Why I Walk

"Arise, walk about the land through its length and breadth; for I will give it to you"

-Genesis 13:17

Walking has always been a therapeutic activity for me.  Especially since I rescued my dog Bubba who loves to go for a walk (don't say that word in our house if you don't mean it).  We enjoy taking off to the trails in our town or the beach and walking for a few minutes or a few hours and just getting lost in our own thoughts. Something that I addressed in my purpose for this year is letting go of control. I am a professionally diagnosed perfectionist and seek control in all areas of my life; however, that is not always reality. This desire for perfection and control obviously poses a threat to my goal of giving all areas of my life to Christ and walking through and for him. Whenever I feel my need for control is getting out of control or creating anxiety I drop everything and walk if I can at the time or as soon as possible. This separation from the responsibilities that draw my attention away from His grace helps to refocus my purpose. Helps me to see the beauty he has created and given to me. I know the Lord created all of these beautiful places as an area of comfort for our souls. These places that we can go to rest in his embrace. 

As I get back to work and school in the upcoming week I fear my perfectionist self taking over and separating me from my focus on the Lord. My prayer for this week is to be reminded that God can transcend time and can make all things possible. If I give all my life to him he will make all things possible for my good. My prayer for you is that you can take some time to walk this week in God's loving embrace and enjoy the beautiful things he has placed in your life just to make you smile. The things we sometimes do not see because we are in such a rush to be perfect or accepted.  Let me know in the comments below one way you escape daily stress to connect with Him. 

Joyfully His, 

Pharen

As I start the first week of my journey I want to share the resources I am using to guide this year. I have done so much reading in my life and plan on doing so much more this year. Some of these have been given to me by dear family and friends, and others have been purchased long before beginning this journey and have done an incredible job of sitting on my bookshelf. Some of these are cookbooks, or electronics that I am using to continue my growth of hobbies and health through Christ. 

Resources for Devoting Myself to Him

1. NKJV Journal the Word Bible: To start this journey I asked for a new bible to document my thoughts and to turn to His word throughout the process. 

2. Present over Perfect by Shauna Niequist 

3. Encouragement for Today from Proverbs 31 Ministries

4. Adventures for  Your Soul by Shannon Kaiser

5. Uninvited by Lysa TerKeurst

6. Wild and Free by Jess Connolly and Haley Morgan 

7. Prayer Journal

8. Crochet Hook and Yarn

Resources for Devoting My Marriage to Him

1. Closer by Jim & Cathy Burns

2. The Husband Project  by Kathi Lipp

Resources for Devoting My Health to Him

1. Nom Nom Paleo by Michelle Tam

2. Fitbit Charge HR

3. New Balance Running Shoes

4.  Once a Runner by John L. Parker Jr. 

5. Dog Leash

6. Perfect Bars

Resources for Devoting My Classroom to Him

1. Morning Meetings with Jesus: 180 Devotions for Teachers by  Susan O'Carroll Drake

These are the tools in my toolkit for the upcoming year to help me achieve my goal. I will reference them throughout the year sharing how I use them and share new resources as I find them.

Joyfully His,
Pharen

Today, December 29th, 2016 I sit in bed off of work as a teacher and with time off from grad school, and have been thinking of new years resolutions for the past few days. Wondering what I can challenge myself with. I enjoy challenging myself with what most find daunting and accomplishing these tasks. I pride myself on doing things that most do not have the gumption to accomplish. There it is... pride.  One of many vices that exist in my life, but possible the most detrimental.  I sit here convicted and contemplating what to do and came up with this. This space for me to document my year long project of submitting all aspects of my life to Christ. Living through and for him. Allowing my paleo eating, running, teacher, grad school student, crafter of a self to lose control by giving it all to the most high. Now let me go ahead and confess that even typing out the words lose control in relation to my life scares me.  I know though that He can make anything possible and will make all things good in His time.  Join me starting January 1, 2017 as I take off on a mission to lose control. 

Joyfully His, 

Pharen