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To set or not to set, that is the question ...

 
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To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 9:45:13 PM   
rgod


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Periodically, I take the time to assess my life and to pray over and set goals. I was doing this today, since it was my birthday. I also started to think about how my goal setting and life assessment has been impacted because I am single. In sitting and praying about this, I decided not to spend time thinking about what I ideally wanted to be like, but instead I listed the things that I felt that the Lord put on my heart to do. It was quite a list because I haven't done a lot of it yet. So now, those are my goals.

But, interestingly enough, I've been corresponding with a man who wants to know what my 5 year goals are. I shared them with him, but realized that certain goals would be impacted should I get married within that time. I also realized that my goals made me sound very focus and independent. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I was kind of concerned that when he read them, that he would think that there was no room for a man in my life. He didn't interpret it that way, but it made me think about how I've set goals in the past, or have avoided setting goals because I thought that I'd be married at a certain point in time.

So, I thought I'd open this up for discussion here.

Do you set goals? In what areas of your life do you do this?
If so, how has being single impacted your goal setting?
If you've been married before, are you finding that your goal-setting process is different now?
Have you avoided certain setting or making progress on certain goals (like owning a home for example) because of your single status?
What is your process for setting goals? Is it formal or informal? How often do you revisit them? Do you find that it helps you to make progress?
Do you have an overall vision for your life? If so, do you think that will change if/when you get married? Did it/will it change should you have children?

And ... here is one more question for thought - you don't have to answer it if you don't want to - but if you share it here, maybe we can cheer you on as you make progress on it. Is there a goal that you know in your heart you should be moving towards but that you are procrastinating about or are you in some way stuck? What are three steps you can take over the next month to move you closer to the goal?

Also, feel free to share some of your short-term and/or long term goals if you'd like!

< Message edited by rgod -- 10/26/2008 9:55:38 PM >
Post #: 1
RE: Setting Goals - 10/26/2008 10:08:57 PM   
Grace-N-Mercy


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Joined: 5/2/2005
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quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod

Periodically, I take the time to assess my life and to pray over and set goals. I was doing this today, since it was my birthday. I also started to think about how my goal setting and life assessment has been impacted because I am single. In sitting and praying about this, I decided not to spend time thinking about what I ideally wanted to be like, but instead I listed the things that I felt that the Lord put on my heart to do. It was quite a list because I haven't done a lot of it yet. So now, those are my goals.

But, interestingly enough, I've been corresponding with a man who wants to know what my 5 year goals are. I shared them with him, but realized that certain goals would be impacted should I get married within that time. I also realized that my goals made me sound very focus and independent. I'm a little embarrassed to admit this, but I was kind of concerned that when he read them, that he would think that there was no room for a man in my life. He didn't interpret it that way, but it made me think about how I've set goals in the past, or have avoided setting goals because I thought that I'd be married at a certain point in time.


Great questions. I think that God wants us to have goals. One of my professors says that If you aim at nothing, you'll hit it every time. Perhaps the guys was just seeing if you had goals -- that's a very attractive quality.

quote:

Do you set goals? In what areas of your life do you do this?

Yes, I set goals in all areas of my life, including spiritual, professional, educational, personal, etc.

quote:

If so, how has being single impacted your goal setting?

Well, I have basically two sets of goals. There's the main goals I have for my life, which are flexible, and then the "fuzzier" goals that I would set if I were married in five years.

quote:

Have you avoided certain setting or making progress on certain goals (like owning a home for example) because of your single status?

Nope! I had a house for nine years until it sold in '04. I'm not afraid to buy another house, even if I knew I'd be getting married. Right now, with the economy, buying a house isn't on my goal list, but saving money towards one is.

quote:

What is your process for setting goals? Is it formal or informal? How often do you revisit them? Do you find that it helps you to make progress?

I probably used to be more formal about setting goals -- I'd write them out, pray over them, modify every few months, make check-lists, etc. Now, my goals are much more simple and easy to keep track of. And I keep them flexible so that the Lord can make changes as needed.

quote:

Do you have an overall vision for your life? If so, do you think that will change if/when you get married? Did it/will it change should you have children?

