Small Update
Hello dear friends,
I know that I haven’t been keeping my blog updated for a while now. Sorry that I have not been keeping up with it. I had actually been planning to get back to it again for some time, but recently I’ve decided that I need to be a better steward of my time by reducing time online (and blogging) for an indefinite amount of time. I feel that I need to be more disciplined in my time management, to strive to be more efficient and productive with it. There are so many things and projects that I would like to do; plans and goals that I’d like to return to and accomplish. So many wonderful books I’d like to finish in my reading list. I’d also like to be more diligent in my piano learning/playing, to spend more time with the Lord in prayer and His Word, to be a better steward of my health by way of regular exercise, to cultivate better homemaking skills & make my home more efficient, to be more diligent in my Westminster Shorter Catechism memorization project, amongst several other things.
Today I was listening to Dr. Joel Beeke’s sermon in my iPod when he said: “What you fill your mind with throughout the week will govern how you live your life.” I’m convicted that I have been filling my mind with things that are not necessarily profitable for me. They may not necessarily be things that are inherently sinful in and of themselves; but because they are not beneficial or profitable to me, they’ve become a mere time-waster and hindrance in my progress. They are extra, unnecessary weight that slows me down in running the race. I’m reminded of the exhortation given to us by Hebrews 12:1 to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us…”
From time to time, I still do hope to post some notes or quotes on this blog from books I’m reading, or things that I am learning, so that they could serve as good reminders and encouragement to me in the future, especially when I reflect on what the Lord has been doing in my little spiritual pilgrimage. I hope that you would be encouraged by them, too. I really appreciate that you’ve visited my blog. Thank you so much for visiting!
May our wonderful God continue to bless you with His wonderful grace! 
March 8th, 2010 at 11:40 pm | Permalink
Hi Jess,
Thanks for sharing this post. I also feel the same way about “filling my mind with things that are not necessarily profitable for me.” I do hope and pray to God that I will have the strength to pursue what’s best for me and my family. (Pardon if what I wrote doesn’t make sense…I’m just very tired.)
It’s always nice hearing from you.
March 8th, 2010 at 11:59 pm | Permalink
Hi Claire,
It really makes sense. Thanks for writing that. I’m glad to hear from you. I know your family is very important to you. Hope you find that good balance. And hope I get to see your little one soon!
March 9th, 2010 at 1:55 am | Permalink
thank you for your very thoughtful update, Jessica. As your blog has been in my reader I saw this today. All the things you mentioned are good things for us all to consider. Computers, forums and blogs can be very beneficial but they can also rob us of our time, energy and focus on all those good, real life things your mentioned. One needs to be disciplined that’s for sure!
God bless you efforts in this area and I look forward to an occasional updat.
Ruby
March 9th, 2010 at 8:30 am | Permalink
Jessica, what a cheerful thing to see a post from you in my reader
. Daily discipline is like a constant ascent up a steep mountain, and probably takes a lifetime to truly learn; but yes it is important to be learning it from our thought life on out. I’m trying to do better about online time as well: it’s very nice to have the internet as a way to take part in the lives of other people we love, but it can become very difficult to balance that with the obligations we have in a more present sense. I pray God will bless your efforts, and you.
March 12th, 2010 at 7:32 pm | Permalink
Hello Jessica,
I was wondering if you would ever return to blogging and how you been doing out there on the left coast.
You have been an inspiration to me as I work with my blogsite. I understand about trying to be a better steward of time. I like blog because it helps me to sort my thinking but work, home, and church has really been taking up a lot of my time.
God Bless and look forward to reading your blog in the future.
Timothy
March 14th, 2010 at 1:41 am | Permalink
Hello Ruby! Thank you so much for your encouragement. I am so glad to hear from you, and to know that you’re still kindly keeping up with my humble abode on the net.
March 14th, 2010 at 1:45 am | Permalink
Dear Heidi, what a cheerful thing to hear from you! You’re right…I’m sure it does take a lifetime to learn being a good steward of the time and gifts God has given us. I’m finding that oftentimes the battle starts with or in my mind. Thank you so much for praying for me, Heidi. I’m so grateful for your thoughtfulness and prayers. {{{Hugs}}}
March 14th, 2010 at 1:47 am | Permalink
Hi Tim, thanks for the kind words. Writing blogs does have advantages. It helps me to think through things by putting ideas into words. I think it was Augustine who once said, “I profess to be one of those who, by profiting, write, and by writing profit.”
March 15th, 2010 at 9:12 am | Permalink
“The best is often defeated by the good.” I don’t remember who said that, but it has stuck with me! I often find myself saying, “There is nothing wrong with spending my time this way, or reading this book…..” It may not be wrong, it is just not the best.
As a side note, I wondered why you weren’t making any updates on Goodreads! Now I know why.
God bless your efforts!
Laura
March 16th, 2010 at 10:34 pm | Permalink
Hi Laura, it’s so nice to hear from you! And that’s a memorable quote! Thanks a lot for writing me here!
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:34 am | Permalink
I know what you mean about disciplining ourselves in terms of time spent online. I have only just begun blogging. Drop by if you get a minute! We are a homeschooling family from the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, and it appears your ipod is filled with the same kind of stuff I have on mine!
March 23rd, 2010 at 8:01 pm | Permalink
Thank you for your comments, Anne. I just visited your blog and also like the quote by Stonewall Jackson. Thanks for sharing your blog.
March 30th, 2010 at 6:40 am | Permalink
Hi, I just want to say how encouraging I find your blog, I was very excited to see you listen to Dr Beeke, I have a lot of his sermons on my ipod as well. I have to say what you have written is quite convicting, and you have set an example, thank you for this.
