Party of 1, Part 2

Monday's blog focused on serving a party of 1, God. Matthew 5:16 says "let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." But are my good deeds pointing people back to God?

Monday I mentioned a comment about shinning like the moon. How does the moon shine? (and here's a hint, if you google "moon shine" you will not get any references to the moon, but to alcohol.) But one web site described the moon shinning like this "The moon shines by reflecting sunlight. Without the sun, there would be no moonlight."

Without the sun, there would be no moonlight. Without the Son, would I be able to shine? Ephesians 2:10 says "For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. " Prepared in advance for us to do? You mean it was God's plan all along that I do this blog? To glorify him? Letting my light shine so that YOU may see him through me.

I pray you are seeing God through this blog. That you are encouraged, uplifted, filled with the Holy Spirit as you read God's word. And I, too, am encouraged. Because even if no one reads this blog, I am glorifying God because I am obeying him.

I AM serving a party of 1. I am serving God, just like he planned.

Now Serving Party of 1

One of the blogs I visit has a subtitle under their title that says "Read by Tens of People Every Day." I think that is so funny. But here I am aspiring to just have ten readers, let alone "tens." It can be frustrating. Especially when I write something fantastic! (Yes, my four readers, I know you are asking "when was that? I must have missed that day!")

I have to ask myself what am I writing for? Am I writing for me? Well, kind of. Hopefully having the pressure to consistently write will improve my craft and make my writing better.

Am I writing for you? Well, kind of. I am hoping to inspire you, make you laugh, and keep connected. I'm glad you're here!

Am I writing for God? Whoops, there it is! Am I writing for God? The bible says "whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God" in 1 Corinthians 10:31. God should be glorified in everything that is done. Am I writing for God? I hope so. I try to point all my blogs back to him.

A comment by "Susan" on my Friday post said "my daily goal is to 'shine like the moon.' I desire to be a reflection of the Son and to claim no light of my own." Am I glorifying God? Am I shining...but like the moon, reflecting the Son and claiming no light of mine. Am I making a difference for God? I don't know.

But I know my focus needs to be on serving a party of 1 - God.

***And the random winner selected by drawing names from a cup by my 8 yr daughter is Susan! Congrats Susan. Enjoy your 1 year subscription to the Proverbs 31 Magazine. And Anonymous MJT and Patterson 5, thanks for commenting!***

Happy Anniversary!

To my husband, Happy Anniversary and thanks for 12 wonderful years of marriage! Thanks for being an encourager and urging me on in my writing career. I love you!

What's Your Goal?

I have exciting news to share! I have been accepted for publication in a magazine! So in honor of this goal achieved, I am giving away a 1 year subscription to the Proverbs 31 Magazine. Leave me a comment and I'll randomly select a winner over the weekend and announce Monday right here on my blog!

But it makes me wonder, what are your goals? Have you set any? Are you so bogged down (or blogged down!) with day-to-day that you don't have any goals? Dictionary.com lists "purpose" as another definition for goal. What is your life's purpose?

I turned 40 in March, and started setting new goals for this new season. My 30's goals were to have kids, be a mom and my life has revolved around that. It is a blessing! But now my kids are 4 and 8, and becoming more independent. My new goal (in addition to losing 10 lbs for my 40th birthday) was to become published. I have accomplished both! My next goal is to become published again...and again...and again.

I've also failed at goals set. It seems like a constant goal is more patience with my kids. (They seem to know exactly what button to push to make me lose my patience!) I also continue to battle my mouth...THINK before you talk, THINK before you talk. It's my mantra. Oh, but I fail.

The bible tells us of another goal to set. Paul tells us in Philippians 3 that our goal should be to have a relationship with Jesus. The Message bible puts it this way "I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus."

I'm no expert either, but I have the same goal. To grow in and know Christ. I wish the same for you, my friends. Or as Paul puts it in Philippians 4:1 "My dear, dear friends, I love you so much. I do want the very best for you. You make me feel such joy, fill me with such pride. Don't waver. Stay on track, steady in God."

So have you set a goal? An earthy goal? A goal to know Christ? Share your thoughts or just say hi, and I'll announce the subscription winner on Monday.