2018: It’s a W-R-A-P!

Twelve action-packed months shall soon be officially over.

December is finally walking out the door, leaving my heart, soul and body in a state of separation anxiety. But then again who doesn’t like to welcome another year?

Be ready and be merry, 2019 is just a few tick-tocks away!

But before that, let me share with you a basic way to summarize the year that was.

I like to call it "It's a W-R-A-P!". It stands for the 4 things that really helped me survive this year.

W stands for Word (Bible) Reading Plan. Fact: I don't wake up feeling inspired to pick up my Bible everyday. I know I'm not the only one. But because I need the Bible to navigate through life everyday, I arm myself with tools such as reading plans so I can be more intentional in (1) growing my faith, (2) forming Bible-based convictions that help me in— (3) making God-honoring daily decisions.

R on the other hand stands for Reads or books. Notice that books only come second to the Bible. What they do really is to help me digest what I've been learning from Scriptures. They are not meant to replace the Bible.

A stands for Anthems. I have noticed that for each season of my life, God seems to have a soundtrack prepared just for me. One of the best financial decisions I've made is to pay for a premium spotify subscription. If you're a non-musician like me, spotify may be the answer to your need for music during your quite moments with God.

P stands for Passages. Life is a big capacity-building program designed by God and each of us are in a curriculum. Life is God's way of growing us. Every challenge, every victory is meant to increase our capacity...our capacity for God. If we pay close attention, if we allow ourselves to flourish in the habits of grace, we will find that the Scriptures teem with so much life, and joy, and hope.

So...here's how I W-R-A-P up my 2018:

Top 5 Word (Bible) Reading Plans

1. 21 Days on Promises (Logos App)

2. 21 Days on Prayer (Logos App)

3. 31 Days on the Book of Proverbs

4. Bible Challenge (Olive Tree Bible App)

5. Advent Reading Plan & 7 Days on Jesus’ Birth (Logos App)

Download Logos App

Download Olive Tree Bible App

Top 5 Reads

1. Life Without Lack by Dallas Willard

2. The Pursuit of God by A.W. Tozer (This, I re-read almost every year.)

3. The Essentials of Prayer by E.M. Bounds

4. How Can I Know God’s Will by R.C. Sproul

5. Future Grace by John Piper (Tbh, still working on this one. It's a heavy read, but it's sooo worth it.)

Top 5 Anthems

1. Psalm 34 by Shane and Shane

2. Psalm 23 by Shane and Shane

3. Hills and Valleys by Tauren Wells

4. Do It Again by Elevation Worship

5. God of Miracles by Chris McClarney

Top 5 Passages

1. Isaiah 43:19

“Behold, I am doing a new thing;

now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

2. Psalm 23:1

“The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.”

3. Psalm 34:4-5

“I sought the Lord, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears. Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.”

4. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,

give thanks in all circumstances;

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

5. Luke 12:15

"And He said to them, 'Take care and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consists in the abundance of his possesions.”

How about you? How'd you W-R-A-P up your year?