becoming: focused on eternity sept/oct 2012

BECOMING

focused oneternity

..................Sept/Oct 2012

BECOMING MAGAZINE SEPT/OCT 2012 2

Have you ever been watching a documentary or movie where the camera is super focused on a specific point and them zooms out and out and out until it stops, suspended in space, giving you a view of the earth as a whole? I have to do that with myself sometimes… pick myself up out of my current, blinded-by-hurry reality and hover over the timeline of my life to get a sense of where I've been and where I'm going.

If you are wondering why I would title an issue about Time Management, "Focused on Eternity", it's pretty simple. How we choose to invest (or waste) our time is determined by what we believe about eternity. If we never grasp God's big picture, if we never understand that the things we do in this life matter in the next, then life essentially becomes and exercise in self-fulfillment, storing up treasures that Jesus said will be destroyed and pass away.

It's no secret that we do battle everyday- with hurry, with too much stuff, with too much noise. We're distracted, unable to fit it all in. And, we often end up doing the things that matter the least because they are easier or maybe just the most urgent.

But, I don't want to find myself at the end of life with a wish list of dreams that were never realized. I know you feel the same!

Based on my research for this issue, it seems that those who are successful in accomplishing their goals in life do two major things:

! 1. They THINK ABOUT where they want to go, and make a plan.! 2. They REFLECT ON where they've been, and adjust the plan when necessary.

Getting our time under control is no easy task! To be a really good steward of time, it takes a fair amount of reflection, goal setting, and self-assessment. If you are struggling to find the right rhythm in your life, like I often do, I pray this issue will set you on the right path.

Lord, help us to view TIME through the lens of ETERNITY.

Always BECOMING,

ShannonShannon Basso, Editor

P.S. Of course, there is far too much information on this subject to be included here, so we've tried to provide specific resources at every turn for your further study. In addition, I urge you to follow along at www.becomingmag.com, as we will be diving deeper into each part of the issue and providing in-depth how-to's, motivational tools, and helpful hints from our contributors.

EDITOR’S LETTER

http://www.becomingmag.com



FEAT URES

BIG PICTURE PERSPECTIVE 6

by Shannon Basso

All IN THE DETAILS 10by Shannon Basso & Tracey Wozniak

ART ICLES

FIRST THINGS FIRST 22

by Vanessa Brewer

CHARACTER BLUEPRINT 26

by Jaime Brackett

HUNG UP 32

by Kristen Burden

OBSERVING SABBATH 38 by Jill Hadlock

EXTRAS

SEPT/OCT 2012 PLAYLIST 31

by Rhissa Parker

IN THIS ISSUE


KRISTEN BURDEN

...to plan mornings that include quiet time, a shower and time to get dressed before my kids wake up. When I'm rested and off to a peaceful start, the days just seem to go better!

JILL HADLOCK

... be realistic about how much time it really takes to do something.

RHISSA PARKER

... to do small tasks as soon as possible when they come to your attention, so a small task does not become a huge weight!

TRACEY WOZNIAK

...that you never have time to do everything but you always have time to do the right things.

VANESSA BREWER

...to always schedule the most essential things first; otherwise, your day is likely to be taken over by less important tasks.

JAIME BRACKETT

...to write down what you want to accomplish for the day and then circle your top two or three- that's probably what will actually get done.

THE CONTRIBUTORS

The best time management tip I have ever received is...


As for man, his days are like grass,

he flourishes like a flower of the field;

the wind blows over it and it is gone,

and its place remembers it no more.

But from everlasting to everlasting

the Lord’s love is with those who fear

him, and his righteousness with their

children’s children, with those who keep

his covenant

and remember to obey his precepts.

The Lord has established his throne in

heaven, and His kingdom rules over all.

Psalm 103:15-19


BIG PICTURE PERSPECTIVE:Living life with Eternity in Mind

“My ageless purposes are set in Eternity. Time is like a little wheel set within the big wheel of Eternity. The little wheel turns swiftly and shall one day cease. The big wheel turns not but goes straight forward.

Time is your responsibility- Eternity is Mine! You will move into your place in the big wheel when the little wheel is left behind. See that now you redeem the time, making use of it for the purposes of My eternal kingdom, thus investing it with something of the quality of the big wheel.

As you do this, your days will not be part of that which turns and dies, but of that which goes straight forward and becomes one with My great universe.”

Excerpt from “Time & Eternity” by Frances J. Roberts

Words by Shannon BassoPhotos by Rhissa Parker


Time is kind of a crazy concept. We have time on a clock- chronos time- the kind that marches on and runs out. And then, there's perceived time- kairos time- the kind that flies, stands still, and disappears. Every once in a while we'll say we "have time to kill", but mostly there's just never enough of it. No matter what our perception of time at a given moment, one thing is perfectly certain: It will eventually cease to exist and we will enter into God's eternal reality.

The thought of eternity makes us a little uneasy. Everything we do here is constrained by time, so it seems somewhat unnatural for things to never, ever end. We want to exist in time because its familiar. But, being made in God's image, we also have eternity set in our hearts, and so, we long for immortality. It is with this intense internal struggle that we make our way through life- the temporal vs. the eternal, the seen vs. the unseen, treasures on earth vs. treasures in heaven.

Thinking about these things, I can't help but feel motivated and overwhelmed at the same time. Motivated to use my time for His glory. Overwhelmed by the magnitude of such a task.

When we talk about stewarding time, the real question most of us are asking is "How do I live a life that means something?" In the end, when all earthly possessions are stripped away, wha t w i l l my l i f e cons is t o f? Acknowledge it or not, each of us longs to live what the apostle Paul calls a "worthy life".

We all have different ideas, based on our God-given passions and desires, about what gives life meaning. But, there is a truth common to all human life: everything apart from God is meaningless.

I am reminded of Ecclesiastes, King Solomon's reflection on his life, much of which was spent chas ing a f te r ear th ly p leasures and achievements. He says he denied himself nothing he desired: "Yet, when I surveyed all that my hands had done and what I had toiled

that my hands had done and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind".

