Time Saving Tips That Made My Week Easier

Let's face it. We're all busy people. When I first dreamed of becoming an author and speaker I wrongly assumed working from home would make my life easier. Some days I think it multiplies my difficulties because there aren't any clear boundary lines separating home life and work life. Last year I took time off from writing new books so I could spend my time promoting the four new titles I released that year. How I ever wrote that many books in one year still isn't clear to me.

This year, I'm still on a writing break but I am in the throws of planning for three spring retreats I'm speaking at in various parts of the country. That means I need to prepare 9-12 sermon style messages in the next two months. That's a lot of studying and preparing! People often wrongly assume that a speaker's only actual work time is the time spent delivering a message or a sermon. What they don't realize is that each minute spent speaking usually represents one hour spent studying. And unlike some speakers, I have never been comfortable with taking the same message everywhere I go and using it over and over again for five years. I'm a student before I am a teacher, and as I learn more about Christ and grow in my knowledge of Him my eyes are opened in new ways and I'm driven to share these new revelations with my audiences. Don't get me wrong--God doesn't change. But my ability to grasp the full extent of the truth does, and the more I lean the more I want to share. So old messages get shelved, and new ones are birthed. It's an exciting and exhausting process all at the same time.

So, with my reintroduction to a much more time consuming work schedule I found myself constantly feeling behind and unproductive. But this week I began implementing three new time saving tips that really helped me maximize my time and get more done. Since I know you are busy too, I want to share them with you.

1. 20-minute pick-ups. Instead of leaving all of my housework for one day, as was my normal custom, I followed the advice of my friend Erica and began taking on one 20-30 minute chore each day. Not only did I feel like my house was cleaner during the week, but I am also not stressed out about having my small group over for a pizza bar and game night tomorrow. Tomorrow won't be a cleaning frenzy since my house is already clean.

2. An empty inbox. Further blurring the lines between home life and work life, all of my emails feed into one inbox. I get emails from readers around the world, speaking event requests, lessons from the Christian Writers' Guild students I mentor and all of my personal emails in one place. Literally hundreds of emails cycle through my inbox in any given week. And I almost always feel like I am behind on answering them. So, this week, I applied a time saving tip from Simplify Your Time by Marcia Ramsland and only sat down to check email when I had time to blaze through and answer every single email sitting in my inbox. Every time I left my computer my inbox was empty. This helped me feel more productive by removing the nagging sense that I had loose ends that needed to be tied up in my inbox. Email had it's time and place, and it stayed within those boundaries. It was nice.

3. Healthy food in less time. In the past, when my work schedule has been heavy there has been more than one occasion when Michael and I found ourselves eating out not because we wanted to but because we had to. His work schedule can be just as chaotic as mine, and we normally only have dinner together three times a week (including weekends). So I never found myself prepared, and my waistline paid the price. Recently I read Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney, and in it she explained that she cooks and freezes several casserole type dishes and pasta sauces to ensure that her family still eats well on busy days. Now, I don't have the extra freezer space to pull off a feat like that. But I was able to come up with my own version of Carolyn's trick. Since America is becoming more health conscious, it's getting easier to make healthier recipes in less time. So now I make sure that I always have plenty of whole grain pastas and rice on hand, in addition to plenty of fresh veggies complimented by the new Ziploc Zip and Steam bags. One a particularly busy night this week, I quickly seasoned a turkey breast and stuck it in the oven to cook while I moved on to other tasks. About five minutes before the turkey was to be done, I put some whole grain rice in the microwave for 90 seconds, and some veggies in for three minutes. By the time the turkey was done I had two healthy side dishes ready to go--all totaled that meal took less than 30 minutes of my time.

Anyway, this blog post is getting very verbose. So I'll write more about other time saving tips at another time. And if you have time saving tips you would like to share, please leave them in the comments section below!

A Visit to the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library

In honor of my birthday, Michael took me somewhere I have always wanted to go: The Ronald Reagan Presidential Library. Second only to English, I loved studying American history in both high school and college. The Reagan Library is the third presidential library I have toured (the others being Nixon and Kennedy). Although I'm a little young to remember Reagan's politics, there was much to be learned at the museum over the weekend.

And I do have somewhat of a unique connection to the former president. When I was in college, I was on staff at the university newspaper and was assigned to cover a campus event at which Reagan's oldest son--Michael--was to be the keynote speaker. Using my "press credentials" I was able to spend a few minutes interviewing Mr. Reagan about his life, his one-time distant relationship with his father, and the current state of his father's health (the former President was slowly losing his battle with Alzheimer's at that time). He told me a touching story about how his father was able to recognize him for a brief second on their last visit and the two shared a hug before the former President slipped back into delirium. I remember fighting tears.

