January 02, 2006
Welcome to the January 2006 Issue of Your Christian Counseling Connection, the Newsletter of Christian-Counseling-Online.com. In this edition we are exploring the importance of imparting order in your life. Would you like to be more self-disciplined, have more order in your life and experience more peace? Well read on for tips, articles and more.
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In this addition of YCCC you will find...
Win a Book -- Be first to answer the YCCC quiz correctly!
Feature Article -- Begin the New Year Right
Quotes and Contemplations -- Wisdom for your soul
Book Works Book Review -- "Ordering Your Private World"
Great Web Resources -- Health and Diet
The New Year is upon us. Whether we like it or not, one more year has passed us by. Each of us is another year older. So let me ask you a question, "When was the last time you sat down and examined where you are versus where you would like to be...whether it be your relationships (with God and others), your health, your finances etc.?" The turn of a new year is a wonderful time to take inventory of your life and make plans to help yourself accomplish your hopes, dreams and desires for 2006.
Proverbs 17 says fools despise wisdom and discipline. People who never take inventory of their lives, who never set goals and never devise plans tend to remain static...they accomplish very little. They will find themselves in the same old place next year, except they will likely be even more entrenched in bad habits. On the other hand those who identify what they want out of life and relationships and become intentional about following through on their plans, they will accomplish the most.
With the new year upon us, let me encourage you to take a personal inventory right now. Start by getting out a notebook or journal and ask yourself some questions: Are you making choices pertaining to your relationships, health, and finances that bring glory to God? Do you desire to honor God in ALL you do? What can you do to make your life more Christ centered? Christian, remember, there is no success unless Christ is at the center of what we do.
In closing, I cannot urge you enough to make it your intent to seek God first this year (Matthew 6:33). Make Him the highest priority of your life. Put Him on your schedule first thing in the morning and last thing before you retire at night. If you decide to do this I would love to hear from you and also be praying for you. Let me know.
Book Works -- Ordering Your Private World
When I first picked up "Ordering Your Private World" by Gordan MacDonald I thought I was in for another book about organizing and simplifying your life (which, by the way I am all for). However, I was pleasantly surprised to discover that MacDonald's book addresses the need for a well organized inner self.
His premise is, "the inner world of the spiritual must govern the outer world of activity." The inner world largely refers to the heart -- the mind, emotions, desires, and motivations -- which must be cultivated like a garden. Proper cultivation will result in the production of good fruit. Lack of cultivation will result in external chaos, stress, poor time/self management and disorganized living. If you want to bring more order to your world, check out MacDonald's book.
Quotes and Contemplations -- Wisdom for your soul
"I ought to pray before seeing any one. Often when I sleep long or meet others early, it is eleven or twelve o'clock before I begin secret prayer. This is a wretched system. It is unscriptural. Christ arose before the day and went into a solitary place. David says:'Early will I seek thee.'...I feel it is far better to begin with God - to see His face first, to get my soul near Him before it is near another." Robert Murray M'Cheyne
"Our religious activities should be ordered in such a way as to have plenty of time for the cultivation of the fruits of solitude and silence." A.W. Tozer
Great Web Resources -- The food we eat has a tremendous impact on our health. Our health impacts every area of our lives. When we are fit and feeling good we have the needed physical energy to serve God and others; the emotional energy to relate well with others; and we will spend less money on doctors and medicine. If you are interested in the real scoop on the connection between health and nutrition check out www.ezhealthydiet.com.
Win a Book...be the first to email me with the correct answers to the quiz below and win a copy of "Ordering Your Private World" by Gordan MacDonald.
Check out my new pages at Christian-Counseling-Online.com and take the YCCC quiz below and you might just win yourself a new book that could change your life. My new pages are College Students Guide to Stress Management , Christian Counseling Blog and Relationship Problems.
The first person to email me with the correct answers will win the book "Ordering Your Private World". Make sure you send your name and mailing address with your answers.
1. Name three symptoms of stress a college student might experience.
2. To subscribe to my Christian Counseling site Blog you need to supply your email address (T or F)?
3. Understanding ________ theory can help you understand why you love, feel and act the way you do.
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Until next time, I'm praying for God's richest blessings on your life and relationships,