Solomon's message to us is not that the things of earth are bad, but that apart from God there is no lasting satisfaction in life. He warns us to remember God while we are young, "before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say- 'I find no pleasure in them'." We start walking with God early, so we can possess an underlying peace and joy when we reflect on our own days gone by.

If we are unconvinced by Solomon to surrender our time to God, we can look at the life of Jesus. How did the God-man choose to spend His time? He invested in relationships, He communed regularly with the Father, He lived out compassion and sacrifice and love in his daily life. He worked as a carpenter. He not only showed us the example of what it means to live a godly life, He also spoke words that should compel us to give eternity some consideration:

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away." Matthew 24:35

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not ! destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." Matthew 12:36

In light of this evidence- that time will end, that earthly treasures will be destroyed, and that we will be held accountable for what we say and do- it seems appropriate to ask ourselves "How are we choosing to spend our time?" Are we really investing in things that reflect our belief in God and His eternal purposes?


Certainly, it is easy to lose sight of the "big picture". Each morning, we wake up to work to do, kids to raise, families to support, laundry to be folded, and even fun to be had. With so much going on here and now, we sometimes forget about our heavenly home. So, this is the challenge before us: to rise up everyday and say, "Lord, today I choose to serve you and to fill my time doing things that are worthy of my calling in Jesus Christ."

The Worthy LifeIt is a hard but true reality that many of us will never live the lives we envision for ourselves. Time will pass us by while we flutter around, hurried and distracted. That's not to say our lives are not fulfilling in many ways- far from it. But, I would venture to say that without a God-directed plan and focus, many of us will find ourselves at the end of life wishing we would have paid attention a lot more.

A worthy life is the compilation of worthy days. And worthy days- meaningful days- are made when, as Frances Roberts suggests, we redeem our time by using it "for the purposes of God's eternal kingdom". C.S. Lewis wrote, "If you read history you will find that the Christians who did most for the present world were precisely those who thought most of the next."

If we are to be good stewards of God's blessing of time, what are we to focus on? What pursuits lead to a worthy life? Paul spells it out for us in Colossians 1 and Ephesians 4- we bear fruit in every good work, grow in Godly knowledge, patience, and endurance, live in joyful gratitude to the Father, and be completely humble and gentle.

Or, to approach it from another angle, we listen to Jesus' words in Matthew 22:37-40. "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as

yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments." Think of spending time in these ways:

Worship (loving Him with all your soul)Relationships (loving Him with all your heart)Health (loving Him with all your body)Work/Ministry (loving Him with all your mind)Personal Growth (loving Him with all your life)

Are you starting to think that all of this might take a lot of effort? It will. The words of an old hymn may be helpful to remember:

Turn your eyes upon Jesus,Look full in His wonderful face,

And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,In the light of His glory and grace.

Friends, let us allow the things of earth "to grow strangely dim" as we prayerfully and honestly consider how to best use our time to glorify God. After all, we were in a desperate state before we met Jesus- dead in our sins and destined for eternal death! But God, in His unfathomable mercy, chose to rescue us through the sacrifice of the Son and through our belief in Him we receive a glorious, eternal inheritance. It is only fitting, then, that we devote ourselves to living earthly lives that sing of heavenly truths.

"So if you’re serious about living this new resurrection life with Christ, act like it. Pursue the things over which Christ presides. Don’t shu!e along, eyes to the ground, absorbed with the things right in front of you. Look up, and be alert to what is going on around Christ—that’s where the action is. See things from his perspective."

Colossians 3:1-2, The Message


ALL IN THE DETAILS:The wise give thought to their ways

Do not be shaped by this world; instead be changed within by a new way of thinking.

Then you wil l be able to decide what God wants for you; you wil l know what is good and pleasing to Him

and what is perfect.

Romans 12:2

Words by Shannon Basso & Tracey WozniakPhotos by Rhissa Parker


ALL ABOUT THE DETAILS:

We've established that v i e w i n g o u r t i m e through the lens of eternity is essential to living a God-honoring life. Now, we turn our focus to the specific ways in which we make that desire a reality. Most of us have been to some sort of corporate seminar where the speaker utters these familiar instructions:

Failure to plan, is a plan to fail.

Or, maybe the 6 P's:

Proper prior planning prevents poor performance.

Proverbs 14:8 says, “The wisdom of the

wise is to give thought to their

ways."

So, we will give thought to our ways. We ask the Lord about His intentions and plans for the life He gave us. T h r o u g h p r a y e r , reflection, and personal observation we will lay out our deepest values & seek His wisdom to choose the BEST ways to invest our time!

The Ground Rules:1. Let go of perfection. Accepting only perfection often deters us from starting in the first place. While we always seek the wisdom to wait on God's timing, waiting on the "perfect" time or circumstance can mean that you'll waste a lot of time… or never start at all.

2. Focus on one area at a time.We only overwhelm ourselves trying to tackle all of these areas at once. Get a good handle on your Life Priorities and Goals, and then move on to the time period that needs the most attention right now. For example, if your day to day life is scattered and unfocused, you might choose to focus on your daily schedule first.

3. P lan wel l, and then get on with it! Don't spend so much time organizing life that you forget to live life...

The Game P lan:Use the BECOMING worksheets to walk through the planning of these target areas:! ~ Life Priorities! ! ~ This Year! ~ Non-negotiables! ~ This Month/Season! ~ LIfe Goals! ! ~ This Week! ! ! ! ! ~ Today

To facilitate growth in each area, we will determine the GOAL of each time period, and ASK key questions to direct our steps forward:ASSESS- Evaluate "Where am I?"AIM- Decide "Where am I going?"ACTION- Plan "How will I get there?"AWARE- Reflect "How am I doing?"


BIG PICTURE PRIORITIES:

Who do I want to be & Who am I living for?


THE BIG PICTURE: LIFE PRIORITIES

“Begin with the end in mind.” ~ Steven C ovey

ULTIMATE GOAL: Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.

