Good Morning, Good Morning

Hey Buddy,

Thanks for waking me up to drink coffee with you this morning.  (Even though I only had about three sips.)  I love spending time with you in the morning just hanging out, talking about the day, and praying with you too.  I pray today we really would be working diligently for the Lord, and that we would shine as a light for Him.  Thank you James for sharing your life with me.  I'm really excited for what this new year holds. I think its going to be a good one. One of my goals for this year is to write more in general, whether its journaling, writing prayers, or letters to you and others.  I have decided instead of giving up things like I often to do for a short time, I want to do more of what brings me joy.  

First and foremost, I think that means seeking the Lord more and being in better communication with Him.  I want to use the gifts and talents, and even interests he has given me, more for His glory.  Sometimes I think this means just using them in general, because I often choose scrolling through my phone as a way of decompressing instead of something that would probably do my heart and mind more good.  Thanks for being encouraging in this, and being the kind of husband who is up for new things, dancing with me, hiking, and has even offered to paint with me.  You are so good.  I hope this new year, you have time to think and reflect much more as well.  I like that we both have sayings.  Yours is so good.  

"Inner stillness is the key to outer strength."  

Man, so good.  I think this applies to every area of life.  If you are at peace with God and have Him as your top priority, you are a much stronger person and can face all struggles with confidence knowing God is for our ultimate good and is working in everything.  We have the choice to glorify Himin everything.  

Mine is sort of similar, "Clear eyes, full hearts, Can't Lose." (Thank you FNL)  If we keep our eyes on the prize, and our hearts are full, we really can't lose even if the world says we do.  I also like to think of it as Clear eyes and home, full hearts of Jesus, can't lose.  One of my goals is live with less and therefore live more.  My surroundings affect me so much, and I know keeping less clutter would probably be a huge weight lifted both physically and mentally.
Another thing I want to work on this year is putting others first.  I want to encourage you everyday and make you feel loved and wanted.  You do such a good job of affirming me, and I want to do the same for you. I am praying that the Lord does a work on my heart and would give me the fruits of the spirit.  That I would speak with gentleness,have self control, be patient, have joy in the Lord that is contagious, and just love those around me better.  I think of a lot of statements and scriptures when I write, and one that is on my mind right now is, "God is most glorified when we are most satisfied in Him."  I want to be satisfied in Him.  And I want to love you better as a result.

Anyway, I'm excited for this year.  To grow closer to each other, encourage one another, take on new adventures, and grow closer to God.  Thanks for being my buddy in all of it.  I love you.

Lord, thank you for James.  Thank you for his heart, mind, body, and soul.  I pray that you would make this year about you and less about us.  I pray that you would give him strength and confidence rooted in you, and that you would be doing good through him.  I pray he would remember he is an active player for you, and that you are constantly at work orchestrating opportunities for him to give you honor.  I pray you would do the same in me, and that I would not miss an opportunity, or be timid about sharing my faith.  Help me to grow in wisdom and knowledge of the word so that I would feel more confident and equipped.  Lord instill a sense of peace and confidence in us that is only available through you.  Let us come to you in every trial and triumph and surrender both.  You can, have been, and will be our source of life.  I love you Lord.  Cleanse our hearts, make them yours.