Changing and Re-arranging.

I don't really do the whole New Year Resolution type deal-

 

because lets just be honest, I'm definitely not gonna be at the gym

every day at 6am for 365 of days of the year. If we're really being honest

I'll probably never in my life be at the gym that early.

 

being a full time student with 18 credit hours, working 5 days a week,

being on leadership and just being a teenager in general

is plenty to keep up with for the year.

 

However, my close friends and I have conversated about

some things I do plan to implement in 2015.

and several others have asked,

so I'm gonna be brave, and share.

because millions of strangers keeping me accountable is

never a bad thing.

 

While I've made some smaller changes before the new year

such as eating healthier, using organic natural products, scheduling weekly

phone calls/ time with friends and some other small things to

increase my years and keep my friendships thriving...

 

my main focus starting this year

is to be really intentional about my walk with the Lord.

 

There are SO many resources available to help

my spiritual walk, and I've never really taken advantage of them.

 

In 2014, I did a few really good bible studies and enjoyed them

but outside of required classes, convocations and my quiet time

I didn't reach out.

 

So in the last 6 days I've started some new routines

and found some resources that I love.

Granted, this works for me.

You do you girl! {or boy}

 

First, Audrey is an incredible blogger, so check her out

but she posted some scripture cards for weekly scripture memorization

that go along with the podcasts on this app.

"Redeemed Girls"

 

they also have other podcasts and videos and resources that

can be used and be very helpful.
I just got hooked on the podcasts instantly.

Marian Jordan is the founder, and she speaks truth.

Her passion for the Lord is so admirable,

and her love for teaching his word is seen in every inch of her videos.

So with that, I will be listening to her podcasts whenever

I have a free moment. but definitely once a week I 

will be tuning into the 5 minutes in the word,

and seeking to memorize the scripture of the week.

 

Y'all you can never go wrong with hiding His

word in your heart.

 

 

Next, my biggest change

is quitting the biblestudies and joining

She Reads Truth for #365daysoftruth

 

One of my close friends has also started this, and

I'm over the moon excited to keep each other

 accountable and be able to share what the

Lord is teaching us.

 

Neither of us have ever read the bible through, so

this is a huge commitment and one I am greatly

thrilled about and loving already.

in 6 days the Lord has already begun some

incredible work in my heart.

 

Each day right now is 3 chapters in Genesis and 1 chapter in John

{going along with their John study in January}

and I also do a daily proverb.

because they're my fav and I gotta have 'em!

you can also see daily pictures from the women ALL

over the world in the word daily, and log your own

on Instagram using their hashtag.

#365daysoftruth

 

{If you're not quite ready for that or into that,

they have some GREAT studies they run year long

that are incredible, and you can even

hook them up to send them to your inbox

daily. so good. so easy.}

 

Next,

is kind of a big deal to me.

I have never been one to love church sermons.

people are half asleep in 15 minutes, everyone's on their phone

or staring at the walls and

while in recent years I made the commitment

to put down my phone and focus during church/convo, etc.

I wasn't truly always absorbing everything

being said. and I may never be able to

absorb absolutely everything from every speaker.

 

So, after a friend of mine sent me a podcast

from a local pastor, Steven Furtick

I decided I would listen to some of his sermons.

They're very understandable and relatable

and most of the time exactly what I need to hear

when I listen to them.

 

So In 2015, once a week

{or more if I find the time}

I'm going to listen to the sermon from

Elevation Church that week, or one from

a while back that might interest me.

 

{truly, it could be any church. I just have taken a liking

to this particular pastor.}

{Find your Flow- New Years sermon}

 

I do not attend Elevation, because I have amazing home churches

in both NC and VA. so this is a cool way for me to get extra

truth and also hear sermons that I can't hear in person.

 

And if something comes up and I miss my home church on a particular

Sunday, I will also watch the missed sermon online in the coming week.

 

side note- because this is my personal scrapbook and I don't wanna

leave anything out.

but, I am going to buy a new journal and take notes

during each sermon I attend, in better attempt to focus

and understand what's being said

and also be able to recall the verses used

and the things the Lord did in my heart, through each sermon.

 

alright. moving on-

 

Next,

this one wasn't really in my plan, but was

a challenge at my home church in NC on Sunday

and I really like the concept so I'm gonna tack it on.

 

Our pastor called it #thechairchallenge

and he asked us to start every day, regardless of what it looks like

in a chair somewhere in our house, spending 15 minutes

seeking the Lord through his word, and in prayer.

 

imagine what a changed church we would have in the

beginning of 2016 if every one of us committed to this.

for sure the best year of our lives yet.

{super cute chair from www.domestikatedlife.com}

 

because I'm not perfect, and I can promise I will not have my quiet time every day

as soon as I wake up; I decided to go through with this

and dedicate the first 15 minutes to the chair challenge

even if my quiet time comes later on in the day.

 

starting my day with truth makes a complete difference in the way

my day goes, and I can always make time for 15 minutes of truth.

no excuses.

 

and lastly,

but NOT least.

at. all.

worship.

this is not a struggle for me personally.

because I could worship until the cows come home.

 

but it never hurts to re-enforce.

so for at least 30 minutes a day. solid.

I will worship.

no distractions. just me and Jesus.

{car, dorm room, top of the mountain, wherever.}

to truly ensure my heart is in the right place

and to show the Lord and myself that I can sing the words

from the bottom of my heart.

 

So there ya have it!

praying I didn't forget anything.

thank you for sticking through.

and letting me capture everything

for the purpose of this being my personal scrapbook.

 

I love to look back and see how life changes

as the years go on.

 

So join me, whether in my disciplines

or in prayer.

 

Let's let the Lord use 2015 to make HIM famous!

 

Much love,

Austyn