When I was in my early to mid 20's, I couldn't decide on a direction/vision for my life. But now that I'm more settled, yeah, I have a general vision, though I'm still working on that while I'm in school. When I graduate, I'll have lots of options, so right now I'm not settling on any one option until I finish, then I'll see which doors the Lord opens (though I'm NOT going to take the first open-door. Been there done that!) I want to say that my goals won't change when I get married, but they probably will. Who knows what direction my life will take when I marry... what kinds of adventures does the Lord have in store for me? Oh, and more likely than not, no more children for me.

quote:

And ... here is one more question for thought - you don't have to answer it if you don't want to - but if you share it here, maybe we can cheer you on as you make progress on it. Is there a goal that you know in your heart you should be moving towards but that you are procrastinating about or are you in some way stuck? What are three steps you can take over the next month to move you closer to the goal?

One goal I'm working on is financial independence. I've been credit-card free for a long time and plan to stay that way. Now, I want to really build my savings and live a simpler life.

_____________________________

<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
Post #: 2
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:12:56 PM   
Prairiehiker


Posts: 3268
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quote:

And ... here is one more question for thought - you don't have to answer it if you don't want to - but if you share it here, maybe we can cheer you on as you make progress on it. Is there a goal that you know in your heart you should be moving towards but that you are procrastinating about or are you in some way stuck? What are three steps you can take over the next month to move you closer to the goal?


I'm kind of big on goal setting, but my goals are mostly my Bucket List....things I'd like to do before I die, you know? LOL. I guess, I have accomplish most of my early goals, so I am on my second stage of life as far as goal setting goes. I think I've posted some of them. These are some of goal:
1 Run the Boston Marathon within the next 5 years, run the Pikes Peak Marathon next year
2 Climb Kili with my daughter when she turns 18, climb at least half of the Colorado 14ers
3 Do a Rim to Rim to Rim of the Grand Canyon
4 Go trekking in the Himalayas, hike the Great Wall
5 Pay off my mortgage in less than 10 years (but I'm flexible, because m other goals cost money, lol)
6. Sponsor a child from World Vision every year (I have to put a limit on this to about 5)
7 Start the small group that I want to start as mentioned here Prayer request
8 Read the entire bible

I guess the only thing I can do about reaching my goals are to remain as healthy as I can, Keep in shape, stick to my financial budget, and keep studying theology and apologetics. I've been doing all consistently.

I forgot, I have to commit these plans to the Lord. Ok, that's another step to achieving these goals, or not.

_____________________________

Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
Post #: 3
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:24:42 PM   
John_O

 

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quote:

To set or not to set, that is the question

If my best spiker can get to the ball after the set I always set. However if I can surprise lob and make the point I'll not set. It's part of the strategy of volleyball.

That is what you meant isn't it?



Oh! I guess not....
quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod
Do you set goals? In what areas of your life do you do this?


Yes. Every area.

quote:

If so, how has being single impacted your goal setting?


One of my goals is to no longer be single. Many of the rest of them kind of hinge on that one.

quote:

If you've been married before, are you finding that your goal-setting process is different now?


Not too much.


quote:

Have you avoided certain setting or making progress on certain goals (like owning a home for example) because of your single status?


Yes. I'm avoiding making progress on my goal of having more children

quote:

What is your process for setting goals? Is it formal or informal? How often do you revisit them? Do you find that it helps you to make progress?


Very informal. I decide what I want to do and go for it. It always helps to make progress.

quote:

Do you have an overall vision for your life? If so, do you think that will change if/when you get married? Did it/will it change should you have children?


I did until M went home. Kind of on pause now until I remarry. So I guess getting remarried is the vision for my life. I was made to be a husband and a daddy. Everything else I could accomplish pales in comparison. It won't change with children as they are part of the goal.

quote:

Is there a goal that you know in your heart you should be moving towards but that you are procrastinating about or are you in some way stuck? What are three steps you can take over the next month to move you closer to the goal?