As Michael (my husband, not to be confused with Reagan's son Michael) and I toured the museum I enjoyed seeing several of Nancy Reagan's regal gowns on display, we watched in amusement as a screen played several movie clips from "Ronnie's" acting days, and we somberly took in the details of the assassination attempt made on Reagan's life. Michael's favorite part of the day was touring the actual Air Force One airplane that served as the "mobile White House" for seven U.S. Presidents. "I touched the door so now I can say I touched something that seven presidents touched," he told me excitedly once we were off of the plane.

My favorite part of the day was a little less political and a little more romantic. Throughout the museum several of President Reagan's diaries from his eight years in office were on display. An avid journaler myself, I found these snapshots into his thoughts to be nothing short of intriguing. I'm even considering purchasing a copy of The Reagan Diaries to read for myself. But even more personal than the diaries were the countless love letters he wrote to Nancy over the years--some of which were also on display.

Written on various stationerys ("From Aboard Air Force One" or "From the Desk of the President" etc...) and peppered with cutesy nicknames, the love story of Ronald and Nancy Reagan came alive in his own handwriting. In one room, next to several glass-encased love letters, a TV screen played an interview between Katie Couric and Nancy. I'm guessing the timing of the interview was sometime in the last five years or so. President Reagan was in the throws of Alzheimer's at the time of the interview, and Nancy had just released a new book entitled I Love You, Ronnie that was a compilation of some of the love letters he had written her over the years. Proceeds from the book were going to support Alzheimer's research.

"These letters," Nancy told Katie in a shaky voice, "brought Ronnie back to me in his own voice when I started to lose him." When I heard those words I had to blink quickly to keep from crying. I moved on in the museum although I wanted to sit and soak in the rest of the interview and the words in those letters. It made me want to be more deliberate in writing love notes to Michael. Suddenly I felt the urge to find a tangible way to leave a little piece of myself behind when I am gone.

Although, I was peering into someone else's love story, I didn't feel intrusive at all. Instead, I felt like a student learning from a teacher who wanted to share her story. And that made me want to become a teacher who could one day share my story with those who would want to learn as well...

Life is Fragile

Yesterday was my twenty-sixth birthday. Instead of passing with the usual cake, candles and fanfare that it normally does yesterday was filled with pain and disappointment. A few months ago I mentioned that my dad was in an accident and sustained some injuries that would ultimately require surgery. Yesterday was the surgery…and it didn’t work. Not even a little. We weren't expecting that. Apparently, the damage he sustained was just too much. So now he is being referred to an out of the area specialist. We’re praying that God will lead him to the right surgeon and that he is on the road to recovery and healing soon.

For two months he has pushed through life without complaining once about the limitations he is facing due to his injuries--and his limitations are significant. But instead of complaining he has gone about life as normally as he can. He even served on a jury a few weeks ago. When I asked him why he didn’t ask to get a postponement he simply said, “It’s my civic duty.”

My dad isn’t the type to throw a pity party, or to play the injured card. And I admire the way he is moving forward and taking each setback or obstacle as it comes. As I prayed with him before his surgery yesterday I was reminded that life is fragile. My dad was injured in a freak accident while doing something he loves—sailing. It had been a great day on the water up until the very end, and within a split second his world was changed. Life happens so fast. And yet, even in the speed of it all, nothing gets past God.

Twenty-six years ago God brought me into this world. But He had been at work in my life long before then.

Psalm 139: 13-16 says:
For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

I know full well that the God who created my inmost being is capable of healing my dad’s injuries. Miracles are His calling card. Sometimes I get so busy looking at the ordinary that I forget that. In my mind I spent yesterday thinking, Why didn’t You let this first surgery work? My only response was the soft whisper of the Holy Spirit: “I have a plan.” So I will trust Him…even with someone as special to me as my dad.

As I thought about how fragile life really is yesterday, it made me grateful to have another birthday, and it made me thankful for how rich of a life Christ has given me. Knowing Him, and knowing where I am going after I blow out the candles on my very last birthday cake gives me a peace and assurance that are all too often taken for granted. Yesterday, I took the time to pause and be thankful.

Before you feel sorry for me, I do want you to know that my birthday wasn’t all sad. My small group surprised me last night with cupcakes, candles and a card. And Michael rose early and made me blackberry pancakes. He’s taking me out for some celebrating this weekend, and my parents and grandma took me out last weekend. So I am still basking in the typical birthday madness. There has been laughter. And more importantly there’s been life. And as fragile as it is, for that I am very grateful.

When Politics and Faith Collide

I’ll admit I have somewhat of a nerdy personality. I’m a writer, what do you expect? People like me bury themselves in newspapers and books. As a child my dad nicknamed me “Scoop” since I was always aware of what was going on not only with people I knew, but also in the world at large.

My quest for information is what sends me diving into commentaries more often than not during my daily quiet time. And that same desire for more information sent me to the Internet on Saturday night once the Presidential debates were over.

