Do others see Me in you?

Many people say they want to see Me. I have provided a way for you to see Me on a regular basis. When you live with a pure heart you are blessed by being able to see Me. The truth is I am the only one who can make you pure in heart. When you come to Me by faith, I make you pure and holy. The key then is for you to live in that purity of mine in practical ways each day. My desire is for you to have integrity of heart. I want people to see Me in you and they will as you live a pure life. Talk in a pure way. Act in a pure way. Think in a pure way. By definition, those things that are pure are those things without impurities. When you become aware of impurities in your life take the steps that need to be taken to remove them. I am here to help you do this and I am the very strength you need to be able to live the pure life to which I have called you. As you live this pure life you will see Me and others will see Me in and through you.

Matthew 5:8; Philippians 2:14-15

How Deep are Your Roots?

Deep roots allow trees to receive the water and nutrients they need to flourish. Those same roots also provide the necessary security for trees to withstand the strong winds that come their way. I have created you in much the same way, for you too need deep roots. You need to be deeply rooted in My Word so you will receive the spiritual nutrients you require. There is no substitute for My Word when it comes to providing you the sustenance needed for a successful life. And there is no substitute for My Word when the strong winds of strife come to you and your family. When you are deeply rooted in Me and My Word, you are able to withstand the strongest winds the world or the devil could ever bring your way. Psalm 1:3; Matthew 7:17-20; Psalm 33:4

The 7 Minute Life: A Review

I am an overplanner.  My problem is typically that I plan but do not follow through.  I am usually so over-planned that I don’t leave any wiggle room for life to happen.  The 7 Minute Life is a company with personal productivity as its goal.  Their premier product, The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner, is the chief instrument in that cause.  The entire concept behind both the company and the planner is to train you to take seven minutes each day to organize and plan for that day.

     This novel concept is definitely a boon for busy moms who need guidance in the areas of prioritizing, organizing, and simplifying.  I was completely stoked to receive this product and try it out.  The basic outline of The 7 Minute Life system to simplify your schedule is represented graphically in the diagram to the right:

    As a mom of six who is homeschooling, going to grad school, and working full-time, as well as caring for a disabled husband, I need all the help I can get to simplify my schedule.  The one dislike I have about this system is that the introductory material is extremely wordy and long.  I am a hands-on, get into the program type person.  I was much more impressed with the videos that are located here and here.  These were quick and gave me the visual connection I needed to implement this planner. The introductory material took a lot of deep reading and focus, so it didn’t seem very simplified to me.

     I have tried numerous planners, and have really never found one that is perfectly suited to my needs. I don’t think that any planner can be perfect for every need of every person; however, The 7 Minute Life Daily Planner is a great tool and it did meet some of the needs I had.  I can’t say that the system is simple to get into.  It does take a little learning curve to figure out how to best use the system to fit your own needs.  But, isn’t that the case with all organizational tools? 

The planner is 270 pages and just a few of the main sections are:

• Unfinished Work Tasks
• Daily Progress
• Monthly Progress Reports
• Yearly, 90-Day, and Monthly Calendars
• Much more!

One of my favorite features is the "5 Before 11" section. It helps you prioritize your day and make sure the essentials are accomplished by 11 am. For me, the “5 Before 11” became “5 before 7” because of my schedule.  I am at work by 6:15 every morning, so I use this section to help organize my morning and make sure I accomplish five things that are necessary by seven a.m. – whether those things are personal, family, or work-related. 

thi

  The unfinished work tasks has become my running to-do list.  This definitely is helping to keep me on track better than my

old system of texting myself things that needed to be done.

 

     As this planner is designed for an individual who has a full-time career outside of the home, it may take a little tweaking to work for a mom in a homeschool setting; however, I always have looked at homeschooling as my job, so there are

 

many parallels that can be drawn.  It would be amazing if this company would come up with a planner that was similar but was created specifically for homeschooling families.

One thing that this planner has helped me keep track of quite well is all of the random events on my schedule.  It is really nice to be able to see everything laid out so I can stay on task and not have last minute preparation going on.

 

Price: Spiral Planner (7.3" x 8.5") - $24.95
Age: adults, although I think some older teens would benefit from this as well.

To read other crew reviews on this product, click on the banner below.

Let God Use You!

You have helped and inspired many people without ever realizing it. It has always been My plan to use you for that purpose. As you grow closer to Me you become even more of an encouragement to those around you. You have realized that in your honest admission of your inabilities and weaknesses you have gained access to all My grace, strength, and ability. When others see you, they are able to see Me in you and that is what I desire. I strengthen you when you come to Me in humble acknowledgement of your utter dependence on Me. In Me and through Me and My strength there is nothing you cannot accomplish. Continue to trust in Me and allow others to see Me in and through you. As you continue talking to Me and listening to Me and writing letters to Me, your inspiration and encouragement to others expands and I receive even more glory. Philippians 4:13; 1 Peter 5:5

God is Bigger

I am bigger and more powerful than any giant you are now facing or will ever face. One of My children had a very memorable encounter with a giant that is recorded in My Word. You probably know the story as the story of David and Goliath. If you asked David the name of the story, he would tell you it is really the story of God and Goliath. Please understand, I used David to defeat Goliath, but it was Me who destroyed the giant. I am the great over comer. Just as I allowed that young teenage boy to defeat that overgrown giant of a man, I can enable you to experience victory over any giant in your life. Look above the giant and see Me, your great and awesome God. As you keep your heart and eyes fixed on Me, you too will experience great victories over the giants you face. 1 Samuel 17:45-47; Matthew 19:26

Slow Down and Listen

I am speaking to you. Can you hear Me? Slow down and listen carefully. I could scream, but I want you to take the time to listen with care. You are too busy and need to say “no” to some of the things that take you away from Me. Maybe you need to stop watching television or listening to the music and allow there to simply be silence. Don’t be afraid of the silence, it is not your enemy, it is often in the silence of your life that I allow you to reflect on Me and what it is I have been leading you to be or do. It is also during these quiet times that I whisper to you My plans. Get ready; I have special things to share with you. Psalm 119:166; 1 Kings 19:11-13

Be an Eagle!

 

Eagles soar above most other birds as they gracefully ride the atmospheric currents. While other birds remain relatively close to the ground and deal with many obstacles, eagles allow the wind to lift them gently to new heights. The wind beneath the wings of the eagle allows this majestic creature to rise into the heavenly realms and view what few other creatures have the pleasure of seeing. I am here with you to lift you to new heights as well. I am able to take you to places you’ve never been. When you learn to allow My Spirit to be your strength you are able to experience so much more than the average person will ever experience. Come to Me, spend more time with Me, and let Me lift you to the lofty spiritual realms I have designed for you. Isaiah 40:31; Ephesians 3:20