something else) please check this out! We might need to consider from where we purchase our Christmas gifts!

11-13-2008

Focus on the Family Action’s2008 Christmas-Friendly Shopping Guide

How leading retailers’ messages rate

Last updated: 11/19/08
We welcome your use of these ratings in your shopping decisions. As an additional way to help you communicate with the retailers we evaluated, we are providing the convenience of a petition which you can sign by visiting focuspetitions.com.
Retailers will be presented with petitions — thanking those that embrace "Christmas," and alerting those that have purged or marginalized "Christmas" that you object to the secularization of Christmas. We hope you will "stand for Christmas" with us and encourage the continued acknowledgement of this historic Christian observance in our culture.

"Christmas-friendly" retailers — prominent acknowledgment of "Christmas"

Cabela's
Crate&Barrel
Dillard's
Eddie Bauer
JCPenney
Kohl's
L.L.Bean
Lands' End
Linens 'n Things
Lowe's
Macy's
Neiman Marcus
Nordstrom
Pier 1 Imports
Sears
The Home Depot
Target
Toys "R" Us
Wal-Mart

"Christmas-negligent" retailers — marginalized use of "Christmas"

Barnes & Noble
Bed, Bath & Beyond
Best Buy
Borders
Circuit City
Dick's Sporting Goods
GAP
KB Toys
Kmart


"Christmas-offensive" retailers — apparent abandonment of "Christmas"

American Eagle
Banana Republic
Bloomingdale's
Lane Bryant
Old Navy



This publication may be reproduced in its entirety only, and for non-commercial purposes, without prior permission from Focus on the Family Action. Copyright © 2008 Focus on the Family Action. All Rights Reserved. International Copyright Secured. Printed in the U.S.A.
If reproducing, please cite as follows: Originally published by Focus on the Family Action. Copyright © 2008 Focus on the Family Action.

Things To Do and Praise

Okay, I'm new at this but gotta start sometime!

I am the type of person who will make a to do list, work diligently on it for a little while and then forget about it! It always starts out the same...not only with good intentions to get it all done...but the items as well.....Clean every room (listed individually of course-that way you get to cross more things off than if you just write "clean house"!) Well unfortunately I can't seem to get it all done before I have to add some rooms back on the list!

I also put things on there that I want to do but think that I need to do. I have been thinking recently that I NEED to go somewhere or find someone to take some pictures of me and Rachael. Than I think I can't do that I'm too fat - got to lose weight first. Rachael may well be graduated from college before that happens so I think I am just going to have to make an effort to get it done! There are plenty of pictures of Rachael but so few of us (or me!) I am ohhh so NOT photogenic!

On another note....I want to thank the LORD! He has greatly blessed me today! I had decided to do an expo for my MAX business at the bike race in Ruston this weekend. I met the head guy out at the park Friday afternoon. I had never met Fred before but one of the first things he said to me was "You need new tires." Now I knew the front ones were getting bad but when he said that I of course had to look at them and I'm telling you the front two were nearly completely bald. So in my mind I added to the to do list - near the top I might add - to get 2 new tires for the front. I figured the back ones were ok for now. Well meanwhile I had asked Dad to borrow his truck today to move an 8' table I had borrowed from work this weekend for the expo back to the office. Well while I had the truck, mom and dad were cruising in my car. When I met back up with them to swap back I had 4 new tires (not just the 2 I desperately needed!) Thanks Jesus and thanks Mom and Dad!

Well that is my praise and rambling for today! I hope you will read again next time!