Yep. Finishing the remodel of the upstairs (Still have the trim work to do on the back bedroom and hallway). Biggest step would be to get off here and go do it but this is my main social interaction so it's not likely to be given up yet.

quote:

Also, feel free to share some of your short-term and/or long term goals if you'd like!


Long term. Totally out of debt in 7 years. Should take 3 years for the boat and another 4 years after that for the house. I'm debt free other than that.
Read the bible each year. I've got 1 Cor to Rev left to do for this year.
Lose 45 pounds. I'm down between 30 and 35 depending if I've been good on the weekend or not. (30 so far)
Build some muscle mass. I'm starting to look pretty good (or so I've been told)
Find a wife (At a standstill, God will have to do this one)
Finish the house. Kind of a low grade "fill in the time" type goal.

_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 4
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:36:29 PM   
rgod


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Wow this is so cool to read these goals.

PrairieHiker - are you thinking about attending school to study apologietics and theology or are you doing a lot of it on your own? I notice that you often have very good high-quality links to ministries that really help you to think through theological issues. I also think it is cool that you've included your hiking, running, and trekking goals too. I've never run a marathon (never been in good enough shape to really do that - although I could walk one) - and have always wanted to do it. I will have to add it to my bucket list.

Grace-N-Mercy - I like the idea of having two sets of goals - one that could be modified if marriage occurs within a certain period of time. I do think that flexibility is really important. I also am noticing that my goals are becoming more simple as well. I'm writing things out, but it seems that my walk is becoming more simple in general. I like it - there is less to worry about and less to keep track of.

John_O - I like the idea of putting the quest for a wife in your goal list. I also think it is cool that you are making progress on them. How did you go about losing the weight. Did you join a structured program, or did you just eat less and exercise more? Are you a goal setter by nature or was that something that you learned to do over time?

Here are some of my goals thus far; they'll need to be more specific and there are more of them, but these a just a few.

1. Health: Find an eating plan that I can live with. Minimize my intake of artificial foods from my diet.
2. Health: Find an exercise plan that I can live with and practice consistently.
3. Financial: Purchase a home and pay it off within 15 years.
4. Education: Complete my master's degree program.
5. Relational: Strengthen my current friendships. Cultivate and strengthen relationships specifically with men (and eventually one man).
6. Career: Launch my writing business.
7. Ministry: Undertake formal study in theology and creative writing in preparation for ministry.
8. Spiritual: Increase the time I spend with God each day.
9. Spiritual: Seriously start learning about some of the spiritual gifts I've neglected and actively pray that God will give me opportunities to use them in my daily life.

I currently have very little debt, but still need to make very wise decisions so that it can stay that way. So, I'm trying to be very realistic about what I will buy in terms of a house and a replacement car (which God willing should be a few years away - I hate buying cars.). My prayer is that perhaps I can take advantage of the depressed housing market to get a good deal on a home in a great area - then hold on to it as the market rebounds. Of course, loans are much harder to get now ... but we'll see. In my area, I've seen $250K homes going for 100K - a very steep reduction in price. I feel really badly though for those who are losing their homes due to foreclosure though ... I want to be able to get a decent home that I can maintain on a fairly low salary so that I can have a lot of flexibility.

< Message edited by rgod -- 10/26/2008 10:48:53 PM >
Post #: 5
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:47:12 PM   
OneJohn410


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can't help it... corny post for the day... and I 'spect I'll return to this at a later time (not for more corniness)...

That goal setting you talk about- is that like with the soccer goal frame? Where to set it? Setting it up? Setting up a soccer goal frame?

Or is it how many goals do I want to kick in the coming year?

I am impressed... but these are not like new year's resolutions, right? Promise you'll do a thread on those at the start of December?

_____________________________

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. -Romans 15:4 (NIV)
Post #: 6
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:50:34 PM   
Prairiehiker


Posts: 3268
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quote:

I am impressed... but these are not like new year's resolutions, right? Promise you'll do a thread on those at the start of December?


Aren't' new year's resolution about losing weight and going to the gym??? LOL.

