A Year Of Focus

Hey Friends, Allison here.
So,  A Year Of Focus is as follows:

Each month we will do something different to help us focus on God and create a few habits that probably need to be created.  We are doing it as a Fast, and joining together to help each other and hold each other up!  So!!!  Here is our list for this year (it starts in Feb. since Jan is so far gone already.) along with a few explanations.  Let’s change our world, and worlds around us will change. 

February- French Fries.  They are bad for our bodies…and…hopefully, we’ll just get out of the habit of eating them. **we started off easy…get into the groove.

March- Music in the Car.  I looked it up and the average person spends 2 1/2 hours a day in their car.  Mine is really considerably lower than that, but still….I know it’s at least an hour!  So, why not take that time to stop and pray…be silent.  Maybe I won’t call anyone an idiot when they pull in front of me quite so easily…haha! 

April- Arguing/Negativity.(doooozy!!!)  So, this one is a habit former!  I’m surrounded by a lot of negativity during the day, it does nothing but bring me down!!!  So, Jesus’ advice was turn the other cheek.  April is going to be a month of genuine reveal.  We probably don’t realize how much we argue or are negative. UPDATE!  WE HAVE BRACELETS FOR WHOEVER WANTS TO DO THIS!  I’LL EXPLAIN WHAT THE BRACELETS MEAN WHEN YOU ASK!! :]

May- Media. Each week in May (technically there are 4 weeks+3 days) something media driven will be given up.  TV, Radio, IPOD, Computer.  Again, we are always surrounded by visual and audible noise.  Time can be precious and spent playing CandyLand with my son.  (now, for computer, I’m here at work….I have to be on the computer.  But, things like Myspace will be given up for a week and no computer when I get home from work)

June- Junk Food.  It’s bad for us. Maybe we’ll get out of that habit too!

July- Electricity Smarts.  Ok, so….for me (personally) this one is sort of all about Electricity.  I KNOOOOOOW that I have WAYYYYYYY too many lights on in my house than needed.  I’m going to cut back on ALL of my electric uses. Even at work! Help the earth!!! God created it!!!! It’s our job…whether you believe in global warming or not (I personally do….how could all the crap we do NOT hurt it???)

August- Going out to Eat.  Shouldn’t do it, saves money, We’ll be healthier :], more family time instead of hurry up time.  ALSO****The money saved from going out to eat could be given to a charitable source…or added to your tithe!!!

September-  Starbucks.  I spend way too much money there anyway.  Again ** Money saved can be given away!

October- Chocolate.  Again, bad for the body….if eaten in excess….and everything “we” do is in excess….so….down with chocolate.  You may think this one is easy…but look what month it is!!!

November- New_______.  Basically, shopping or Unnecessary Shopping.  ***Money saved, given away.

December-  Cookies.  We were running out of things…..haha….so we said Cookies.  I dunno…that one might change. 

Isaiah 58:6-9   The Message
 6-9“This is the kind of fast day I’m after:
   to break the chains of injustice,
   get rid of exploitation in the workplace,
   free the oppressed,
   cancel debts.
What I’m interested in seeing you do is:
   sharing your food with the hungry,
   inviting the homeless poor into your homes,
   putting clothes on the shivering ill-clad,
   being available to your own families.
Do this and the lights will turn on,
   and your lives will turn around at once.
Your righteousness will pave your way.
   The God of glory will secure your passage.
Then when you pray, God will answer.
   You’ll call out for help and I’ll say, ‘Here I am.’

So, bottom line. 
I think that throughout the year, we will be focusing on God.  Giving money back by saving at what we do most often and giving money away.  Breaking injustices by avoiding negativity and hurtful comments.  Being available to our families, creating habits so that the lights turn on in our lives….lights that are new….lights that are beautiful.  This will be a learning experience.  I can’t wait!!!  It’s going to be a year of change.  A year of repentance…of turning around and stepping in a whole new direction!

WHO’S WITH ME!??!  Write me a comment and let me know!!! We are here to hold each other up!!!  Worship with each other!!! 

p.s. If there is something else in your life that you feel is more important than say…cookies……..just do it!  This is just a starting point.  Whatever you feel will lead you into worship is what you need to do.