• Who do I want to be? How would I like to be remembered? What specific legacy would I like to leave? 1. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 2. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 3. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 4. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 5. __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 6. __________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: What parts of my life currently line up with my big picture priorities?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: My current reality does not support my larger goals in these areas...

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: What one/two things am I allowing to steal my big picture focus? What needs to change NOW? (This could be anything from poor time management to a need for restructuring of priorities.)

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ACTION: Now that you have identified an area (or two) that needs attention, decide how you will move forward. (Take small steps here. Tackling everything at once will only lead to frustration. Choose the urgent needs.) RESOURCES: If you need help setting Big Picture Priorities, try: ~ Michael Hyatt’s LIFE PLAN ~ Seek the guidance of a Pastor or Godly mentor If you need help with Time Management, try: ~ Time Management From the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern ~ BECOMING’s BREAKDOWN worksheets


BREAKDOWN: LIFE GOALS

Based on the dreams God has planted in my heart, what specif ic things do I want to accomplish in life?


BREAKDOWN: LIFE GOALS

“ Seek f irst the kingdom of God and His righteousness and al l these things wil l be added...” Matthew 6:33

• GOAL: Building Your LIfe Legacy

• ASSESS: With my Big Picture vision in mind, these are some steps I can take to accomplish that vision:

My age in...

I will be married for...

My kids ages in...

Personal Growth: This is the picture I have for myself in 5 Years: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 10 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 20 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________

Marital Growth: This is the picture I have for my marriage in 5 Years: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 10 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 20 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Family Growth: This is the picture I have for our family in 5 Years: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 10 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 20 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________ Life Impact: In light of the the the dreams God planted in my heart, I hope to have accomplished this in 5 Years: ______________________________________________________________________________________ 10 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________ 20 Years: _______________________________________________________________________________________

• ACTION: These goals are accomplished one day, week, month, and year at a time. Now that you have identified where you are heading, take time to focus on how you live out each day to make these dreams a reality.

RESOURCES: A Woman After God’s Own Heart by Elizabeth George BECOMING’s “BREAKDOWN: LIfe in Seasons” worksheet

5 YEARS 10 YEARS 20 YEARS


BREAKDOWN: LIFE IN SEASONS

What specif ic circumstances do I need to recognize and consider as I plan this stage of life?


BREAKDOWN: LIFE IN SEASONS

“Live ful ly in this present season without resenting its chal lenges, demanding the next season to start right now, or pining over a season gone by.” ~ Bruce Mil ler

My current Season of Life is: _____________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: What unique opportunities should I seize in this season of life?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: What unrealistic expectations am I holding on to from seasons past?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: What are my rhythms of maximum effectiveness? In other words, at what times of the day would I be best at study, work, rest, being creative, etc. Factor these rhythms in to my daily schedule.

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• AIM: What rituals or habits would I like to build into my life to make this season the best it can be?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ACTION: Release any resentment from losing blessings or opportunities of seasons gone by. Embrace your current reality, asking God to help you steward this time wisely and joyfully.

RESOURCES: Your Life in Rhythm by Bruce Miller Ordering Your Private World by Gordon MacDonald BECOMING’s “BREAKDOWN: Life in Rhythm” worksheet


BREAKDOWN: LIFE IN RHYTHM

Develop a detailed schedule of each day/week/month/year, so that it f lows in harmony with my life goals & priorities.


PLAN FOR: THE MONTH/SEASON

“We underestimate what we can accomplish in a season… But by envisioning what we want to accomplish over a quarter of the year, we can take some large steps toward carrying out our life's mission." - Bruce Mil ler

GOAL: Pursuing Yearly Goals and Reducing Excess "Noise"

RHYTHMS: weather, seasons/quarters, budget, house projects, bible study

ASSESS: Where do I need to create order where it does not exist? AIM: What can I accomplish this season to move closer to my goals this year?

ACTION: Plan and guard one day a quarter to review and reflect upon yearly goals. RESOURCES: The Most Important Place on Earth by Robert Wolgemuth

PLAN FOR: THE YEAR

"For we are God 's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." ~ Ephesians 2:10GOAL: Move forward in faith to pursue God's purpose for my life

RHYTHMS: Holidays, birthdays/anniversaries, school, sports

ASSESS: How would I rate the "success" of the past year in view of my Big Picture priorities? Where am I on target? Where do I need to change?

AIM: What does God desire for me to accomplish this year? What is He teaching me?

ACTION: Plan and guard one day a year to carefully consider God's will for your life in the upcoming year.

RESOURCES: Your Life in Rhythm by Bruce Miller Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman by Anne Ortlund


PLAN FOR: TODAY

Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Psalm 90:12

GOAL: Creating an intentional and peaceful rhythm

RHYTHMS: quiet time, meals, school/work, sports, family time

ASSESS: What are the "hot spots" of the day? Anticipate rush hours, bad attitudes, etc and consider how to deal with them before they happen. What is robbing my time (thoughts/media/procrastination)?

AIM: What is the best use of my time/talent/treasure right now? Lord, what do You want accomplished today?

ACTION: Articulate explicitly what an ideal day looks like.

RESOURCES: Time Management From the Inside Out by Julie Morgenstern

PLAN FOR: THE WEEK

" There is never enough time to do everything, but there is always enough time to do the important." ~ Timothy JonesGOAL: Focus on the Important, Orderly enough to be effective

RHYTHMS: Church, work/school, grocery, exercise, Bible Study, Family meals

ASSESS: Am I spending most of my time on the urgent or the important? What environment and I creating for my family at home? AIM: What does God desire me to pour myself into this week? Am I planning to work hard AND rest well?

ACTION: Set boundaries. Protect family time, time with your spouse, time with God.