_____________________________

Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
Post #: 7
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:53:04 PM   
rgod


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LOL - Soccer goals, volleyball sets ... so many ways to go with this question - I should have known that the two Johns (John_O and OneJohn410) - would be able to add just the right touch of corniness for this thread ! OK - OneJohn410 - I'll start a New Year's Resolution thread ... as per your request ... in December . And PrairieHiker you are right - it is usually about going to the gym!
Post #: 8
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 10:58:28 PM   
John_O

 

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Joined: 9/5/2006
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quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod
John_O - I like the idea of putting the quest for a wife in your goal list. I also think it is cool that you are making progress on them. How did you go about losing the weight. Did you join a structured program, or did you just eat less and exercise more?


I eat less. Usually one good meal a day with maybe a snack around 4:00PM or so. (I know, All the health people are going to be riding my back now saying I have to eat breakfast. But if I eat breakfast I gain weight fast because I eat all day long. If I fast until at least 4:00 then when I do eat I can eat a balanced meal (some days I do better than others) and not be eating eevrything in sight for the rest of the night. I've got a strange metabolism I guess.)

I also walk quite a bit more than I did, I park a block and a half from the door fo my office. Farthest parking spot in the lot. I park far from the doors at malls etc. If I go to the mall I make sure to do the circumference on each floor before I leave.

I try to drink 1/2 oz of water per pound each day. (and get lots of extra walking to teh mens room!).

I'm taking the weight off about 1/2 to 1 pound a week. My set point is now at about 197 (the point I naturally return to when I weat normal) down from 210 2 months ago and down from 230 at my peak.


quote:

Are you a goal setter by nature or was that something that you learned to do over time?


Learned over time. By nature I am a more spontaneous fly by the seat of my pants type. But I've overcome that enough to keep organized towards what I want.

_____________________________

Psalms 46:10 Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
Post #: 9
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 11:35:21 PM   
rgod


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quote:

ORIGINAL: John_O

quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod
John_O - I like the idea of putting the quest for a wife in your goal list. I also think it is cool that you are making progress on them. How did you go about losing the weight. Did you join a structured program, or did you just eat less and exercise more?


I eat less. Usually one good meal a day with maybe a snack around 4:00PM or so. (I know, All the health people are going to be riding my back now saying I have to eat breakfast. But if I eat breakfast I gain weight fast because I eat all day long. If I fast until at least 4:00 then when I do eat I can eat a balanced meal (some days I do better than others) and not be eating eevrything in sight for the rest of the night. I've got a strange metabolism I guess.)

I also walk quite a bit more than I did, I park a block and a half from the door fo my office. Farthest parking spot in the lot. I park far from the doors at malls etc. If I go to the mall I make sure to do the circumference on each floor before I leave.

I try to drink 1/2 oz of water per pound each day. (and get lots of extra walking to teh mens room!).

I'm taking the weight off about 1/2 to 1 pound a week. My set point is now at about 197 (the point I naturally return to when I weat normal) down from 210 2 months ago and down from 230 at my peak.


quote:

Are you a goal setter by nature or was that something that you learned to do over time?


Learned over time. By nature I am a more spontaneous fly by the seat of my pants type. But I've overcome that enough to keep organized towards what I want.


I like this description of your weight-loss regimen. It seems like it fits you well - I think that is key - to find something that fits you fairly well. Also, it is interesting that you've learned how to set goals and keep organized in obtaining them. That means there is hope for me!
Post #: 10
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 11:35:39 PM   
Prairiehiker


Posts: 3268
Status: offline
quote:

Do you set goals? In what areas of your life do you do this?
Mostly in finances, vacations, adventures, things to do before I die. Now I'm going to add relationship goals like strengthening my enduring friendships and building new ones.

quote:

If so, how has being single impacted your goal setting?

It's good as There's no one to interfere. I think I would find it very challenging to share goal setting with a man, but it's something I can compromise on.


quote:

Have you avoided certain setting or making progress on certain goals (like owning a home for example) because of your single status?