Vague references to what candidates want to do with health care in America (a field my husband works and makes our livelihood in), and a quick grazing of issues like the sanctity of life and the definition of marriage left me wanting a solid answer on topics. Often, throughout the debate, I wanted to turn to the TV and scream: “What would you do about these things as President?” The desire to scream had nothing to do with anger, but more with the fact that I wanted to be heard. Sometimes politicians don’t hear people, they only hear polls.

My first career aspiration was to be a political speechwriter. But in 2003 I abandoned that, and any other dream I had for life in politics, for a career in Christian Publishing. But the world of politics has continued to fascinate me.

Someone once said that people are never to speak publicly about religion, politics or money. Since I obviously break the first rule often (if you consider talking about Jesus Christ equal to talking about religion), today I’m going to take it a step further and break the second. Call me a rebel if you want. Close your web browser in defiance. But today I want to talk politics.

Why? Well, for starters we are in an election year in America and important decisions regarding our nation will be made soon. But it’s more than that. My women’s Bible study has been studying 1 Peter since the fall, and this week’s passage seemed to align with my renewed interest in politics. Here’s a snippet of what I read.

Therefore submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake, whether to the king as supreme, or to governors, as to those who are sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and for the praise of those who do good. –1 Peter 2:13-14

Now, every good student of the Bible knows that anytime you find a passage that contains the word “therefore” you must find out what it is there for. So, you look at the previous verse or passage and see what that word is referring to. In this case, the previous verse states that Christians are to live lives filled with good works so that when people are tempted to speak against them, they can’t—because there is nothing bad to say—and God is glorified as a result.

So, the passage I was reading this week (viewed in context) is essentially saying that a Christian is supposed to submit to governing authorities in such a way that people are won to Christ by his or her conduct.

Now, one dictionary definition of the word ordinance is: “A custom or practice established by long usage.” One such custom or practice would be the right we have in a democratic society to vote. We, as Christians, are to submit ourselves to the governmental duty to vote on issues and candidates that affect the freedoms we are or aren’t able to enjoy (has anyone besides me caught on to the fact that Christians are losing more and more footing in terms of constitutional rights these days?).

If the way we submit to the government is supposed to win people to Christ, then as Christians we should be some of the most informed voters who show up at the polls on Super Tuesday. In order to win people to Christ through the way we engage in politics, we must be able to discuss our political views in an educated and well-informed manner. We are to gather the facts on the candidates and issues, and then see how they measure up to the Word of God. Not everything pertaining to politics is a moral issue, but a lot of it is. And it’s important that you, as a believer, know where you stand (and more importantly where God stands) before it’s time to vote.

So, if you live in the State of California and you want to know what’s going to be on the February 5th ballot you can go here for that information. It’s time we, as Christians, took our responsibility to live honorably in the arena of politics seriously.

Romans 13:1 says, "Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God."

So, as God appoints the person He has chosen to be in authority let’s make ourselves available as tools He can use to make that happen.

A Fresh Perspective

With the new year comes time to set new goals. At the beginning of the year I'm always so motivated, but then I burn out quickly because I am trying to implement too many new things at once (new diet, new workout routine, new Scripture memory techniques, etc...)

So this year I decided to try something new. I'm taking one goal at a time and I'm going to spend a few weeks implementing the steps I need to take to achieve that goal, and once those steps become routine I'll add something new. So this year, my "New Year's Resolutions" (if you want to call them that) will be like gifts that keep on giving. All year long I will be able to take new steps in the right direction without feeling so overwhelmed and without being so prone to quit.

First on my list of things to do in 2008 is to read the Bible in one year. In the past I've attempted this feat many times and completed it only once. But this year I want to put a different spin on how I approach my Bible reading. I'm going to read the Bible chronologically in one year. That means starting in Genesis, jumping to Job and then jumping back to Genesis and doing other similar Biblical gymnastic routines throughout the year. Although I took countless Bible courses when I was at Biola (I have a minor in Biblical studies) I'm still not very sharp on what happened exactly when in the Bible so I think reading the Bible chronologically will help keep me engaged and committed to my plan the entire year through. If you want to consider following the same plan you can figure out how to organize your Bible reading here (thanks, Annie, for suggesting this fresh approach).

My second goal for the year is to begin going to the gym consistently. In 2006 and 2007 I regularly attended Pilates classes at a studio near my old apartment, but then Michael and I bought our house and the pricey classes no longer fit our budget. So, basically, since September I've been a slug and I'm feeling the consequences of it. (Tighter jeans and less energy, anyone?)

For the past week I've been in bed with some sort of nose and throat virus, so I think it's only fair to give myself a few weeks to focus on implementing my new Bible reading plan before I force myself to get up and read earlier so I can get to the gym too.

So, there you have them--my first two goals of the year. I have more written down and floating in my head but I don't want to commit them to the blog just yet. Then I might get overwhelmed and quit again altogether :) First things first, I have three days of Bible reading to do to get on track for the year since I just settled on the chronological idea today, so I better get to it...

Happy New Year!