RESOURCES: The Family Dinner by Laurie David Two Week Time Tracker (see “Time Tools” board on Pinterest)


BREAKDOWN: LIFE IN RHYTHM

YEAR / QUARTER / MONTH / WEEK / TODAY : ____________________________________________________________

• GOALS: _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________________________________

• ASSESS: Where am I? What things are currently not working that I would like to change?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• AIM: Where am I going? How and where would I like to be investing my time?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• ACTION: How will I get there? What realistic steps can I take to accomplish these goals?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• AWARE: How am I doing? Is there anything I’ve tried that need readjusting?

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Scripture References (to remind me of the Big Picture):

________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________


My husband and I were married for eight years before we had a ch i ld . In November, God blessed us with a precious baby boy, Wils. When he was born I decided to take a break from co-leading Bible studies. For the first time in nearly a decade, I was not consistently studying the Word, reading commentaries, and preparing in other ways to facilitate Bible discussion with a group of women.

I quickly found myself growing very distant from God. I came up with all kinds of excuses– I was exhausted, my baby was not sleeping through the night. And, I went back to work full-

FIRST THINGS FIRST:My journey back to Jesus

time. I was stressed learning to juggle being a working mom and wife. The list went on and on. I knew I needed to get in the Word. I knew I need to carve out time for God to pray and to work on our relat ionship. However, I did nothing to grow closer to Him. I found myself saying over and over again, “I feel so far away from God.” People would tell me, “Vanessa, this is a ‘season’ – you have a newborn and you need to give yourself some grace. God knows your heart.” My heart was telling me this ‘season’ of being a busy working mom was only going to get busier and I needed to find a way to make time with God a priority. (cont’d)

Words by Vanessa BrewerPhotos by Rhissa Parker


But, I didn’t. Fast forward four months – my baby was sleeping through the night; I had become used to being a working mom. However, I was still not doing ANYTHING to pursue God or grow in my relationship with him.

Journal entry from May:

Lord, I have failed you again. I am no closer to you today than I was when I started this journey back to you. Why do I put everything else before you and squeeze you in for just a few minutes? I know the way to experience an intimate relationship with you is to spend quality time with you. Please give me the desire to put time with you above all things.

Journal entry from June:

Lord, we are four months into my ‘Journey back to Jesus’ and I confess I have failed miserably. I have continued to put work, exercise, online shopping, Facebook, and everything else before you. I start memorizing scripture and get halfway through the chapter and stop. My heart hurts because I know how disappointed you are. I am thankful for the conviction of the Holy Spirit and I pray you will help me crave time with you.

Another entry reads:

Lord, it has been another week now and I am not proud of my progress. I have not made you a priority. I did pray today that I would hunger for your word. That I would crave time with you like I crave sweets. God, I want to find my delight in your law; I want to meditate on your word day and night. Please Holy Spirit, come and transform me.

A month later, I went on an eight day vacation with some friends while my parents stayed with Wils. I brought my Bible and planned to read it daily. On the last day of our vacation, I wept as I realized I had been away for eight days with no distractions, no deadlines, no commitments, but I had only opened my Bible twice!

This is when I knew I didn’t have a time problem, I had a priority problem!God was at the bottom of my priority list. I was so ashamed and sad that I put the Creator of the universe, the Giver of Life, who sent His Son to die for me and who gives me so much grace, at the bottom of my list.

With tears streaming down my face, a friend suggested we make a covenant with God to get back in the Word daily. We each wrote a letter to God committing 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week for the next month. We signed and dated our covenants and prayed over them.

I know most people do their quiet time in the morning. However, I realized the evenings were best for me, after work and once Wils was asleep. I decided to completely "unplug" – no texting, no Facebook, no television. I sat in my living room chair with praise music in the background and started my 30 day covenant. I dove into Jude 1:20-23 and soaked up God’s Word. I was journaling what the verses were speaking to me and using the internet to find sermons and other insights on these verses.

I was so excited about the Bible for the first time in a long time. I could feel His Word renewing my mind (Romans 12:2) . I didn’t spend 30 minutes in the Bible. I spent 54 minutes and loved every single minute. What was the difference? I shut down every other thing and focused on God. I cleared out all distractions and prayed for Him to open my heart and mind so I would be receptive to his teaching.

Journal entry the following day:

God, yesterday’s time with you was so awesome. For the first time in months I felt like I was on fire for your Word! I prayed "draw me nearer, nearer Lord" and you answered me. Thank you, Jesus.

In John 15:4, Jesus says, "Remain in me, and I will remain in you." When we put first things first, He who is faithful transforms and renews us.


STARTING THE JOURNEY BACKThere are many great devotionals you can use to get started. But, I have learned that some of my best quiet times are less structured and spent in the Bible.

Being in God’s Word consistently has many benefits: It points me to Jesus and His character.The more I know him, his divine power gives me everything I need for a godly life. (2 Pet. 1:3-4)

I am able to receive God’s direction.It shows me the path where I should walk. (Psalm 25:4)

I am able to worship God and experience his presence everyday.

I grow closer to him as a friend & Father.Real life relationships take nurture and care- so it is with God.

I end my quiet time in prayer, asking God to keep what I’ve learned fresh on my mind so that it changes my thoughts and actions and allows me to live more like him.

{ 5 Tips for Fruitful Quiet Times }Make Bible reading a priority. Although there are many great devotionals our there, we know that God reveals Himself through His Word. If we want to know Him, this must come first.

Eliminate distractions.Whether it's TV, phone, computer, even people! We must create a still, quiet space to draw near to Him.

Journal.Write down what Scripture is speaking to you. Write prayers or problems or praises- looking back over your journal you will rejoice as you realize His Word has ministered to you in every circumstance.

Build in accountability.Christians need to encourage one another on a regular basis! Most of us will try harder if we know someone is going to ask us about our effort. Find a reliable partner who will walk with you.

Pray for help.Ask God to help you to commit to daily Bible reading. He has promised to help those who ask for it!