NO. I guess I live life as a single person now. If someone comes along, I can alter my goals. But I find that I'm only attracted to men who shares my interests and passion in life, so if I do get married, our goals would probably be congruent.

quote:


What is your process for setting goals? Is it formal or informal? How often do you revisit them? Do you find that it helps you to make progress?

I'm a big picture person. As long as I know the goal, I'm kind of fly by the seat of my pants, like John. Maybe I deal with things more instinctively, than concretely. Does that make sense? I'm not big on rules and do's and don'ts. I know when I'm not progressing and know when to shift gears to get myself moving in the direction towards achieving my goals.

quote:

Do you have an overall vision for your life? If so, do you think that will change if/when you get married? Did it/will it change should you have children?

Vision? Definitely. Vision's my favorite word, lol. Will it change my life? Only that There would be more growth and maturity being produced in me. There would be more joy and love, and patience, and long suffering, and endurance. I think I see marriage as an ultimate way to grow me and challenge me into being more Christ like. My goals won't change much because I'm only attracted to people that are similar to me, and cannot see me marrying someone completely opposite when it comes to our passion and interest. Our personality might differ, but our core values would be the same. So, our goals will be enhanced by marriage, not alter them. How cool is that!!!

< Message edited by Prairiehiker -- 10/26/2008 11:49:55 PM >


_____________________________

Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
Post #: 11
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/26/2008 11:49:19 PM   
Grace-N-Mercy


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I realized I didn't write out my whole list of goals. Guess that's because I don't really have a developed list right now. I'll have to write it up and post tomorrow. For now, my goal is to go to bed and have a good night's sleep.

_____________________________

<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
Post #: 12
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 12:03:55 AM   
violinist_for_jesus


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Right now, I have 4 goals.

To take my campus for Christ
To become a great violinist
To become the top fiddler ever
And to find a wife...

_____________________________

Zachary/19

http://www.myspace.com/zacharygraft
Post #: 13
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 1:02:38 AM   
SamsonUSA


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quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod

LOL - Soccer goals, volleyball sets ... so many ways to go with this question - I should have known that the two Johns (John_O and OneJohn410) - would be able to add just the right touch of corniness for this thread ! OK - OneJohn410 - I'll start a New Year's Resolution thread ... as per your request ... in December . And PrairieHiker you are right - it is usually about going to the gym!


Great thread rgod and happy birthday! I'd like to respond to some of your insightful questions but will have to at a later time after some pondering and when I'm not so sleepy

And I have the same New Years resolution every year and never have followed through with it yet. To learn to speak Spanish, my native language.

_____________________________

Knowledge humbles great men, astonishes the common man, and puffs up the little man

Chubby babies rock!
Post #: 14
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 1:33:46 AM   
rgod


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quote:

ORIGINAL: SamsonUSA

quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod

LOL - Soccer goals, volleyball sets ... so many ways to go with this question - I should have known that the two Johns (John_O and OneJohn410) - would be able to add just the right touch of corniness for this thread ! OK - OneJohn410 - I'll start a New Year's Resolution thread ... as per your request ... in December . And PrairieHiker you are right - it is usually about going to the gym!


Great thread rgod and happy birthday! I'd like to respond to some of your insightful questions but will have to at a later time after some pondering and when I'm not so sleepy

And I have the same New Years resolution every year and never have followed through with it yet. To learn to speak Spanish, my native language.


Thanks for the birthday wish Samson! It was a bit of a heavy question for this late hour! Have you tried enrolling in a Spanish class perhaps? My mom speaks Spanish fluently as do most of my family on my mom's side. I don't though because I grew up here and we spoke in English in the house. I learned Spanish in school - promptly forgot a lot of it, but was pleasantly surprised when it resurfaced during a trip to Spain. (Praise God, I would have been in big trouble if it hadn't.) Now I'm around a lot of spanish speaking people, so I have plenty of people to practice with . Are there lots of spanish speaking people in your area? Maybe you could get some practice that way?
Post #: 15
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 8:18:53 AM   
Prairiehiker


Posts: 3268
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quote:

PrairieHiker - are you thinking about attending school to study apologietics and theology or are you doing a lot of it on your own? I notice that you often have very good high-quality links to ministries that really help you to think through theological issues. I also think it is cool that you've included your hiking, running, and trekking goals too. I've never run a marathon (never been in good enough shape to really do that - although I could walk one) - and have always wanted to do it. I will have to add it to my bucket list.


