Remembering my present with the Word of God and prayer (01.11.2016.)

RYP Stories: Prayer journaling and memoir
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Section title: The new plan of this blog and my writing and journaling
This is the plan with this blog as of Monday, January 11, 2016
I have decided to keep all of my writings under one umbrella, once again, and in this blog. Therefore, I will include several different writings in each blog post and will post at one o'clock Mountain Standard Time (Denver and Cheyenne time) each day. Therefore, you can expect to see these daily segments:
Treasure Journaling: This segment or section is my prayer journaling and what I call "treasure journaling" (where God speaks, I listen, and I respond in prayer). This is my main writing and will be what I do first every day.
Bible reading series
My personal stories (where I share my stories which I will eventually turn into a memoir)
A deeper daily devotional (where I share more Bible thoughts and notes)
Additional prayers
Life wisdom
Spiritual, Journaling, Writing, and Life Tips: Prayer journaling, journaling, memoir writing into, personal stories, daily devotional writing, spiritual disciplines, Bible Reading, etc.
What I'm reading
Health, diet, and exercise thoughts
Misc.
(Treasure Journaling, Personal Stories, Daily Devotional, Prayers, Tips, Health Thoughts, and Misc.)
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Every time you see this: /// ... it represents a change in thought and topic. /// is a segment or section divider.
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What is a summary of my new blog approach?
Thoughts about the Bible, prayer, life stories, life in general, journaling, and writing. (No.)
Summary of topical divisions of each blog post: RYP Stories: Prayer journaling, life stories, health, and other writings and tales. (No.)
RYP Stories: Prayer journaling and memoir. (Blog plans, health, what I'm reading, life, love, and other thoughts and memories) (No. This is too much.)
RYP Stories: Prayer journaling and memoir. (Yes.)
From there, I can add subjects and hash tags.
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Section title: Prayer journaling on Hebrews 4:16

Hebrews 4:14-16 New Living Translation (NLT)

14 So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. 15 This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

My love,
Come to me.
Come to my throne and meet me as you are. You do not have to pretend to be perfect and perfect prayers are certainly not required. You do not have to be elegant or flowery in your prayers. Just come to me and talk to me. Then, listen ten times longer than you speak.
And, when you come to me, be bold. My son knows first hand what life is on earth and he and the Holy Spirit come to me and pray on your behalf. They will translate to me what is on your mind. For, they know your intent and what is on your heart.

Hebrews 4:16 Expanded Bible (EXB)

16 Let us, then, ·feel very sure that we can come before [L confidently approach] God’s throne ·where there is grace [L of grace; C as opposed to a throne of judgment and condemnation]. There we can receive mercy and ·grace [L find grace] to help us ·when we need it [L at the right time].

-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

My love, do you need mercy and grace? Approach my throne boldly and tell me everything on your mind and heart. I will listen and will give you grace and mercy. I will also speak to you and offer you guidance.

Hebrews 4:16 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

My love,my throne is a place for answers and for healing. It's also the place to just be in my presence.
Come to me. I am here. I am waiting for you to come near.
My Lord,
I am a sinner. I fail far too often. I do not pray or meditate on your Word as I could or should.
Give me the want to do so, please. And, teach me how to do both.
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Section title: Prosperity, success, and the Bible

How can I proper and have success in 2016?: What does the Bible mean in 2016?
(Meditating, pondering, thinking on, praying, contemplating the Word of God)

I want to prosper in all I do. I also want to be successful in all I do.
What does the Bible mean in the year 2016?
What does it mean for and in my life?
Joshua 1:8 provides some of the answers.

Joshua 1:8 New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.
-- New Living Translation (NLT). Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Joshua 1:8 Expanded Bible (EXB)
8 ·Always remember [L Do not let depart from your mouth] what is written in the Book of the ·Teachings [Law]. ·Study [Meditate on] it day and night to be ·sure [careful; diligent] to obey everything that is written there. If you do this, you will be ·wise [prudent; successful] and ·successful [prosperous] ·in everything [or along life’s path; along the way].
-- Expanded Bible (EXB). The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

Joshua 1:8 Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
8 This book of instruction must not depart from your mouth; you are to recite it day and night so that you may carefully observe everything written in it. For then you will prosper and succeed in whatever you do.
-- Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB). Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.

Joshua 1:8 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
8 This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success.
-- New American Standard Bible (NASB). Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation.

