Friday, January 3, 2014

NEW FEATURES FOR 2014!


First of all, I am not going to change my template.

It's kinda grown on me - and I'm still loving the *rustic barn* look!


But here's some other changes:

I have added a new page, "Button, Buttons," and put some links to other blogs and sites there - in an effort to whittle down my sidebar a bit!

(My blog pages can be found on the sidebar.)


And, I am starting some new devotionals this year. 

Here's what I'll be reading:

"Your Daily Walk" by Bruce H. Wilkinson, Executive Editor, c. 1991, Walk Thru the Bible Ministries, Zondervan Publishers.

"The One Year Book of Encouragement" by Harold Myra, c. 2010, Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.

"Once-a-Day Devotional" by Rick Ezell, Dave Veerman, Bruce Fielding, Mark Jackson, Dave Tieche, Dave Jorgensen, and Tom Taylor, c. 2012, The Livingstone Corporation, Zondervan Publishers.  (This book is actually a devotional for men, but in looking it over, I really liked what it had to say - so I'm giving it a whirl!!)


So, the sidebar will reflect excerpts from my reading.  I'll be updating these frequently, so keep checking back!

Look under:

A WORD FROM THE WORD
THOUGHTS TO PONDER
DAILY WALK - Overview
DAILY WALK - Devotion
BE ENCOURAGED
A PRAYER OF ENCOURAGEMENT
A PRAYER PROMPT


Also, I have decided to read through the Bible in The Message paraphrase.  Though I'm not going to use this version for my study purposes, I am interested in hearing a different *voice* throughout this year.  I'm hoping to add a new *shade of meaning* to my beloved Scriptures.  (This will almost be like another devotional, in my mind.)

I'll be posting a *message* from The Message on the sidebar.

Look under:

A "MESSAGE" FROM GOD

(I'll also be updating the reading plan once-a-week at the bottom of my blog).

"The Daily Message" - Through the Bible in One Year, by Eugene H. Peterson, c. 2006, NavPress Publishing.


Finally, I will be revealing my Word for 2014 next Monday.  It's a word that surprised me - and I'm wondering how God will work it out in my life next year!  

(As an interesting sidenote, I have already seen two bloggers who have the same word!  God must be speaking!!)  


May I also take this opportunity to tell you all how much you 
mean to me!  

I have made such wonderful friendships here in Blog Land.  I have walked through many life circumstances with you.  You have all upheld me, inspired me, encouraged me, convicted me, challenged me, and taught me so very much.  And, more often than not, you have provided some much-needed and always-appreciated laughs and giggles!

How I love you all!

The Lord does a mighty work through this venue of blogging, and I feel privileged to be part of this vital and necessary community.  May we all continue to write what God lays on our hearts, and may He use His words through us for HIS purposes.

All to HIS glory!


(From the bottom of my blog):

ALL FOR HIS GLORY

I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God.
If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant.
But even before I was born, God chose me and called me by His marvelous grace.
I will commit myself to instruction and listen carefully to words of knowledge.
I will leave it all in the Lord's hand.
I will trust Him.
For there truly is a reward for those who live for God.

ALL GLORY TO GOD FOREVER AND EVER!! AMEN!


I'D RATHER HAVE JESUS

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause,
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause -
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame,
I'd rather be true to His holy name -
I'd rather have Jesus and let Him lead,
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today.

"So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable.  Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless."
(1 Corinthians 15:58)


SERVING THE MOST HIGH

Corrie ten Boom once said she was simply, "the skin on the hands of God."

"Love your neighbor as yourself." (Matthew 22:39)

"And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" (Matthew 25:40)

"'And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.'" (Matthew 10:42)

"...my life is worth nothing to me unless I use it for finishing the work assigned to me by the Lord Jesus - the work of telling others the Good News about the wonderful grace of God." (Acts 20:24)

True greatness is to serve unnoticed and to work unseen. 
(From The Daily Walk Bible, NLT, c. 2007)



***A VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ONE AND ALL!***


MAY WE BE WARRIORS FOR HIM IN 2014!!


"For your unfailing love is higher than the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens. May your glory shine over all the earth." (Psalm 108:4, 5, NLT)


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

19 comments:

  1. what a great post. Full of positive and hope and move forward changes. Love the verses and quotes you shared Sharon....I want to be His warrior. I want to shine Him everyday everywhere always.

    Here's to an awesome year 2014......

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  2. Happy New Year Sharon! It's interesting to see what new directions people take in the new year. Wishing you many blessings.

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  3. Happy New Year, Sharon! Change can be difficult, but your updates sound great! I'm looking forward to following God with you in 2014!

    Blessings, Joan

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  4. I look forward to continuing the journey with you in 2014! God bless you, Sharon, I am so glad we are friends!