No, I'm not studying formally, but would like to and will look into it. I've always been interested in defending our faith, and I think churches should be including this area in their teachings. Often times, when Christians are challenged about their belief, they can't give a reason other than "well, it's in the bible, it must be true", which is just circular reasoning. Most of my resources come from reading books by known apologist, and I go to str.org a lot (check it out when you get a chance). Please forward me any link if you know of a lot of other sites that I can use for my study. Since I'm feeling led into starting a small group that deals with this area, I'd like to be prepared.

Other goals of mine is to never use the internet at work for personal use and drink less coffee.

_____________________________

Wishing for a Steelers/Eagles superbowl.
Post #: 16
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 8:41:35 AM   
rgod


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I don't know a whole lot about apologetics although there were a few books that I read a while ago. You probably already know about these and have probably moved on to heavier material - but I thought I'd mention them here.

Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel. I was having a lot of doubts about Christianity a few years after I was saved. This book really helped me a lot and provided lots of information.

Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Norm Geisler.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

This site has been arround for a while - it provides some insight into tough questions:
http://www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/questions-of-christians
Post #: 17
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 9:03:10 AM   
Grace-N-Mercy


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Ok, here's my list of goals:

1. Right now, my biggest goal is to grow in my walk with Christ. Not just do simple devotions in the morning, but to walk with Him throughout the day and to seek His heart. I also want to devour the Word the same way I used to just a few years ago. I want to totally hunger and thirst for the Word and never be satiated. Also, I want everything that I do and say to be grounded in His Word and for secular material that I learn to be filtered through the Word for accuracy.

2. Financial independence. I want to build on my savings and pay off other debts. This means living well below my means; I've become accustomed to living out of convenience and this has to stop. I've always been fairly frugal, now I just need to make it work for me so I'm not cutting corners here to spend more there.

3. Finish my master's degree. This degree is not going to make me a lot of money, I went into this already knowing that. But I'm doing it to build on my skills so I can help more people in a way I feel led by Him to do.

4. To get into better shape. It's easy to let exercise go by the wayside when I have interesting material to study. As a result, I’ve put on about five pounds this past year. Several friends have been biking, but I don’t have a bike. I thought I’d die when I saw the prices of well-built bikes. If I can find one for around $100, I’m going to snag it up!

5. To build better relationships in order to work towards the ultimate marriage relationship. Right now, that means I occasionally have to pull away from the books and get out there and live life a bit. Finding balance is a bit of a struggle right now.

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<-- When did Hollywood go from classy to 'cheap & easy'?
Post #: 18
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 11:15:49 AM   
iwillfearnoevil


Posts: 4478
Joined: 11/6/2007
From: upstate NY
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod
Do you set goals? In what areas of your life do you do this?


sometimes - often financial.

quote:


Have you avoided certain setting or making progress on certain goals (like owning a home for example) because of your single status?

no, i figured whatever i wanted to set a goal for would help better myself as a person and thus make myself a better catch :)

quote:


What is your process for setting goals? Is it formal or informal? How often do you revisit them? Do you find that it helps you to make progress?

formal as in written or charts :) sometimes signs hanging around house.

this is an awesome blog post i read a few years ago that has really helped me out:
http://www.stevepavlina.com/articles/do-it-now.htm

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Post #: 19
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 8:59:05 PM   
Prairiehiker


Posts: 3268
Status: offline
quote:

ORIGINAL: rgod

I don't know a whole lot about apologetics although there were a few books that I read a while ago. You probably already know about these and have probably moved on to heavier material - but I thought I'd mention them here.

Case for Christ by Lee Stroebel. I was having a lot of doubts about Christianity a few years after I was saved. This book really helped me a lot and provided lots of information.

Evidence that Demands a Verdict by Norm Geisler.

