Well, perhaps you thought I would be returning with thoughts and ideas from our Annual Plan. Honestly, I did, too! However, we had a few kinks thrown in the works and didn’t actually get to do it! Fortunately, the window never closes on making a good plan, so we’ve rescheduled and I’ll keep you posted. From the incredible response (both in comments and by the many emails I received), I might be hearing about YOUR annual plans before I tell about my own!
Right now, I’m getting ready for an event that I’ve been planning at my church for quite some time: a P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation event with speaker and author (and my friend!) Debbie Williams. The event is this Saturday and we are planning to receive 350 women for a day of worship and learning ways to deepen and strengthen our prayer lives. I can’t think of a much better way to start the new year!
Several months ago, I did a giveaway of Debbie’s book, Pray with Purpose – Live with Passion,
and her prayer journal, Prayers of My Heart.
In honor of her visit this weekend, I’m doing it again, but with the addition of a One Year Chronological Bible.
I am reading it through this year myself, and I love the way it’s broken down in easy-to-digest segments each day. Certainly, I’m still digging through my beloved (and somewhat ragged) study Bible for deeper contemplation, but I’m loving just reading it through (especially in this chronological form) like a book.
So, to enter, leave a comment with what you’ve purposed to do this year to deepen your spiritual walk. I’ll announce the winner on Friday, the 9th. Oh, and if you’re interested in having Debbie come to your church (it’s free!), go on over here to find out more.
No matter what life throws at us in 2009, if we immerse ourselves in the Word and set out to learn ever more about prayer and spending time in God’s presence, how can we help but have a good year? May the opportunity to win some tools to help you in this endeavor not only bless you, but spur you on.
You are all precious to me.
Melinda,
I’m reading through the bible for my 2nd year in a row and this year I chose to read the New Living Translation. I’m Memorizing Scripture along with “thousands”, at least close to three….with our Siesta’s. And I’m embracing what God has for me in 2009…embracing and striving to have more mercy.
I love Debbie’s prayer journal, this is my 2nd year.
Please keep my name out of the current drawing, but I certainly wanted to share a bit of my world.
Lovingly,
Yolanda
Wow, what an ambitious undertaking! 350??? You're gonna need some loaves & fishes, for sure!
As for me and 2009 … I must confess that I have few, if any resolutoins. Rather than add to my goals, I'm really trying to focus on what NOT to drag along with me. It's more about identifying and clinging to the vital, and foregoing anything and everything that prevents me from living on that high ground – even really good things.
No need to add me to the drawing as I have a mound of reading material I've yet to get to (probably some of that which I leave behind me this year …). But I know there will be a worthy recipient.
Be blessed, and may your gathering be especially successful and God honoring.
Kathleen
Melinda,
Strange how that Chronological Bible keeps popping up. Do you think God is trying to tell me something? I have purposed to be in the Word more this year. I don’t mean just reading/doing a study/checking off my quiet time – be IN it! So far I have just taken a few verses to be meditating on until they become a part of me.
Wouldn’t you think that someone who is home 24/7 would find the time to spend with Jesus? Sad to admit but right now it is something I am forcing myself to do.
Love to you and thanks for always being an encouragment to me.
I don’t do resolutions – too much pressure. But my hope and prayer for this year is for my focus to be OFF of me and my issues, and on GOD where it belongs. I’ve been sick for so long, that it’s become habit to focus just on that. I need to get to where I’m focusing on Him and His healing and grace in my life.
I’m doing the scripture memorization with the LPM siestas. I know where to find things… but I need it etched on my brain.
~Donna
Melinda, I’ve never read a chronological Bible before. Sounds great! This year I’m memorizing scripture along with all those who took up the challenge on the LPM blog.
God bless your prayer event!
Melinda,
My husband and I discussed this over the weekend-thank you for sharing your plan.
We are both in BSF studying the life of Moses. I am also memorizing scripture with the siestas. Our church is reading through the New Testament in one year. One of our pastors comments on the chapter for the day and we get to comment about it also. It is very encouraging and fun. Also, I am slowly doing Beth Moore’s Esther Bible Study. There is such a desire to learn more.
Blessings to you and your family.