{ Vanessa’s New Favorite Study Tool }A FREE app called YouVersion! This app allows you to:

- read the Bible in many translations - hear an audio reading of Scripture (very effective for me)- receive reading and devotional plans to guide quiet time If you like to learn and grow in community, you can join in with a group of women who follow one of the reading/devotional plans on YouVersion together and share their comments. Find them at www.shereadstruth.com.

http://www.shereadstruth.com

http://www.shereadstruth.com


There is no doubt that parenting is a blessing from God. Children themselves, no matter how they arrive in our arms, are gifts from the Lord. Psalm 127 is an encouragement, “Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.’

Since our children are a reward, and as we delve into being a good steward of our time in this edition of Becoming, character training is an area where we can also decide how we will use our precious time parenting. The Bible gives a solid biblical principle imploring parents to train up their children in the way they should go (Proverbs 22), and this should involve a deliberate plan for training in the area of character.

CHARACTER BLUEPRINT:Training up children in the way they should go

Words by Jaime BrackettPhotos by Rhissa Parker


What is character? Noah Webster, a Christian, in his 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language defines character as:

The peculiar qualities, impressed by nature or habit on a person, which distinguish him from others; these constitute real character, and the qualities which he is supposed to possess, constitute his estimated character, or reputation. Hence we say, a character is not formed, when the person has not acquired stable and distinctive qualities.If our children are a reward, and if we are charged to train them up, it would seem that character training is imperative! Realize it or not, you are influencing your child’s character every day. So, it would make sense to take some time and figure out a plan to ensure that the character developed is godly and also a great time to evaluate your own character as well.

Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Mark your plumb line & define your terms.A plumb line is used in construction to firmly establish the line that all others will be compared to so that walls are straight and blueprints are followed! We, too, must first define for our children what our plumb line is with regards to character.

As Christians, our plumb line has to be the character of Christ (vs. “the world”). The bible uses the phrase “the world” often to describe those who are not followers of Christ (John 1,3, 15; Romans 3; 1 Corinthians 1; 2 Corinthians 10; 1 John 4). In fact, the apostle John in his first epistle states “Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.” Paul, in 1 Corinthians, 1 calls the wisdom of the world foolishness. So, we can deduce that “the world” is a force not to emulate but to overcome and that its idea of good character sets a low expectation.

2. Study Christ Himself.If our plumb line is Christ, the best way to learn about His character is to read about him in the Bible. The first four gospels are full of information that reveal His attributes- His wisdom from early childhood; His patience with his earthly parents; His humility as he goes to John the Baptist for baptism, and of course, as He submits to his Father’s will by going to the cross; His gentleness with children; His kindness toward the sick; and His graciousness as in revealing himself to those such as Nicodemus, the rich young man, and Pontius Pilot.

As you go thru the gospel accounts you will have other attributes that you find as well. Write them down! You may also think of people in the Old Testament whose character was godly: Abraham and his faith, Moses and his obedience, courage, patience, and humility; King David, who was quick to repent and was faithful and devoted to God (not perfect but devoted!).

Also note examples of ungodly character: in Cain, in Noah’s sons, in King Saul, Queen Jezebel, in many of Israel’s kings. There are many New Testament examples of both, as well - the called apostle’s faith to leave family and follow Christ, Peter’s devotion but also Peter’s denial of Christ, Judas Iscariot, Mary Magdalene, the Pharisees. As you study the bible with your children take time to point out these people and discuss their character- good and bad!

3. Self-ref lect.Since Christ is the one whose character we wish our kids to emulate, we should next take stock of how we are doing in emulating Christ ourselves. The spotlight is on the parent as our kids watch and learn from our behavior. We can only lead our children as far as we have progressed ourselves, so If we have chosen a worldly plumb line- if our greatest influences are tabloids, reality TV, and Facebook- then we will have a hard time expecting more from them.


Children can sniff out hypocrisy so you are better off coming clean with the Lord and with them. Otherwise, your godly talk will not match your worldly walk. James tells us in chapter 1 of his epistle to not merely listen to the Word but to do what it says! If we approach our children in a God-led way, then we will be able to speak wisdom into their lives and they will ask us to for a long time after they have left our homes.

Do not be afraid to admit to your children that you are human (they will figure it out anyway!) and that you are a sinner and that you are working on your character, as well. Real and open conversations like these will go a long way as you begin character training in your home.

4. Identify inf luences in your children’s lives.At this point you have established (or reestablished) whose character you want to emulate and you have done some self-reflection. Now it’s time to examine other influences in your child’s life. In the early years especially, our children are most susceptible to influence- positive or negative. If we think of our children as malleable clay, then we should ask who is molding them.

What influences beyond you are helping to mold your child into the person they will become? Identify positive and negative influences. Positive influences may be the godly family next door, other godly family members, Sunday school teachers, pastors, good literature in the home, and positive music on the radio. Negative influences may be the bully down the street, ungodly friends and neighbors, poor TV and music choices, violent video games and the like.

If you struggle with what is positive and what is negative ask yourself this simple question- is God honored when my child participates in ____, watches____, listens to ____, and spends time with____. Is this behavior or activity common to those who are believers or unbelievers? I am not suggesting that you place your child in a bubble! We must, however, look at what and

whom our children are exposed to so that we can decide activities or people they may need distance from. We also help them recognize character that does not honor God, so they are prepared to make good choices when we are not with them.

5. Think about the adult you hope they become.Now you are ready to think ahead with a godly perspective on the character traits you would like to help your child develop. Think about what traits you would immediately like to work on and also think ahead one year, five, and ten.

Imagine the adult they will one day be and what character traits will honor God and help them in the workforce and in family life. Keep these notes in a file on your computer clearly marked so that you can review it from time to time. However, also realize that character training, even with the best “plan” in mind, will mostly take place as the opportunity presents itself in everyday life! So develop a flexible plan and then arm yourself with great resources.

