Cogitation (Luke 14.25-35)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “cogitation.”  One of the best parts of putting my goals together each year is to reflect on those from the previous year.  Because I have mentors and other people in my life who continually keep me accountable, I have to make sure that I am on point when it comes to striving for my goals.  I don't always hit all of my goals from year-to-year, and that is probably because I make them pretty difficult to attain.  This gives me the satisfaction of either making those goals, or the momentary disappointment of missing them.  Either way, I am able to look at the tangible parts of the goals that I have set forth.

For which of you, desiring to build a tower, does not first sit down and count the cost, whether he has enough to complete it…” ~Lk 14:28

My question is: how committed to your goals are you this year?  For us to be able to attain the goals we have each year, we must continually keep them in our sights.  My prayer is that you put specific people in your path to walk with you, and practice the proper cogitation and reflection on the specifics of what you desire to accomplish.  I hope that you dream big this year and put up some crazy goals that will take God’s favor and help to make possible.

Praying for you,

MO

Incunabula (Mark 1.29-39)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “incunabula.”  The New Year is always fun and exciting.  There is a freshness of spirit and understanding that you have the chance to be better.  Resolutions, decisions, and all that comes with each year puts you in a position to do the unexpected.  I think that is one of my favorite parts about having a relationship with God.  There is always something to challenge me, to be a better person and

In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there.” ~Mark 1:35

My question is: What are your goals for this year? When you take this first day of the New Year, are you ready and willing to make JC a part of your year-long commitments?  My prayer is that you take the time to use this first day with God and give him the best of your year, right from the start.  Do it today.  When you add God to this beginning equation, the incunabula, I can confidently say that you will have a great year.  Not saying it is going to be easy… but worth the time and effort it will take to live according to God’s will.

Praying for you,

MO

Goals (Philippians 3:14)

Good morning all,

The word of the day is “goals.” Back in high school I was young in my faith and struggling with issues of anger and poor sportsmanship during my athletics. I turned to my youth pastor to help me choose a “life verse” that might spur me on. Kevin always had a good word, and at that point challenged me to think of what God might want for my swim season. We prayed together for God to speak. After countless passages and tons of thinking, we came up with this:

“I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

~Phil. 3:14

Talk about a revelation! I realized that no matter what my goals were in sports or life in general, that this was the ultimate goal in front of me. Paul pretty much sums it up and says that we need to keep our eye on the prize. My question for you today is: What are you doing daily to press on toward a life in Christ? Tell yourself right now that this year is going to be off the hook! My prayer for you today is that you get wrapped up in JC… and as you set your career and spiritual goals… never take your eyes off him.

Praying for you,

mo