Mike's Give It Away Journal - Week of 5.26.14

Week 14 of my Give It Away journey

I skipped a week for the first time. I've taken my son to Treasure Island for lacrosse tournaments the past two weekends plus our family spent the Memorial Day weekend in Oakland. I also traveled to Los Angeles for a couple days last week. My goal was to not skip a day, but life got in the way. 

Monday 5/26
Here is another Costco purchase that we don't need. At Costco, it is cheaper to buy six and only use three then it is to buy three somewhere else.




Tuesday 5/27
At one time, I used several of these in my garage to hang cords, etc. I took these all down when we converted our garage into a room for our church's middle school group to use on Wednesday nights.






Wednesday 5/28
I stopped reading fiction novels a few years ago. I decided to spend my reading time reading books that would help me be a better person.








Thursday 5/29
I have several pairs of pliers. I've never liked these so it is time I give them away.







Friday 5/30
Here is another fiction novel that I don't need.









Saturday 5/31
A third novel I don't need any longer. I don't recall if I read this one or not.







Sunday 6/1
I've had this pair of cargo pants for a few years. They are too short and finally decided to give them away.

Six Months, One Book, A New Appreciation

Six Months: October 22, 2013 to April 9, 2014 

NLT

One Book: New Living Translation (NLT) of the Christian Bible
New Appreciation: God has a plan and it has happened and will happen!

It all started at the end of 2011 when I gained a deep desire to know God. Our family had just started attending Shoreline Community Church, where they continually encourage people to read the Bible.

Many times before, I had started to read the Bible with the goal of reading the whole thing. Every time, I made it through Genesis, but stopped before finishing Numbers. This time, my motivation was different. I wasn't reading because I thought it was a good idea, I was reading because I wanted to know God. It took me eight months to read The Message version of the Bible that time. 


I read the Bible again in 2013. Both times, I read using my cell phone with the YouVersion Bible application.

This year, I switched to the NLT, but instead of reading, I listened to it with the same app. Three days a week, I commute to work, which takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours. I was able to listen to several day's worth of reading each trip.

I found that listening allowed me to think more about what was being said and ponder how it fit into the bigger picture.

In the end, I came away from the experience with a much better appreciation for the plan God has for the world, and how He has caused it to work out the way He wants. In the Old Testament, everywhere you look, you see God setting the stage for Jesus to appear. In Revelation, I was struck by how much detail is given and how God will cause it to happen no matter what we do.

Do I know God more? You bet, but I still have so much more to learn.

Recommendation: If you are considering reading through the Bible, I'd highly suggest finding a reading plan that will take you through the Bible chronologically. It will make so much more sense when read in the order it happened.

Mike's Give It Away Journal - Week of 5.12.14

Week 13 of my Give It Away journey


Monday 5/12
I've been hanging onto these for years. I don't even recall why I bought them. I'm sure I've packed and unpacked them several times as we've moved.

Tuesday 5/13
Another water bottle that we don't need.









Wednesday 5/14
Here is another new and empty small paint can. These seemed like a great thing to have but I never used them.







Thursday 5/15
Last year, I had the great idea of our whole family going on bike rides multiple times a week. Knowing that it is dark when I get home from work during the winter, I bought everyone a bike light. I ended up with a couple extra. This one a co-worker wanted.






Friday 5/16
I bought this visor a couple years ago when we visited Missouri. I like the concept of supporting the Chiefs but this visor isn't comfortable, therefore, I rarely wear it.






Saturday 5/17
Back in 2005, when I reached 255 lbs, I had to replace my wedding ring because it wouldn't fit any longer. Fortunately, this ring is now too big!



Sunday 5/18

I'm amazed at how many coffee cups we accumulate. This one was given to us by a local church. I like the idea of giving out cups but we have more than enough.

Mike's Give It Away Journal - Week of 5.5.14

Week 12 of my Give It Away journey


Monday 5/5
When I was given an iPad a few years ago, I bought this iPad stylus. It works, but it is only a stylus. The company I work for has pens that double as a stylus. Very cool.

Tuesday 5/6
I found another small flashlight in my bedside table that I don't need.





Wednesday 5/7
I went through my bookcase and found a couple more books I don't need. Last year, our church went through this book together.








Thursday 5/8
My dad gave me this golf club head cover 10 years ago. Since then, he has given me a new driver that came with a cover.








Friday 5/9
About the same time my dad gave me the Chiefs club head cover, I was reading through Vince Flynn's books. Both my wife and I read this on years ago. Not sure why we still have it.


Saturday 5/10
Ten years ago, I came across these empty small aluminum paint cans at Home Depot. I was excited to have canisters to put stuff in. Ten years later, this one remains empty.





Sunday 5/11
We have several water bottles we never use like this one from They Are One.

Circle Toro Park - May 2014

Here we go again.

Someone walked, ran or biked around Toro Park every day this past January. We decided to do it again for a week starting May 4th. 

Consider joining us as we get some exercise and focus on our neighborhood. 

Let us know how it went for you and how you felt God directing you to pray as you circled.