6. Gather helpful materials! The Bible is our best resource and a great one to begin with. For instance, if we want to focus on godly character, let’s look at Love. 1 John 4:8 says … “God is Love.” And 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 defines Love! “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”

What a great list of character traits just in those few verses that are easy to understand, easy to recognize, and easy to explain. Talk about this verse with your child and talk through examples of each character trait listed. For example, “Love is patient- we were patient today when we read quietly in the doctor’s office before your


appointment.” Or, “You were so patient today while I was changing the baby.” “That was so kind of you to share with your brother.” Or, “Grandma doesn’t feel well so let’s make her a card. That will be kind!” You can also point out when they are not being kind or patient, but giving positives and catching them doing the right thing is very encouraging and gives your child concrete examples he can remember.

Considering these steps and arming yourself with lots of prayer, your Bible, and a few resources will put you on the right track as you begin to deliberately help your child build godly character.

Jaime’s Resources:{ Biblical Character Training }

Doorposts (www.doorposts.com) A company that is dedicated to providing

Christian materials for parents and they have an entire section of Biblical Character Training

products.

Character Building for Families (Vol I & II) by Lee Ann Rubsam

Age-integrated, interactive, scriptural studies of character qualities/spiritual fruit.

Character Sketches from the Pages of Scripture

lIlustrated in the World of Nature, Vol I, II, and III (Institute for Basic Youth Conflicts).

Leading Little Ones to God by Marian Schoolland

Classic devotional guide to teaching young children about God; conversational style.

The Narrow Way Character CurriculumBible study and character training curriculum

for the whole family; 150 daily lessons

http://www.doorposts.com

http://www.doorposts.com

http://www.hslda.org/elink.asp?id=8059











Song of the Saints {Page CXV I}

Farther Along {Josh Garrels}

Words Remain {Josh Garrels}

A P lace Only You Can Go {needtobreathe}

Beautiful Mercy {Laura Hackett}

Kingdom C ome {Audra Lynn}

C ome Baby {Melissa Otto}

Be Stil l My Soul {Page CXV I}

His G lory is Rising { The Neverclaim}

Fountains {Jon Thurlow}

I Breathe You In, God {Bryan and Katie Torwalt }

House of God, Forever {Page CXV I}

THE PLAYLIST


HUNG UP:How giving up my phone gave me back precious

Words by Kristen BurdenPhotos by Rhissa Parker

In everything, set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness and soundness of

speech that cannot be condemned...

Titus 2:7


Three mornings a week at 5:30am, before anyone in my house is awake, you'll find me trekking through our neighborhood with some of the most wise yet light hearted, funny yet contemplative women I know. My running group is just as much my social hour as it is my cardio workout, and I love the time I spend with these women.

Nearly two years ago, Lisa (a runner in our group and a mom of three kids who are now 16, 20 and 24) was teaching her youngest daughter to drive. On a cool winter morning late in 2011, Lisa told us what a challenge it was for her & her peers to impress upon their young drivers the dangers of using their phones behind the wheel. In the 4 year span between Lisa's middle and youngest girls getting their license, cell phones had practically become an appendage for most teenagers (and adults too). Many of her 15-year old daughter's friends found putting down their phone to be the hardest part of learning to drive -- never mind parallel parking!

Lisa made the whole story very light and comical, but towards the end of our run she said something that really got my attention.

“Our kids don't learn how to drive by listening to us explain it to them. They don't learn by reading a manual. They learn by watching us, day in and day out from the time they're old enough to see out the window. And the ones who learn that it's OK to text and drive have often times had a great role model in their parents.”

Was this a true statement? Do parents who text and drive produce children who do the

same, or is it just a cultural norm these days for texting to be second only to breathing for most teens (and lots of adults too). As I envisioned my three-year old delicately holding my eye shadow brush and sweeping bronze powder across her eyelid like a pro, I decided that it was quite possible that Lisa was right. I knew for certain that I'd never given my daughter a verbal how-to on applying eye shadow, but she had seen me do it morning after morning. She had learned how to do this (and many other things) simply by watching the people around her.

Lisa's story made me think about my own cell phone and consider how much I talk when I drive. I like to think that I'm an attentive driver, setting a good example for my kids and putting our safety at the top of my list. I like to believe that I only use my phone in necessary situations.

No matter, her story that morning prompted me to pay more attention to how often I checked Email at stoplights and texted behind the wheel. When I was truly honest about the whole thing, I found out that I was no cell phone saint. I was surprised, disappointed and even embarrassed by what I saw in myself. Turns out I was just as bad as those new drivers that Lisa told us about!

I was completely humbled.

Maybe it was the timing of Lisa sharing her story (mid-December, just before the New Year), or maybe it was God convicting me of a behavior that needed to change, but I decided to make a New Year's Resolution to dramatically cut back on my cell phone use in the car. In fact, I cut it out entirely, opting to stick my tellie in the armrest of my car (which would make it reachable if I ever needed it in an emergency).


I was stunned by how chal lenging it was that f irst week to just sit there and drive. My car wasn't the happiest place to be

during the first few weeks of January 2011. No little pink phone in my hand to provide escapism for mommy, and no LeapFrog DVD to occupy wiggly, fretful kiddos.

Far beyond the safety risks that came with all of that talk time I'd been doing, I found it most maddening to think about how much potential quality time with my kids had been sabotaged by technology. The psychology major in me had to figure out why tinkering with my phone (while driving?!??!) was so much fun (especially since I'm generally a very cautious person), and I came to the conclusion that I had been finding solace in my Suburban. It had become the one place where I could actually be "off the clock" as a mom during these busy days of raising little ones -- a place where I could snap everyone into their seatbelts, captivate them with a cartoon, and check in with the world of grownups -- even if it was just for the 5 minutes it took to get to the grocery store. During the first week, keeping my phone stowed in the armrest wasn't easy. At first.

After about day 5 of just driving (imagine that), I got over the impulse to pick up the phone as I pulled out of the driveway. Sitting there (just driving), I started to hear noises. Noises like my kids talking to each other about the Corvette beside us at the light (that "probably goes like 280 miles an hour!"). Noises like my youngest one learning to enunciate the words "fire truck" one slow, mushy syllable at a time.

