Maneuvering - Christian Bloggers Challenge

In December 2012, I had an accident at work that prevented me from moving my body like I was use to.  I wasn't able to perform my normal everyday duties at home or at work.  You see my job is very physical and requires lots of bending, lifting, walking, and standing.  I just wasn't able to maneuver my body due to the limitations of my accident and the pain I was feeling.

Maneuvering, is an important word to the Christian. Maneuver(ing) in the dictionary means:   a planned and regulated movement, a series of tactical exercises , an act or instance of changing the direction of, an adroit move, skillful proceeding, to bring, put, drive or make by maneuvers.  To manipulate or manage with skill, and to steer in various directions as required.  

In 1 Peter 5:8-9, Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.  But resist him firm in your faith, knowing that the same experiences of suffering are being accomplished by your brethren who are in the world.

Peter explains to the #Christian that even though we may be suffering, we need to be awake, alert to our surroundings, with our minds and our heart.  There is an enemy ready to trick, to confuse, to harm and pull us away from our Savior!  The devil is using ever possible maneuvering tactical exercise he knows to bring in doubt and fear.   He is ready to devour us.  

We only have two choices. We can move our walk in the direction of what leads to darkness and eternal death or to humble ourselves  and steer the wheel of our walk by maneuvering it to the road that gets us closer to our Lord and #Savior Jesus Christ; the road to eternal life.

What better way then to have a plan, built by our Lord!

Therefore, be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma, Ephesians 5:1-2.  It's not easy to walk in love, especially when you're out numbered, you've felt like an outcast, you've been kicked around or called a liar.  For Christ experienced all of the above and more for us.  He is our offering and sacrifice and fragrant aroma!  How great is that!

1 Peter 5:10,  And after you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you. 

So after a long while, I have returned to what I was doing at work.     

Let us be strong and look up!  Let us maneuver our minds, our hearts, our walk, our voice and eyes toward Him! Amen!

I Can Do All Things

During this crazy month of December, I kept thinking, there has to be a better way to  accomplish all of life's craziness (at least all of my craziness), to get organized and encourage myself to really express myself to others. I'm totally new to blogging and I do feel overwhelmed and wonder if I can bring that same awesomeness to my blog that I see in other blogs.

I can do all things through Christ who strengths me  (Philippians 4:13). Right, right! This verse in the bible, doesn't mean I don't have to put any effort into the things that come along my way.  Instead, it's because of Him, I can. Drawing near to Him and on His strength to carry me through!   I must draw on God's strength to care me through the messes I make and the trouble I get myself into! His word encourages me to think ahead and plug along.  Inch by inch, inchworming through the fog, the clutter in my head, and avoid becoming overwhelmed.  Break it down one step at a time.  

I want to do it all, but I can't.  At least, not at the same time. I must be focused on the goal and it's crazy different for all of us.  Here it goes.  Just a few ideas swimming in my head for the new year. A list of my goals and how I can accomplish these goals:

                 1.  Build my blog
                      a.  Join a few blogger communities
                      b. Study other sites

                  2.  Be better organized
                       a.  Get a calendar and use it
                       b.  Schedule a day and time to blog
                       c.  Purchase a note pad and write down ideas
                       d.  Make a list of things you need to accomplish

                  3.  Remove the clutter
                       a.  Get rid of the old to bring in the new
                            1.  I received a new blanket for Christmas, I will get rid of one
                            2.  Go through each room and toss out, sell or donate items
                       b.  Remove or add activities that help you reach your goals
                            1.  Spend less time on the phone
                            2.  I need to use what I have and not shop for more
                       c.  Break it down
                            1.  Work on one area at a time
                                   
                    4.  Be who you are
                         a.  Don't over think it
                              1.  Make it yours and own it
                              2.  Not everyone will like your ideas, but that's okay, I like it
                   
                    5.  You will fail but you will also succeed
                          a.  Write a down a verse , a saying, that encourages you
                          b.  Call a friend you can talk to and who has positive energy
                          c.  Play some high beat music and dance to it (it makes me feel better)
                          d.  Remember how blessed you are
                                 

I hope this has encouraged someone else to continue on their journey, what ever it may be.  I want to improve and grown in all areas of my life.   I know that things don't always work as planned, but we can put in the effort and inchworm our way through.

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