21 days to normalcy

I've heard before that it takes 21 times of doing something to form a habit.
Its been just over a month into the semester and I've started to see lots of BAD habits beginning to take root. So after finally having enough of myself, I decided that I'm going on a 21 day trek to a normal routine.

One big reason for doing this is that fall is one of the worst seasons for me for migraines. I've had several in the last 2 weeks that have been awful. Having a normal routine, specifically normal sleep patterns, significantly helps migraines.

Another reason is that I want to try to get into a routine of having a "job." School is technically my job (only for 3 more months, praise JESUS!!) but I want to get into that routine.  I do well on routines, and college is definitely one of those times in life when no two days are the same.

I don't like having to do homework at home. I'd rather stay on campus, get my work done, and relax when I get home.  Having a routine will help that because I'll know what needs to get done at school, and then it won't feel as though school is running my life.

Lastly, I was very inspired by a Nutirgrain commercial.  It was all about making good decisions, and how one good decision leads to a whole bunch of other good decisions (watch it).  Its totally true. If I wake up and pull myself out of bed and go work out, I feel better all day, I eat better all day, I'm more productive, and I even go to bed better.  It goes the same with my relationship with God. If I get up and spend time in the Word, I am more focused on the Spirit, more in tune to what He is saying to me, and more apt to run to Him with every need.

For whatever reason I'm not so good at being regular with running right now. And I always have a tendency, like most runners, to increase my mileage, which just takes more and more time.  SO, because of that I'm going to let my friends Billy Blanks and Jillian Michaels help me out.  Yeah, thats right. Billy's Boot Camp or The 30 Day Shred every morning for the next 21 (well, 30 I guess) days.

This could turn out to be a very hilarious endeavor.
Well call today day 0. I'm also very curious to see if this habit thing works too.

Bring it on discipline!!

Hebrews 12:11

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.  

Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.  

Well, I'm off to coach some flag football. My friend's team is playing the all campus champions from last year. I made them some brownies to soften the blow . . . pray it doesn't end as I'm anticipating.  :)

Seventh Inning Stretch

Taking a break from the top 10 today. Call it the Seventh Inning Stretch.
This is me being vulnerable. And a little unsure. I'm actually not really sure why I'm writing this at all.

I'll just start by saying, Jesus is amazing. He grabs hold of your heart when you least expect it. But he also grabs your heart when you know you need him to. I wish I had a verse to explain where I started.

How about this . . . School is KICKING MY BUTT. I mean not just hard, time consuming, and frustrating. But borderline impossible, completely consuming (like thoughts, time, everything), and VERY frustrating. Its as if school has blinded me from the rest of my life. I haven't been exercising (and we all know that exercise gives you endorphins, and endorphins make you happy . . . happy people just don't kill their husbands-yes, Legally Blonde). I haven't been enjoying time with people. And I haven't been getting time with Jesus. Why am I doing this? Why am I posting my junk on the internet for the whole world to see. Shoot. I have no idea. None.

But I'll tell you something I do know. When we start to pursue Jesus, he allows us to see! He makes the blind see!

Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, "What do you want me to do for you?"
"Lord, I want to see," he replied.
Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God. (Luke 18: 40-43)

Jesus wants you to come to him. To seek Him. ("You will seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13).
Jesus wants you to bring your requests before Him (" . . . present your requests to God" Phil 4:6).
Lord I want to see. I want to see what all of this studying and doing endless amounts of problems and memorizing formulas has to do with . . . ANYTHING. Yes, get a job. Blah, blah, blah. Is that it? Is that all these 4 years are for? To get a job? I want more! So much more! I'm reminded of a Kutless song . . .

"Feels like you're life's crashing down all around you, let me ask if it's really so bad. Look at the world in it's suffering. Can you honestly tell me that no one else can understand all of the hurting inside? Why can't you see? Freedom is sometimes just simply another perspective away. Who could you be if your lens was changed for a moment, would you still be the same?"

Oh Jesus, change my lens, change my perspective. I don't want to be the same!

The song ends like this,
"Yesterday you really couldn't see how changing your angle a new world would be revealed to your once blinded eyes by moving your field of vision."

Ha, if your still reading, thank you (I guess). Thank you for letting me spill my junk all over the table.

Then Jesus says to the blind man "Receive your sight, your FAITH has healed you."
He will restore. He will renew. Jesus you WANT me to see your plan. You don't want it to be hidden. I'm reminded of all the amazing times through college. All of the incredible relationships. How staying for 4 1/2 years has allowed me to have 3, going on 4, amazing summers at Kanakuk. Perspective.

So if you're studying for finals, if your struggling with life and where God has you, or if you're just stalking my blog (which by the way it's okay cause it's on the internet so I guess it's not really stalking), ASK HIM for a change of perspective. He wants to give it to you. He doesn't want you to live defeated. He wants you to REJOICE! Thank you Jesus for 4 years of school. For all I have learned. And for all the ways you have blessed me. And thank you for letting my BLIND EYES SEE!!

"Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things." Phil 4:8