YOU GUYS! I'm kind of a nut for getting organized, I love notebooks and journals, and I love starting a new project with fresh pages.  I am SO excited to share with you this daily journal/calendar that I created for this particular journey!  I will share more in a bit, but first, let me tell you about what I have planned for this blog... for now anyway.

I mentioned in my previous post that I wasn't sure how I would make this blog work as I prefer to write things by hand, and I think I've figured it out. I want this blog to be a journal of where I am going with my faith, but also a useful study guide for you, to see how God wants you to be healthy!

There will be occasional entries like this one. Perhaps just a bit of excitement, my own breakthrough, or something fun that happened to me along this journey. But, in general, this is what I am thinking.

Each post will be like a "workout" for your faith. I will post a warm-up question. Something related to the Bible passage, but something fairly personal about your life. Take the time to answer it. Then I will post the bible verse that we are studying, along with some questions to get you thinking. Then finally, a cool-down question, for you and I to tie this all to a healthy life. This will be my interpretation of the passage, as a matter of fact, I often find that the passage I'm studying doesn't really relate to good health, but still they help me grow in Faith. If I can find a way to post these, I will do that as well. The Bible is meant to be "God's journal" of Jesus' life, so-to-speak, we are to study His word, not mine. I'm just sharing my views to help you grow in your faith... to make your faith more fit... if you will. :)

Ok, so now, back to this journal. It's actually a monthly/weekly planner that I got at Target! It has the typical monthly calendar, but also contains space for individual daily content. I've been reading a lot about Bible studies lately, and my favorite form of study is journaling, particularly journaling your favorite passage or verse each day. I plan to use the daily section of my planner to write each verse, while the regularly monthly view will be a record of what I've read, posted, and have planned for my year of "Grow"ing. For now, I've just added the word "Grow" to the front cover, as I feel like the "weeds" that are on the front cover kinda fit my theme. But I will fill the inside with inspirational clippings, sayings, and ideas. Things that make me happy!

I encourage you to go out and find your own journal! Maybe it's a fitness journal that will also be a place for you to record your faith journey. Maybe you start your own blog. Whatever works for you! Feel free to contact me if you have questions!

I plan to begin an 8 week study plan after the first of the year. I hope that you will join me. In the mean time, I am reading from a list of Bible versus leading up to Christmas! Today was Colossians 3:12-17, which was subtitled in my bible as "The Christian Life", but as I read and thought and started my journal questions, I read all of Chapter 3; and I'm calling it;

Take Out the Trash.

Read Colossians 3
While the passage is really about your new life as a Christian, it can also be an analogy for beginning your new healthy life. 

"Set your mind on what is above, not on what is on the earth" Col 3:2  What is your big picture goal? The long term one? Your heavenly goal should be "to be healthy", while your "earthly" goal are the steps along the way; losing weight, eliminating sugar, working out more. As we start this healthy life journey, keep your eye on the big picture. Setting too many strict goals right from the beginning can be a dream killer. Remember, we are here to get healthy.

Verse 8 tells us to put away our foul language and anger. Basically, it's telling us to clean up our thoughts. Well, this also means it's time to clean out your cupboards. Get rid of all the foul food in your pantry, the food that messes with your goals and your mind. Stop talking bad about yourself for the mistakes  you've made in your past regarding your health. Forgive yourself! (that's verse 13). Today is a new day, clean it up! Start fresh, stay positive. 

And finally, as in Col 3:14 "Above all, put on love...". This could be the title of this whole journey. Treat your body and yourself the way you would treat anyone you love! You have to love yourself before you can truly love another. Getting healthy is your way of telling God that you love yourself! So, as your start to deal with temptation and a lack of motivation, remember that getting healthy, is a pathway to love.

So, take out your trash! It's time to start your new healthy life!!