Time, time, time

OK, FINALLY, like I promised.

To keep this post from rambling forever, I'm just going to get right to it:

I don't give God enough of my time.

I think, "Wow, I should write that article/blog post/writing prompt exercise I've been thinking about today." Which leads to to my computer, right into the jaws of evil.

I am tempted to do anything BUT write once I sit down. Facebook, games, reading blogs, checking email - all these things beckon to me and as a result, I am bearing very little fruit in my Christian life.

I'm still pondering this verse in James that I mentioned earlier: "Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." James 4:17

Maybe "pondering" isn't the right word. "Convicted" is better, actually, as hard as that is to admit. I have realized in the last few weeks that I have, unfortunately, regressed spiritually.

In an effort to start growing again and improve my spiritual health, I need to start doing what God put me here to do. Bear some fruit. I happen to think part of that means writing.

The thought that's really been on my mind is "How much time am I giving to God?" The answer is not pretty. Especially when I compare it to how much time I spend surfing the web, reading email, or playing games on Facebook.

What I'd like to do is tithe my time. Give God 10% of it. That works out to 2.4 hours (144 minutes) a day, or 16.8 hours a week. Sounds like an enormous amount, right?

Yeah, a colossal waste of time in most of our cases. I can't imagine how productive I would be if I wrote over 2 hours a day!

In reality, I don't know what this will look like. What will count as "time for God" remains to be seen. But anything I try is a step in the right direction.

So, there's going to be some changes around here, if the Lord gives me the strength to do it! I will either be setting a timer to control how much time I spend in non-writing computer activities, or I will refrain from them altogether. That second option will be a much bigger challenge, but I already know that this will be a day-by-day test.

So, how about you - how much time do you give to God?

Here We Go Again!

Driving home from work today was total de'ja vu:

*Slushy interstate
*Big flakes falling
*Slippery driveway
*Parking at my neighbors house because I can't slide down my road

Just like when the blizzard hit in December.

This time, though:

*the tub is filled with water
*the cooler is filled with ice and the freezer is making more
*all the dirty dishes have been washed
*I am home alone
*the candles, lighters and flashlights are ready
*we have no back-up heat if the power goes out because the propane truck didn't make it today

I am waiting for my family to arrive. How about a prayer that they make it safely and that we don't lose power with this storm??

If we don't, I'll actually blog this weekend. Promise :-)

A Simple Woman's Daybook, January 19th, 2010

I'm still compiling my thoughts, as mentioned in my previous post. Soon...

In case you didn't notice, I have a new title. For now. :-)

"Pens and Needles" seems an appropriate name for my blog, with all the writing, knitting, quilting, and general crafting that I do. I am NOT the only Pens and Needles blog, however, and the other one also writes and knits (go figure!) So, that name is likely temporary. But, I'm in no hurry to make a decision!

The new background is also temporary, but I felt like I needed a different look too :-)

So on with today's cop-out post...



FOR TODAY...


Outside my window...blue skies, moderate clouds, and NO SNOW ON THE GROUND!


I am thinking...that all this winter weather has me longing for spring!!


I am thankful for...a child who was sick at school but seems to be fine now.


I am wearing...jeans, a pink long-sleeved tee, covered by my ages-old Dallas Cowboys sweatshirt


I am remembering...the length of my list of things to do!


I am going...nowhere any time soon, but hopefully in February!


I am currently reading...Writing for the Soul by Jerry Jenkins, Organic Gardening magazine, and Martha Stewart Living


I am hoping...that my knitting gift will be finished in time for the recipient's birthday! :-P


On my mind...how to waste less time, so I can bear more fruit.


Noticing that...I hear Looney Tunes in the next room, apparently on TV (when did they come back?)


Pondering these words... "Remember, it is a sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it." - James 4:17 (NLT)


From the kitchen...lunch dishes to be washed, a coffee pot to rinse, and dinner to plan


Around the house...accomplishing a few housekeeping tasks (Thanks, FlyLady!)


One of my favorite things...a warm blanket and my cozy corner of the couch.


From my picture journal...

The '72 Olds that my oldest can now drive SOLO, as soon as we visit the DMV to turn that permit into a license...

Would you like to participate in A Simple Woman's Daybook, too? Then just click here...

I'm still thinking...

Still no decision on the new blog...except that if I keep getting these Chinese/Japanese/Hindu/WHATEVER spam comments I am absolutely starting over somewhere else. They're so annoying!!

Anyway, I'm thinking lots of things these days - I guess you could say I'm in a state of discontent. (Well, what's new?) So, I am sure that my spiritual state has everything to do with it.

The problem is how to improve it.

I have an idea, but before I put it out here, I'm doing a bit of research. I'll clue you in when I'm finished...

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

I'm thinking...

...about starting a new blog.

But I'm just not sure.

I'm not jumping in too quickly, even though I do think it's high time I start inking a few words here and there. I haven't done that lately, but that's a post for another day.

I've thought about it more than once, because somehow "A Quest for Relevance" just doesn't fit. Others have said they like the name, but I chose it out of nowhere in a hurry and have never really embraced it.

But then there are those lovely links that a few of my bloggy friends might still have that bring folks here, and I'd hate to lose my 2 or 3 readers. :-) I guess I could always redirect them though!

Anyhoo, I thought I had the perfect name: Diary of a Perpetual Quitter. (Because that is TOTALLY me, and I will own it :-)) But alas, it is taken by a reformed smoker. (Also me!)

So I'm using up WAY too many brain cells on this, but I keep trying to find something about the fear of finishing, like "Finishophobia," or something about quitting. Because that is undoubtedly a theme in my life :-)

I want a kinda humorous, tongue-in-cheek, cute name....anything but serious. Because I don't feel like a serious kind of writer, you know?

Any suggestions???

Hmm....

I wonder if I remember how to blog.....