A Tool
“2 Questions that Have Changed Our World – a focus on the Here and Now!” (evaluate)
Awhile back, Ron and I started asking each other 2 questions. I don’t know how it started or where the idea came from. But at the close of a week, at some point when we found a moment to actually look each other in the eye, we would reflect together with these 2 questions. Sometimes, it was on a date, a blissful date at the close of a hard week of work and kids. But other times, it was just on the couch after a show, at the table as the kids were getting ready for bed or in bed ourselves before we drifted off to sleep. We had no idea the power of these 2 questions in our marriage and now in our family as we have started doing it all together. It causes us to pause and...
Read More“The Kitchen Table” (talk, sing and post)
I just made a list in my journal of the things I would love to accomplish today. There are too many and not enough time – I find this is the story of my life, but I greet the “undone” better than ever and just look to prioritize and choose well! So, I choose “The Kitchen Table.” I have words brewing in my heart and mind on the topic, and I must make sense of them through this medium of words. I often say that our kitchen table is the most important piece of furniture in our home, and once again, I celebrate this truth. Dinner last night and breakfast this morning were nothing short of miraculous, and I take a step from the crazy and mark the truth of the...
Read More“Our word for 2013 – confidence!” (evaluate)
We never plan it; we just start praying into it. Once Advent starts, we start praying and asking Father for our word for the year. We involve the kids and have some great conversations as things come up throughout the season. We are watching and listening. We have been doing a “word for the year” for 5 years now. And it is always such a cool adventure to watch Father give us his focus for the year. “Confidence” came on our way to Colorado this past week. As we were making the long drive from Arlington to Breckenridge, I began thinking about the drive to Breckenridge last year and what had changed in me. How was I different? How was our family...
Read More“A Christmas Ornament Idea – a focus on the Past” (evaluate)
“Christmas is saying ‘yes’ to something beyond all emotions and feelings. Christmas is saying ‘yes’ to a hope based on God’s initiative, which has nothing to do with what I think or feel. Christmas is believing that the salvation of the world is God’s work and not mine. Things will never look just right or feel just right. If they did, someone would be lying. The world is not whole, and today I experienced this fact in my own unhappiness. But it is into this broken world that a child is born who is called the Son of the Most High, Prince of Peace, Savior.” Henri Nouwen in The Road to Daybreak Christmas carries a weight of expectation and opportunity! Like...
Read More“Battle Ready – our word for 2012” (evaluate)
When it was all said and done, we had over 10 words for 2012! Wow! We believe in a Father God that speaks and our children are learning that he has words to speak over them and our family. Carson: cornerstone, compassion, refuge, and righteousness Ada: joy, happiness, noble, love and courageous Maya: promise, something better Karla: now Ron: know me How do we choose? So, on this church day, everyone chose one of their words and did some exploring in their Bible for what Father had to say about that word. Second, we went to the Word to listen. Each child picked up his/her Bible, knew there was something called a concordance and found their word and a corresponding verse....
Read More“Our Words for 2012 – a focus on the Future!” (evaluate)
It started a few years ago! At the beginning of that year, Ron and I asked Father for a word with this question: “What is on your mind for the Hagan family for this year?” During our conversations with him, we would listen, attentive to a phrase or a word that he would impress upon our heart and mind. Check out what he said: 2012 – Battle Ready 2011 – Hope 2010 – Harmony 2009 – Chasah The first year we did it, we actually stumbled upon it. Actually, I don’t know if we actually asked for it that year. I just remember Ron beginning to study “trust” and came upon the word “Chasah” in his studies. We ended up...
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