Goals and The New Year

Once again a new year is upon us. It is time for reflection and realignment of goals.
Goals are small steps we each can take to further our success in everyday life.
I try not to make new year resolutions. Instead I make a list of things I would like to accomplish in the following year. As I reflect on my current list it falls into several categories.
I am listing the top three and how I start determining my plan of action. As I focus on each area, of Spirit, Soul, and Body I will co-ordinate my personal plan of action. You do the same for yourself.


Spirit-the principle of conscious life;
1. (My intentions/goal) My mental determination to stay organized, focused and methodically move toward my goals.
This involves a whittling away of what is not necessary in my everyday life on a regular basis. To be evaluated routinely. In my case, daily, the night before a new day. As with any plan...adjustments will be made as needed. It is necessary to recognize your small and large success in a given area. Do not berate yourself at the end of the day. Find a positive and build on that.
*The important thing is to have a goal followed by action. Congratulate yourself on your success even in minuet matters. It is not whether you succeeded or failed, but that you tried. Congratulations! This does get easier.


Soul-the principle of life, feeling, thought, and action in humans, regarded as a distinct entity separate from the body, and commonly held to be separable in existence from the body; the spiritual part of humans as distinct from the physical part.
2. (My intentions/goal)My emotional well being, my feelings. My emotional well being is established by trust. Trust in the word of God and those that I am in relationship with. My immediate circle of love and outward.
For me to stay stable in this area, it is imperative that I study the Word of God on a regular basis. From this I am able to judge the proper way for me to respond to everyday life. This means that I must set aside time to read God's word daily. This is my compass, my true north.
If I am not viewing myself and others with the mind of Christ it is easy to become offended and in a ditch emotionally. I am dependant by choice on the word of God. Make time for your relationship with God.
*No relationship stays vibrant and healthy if you neglect to give time and effort toward it.


Body-the physical structure and material substance of an animal or plant, living or dead.
3. (My intentions/goal)Most of us neglect the vessel that carries us around. Our body.
I am guilty. As I age, I have noticed that my body demands attention toward its care far louder than it ever did when I was young. Obviously, better nutrition, water, and movement are in order. So there you have it. Moderation in those things that are not so great nutritionally, and a focused effort toward taking better care of the body I have been given.
*Moderation. Little by little, step by step, take better care of yourself.


May God grant each of you, His wisdom,protection and help in the New Year as you live your life in obedience to Him.

~Debbie


1 Thessalonians 5:23
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and [I pray God] your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Are YOU Prepared to Live?



Original water color painting " Weeping May Endure for a Night, but Joy Cometh in the Morning" copyright © 2005 Debbie Turner Chavers

 This is a reminder to love one another and live your life fully given unto the Lord .
No man knows the time table of the Lord. We each have been appointed a time to die and a purpose under heaven.
Most of us are fairly sure that we are not prepared to die.

Yet, are we prepared to live?

Precious people all around the world died yesterday, today, and will die tomorrow.
You have been created and appointed to serve the Lord with your life and your gifting.
Are you applying yourself to your appointment? Are you loving others and walking in forgiveness?

Prepare to Love and to Live.

Today is a unique opportunity for YOU. Prepare to LIVE.
Even when your hopes, dreams, or a loved one leaves, you must live.
Grab the gift of your life and live.
Do not wait any longer. Armour yourself in His love and LIVE.
Live and love each precious moment as though it is the last moment.

~Debbie


Ecclesiastes 3:2A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up [that which is] planted;

1 John 3:23And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.

1 Corinthians 13:12For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

Enough



Enough © Debbie Turner Chavers

 Elijah was a prophet in the Old Testament who loved God and did many things in the strength of the Lord. But there came a time when he was worn out. So worn out and discouraged that he asked the Lord to let him die.

1 Kings 19:4
But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I [am] not better than my fathers.

1 Kings 19:5
And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise [and] eat.

1 Kings 19:6
And he looked, and, behold, [there was] a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.

1 Kings 19:7 And the angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise [and] eat; because the journey [is] too great for thee.

Now as you read this, you can see how the Lord supernaturally provided a place of rest, food, and water. Elijah was a man who lived in a human body and needed spiritual encouragement as well as physical rest and nutrition . We also need to take care of these requirements of rest, food, and water.
Elijah was tired and discouraged. We also become tired and discouraged.
Everything looks worse when you are tired. Try not to make major decisions when you find yourself in this condition. Elijah was so overcome that he asked God to let him die. As you read the rest of the chapter you will see how he continued with his doldrums to the point that he hid in a cave and God allowed him to hide, but then asked him twice "What doest thou here, Elijah?"

Elijah's desire to die was a permanent solution to a very temporary problem.

God did not berate him but gave him what he needed. Rest, food, water, encouragement and a new assignment.

God allowed him to recuperate and then showed him that his work for Him was not finished.

God encouraged Elijah by reminding him that he was not the only one left who still served Him.

God also showed Elijah that regardless of the storm, fire, wind, earthquakes and such that as the commotion dies down that it is His still small voice that we will hear.

In the midst of your life....have you heard His still small voice speaking to you. Listen and remember....you will probably recall His gentle nudging to take care of yourself and to be encouraged that you are not alone.


The storms will pass and you will continue. Do not give up. We are counting on you.

~Debbie



1 Kings 19:11
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; [but] the LORD [was] not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; [but] the LORD [was] not in the earthquake:

1 Kings19:12
And after the earthquake a fire; [but] the LORD [was] not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.

1 Kings 19:13
And it was [so], when Elijah heard [it], that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, [there came] a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah?

1 Year Blog Anniversary/LOLO

Yesterday was my one year blog anniversary for this encouragement journal. I started out writing a few of the thoughts and processes that I use to encourage myself.
Living out loud online. LOLO! my encouragement journal :)
I have always loved to encourage others as well as receive encouragement.
I did my part and you through your prayers and emails of support ministered right back to me:)
Thank you. I know that when we get to heaven we will know then the difference that our love and how our lives lived have affected others.
But for now I will take encouragement by the purposed and random acts of kindness from others. Mine to others and theirs toward me and mine.

You make a difference, I make a difference. Praying that we all continue fighting the good fight of faith. Loving and leaving a positive impression of God's great love toward us all.

~Debbie

2 Peter 1:10
Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

2 Peter 1:11
For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

2 Peter 1:12
Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know [them], and be established in the present truth.

2 Peter 1:13
Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting [you] in remembrance;