Joshua 1:8 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
8 Never stop reciting these teachings. You must think about them night and day so that you will faithfully do everything written in them. Only then will you prosper and succeed.
-- GOD’S WORD Translation (GW). Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

I will keep reading these versions and will keep meditating on what they have to say.
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JOURNALING TEMPLATE, SUMMARIES, AND REVIEW FOR YOUR JOURNALING

JOURNALING TEMPLATE, SUMMARIES, AND REVIEW FOR YOUR JOURNALING

Written December 19, 2014, Friday, 851 a.m.

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JOURNALING QUOTE

Your journal is a looking glass. It helps you search for the things you cannot easily see and it helps you to find treasures. Your journal helps you see beyond the surface.

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THE BIGGEST MISTAKES OF JOURNALING

The biggest mistakes we make with our journaling are:

1 Not journaling every day.

2 Not making summaries of our journaling.

3 Not reviewing our journaling.

4 Failing to get out journals digitized and saved permanently on the Cloud or over the Internet.

Let's look at numbers two and three now. 

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JOURNALING TEMPLATE

Make sure to do a journaling template for the time-frame you are looking at, whether it is daily, weekly, quarterly, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, 5 years, 10 years, 25 years, or lifetime.

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SUMMARIES

Journaling is the most rewarding thing we can do with and for our lives. Therefore, I do not know about you, but with knowing this, I want to see what I can do to get the most out of my journaling. Summaries is one way to accomplish this endeavor.  

First, do a journaling template for the time period you are looking at and are doing. 

DAILY SUMMARIES: At the end of your day, every day, write a summary of your day, or do it for the previous day the next morning. Your summary can be as long as you want or as short as you want. I usually try for one sentence and then one word. Look at ALL of your journaling for the time-frame and remember what all you wrote before you write your summary in your journal. 

WEEKLY SUMMARIES: At the end of your week, every week, write a summary of your week in one sentence and/or one word. Look at ALL of your journaling for the time-frame and remember what all you wrote before you write your summary i your journal. 

OTHER SUMMARIES: Do the same with monthly, quarterly, every 6 months, yearly, every 2 years, every five years, every decade, every 25 years, and for your life (do the life summary at least once a year). Look at ALL of your journaling for the time-frame and remember what all you wrote before you write your summary in your journal. 

THE BARE MINIMUM: Now, let's be honest here. There will be times we just can't do our summaries, for whatever reason, or just don't want to do so. Consequently, what should we do at a bare minimum? Weekly and Monthly Summaries is the answer.

Note I did not say daily or any other for that matter.

If we get no other summaries done, it's okay, since we will have gotten the most important summaries done. However, as you have the opportunity, try to then do the quarterly then yearly summaries. Then, do the daily, decades, etc. 

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REVIEW

Another useful way to get the most out of journaling is through review. More to the point, a streamlined review is the most helpful. 

A review is different than a summary. However, doing a summary is what we do first. 

A review is pondering/thinking, analyzing, pouring through, trying to remember every detail. It's trying to figure out what worked, what didn't, what was learned, seeing our changed perspective, and how our lives were touched by what we journaled about or what we journaled. As we review, we ask ourselves questions and we journal those questions and our answers.

What does a review look like? And, how often should we do them? I will answer those questions in a moment. For now, let's look at a few more steps we need to do before we do the review.

FIRST: Do a journaling template for the time period.

SECOND: Do a summary of the time period.

THIRD:: Answer these questions with every review:

What jumped out at you the most about your journaling and why?

What were your biggest blessings (list at least three)?

What memories do you want to remember? Why? (List at least three and be thorough.)

What did you learn?

FORTH: Pick at least three to answer--and you can pick a different three with each review:

What was a challenge?

What was your favorite moment and why?

How did your journaling transform you?

What do you now realize?

List more blessings from that time. 

What was a moment of sunshine or bright spot?

What will you cherish and treasure?

List more memories from that time. 

How have you grown from this time, experience, and journaling?

What repeating patterns do you see?

What do you want to share with others?

What was the most surprising to you?

What didn't surprise you? 

What do you want to do more of from this time?

What do you want to do less of from this time?

How was your faith during this time?

How were your relationships as this time?

What happened at home during this time?

What did God say to you?

What did you say to God? 

What did you pray?

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THE MINIMUMS

Make sure to do a journaling template at least for each week and each month.

Make sure to do a journaling summary at least for each week and each month.

Make sure to do a journaling review at least for each week and each month.

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END OF YEAR JOURNALING

Do this every single year without fail. Start looking at this around Thanksgiving and complete by December 31.