Sandy
I can’t wait for this conference! I am really excited about it. I don’t need to have my name in the drawing but wanted to comment!
Love you-
Jen
Hi,
This conference sounds incredible! I joined in the scripture memorization with LPM Siestas! Lately I’ve been seeing and hearing quite a bit here and there about the Chronological Bible…sounds really good! My best to you this weekend.
Hi Melinda,
I am memorizing scripture this year with BETH and thousands of her closest friends, starting Esther, and trying to say YES to things that help me focus on Christ and NO to things that don’t(after studying a ROB BELL NOOMA video entitled SHELLS in Sunday school this past Sunday).
I am praying for you and Debbie this weekend Melinda and am excited for the women who will be having an encounter with God!!
Bless you,
Pat
What I’ve purposed to do this year?
1. WALK BY FAITH.
2. Hide God’s Word in my heart…one verse at a time…one week at a time.
3. Pray for my family more.
peace~elaine
I’ve purposed to be more diligent.. in all aspects of my life. God has given me so many roles… wife, mother, child of the Father, ministry leader, employee, friend… I want to seek His face in all of it and be more diligent in each of these areas. I want to live intentionally… according to His Word. 🙂
Lovely giveaway!
Prayer is the thing that God has laid on my heart repeatedly and that I will be more intentional about carving out the time for this year. I am so excited about the journey I have with the Lord through prayer this year. What a great conference and give away!
I’m reading through the Bible too. I’m also memorizing Scripture with Beth Moore.
Please put me in the drawing.
Sheryl Dean
Melinda,
I’ve started 2009 by taking the scripture memorization challenge with the LPM siestas. I attend Bible Study Fellowship and am loving this years study of Moses! For the last few months, I’ve been hearing God calling me to get down on my knees in prayer every morning, but I’ve come up with every excuse possible for NOT doing it. Well, today I quit resisting and knelt down to Him ~ it was great to have that special time pouring out my heart to the One who loves me so. I have vowed to make this a daily practice. This year, I want less of me and oh, so much more of Him.
Thanks for being such an inspiration for so many of us. You have a heart that’s lovin’ Jesus ~ I love how real you are as you share your faith journey with us.
Blessings,
Joanne
What I would love to do to deepen my spiritual walk….”less of me, more of Him,” practice His presence, love with Jesus’ love, learn more of Jesus and the Father heart of God, bless others (figuratively and literally), and of course, prayer, prayer, prayer….to name a few. Whew!!!
Your event sounds awesome!!! You go, girl ~ that is wonderful for you to plan that.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I lift up to you “P.R.A.Y. with Passion Across the Nation” and ask that You would protect it and all those involved from any of the evil one’s shenanigans. Put a hedge of protection around it that is impenatratable by the blood of the Lamb so that all You want to accomplish will be so. May it honor and glorify You. May Your anointing surround each detail, and each person, and each prayer. May a fresh wind of the Holy Spirit sweep thru each heart and set it on fire to do Your will and glorify You. I pray revival, Lord.
Bless and protect Debbie and Melissa and all who are helping to put on this event,and may each woman walk away from it…more passionate about prayer and to the HOLY ONE TO WHOM WE PRAY….for our good and Your glory. In the matchless name of Jesus. AMEN and AMEN
I would love to read through the bible in chronological form! I did an advent activity for my family with a chronological account of the nativity; seeing the whole Bible unfold that way would be great.
I hope your weekend is a blessing to those of you who planned it as well as all those who attend.
Melinda: Two things: The first thing I’m doing is memorizing scripture and I can honestly say I began before the challenge by our dear Beth Moore. That confirmed it for me in a precious way!
Secondly, I have an accountability partner. We are going through the book “Heart Friends” which is for small-group accountability. We are meeting every Wednesday afternoon before church. It’s going GREAT!
Oh – this giveaway made my heart flutter. WOW!
You are precious to me too,
Georgia Jan
I would love to win this. My goal for ’09 is to stay in THE WORD more and this would really help. I’m also memorizing with LPM. Hope I win.
Nancy in North Carolina
Hey Girl!
I’m doing the Siesta memory thing, and will continue to focus on names/attributes of God.
I will be so praying for you all this weekend! It sounds wonderful!
See you in the Atl!!
steph.