I heard things like sticky little hands clapping; little bare feet bouncing against the car seat base; and bigger (but still small) hands snapping the legs and body of a Lego man together. They were noises that made the corners of my mouth turn upward and my heart do a little flip flop. I knew these sounds wouldn't be around forever and I wanted them to become part of my brain's permanent collection.

But you have three kids. Don't you hear these -- and a mil lion other kid sounds -- every single day? Yes, but outside of the car,

they're residual sounds. They're never the only thing I can hear, so I honestly never really appreciate them. There's always a pot of something cooking, a load of laundry tumbling, or a box of crayons spilling. It's never quiet at home. Never. Which means that these sounds that mark the season of sweetness that I'm living in right now go unnoticed. Except when we're in the car.

Equally wonderful were the things they'd blurt out while I was driving. It was as if they felt like the car was a "safe place" to talk (not that our house isn't, but there's something about mom being focused on looking straight ahead, operating a 2,000 pound car, that must make them feel more liberated). I started hearing more stories that they might normally be embarrassed to tell me. Once, I heard, "Mommy, Luke kissed me today." (Hilarious, because she's in kindergarten.)

I've gotten reports about things that are heavy on their hearts, like the day I heard, "Mom, today I had to miss five minutes of recess for talking too much." I hear funny stuff too, like the day they


laughed uncontrollably when my older child told us about a kid falling into a toilet in the bathroom. My car fast became a place for us to have meaningful conversations. To laugh. To fellowship. To talk about cool-to-them things like the Brinks truck guy who is poised to shoot a bad guy trying to rob it. For them to vent and for me to listen. To communicate without the world butting in. To rest, to daydream, to recuperate and reconnect -- to get out of the wave pool of life that we bounce around in all day long.

As if these things weren't enough, there was one more added bonus to hiding my cell phone. When we were apart (my "pink friend" and me), I could practically feel my stress level drop. Something about disconnecting from that 4.5" x 2.5" toy literally slowed my heart rate. I shouldn't have been surprised, though. Being connected to the outside world all day long -- whether it's via the news, Facebook, or the weather -- is like standing in a crowded room during a cocktail party. Noisy, exhausting, and void of meaningful conversation.

And here I thought I was giving up my phone just so my kids wouldn't create bad habits by watching me. Turns out I had just

unearthed several hours of quality time with my kids each week -- and a calmer heart. It was like someone had handed me a beautifully wrapped gift.

While my car was once been the best place to find rest from motherhood -- to find solace -- it had now become the best place where I could mother my kids. Just them and me -- no

one else. I started to see the car as our charging station. No noise from the outside world. No demands of daily life. Travel time became our chance to escape f rom the non-s top, multitasking, multi-sensory world we all live in. A safe-haven from the static, down time from the demands, physical rest from the flurry of activity that comes at us each day.

Today, 20 months into this resolution, I strike what I feel like is a good balance. I still keep my cell phone in the armrest of my car. I keep the ringer on, but I try to only answer it for family or the kids' school (they have designated rings so I know when to answer). I turned off the "ping" of my Email and I ask my budding readers to read my texts (any reading practice is good practice, right?!?). The DVD player is getting a little bit more action than it used to (my two year old isn't the greatest passenger in the world), and sometimes I can't resist calling a friend to chit chat, but I do the best I can to curtail my phone use.

I've been writing this article for a while and I hesitated to put it out there because that meant I'd be going public with my intentions. You could officially bust me for talking and driving if you passed me during a moment where I took or made a call. But then tonight, during our kids' school Open House, something I heard inspired me to hit "publish" in spite of the chance that you could catch me with phone-to-ear and call me a hypocrite.

One of the parents asked our daughter's kindergarten teacher (who is in her 44th year of teaching) what we could do at home to support what is happening the classroom, Here is what she said:


The best thing you can do is to talk, talk, and talk some more to your kids. I love technology as much as the rest of you, but in the past several years I've seen a significant drop in the language skills of the children I teach. I'm convinced it's because we're all glued to our phones. Today's children don't concentrate on verbal instruction as well as past students could, and they struggle to carry on cohesive conversations. Talk to your kids. (She started to hold back tears right around this part.) Engage them in conversation. Be available to them. I know it's easier to pop in a DVD when you're in the car, or to let them play games on your phone in the grocery store. I know it's fun to text your friends while your children busily play Play-Doh. But when you do this, you're robbing them of significant learning time, significant talking time, and significant time to just be with you -- and that, dear parents, will have a bigger impact on your children than you will ever know.

Here's to hiding our cel l phones. The world can wait.

Kristen’s Tipsfor

Unplugging:

1. Set BoundariesDecide which times you will (and absolutely will not) allow yourself to be reachable. Let your kids in on your intentions and let them help you stay accountable.

2. Silence AlertsTurn off email, text, voicemail, and other alerts on your digital devices during the times you’ve set aside to unplug. The less temptation, the better!

3. Remember What’s ImportantImmediately responding to calls, texts, and emails sends the message that we value communication with friends more than with our kids. If it’s time to be with your kids, then be with them.

Find Kristen on her blog, She Who Delights (shewhodelights.com).


Recently, I went shopping at the F lor ida Mal l on a Sunday morning. It was one of those times when I had to use a Sunday for shopping. Uncertain when the mall opened, I arrived around noon. The mall doors were open, but most of the stores were closed until 1 p.m.

One of the characteristics I love about this mall is the variety of the shoppers’ nationalities – British, German, Peruvian, Brazilian, Japanese, Korean, Columbian, Indian, and more. On this particular Sunday, a couple from a Middle Eastern country was walking, glancing at me, talking intently and looking confused. We were all walking in the same direction as you do in malls. The man turned to me and asked with his accent, “Why the stores closed?” I said, “Because it is Sunday.” His brow furrowed and he told his wife. They were not satisfied. Again he said, “Why the stores closed?” We are all still walking

OBSERVING SABBATH:Experiencing God’s rest, here and now

and I’m trying to get to my store, find what I need to buy and get home. I was working with a small window of time.