Do:

1 Journaling template for the year. 

2 Journaling summary for the year. 

3 Journaling review for the year. 

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If you do those things, you will get a great deal more out of your journaling and it will enrich your life. 

Now, go ahead. It's your turn. Tag! You're it.

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DAILY JOURNALING TEMPLATE AND PROMPT

DAILY JOURNALING TEMPLATE AND PROMPT

Written December 19, 2014, Friday, 751 a.m.

I think this is my favorite of the daily journaling templates I have created and used. I hope you will find it helpful and inspirational as well. 

I use it for my day, week, month, quarter, half year, year, two year, five year, decade, twenty-five year, and life review journaling. 

Every day, I count my blessings. It is the most important, beneficial, life-transforming parts of this template. I suggest you do the same. Just a journaling tip.

Feel free to copy and paste this into your journal. Share it as well. Just please attach my credit information below.
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HOW TO USE THIS TEMPLATE

First, use only one word (or one sentence) and list three for each item. Do at least seven items per day. So, you will have at least a total of twenty-one. 

Do that at the very least each day, week, month, etc. Then, as time allows, do the following:

Then, find three of what you journaled that jumped out at you the most.

Then, do at least one ten minute SOC (Stream of Consciousness) Journaling for each of those three. 

Then, from those, find what jumped out at you most and so another ten minute SOC. Repeat several more times from material from your latest SOC.
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DAILY JOURNALING TEMPLATE AND PROMPT

Instructions: Do at least seven of these per day, preferably more though, weekly, do all.

Today I... 

Praying 

Bible-ing

Blessings/ Thanking

Learning

Remembering

Planning

Reading

Listening

Eating

Drinking

Wearing

Feeling

Weather-ing

Doing

Dreaming/Wishing/Hoping

Wanting

Needing

Thinking

Enjoying

Seeing/Watching/Observing

Hearing/Listening

Smelling

Tasting

Touching

Saying 

Photographing

Texting

Emailing

Exercising

Forgetting

Fixing

Eliminating

Focusing

Cherishing

Loving

(Template credit: Stacy Duplease and Remembering Your Present, LLC 2014.)

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STORIES OF BLESSING #10

BIBLE BLESSINGS: VERSE OF THE DAY: PROVERBS 9:10

Written 2014-10-24 12:50:26, Friday

THE WORD AND THE STORYKEEPER: THE BIGGEST BLESSING

The beauty and wonder of the Bible, the Word of God, is how every single verse is a blessing. After all, it's THE-WORD-OF-GOD. How can you get any more sacred, special, holy, set apart, wondrous, awe-inspiring than that? 

The Bible, and the Lord of course, are the biggest blessings in our lives. After all, He's the One who writes our stories. He knows the first chapter, and the last of our earthly lives, and He knows our eternal stories as well. 

He is the Storykeeper of Blessings. 

The Bible is full of His blessings and promises. All we need to do is open up the Bible and read one verse, even one word, and we will be blessed. for, it is the Word of God.

THE BIBLE AND WORD OF GOD

Let' be realistic. Even if we were to read the Bible every 90 days for the rest of our lives, and do so from birth, we would still learn something new every time we read it. The Bible is living and effective (Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17). This is why it's such a blessing as a whole and how each verse is a blessing. We gain life experience, and mature, each time as we read the Word. Hence, every time we read the Scripture, we will gain new understanding and insight. 

That being said, will we ever fully understand the Bible? No. we will not. For, it is living and is what Hebrews 4:12 and 2 Timothy 3:16-17. However, every time we read it, we will glean new and deeper understanding. 

We should not think that we can read it and understand it the first time, even the second or third time we read it. It takes time, experience, maturity, familiarity, and the following verse to help us get closer to the point of understanding the Bible:

Proverbs 9:10 Expanded Bible (EXB)

10 “Wisdom begins with ·respect [fear; awe] for the Lord,
    and understanding begins with knowing the Holy One.

Expanded Bible (EXB)

The Expanded Bible, Copyright © 2011 Thomas Nelson Inc. All rights reserved.

God brings us understanding. How do we gain the understanding through God? He gives it because we start to KNOW Him more each day, with each reading of the Bible, through life experience and through experience of reading and re-reading the Bible. 

Read that again, the last part of the verse. Read it in the previous version and in the following translation.

Proverbs 9:10 GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
    The knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.

GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

The only way to understand the Bible, and even God Himself, is through knowing Him. The only way to really, truly know Him is through reading, praying, and applying the Word. 

Therefore, we are assured many blessings--just through reading a verse of the Bible, let alone the whole thing. 

