I’ve recently felt the need to be prepared. The other day I wrote on my last blog post, “I was asked a question several weeks ago, “What do you think about when no one else is around?” It took me three weeks to answer this question. My answer: I think about organizing and getting things in order. Like …with everything.” Then couple with a Facebook post where I said in a CTR (Community Temperature Reading) for the section called – “I’ve noticed” – “the desire to be organized and in order finally falling into place again. It feels like things have been out of sorts and in the shifting and transition phase for quite some time.”

I took this information and wrote that last post called “A reflection of the last 4 years.” but I thought I would write about what I am doing with that information now. Last week Jen and I got Laurel Danise Planners for the office. So, we were super excited to begin planning how we would use our planners. Also, this past week a friend of mine gave me a gift. It’s a “travelers’ notebook.” As I looked into this customizable little notebook, I felt impressed that this little book would become my new way to organize my home life. Not just home (meal planning, cleaning, and calendaring) but also my way of organizing my thoughts and writing. I am a lifelong journaler. I’ve kept paper journals and over the past several years I moved to a digital journal. While I like the ability to look for words in this digital journal and search in them, I have found some elements lacking about it.

1. I love the feel of writing on paper – even though I am using a writing app and I hold a pencil like device when I use the digital notebook. It just isn’t the same as tapping a glass screen.
2. I love the movement of flipping through papers – there is something old world and nostalgic about it.
3. I don’t find the digital notebook to be as useful and on the go as a paper notebook. It is not as streamlined if you have to put in a code to open it and then navigate screens to the proper place.

But with all that said, I still have loved my digital notebook. And I am excited to use the new way I sense the Lord leading me. It is strange to say that, but it really does feel like it is the Lord saying, “Now, is the time to be ready. Now, is the time to be prepared. So, I will be using a combination of paper in the travelers’ notebook and then with my capturing methods I will move important information I want to keep searchable in the digital notebook. I think this combo will help me with taking my scratch paper, collage like way of thinking into a process for deeper processing and pondering. This will lead to well thought out reflections and conclusions.

I have been working and refining this new way of handling information. I tried it out this week while I am on vacation. Ya… I am that kind of person who figures out how to organize well while on vacation. It’s exciting. I enjoy it. I have to time to do it. It will help me when I return.

This morning I tried it out on my Bible reading in Proverbs. We are doing a 28day challenge.

1. I wrote down the verse that stuck out to me.
2. I wrote what the verse means.
3. I wrote any application or connection I noticed.
4. I noted my reflection of these.
5. I noted any story worthy thoughts.
6. And finally, I wrote my conclusions.

These story worthy notes and conclusions are the things I will most likely be sharing with you here or on Facebook. Here is my story worthy thought:

Wisdom is knowing what to do with knowledge and understanding. Wisdom shows us the way to go. Wisdom steers us past the pitfalls and snares of life, its hidden dangers. If we are going to move in wisdom, the first step is to fear the Lord.

Wisdom has a moral foundation, and it begins with the fear of the Lord and is expressed in understanding by departing from evil. Let’s look at psalm 111:10 The fear of the lord is the beginning of wisdom, all who follow his precepts have good understanding. The word translated beginning can also mean the principal part. it’s the basis and foundation of all wisdom.

Derek Prince

Proverbs 4:7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.

If we are going to move in wisdom at all times, we are going to have to be ready in our knowledge of what wisdom is and how to apply it. Doing that requires time in the word to know what is right and what is wrong. It requires keeping the word before our eyes and then listening to the Spirit as the word is brought up in our minds. It will require self-control and self-reflection to see where we are and what we are doing. Being ready…. Being prepared…

1. Do you have a process to help you catch your thoughts and what God is saying?
2. What do you hear or sense the Lord saying to you in this season?
3. Are you ready to move in wisdom at all times?

Thanks for Listening,

Starla