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

This site has been arround for a while - it provides some insight into tough questions:
http://www.faithfacts.org/search-for-truth/questions-of-christians


Hey, thanks. I have all 4 of the "Case" series. I like them. They are easy readings and they are basically summaries of works done by Christian scholars. I also have Mere Christianity (not finished yet), and the Evidence that Demands Verdict from Josh MacDowell. Not sure if that's the same as the NOrman Geisler one. I go to the Reasonable Faith website a lot, plus Stand to Reason. They're all very good. I'm really interested in this type of study and lately, most of the books that I've purchased were dealing with the grounding questions of our faith.

Thanks again for the sites.

< Message edited by Prairiehiker -- 10/27/2008 10:57:42 PM >


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Post #: 20
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/27/2008 11:34:01 PM   
Psalms274


Posts: 2243
Joined: 8/13/2005
From: Georgia
Status: offline
My primary goal in life is to glorify God BY enjoying Him forever. It is so easy to get sidetrack by seeing only what is around me in my little world, and get discouraged, but when I "gaze upon His beauty and seek Him in His temple," I can't help but enjoy Him. I end up glorifying Him without even trying when my eyes are fixed in the right direction.

That translates to planning for the future, yet being open to His guidance. ("Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.'")

Right now I only know that I am to be a good steward of the job He has me in, by helping others achieve their health goals through diet and exercise. While there I look for opportunities where He is already working, and join Him in it. One of the group classes I teach is on Sunday morning in a very secular environment. Most of my clients that come do not have a relationship with Christ ... yet they get a glimpse as I kick their booties. I mix in some upbeat Christian toons, tell stories with a lesson during our "long rides" to help them pass the time, embrace their accomplishments, and I always end with worship as we warm down.

Should our dear Father open the door for the opportunity presented last week, I will be making enough money to be more than comfortable (and will use that money wisely, saving enough to take care of my life here on this side of heaven, and giving as much as I can wisely give for His Kingdom, not being frivolous or take any of it for granted, which is so easy to do). I will only have to work 25 to 30 hours at the most, which opens the rest of my time to ministry. (I don't need to work out, since I already did that at work! )

The biggest dream I have had is to be a part of a ministry that reaches those caught in bondage, especially the little ones. It looks like that may be opening up as well, but it will depend on whether I secure the position I am praying about. I have worked with abused and neglected children and my deepest longing is to work with those the system has lost. I have also dreamed of adapting, God has giving me such a wonderful gift with children, and I would like to be the one available to take on that little one that might have been aborted otherwise. (But that part of the dream must wait till I marry.

I want to go back and finish my nursing degree, I had to take a hardship withdrawal when my mom became ill, and my sister was still missing ... the school would not allow me to leave even for a couple of days, so now I need to wait on God again on this one. (I will hopefully be back next fall.) I love working with kids (... I think it is because the gift He has given me is so profound, that I just love being around them), and hope to one day work as a nurse in Pediatrics Oncology.

So I have goals ... but I know that ultimately all depends on where our dear Father thinks is best ... and though I am pretty sure that I am walking where He has planned for me to walk ... I could always be wrong ... which brings me back to the original goal, to glorify My dear heavenly Father by enjoying Him forever and ever!

I have one more thing I believe He is telling me to do ... but will hold off on that one for now.

< Message edited by Psalms274 -- 10/27/2008 11:42:36 PM >


_____________________________

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Linus, my dog, little Kaleigh and Sally!

http://piswa.blogspot.com/
Post #: 21
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/28/2008 1:54:45 AM   
rgod


Posts: 1774
Joined: 4/25/2005
Status: offline
quote:


I also have Mere Christianity (not finished yet), and the Evidence that Demands Verdict from Josh MacDowell. Not sure if that's the same as the NOrman Geisler one.


Sorry PrairieHiker - I was going from memory (and you know how faulty THAT can be). I meant that Norm Geisler wrote "Christian Apologetics" and lots of other books in this area. Thanks for the clarification.
Post #: 22
RE: To set or not to set, that is the question ... - 10/28/2008 6:45:47 AM   
Gr