The Bible is the most important Story of Blessing, which is full of many stories of blessing. 

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STORIES OF BLESSING #7

THE BLESSING OF AGE AND EACH DAY

Written 2014-10-21 16:04:29, Tuesday

I am so grateful I am over four decades old. Quite grateful. After all, I've gained experience, knowledge, lessons learned, wisdom, and some maturity. The truth is age makes life easier to handle and take. Our bodies may not agree with this, we get slower in moving and healing. Never mind how we get sorer easier. But, there is more to life than just the body. There's a great deal more as a matter of fact.

I count it a supreme blessing to be the age I am. (I know I've said this before, but it is important to me.)

It breaks my heart when I hear people lie/tease about their age and say they are younger than they really are. After all, this life negates all of the blessings the individual has seen. And, the sad part is how often they don't even realize that this is what they are doing.

I've learned to live fully every day, and appreciate every day, because it very well may be our last. And, if today is our last, do we really want to spend it complaining, fibbing, being too busy, or not living our proper priorities? Do we want to live it and not count our blessings?

Age is a very good thing. It shows how many blessings you've lived.

Talk about a major blessing.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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BLESSINGS FROM ANONYMOUS IN PHOENIX

Stacy, you shared a blog post earlier that now sounds quite familiar to me. Just thought I'd share:

My gratitudes and blessings:

So happy coming home after hospital stay.

My daughter and son-in-law loving me so much and the decision that was needed regarding my health.

The wonderful care I received in hospital.

All of the staff for their gift of making things easier while experiencing the fear I was going through.

Hearing those glorious words you're being released.

Waking in own bed with good night sleep.

My cat who just wants love,  and getting love too.

Receiving email from daughter saying "Good morning sunshine." (Do you know what that did for me?)

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BLESSINGS COUNTED IN VIRGINIA

Today is a torrential rainfall type of day. The rain is falling and falling and falling, making it a cooler day. We need the rain, though. It's been quite dry, which is always a concern where we live. There are so many trees and vegetation it's unreal and all it takes is a little bit of a spark... So, thank God for the rain.

It's a new day. Today is a gift, an opportunity, and blank slate.

My new pillow worked! I slept last night and feel a great deal better. As a matter of fact, my shoulders, neck, and back feel looser than they have in months, maybe longer.

And, to double the blessing, my husband said the same thing about his new pillow. (Whew! High-five! Sigh of relief times two.)  What an extraordinary blessing.

Kara, our new once feral cat, ate well last night and this morning. she's finally putting weight on her once malnourished body. This is a major blessing.

Speaking of Kara, when I heard the downpour this morning, I said to B and God, "Thank God Kara is no longer outside!"

Flu shots. What a blessing. Getting one later today.

Had lunch with hubby yesterday and will again today. Oh, the sweet pleasure of the little things.

I'm getting used to this computer. Whew. Another blessing.

It's so relaxing watching a turtle swim.

One of my many daily devotionals was well-timed. It was a confirmation and was something to help carry me through until the next phase in B's and my lives, when he retires one day.

B and I did NOT want to workout last night. Felt terrible. Sleepy. Sore. But, we did. We both did 3.5 miles and feel great in our bodies because of it.

Cars and airplanes for travel.

Oh! So many to count this fine, beautiful, hope-filled morning.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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PHOTOGRAPHS: HOW TO TELL YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING TIP

{Other Title:

THE BLESSING OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND TELLING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING (ALSO A TELLING YOUR PERSONAL STORIES OF BLESSINGS TIP)}

Written 2014-10-21 17:02:07, Tuesday and 2014-10-22 08:18:37, Wednesday

TIP FOR WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSINGS

If you are not sure what to write, or just want an idea, pull out your photos. They are a wonderful inspiration.

Write abut what happened in the scene of the photo.

Or, about what you see.

Or, about who is in the photo.

Or, what you don't see.

Capture all the senses: hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, smelling, and sensing.

What did you think of the photo then? Now?

How much do you like the photo?

Put the picture into one thousand words.

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THE THANKSGIVING CHALLENGE

How is your Thanksgiving Challenge coming? Have you been able to write down at least three blessings in your life, and of those three, writing at least one story of blessing each day since the challenge began?

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365 DAYS OF COUNTING YOUR BLESSINGS (AND WRITING YOUR STORIES OF BLESSING)

The minimum is counting three blessings each day, and expanding one of those to a story of blessing of 100-1000 words.

DAY 2

What are at least three blessings in your life right now, in this moment?

DAY 3

What are three blessings you forgot to count?