Again I answered, “Because it is Sunday. On Sundays, the stores open later.” By this time it was around 12:30 and some of the smaller shops were raising their gates. The couple shrugged and aimed for an open store to browse. I continued my hike to my destination and became irritated with myself.What did I just do? I just passed up the opportunity to share with this couple, probably from a Muslim culture, why stores open later on Sunday! I could’ve said, “They open later because many people attend worship services Sunday mornings. Because Sunday is our holy day! Because we remember Jesus rose from the dead the first day of the week!” My heart sunk. I wanted to run back, find them and tell them. Instead, I prayed for them and prayed for myself to be a l e r t t o t h o s e t y p e s o f opportunities. (cont’d)

Words by Jill HadlockPhotos by Rhissa Parker


How did Sunday become the “day of rest”? Once upon a time, ALL the stores were closed on Sundays, including gas stations and restaurants. There were no ATMs to get money when the bank was closed. If one needed milk, he or she had to wait till Monday to go to the grocery. Sunday was for worship, family and rest. Let’s take a look at what Scriptures says regarding the day of rest.

In Genesis, the end of the Creation account reads:

“Heaven and Earth were finished, down to the last detail. By the seventh day God had finished his work. On the seventh day he rested from all his work. God blessed the seventh day. He made it a Holy Day Because on that day he rested from his work, all the creating God had done.” Genesis 2:1-3

From the beginning, rest – or ceasing from work – was ordained by God. Dr. Bruce Waltke writes in his Old Testament Theology, “The creation narrative recounts three acts of God on the seventh day: rested, blessed, sanctified. In other words, he ceased from work, used the day as an instrument of life, and set it apart for himself.” Notice the missing refrain “and there was evening and morning” that closes the end of the first six days of the creation narrative. Humanity is still living in God’s seventh day.

Exodus tells the story of Moses and how God appointed him to lead the nation of Israel out of Egypt where they had been slaves for 400 years. During the previous four centuries, living as a minority people among the mightiest and quite pagan society of that era, God’s covenant people had forgotten who the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob was, why he was so special, and why he cared about them. They were just happy to not be slaves.

So, God began to train them while they journeyed through the wilderness. One of the first lessons they

were to learn was the lesson of Sabbath – to cease from work. God fed his people (about 1 million of them) by providing manna, which could be used to bake bread.

Moses said, “Gather it every day for six days, but the seventh day is Sabbath; there won't be any of it on the ground." On the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather anyway but they didn't find anything.

God said to Moses, "How long are you going to disobey my commands and not follow my instructions? Don't you see that God has given you the Sabbath? So on the sixth day he gives you bread for two days. So, each of you, stay home. Don't leave home on the seventh day."

So the people quit working on the seventh day. (Exodus 16:26-30)

Dr. Bruce Waltke explains: “As the Creator sanctified the day at creation, so Israel should remember to set it apart repeatedly to the Creator. In other words, the order of creation stands behind the Sabbath observance; I AM built it into the very s tructure of his universe. The fourth commandment is a transition: it is holy to God, but it is for humans to enter into eternal rest with him.”

This transition points us to Christ’s incarnation. Jesus, who lived a holy life and perfectly fulfilled the Law (the Ten Commandments), was crucified on a Friday. He would be the sacrificial atonement – replacing the need for animal sacrifice – and complete the work of redemption. And what did Jesus say just before he died? Before the day of Sabbath rest?

He said, It is finished! And He bowed His head and gave up His spirit. (John 19:30)

Jesus’ work was completed. His body was at rest for the Sabbath, and the next day, he arose demonstrating that he is life. He now sits enthroned at the right hand of the Father. Jesus, the Lord of


the Sabbath, is at rest because he has ceased from his work.

When a person receives Christ through faith, he or she is in Christ and begins to experience eternal rest. We look forward to the consummation of God's Kingdom when Jesus returns and when all followers of Christ experience God’s rest in all its fullness (Hebrews 4:8-11).

After Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, church history shows that Christians began to worship together on Sundays to remember Christ’s resurrection. During the Reformation, this became more solidified as the day when Christ-followers ceased from work for a day to remember what the Lord’s work in the past, present and future promises.

In regards to "how" to observe the Sabbath, Dr. Waltke shares wisdom worth noting. “Sabbath makes sense for Christians, for it is a practical necessity for the church to select one day for collaborative worship. However, just as Passover was replaced by the Lord’s Supper and circumcision by baptism, the seventh day’s functions are fulfilled on the first day of the week as we commemorate Christ’s resurrection from the dead… But it is important to remind ourselves again that Sabbath is no longer a requirement (Col 2 :16-17) . Controversies about Sabbath would quickly be extinguished if we understood that each person has to decide how he or she will worship God. Worship is a spiritual service that reflects the inner reality of the person and is beyond the judgment of others.”

It has been said that the two great enemies of the soul are hurry and noise. God knows our souls can use some quietness. Consider the benefits of a Sabbath observance established not to fulfill a spiritual checklist, but to give you renewal in this present life and to remember your Savior who gives you life eternal.

10 ways to Observe the Sabbath~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Worship with the body of Christ.

Avoid errands. Live as if the stores were closed.

Refrain from screen time. Choose to connect with loved ones instead.

Take a nap!

As a family, decide how you could meet the needs of a friend or

neighbor. Then do it!

Enjoy nature.

Enjoy a leisurely meal at home with friends.

Find some silence and be still.

Spend extra time in prayer.

Do all grocery shopping the day before and prepare your heart and

mind to slow down.


BECOMING ...until Christ is formed in you

CONNECT WITH US:

www.becomingmag.com

www.pinterest.com/becomingmag

Facebook: Becoming Magazine



http://www.pinterest.com/becomingmag

http://www.pinterest.com/becomingmag

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Becoming-Magazine/297007393678543

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Becoming-Magazine/297007393678543

becoming: focused on eternity sept/oct 2012

Documents

quiet time

time management

end of life

life matter

good steward of time

issuebecoming magazine

major things

lens of eternity