My Core Values

This post is in response to HomeschoolDaddy's post on his 8 core values. He is interested in hearing what the values of others are, how they live them out and how they pass them on to the next generation. Be sure to post yours and let me know so I can check them out.

I know that I have values. I think that most people would say that they do. I think that some would even dare to say, myself included, that they have lived portions of their lives in direct contrast to their core values. Perhaps not having them listed and referring to them regularly is a primary contributor to such.

In a world where the motto seems to be to each his own and where many people seem to live unto themselves. It is important to have a list of core values, a standard by which to measure life. However, I am not sure that I have ever sat down and listed them or that I even have any idea of how many I have.

I found a great list here for anyone who may need some help putting their core values into words.

Some of my values come from things that I learned from important people in my life such as my Grandmother who always said "Baby, don't ever be a liar. If you'll lie you'll steal and if you'll steal you'll kill." Other values of mine come from my spiritual journey and my desire to emulate Christ.

OK, so here is what I came up with:

• Purity
  
• Excellence
  
• Honesty
  
• Integrity
  
• Selflessness
  
• Hope
  
• Non-conformity
  
• Service
• Simplicity
• Kindness

I live these values out by first purposing in my heart that I will live by them and make them a part of my daily life, and then looking for practical ways to put them into action. By living them out in my daily life, I easily pass them on to my children. They are quick to model the behavior that they see in me-the good the bad and the ugly. :)

Another way to live out my values effectively is to surround myself with people who have similar values. When I am around honest people, it becomes increasingly difficult to be comfortable living a lie.

I will be sure to post more information on each individual value. This topic has stirred by mind.

Google Reader

Technology is forever changing. It seems that just as soon as you get used to one thing, something new and better takes over.

I was so thrilled when Blogger came up with the feature to be able to follow some one's blog. I can't count how many times I have come across a wonderful blog, only to never be able to find it again because I wasn't even sure how I wound up there in the first place. So I added all of my favorite reads to my blog manager. Well, the only problem with that is that I only saw the updates when I logged into my blog, which lately hasn't been very often. I also found that several people are following my blog that way too. Why didn't you guys tell me about it! :)

With sites like Facebook and twitter, my blog has been severely neglected. At any rate, I was looking at a twitter post of woman who raved about Google Reader and now I'm wondering how I didn't know about this sooner!

All my favorite blogs in one place and who knows what else I will learn about it. If you haven't checked out Google Reader, what are you waiting for?! :)

Happy Valentine's Day!

Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is born of God and knoweth God. I John 4:7

I hope that you have a wonderful Valentine's Day. Be sure to let someone know that you love them and know that I love you!

The Peace that Surpasses all Understanding

Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them. Psalm 119: 165

Recently I was deeply hurt and offended. As I mulled over the situation, my first thoughts were of anger, rage, disappointment, faultfinding, backstabbing-you know all those feelings that are allowed to rise up when you dwell on "stuff".

God quickly pointed my mind to His Word. I am understanding now more than ever why it is important to have God's Word hidden in my heart.

The first scripture He sent me to was Psalm 119:165 which says: "Great peace have they which love thy law" and nothing shall offend them. So I had to ask myself the hard and painful question: Why am I offended. According to God's word nothing should offend me.

The next scripture He showed me was I delight to do thy will yeah thy law is within my heart. Needless to say, there was not a whole lot of delighting going on in my heart. So I responded, "Point taken, Lord. Is there anything else you have for me"? to which he responded with Isaiah 26:3 Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee:because he trusteth in thee.

Why did I not have the peace that God promises I would have? Simply because I was not doing my part to have it. My mind was not focused on Him. I chose to focus on my problem instead and doing so brought on all the negative effects of such a poor decision.

Are you experiencing a lack of peace in your life? I encourage you shift your focus and put your trust in God. It worked for me!