DAY 4

What are three blessings of someone close to you?

DAY 5

When you think of rain, list three blessings.

DAY 6

List three blessings about coffee or tea.

DAY 7

List three blessings from your childhood.

DAY 8

List three blessings from a storm in your life.

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THE BLESSING OF BEING AN INDOOR CAT

Written 2014-10-22 08:52:15, Wednesday

Shelter is a major blessing.

I know cats can survive in the wild just fine. Their instincts kick in an they can take care of themselves. It's their nature and who they are.

When Kara, our new black and white cat, found B and me, she had sunken in sides. You could count every single bone in her body as pet her, she was so thin.

She clearly had a home and shelter at one time. She's fixed and declawed on her front paws.

Then, she no longer had shelter.

She's also deaf.

So, add all that together. Once had a home. Then, didn't. No claws. Couldn't hear. Her life drastically changed the day we took her into our garage.

The thought of how she once had a home--and then didn't just breaks my heart.

There have been times in my life where I wondered about how to pay rent and when I might not be able to keep the place. I also wondered about food on the table. How could I afford shelter or food?

I know someone right now who is in that very boat (sorry about the cliche, but it's a rainy day and it's raining so hard I fear I will need a boat when I leave for the shot in order to get around). My thoughts and prayers are with them (and Ellen in Denver).

Kara's life and circumstances have really made me reflective of mine and how blessed I am. I am learning so much from Little Bit.

It's the rain that makes me so grateful Kara is now an indoor cat.

I just had to reach out on top of printer and pet Kara as she is nested on top of it. I pet her and counted this blessing again and again. As I pet her, she cooed like a dove. It's her sound of contentment. It's how she's earned her nickname of Little  Dove.

Kara knows how good of a life she has now. Constant food and water. Her own litter box. Shelter. Love. Attention, Affection. No longer being alone.

She's gained some weight. Her sides are no longer concave. I no longer can count most of her bones.

She really makes me think of the blessings in my life I am so apt to take for granted and overlook. she makes me reflect and look at my life with a fresh set of eyes.

I am blessed I can be a blessing to her and am so blessed by her and what she teaches me.

She doesn't need a million possessions or a fancy house. She doesn't need gourmet meals. And, she is content. She finds contentment in every place in her life. On the printer. On my desk. On a file box. On a folded paper bag.

What a blessing in an once outdoor cat. My life has truly been transformed because of her.

She's made me wonder how many blessings I've squandered, haven't seen, haven't paid attention to, wished for something different, taken for granted, etc.

This is what a 5.3# cat has made me wonder. And, oh how many blessings I've counted and will count because of her life and example.

-- By Stacy Duplease of Virginia

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STORIES OF BLESSING WRITING PROMPT

What stories do you like most to tell? Write them down. They are blessings.

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BE A BLESSING

Do you want more blessings in your life? Be a blessing and allow people the opportunity to bless you.

How do you bless people? There are a trillion different ways.

Say please and thank you. It's simple etiquette few people use nowadays and it makes people feel a little pick-me-up when you do. Please and thank you show you are respectful of that person.

Smile at people.

Tip 20% and above.

Give monthly contributions to your favorite charity.

Pay it forward. Pay for the person's coffee in back of you.

Just because you are in a bad mood, or your life isn't going well, it doesn't mean you have to share it with everyone. It can bring others down or irritate them. Try to be upbeat instead. You'll feel better, too.

Go visit a nursing home.

Send a card to someone--just because.

Mow your next door neighbor's front yard when they are at work. Or shovel their walks before they wake in the morning.

Stop complaining.

Listen far more than you ever would dream of speaking.

Remember you are not in competition with that other individual. You both are just trying to get by in this thing called life. Try to love them instead. Challenge them, sure, But do so with love, not out of wanting to show you're better.

Tell the next man or woman in uniform you see, or one with a military baseball cap, thank you for their service.

Etc. (Any other way you can think of.)

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ALLOW OTHERS TO BLESS YOU

If someone offers to do something for you, remember this: They would not offer it unless they wanted to do it. Rather than say, "No thanks. I've got it."--try saying, "That would sure be appreciated instead."

Why do I say this?

It would be a real shame to not allow them to be a blessing to you. If you were to allow it, it wouldn't be because of you, but because of them. Maybe it would give them a pick-me-up to do something for you. Do not deny them the opportunity. When you allow them to do what they desire, you're being a blessing to them.

Have you ever thought of it like that?

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*** Updated last on Oct. 22, 2014 at 1249 p.m. ***