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  5. It all sounds good to me Sharon. Our son was reading the Bible through once again.....he likes The Message and I have it too, but for study purposes I pull out others like you. Happy New Year!

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  6. I whole-heartedly agree, Sharon--"The Lord does a mighty work through this venue of blogging, and I feel privileged to be part of this vital and necessary community. May we all continue to write what God lays on our hearts, and may He use His words through us for HIS purposes. All to HIS glory!" Amen and Amen!

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  7. Hi Sharon, Your words are so inspiring and you make it all sound so exciting. I agree too, I believe God works through the venue of blogging, I will try to be more committed to it than I have been recently and look forward to reading yours. Love to you

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  8. Hi Sharon--what a great plan The Lord gas laid out for you in this new year. It shows the time you have spent with Him and the care you are taking in implementing His plan for this New Year! I'm excited to see what is ahead for you in this land of blogging. I'm also very much aware of being careful that what we do is for the Lord's purposes....otherwise it all goes up in smoke. Will be spending time with Him this year examining that.
    Thank you for being such a good friend, Sharon, and such an instrument of the Lord's wisdom.
    Blessings, Janis

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  9. Well, I headed to Savannah at the crack 'o dawn today so I came home thinking I was going to be late for Fan the Flame. I found this little treasure trove of new things to look forward to. (shhh... I will dangle what I want to dangle, thankyouverymuch.)

    I started laughing about the word of the year thing because I am certain that someone else will have mine too. (Maybe we have the same one!) Tell you what. I will email you mine, and you can tell me if I am number 4 in the group.

    I truly look forward to this year as a time to get back to "where I once belonged".

    In my head, I just sounded like Paul McCartney.

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  10. Can't wait to see what your word is!
    All the improvements sound like good ideas.
    When I first joined your blog I *stole* all those pretty buttons for myself already!
    I keep them in a file just to look at now and again :)
    Have a fabulous weekend, dear sister!
    Blessings & love~ Lisa

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  11. Beautiful, Sharon. And I love that old song, "I'd Rather Have Jesus." Yes, indeed.

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  12. Lots of good things to look forever to in 2014 on your blog, Sharon! Always good to change it up a bit I do think! Sounds like a great assortment of devotionals you have too for the new year!

    Happy New Year and I'm looking forward to hearing your word for 2014 ;)

    betty

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  13. Sounds really exciting, Sharon! I decided this year to use the Thematic version of the Word over at Bible Study Tools.com and I am loving it! A really different way but connects it all through themes. I love The Message Bible.
    Hope this year all the desires of your heart are fulfilled.
    Hugs!

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  14. Blessed and happy new year 2014 Sharon and loved ones!!! How organized and such great new devos and features to look forward to ...unlike another blogger who just is a "mess" once again and not at all organized! Oh well! So much along your sidebar ... and I still am not use to your pages there (but somedays when I need one of your devos), I scroll along ... I wanted to ask you about the Chris Tiegren one that you used last year (but now I have so many, I dare not add it). Thanks for adding me on your "buttons, button" page and my link worked whereas some did not --- no worry. You've already invested alot of time and work into arranging all this (I know so well). Me thinks "warrior" is not your style so looking forward to the real, new One Word ... not a detour or tactic to lead astray, eh? However,we really will need to be better prepared warriors as these years press on. God has so much good coming and this world so much worse (you'd think it could not get any worse, but our enemy is desperate). Really good optimism here and I'm glad that you kept the "barn" wooden look... helps me feel at home (too much change could really rock me) ... and speaking of meaning so much to anyone. I love you! My day or week would not be complete without seeing your smilin' face and words of wisdom. Looking forward to so much more in 2014 with you! (like Marty's blog) C'mon you can do it!!! (it'll be book worthy, I know it because of all the lessons your favorite beagle teaches you will hit us with so much love, laughter and --- living! Ya' know he makes God sense and you always tie some biblical lessons. I'm gonna do a search for Marty (and you should begin by moving all those over to Marty's) then onward. Sound a little bossy, don't I? (sorry) I just am thinking that's a great avenue to open up the doors to MORE --- yeo, lots of that coming!!! Can't wait for Mon. Hope to see you at mine on SONday! as always ...

    Love and hugs,
    Peggy

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    1. aw the search button is not working, mine hasn't been either for awhile ... but it will work for you on your dashboard.

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  15. My Mom and I are also doing "A Daily Walk" this year. We've done it a couple other years and really have enjoyed it!

    Here's my SS:

    Colletta

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  16. Skin on the hands of God. How that grabbed me. It would be such an honor. I'll check back tomorrow for your "one word."

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  17. I am your newest follower, and look forward to all that you will be sahring this year!

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  18. Happy New Year Sharon. I hope we both have wonderful ones.


    Stay warm,
    sandie♥

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"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)