Two days before New Year's Day (better known as the LAME DUCK SESSION)

Here I am, two days before the New year and counting-- planning my resolutions for the year ahead,but I dare not begin a single one of them as I am experiencing what I like to call the "Lame Duck Session"-- that week after Christmas and before New Year's day where I would gladly begin a healthier diet if it weren't for all the leftover sweets and creamy food I prepared.

I don't want to begin a daily devotional on Dec. 28th that is set to start on Jan.1st and risk getting the days all jumbled up...might throw off my Mojo.

Getting organized a few days early may prove to be overwhelming, so rather than risk failing at every resolution I have made (on paper) before the New Year arrives in all its glory, I've decided to begin my planning during my otherwise Lame Duck session.

I'm strategically planning for several of my resolutions--all of which end in the same goal
-"To be the best me- closest to what I was created to be."

There is NO WAY I can attain the goal of fulfilling what I was created to be without first seeking my Creator.(It would just seem silly to not be consulting Him, don'tcha think?) So part of my planning of course includes prayer time and reading His words- approaching Him for wisdom and strength to achieve the plans HE has for me.

I have a ONE YEAR BIBLE, which is a regular Bible, but it is divided into a daily reading plan (a chapter from Old Testament Beginning in Genesis, a chapter from New testament-beginning in Matthew, One Psalm and Proverb each day). At year's end, you will have read the entire Bible (cover to cover)if you follow the prescribed reading plan. You can also set up an online daily reading program from the same Bible I'm using.

Click here for the online version.

This is a discipline- and won't really be included in my regular individual Bible study (I don't want to be all rigid with my readings- I'm more of a "random" sort of girl.) It takes about 10-15 of your day depending on how quickly you read and if you are a ponderer (a very good thing to be), then it may take a bit longer.

The idea is to get these words inside of you. Get acquainted with the wisdom of your Creator--learn about history-enjoy the poetry and there's even a love story in there--the book of the Song of Solomon is pretty racy! You may find while reading it, that you would like to get to know your Creator better...and as you continue to read, and seek His face, you will! If you diligently seek Him, He will be found-- and by believing in His son, Jesus, and asking His forgiveness, and opening yourself up to HIS spirit, you will also find the power to actually put into practice the things you find within the pages....and then the peace-that passes all understanding enters into your life.

Wisdom comes when knowledge and faith are intertwined. Wisdom will save you from many sorrows. Wisdom will also help you deal with sorrows that have come and will come your way. My life has been full of pretty much everything everyone else battles, but I can say I have HOPE. I am a peaceful women-- and although I still haven't got it all down perfectly, and I continue to slip up, I do feel that I am on the right track. I have a clear goal, and I am daily striving toward it. His words and the power of His spirit is what will get me there. I hope others will join me in this journey.

SO as you make your list of things you would like to change about yourself-- or plans to have, places to go, people to see, things to conquer....remember these words:

"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness...and all these things will be added unto you."~Matthew 6:33Put Him at the TOP of your list.

Enjoy the best year yet...here's to growing--spiritually, physically, emotionally in 2012.