I look forward to seeing what you write from time to time in future as you get a chance. thank you x
March 30th, 2010 at 6:42 am | Permalink
Oh and by the way, Psalm 98 you have on your site, is one of the most beautiful things I have heard. Where did you get it from? The church I am a member of is exclusive psalmody.
April 16th, 2010 at 3:43 am | Permalink
Jessica,
What a delightful blog to share! Ah yes, time management. I love all the side bars on your blog. I listen to things on my iPod. Maybe I can budget time to put them on my blog also. Meanwhile my doctor has promised to read my book in the next three months if I job 9 miles a week. Plan on jogging three miles this morning in beautiful Florida listening to sermons while I job.
April 17th, 2010 at 8:08 pm | Permalink
Dear Carol,
Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my humble blog and for leaving a comment! It was a delight to hear from you. I visited yours as well… when or if you decide to put your iPod files into your blog, I’d really like to check it out. It would be interesting to see the kind of things you put in it.
That’s a great motivation to jog from your doctor.
I hope you enjoyed your exercise this week!
Have a wonderful Lord’s Day tomorrow,
Jessica
May 7th, 2010 at 7:31 am | Permalink
Hey, I hear you. Blogging is hard to keep up with. I delted my URL and all my posts a while back and restarted. God has let me fail Him in so many ways but has remained faithful to me… and I’m praying for lots of growth as I’m back at home working full time now. He is always faithful.
How are you? Haven’t talked to you in a very long time.
May 7th, 2010 at 1:14 pm | Permalink
Hi, thanks for dropping by. I’m doing quite well. Yep, it’s been a while… I hope that you are doing well also, and that you’re enjoying your work full time. May He continue to bless you!
June 1st, 2010 at 9:29 am | Permalink
Just found this through networkedblogs and must admit it’s a godsend! I identify with everything minus the piano lessons. I have a new daily planner sitting on the coffee table in front of me, waiting to be filled. It’s lunch time and it is still empty. Running 2-3 miles, several housekeeping tasks, and shopping should already be checked off. Do they have a procrastinators’ anonymous? I’d never make it! So glad to have found your site and hope to read more as your new time-managed schedule permits; but I really need to close this lid now and move on to that planner
June 1st, 2010 at 9:53 am | Permalink
Profound insight–going back to what the Scriptures say, “What you sow, is what you reap!” And, “Redeem the time, for the days are evil.” And, “Hold every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”
Keep spreading God’s Word.
June 1st, 2010 at 9:57 pm | Permalink
Hi Petra,
It’s so nice to hear from you. Thanks for taking the time to write me. I’ve visited your blog as well…thanks for sharing the address. Will come back to visit again.
I had to giggle when I read your comments about joining procrastinators’ anonymous.
I find that each day is a learning process for me. I’m learning what gets me distracted, and trying to learn from it so that I don’t make the same mistakes. And as with planners… One thing that I have found helpful is to put the time at which I’m supposed to do each task and allowing plenty of time to finish (I’m a perfectionist at heart, and tend to procrastinate when I feel pressure like when I can’t finish something). Then I remind myself that if I just follow the plan each hour, I can accomplish the day well. I hope you’re able to get a lot of things done today! And the exciting part is tomorrow is a brand new day, and we can start over again with a new clean slate! 
Thanks again for commenting on my blog. So nice to hear from another kindred spirit Christian lady like you.
June 1st, 2010 at 10:02 pm | Permalink
Hi Sara & Pastor Tom,
Thanks for commenting on my blog post. So nice to hear from you. I missed you both this past Lord’s Day. Hope you are well. I really like the Scripture verses you shared about redeeming the time, holding every thought captive, and reaping what we sow. I need to keep them in my heart. Thanks so much for the reminder.
See you this Sunday, Lord willing. I wish you a wonderful, productive & fruitful Wednesday tomorrow.
June 15th, 2010 at 11:00 am | Permalink
so good to read blog and “catch up” a little with you. You are such a blessing to me! Maybe we can catch up on everything soon. Rich, rich blessings dear sister! Rachelle Edwards
July 14th, 2010 at 10:02 am | Permalink
Dear Jessica, I think your blog is great! Praise God that you have such a heart for the Lord! I actually came upon this blog after reading one of your reviews on Amazon…anyway, I wanted to tell you that based on the authors and preachers that you like, you might be interested in the ministry of Dr. D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. I am on the board of his ministry in the United states and I think you would really enjoy his Bible teaching. Our website is http://www.mljtrust.org God be with you sister! Sincerely, David
July 14th, 2010 at 8:03 pm | Permalink
Dear Rachelle,
It’s nice to hear from you. It’s been a while. Thanks so much for taking the time to visit my blog…it was a pleasant surprise. I hope you’ve been well!!
July 14th, 2010 at 8:10 pm | Permalink
Hi David,
Thanks so much for your comment and encouragement! Yes, actually I have heard of Dr. Lloyd-Jones and own a copy of his Sermon on the Mount. Thank you also for kindly recommending a link to his teaching’s website. I appreciate it!
August 3rd, 2010 at 7:35 pm | Permalink
Dear Jessica,
God is gracious in all of the things He brings, sends, or allows to come into our lives. All to often we get busy in the mundane affairs of life. I am glad that you have recognized that and that you are willing to challenge what enters into your everyday world. May our Lord continue to bless your endeavors. Always remember that He has someone who prays for you often and will continue to do so as long as He brings you in my thoughts. Blessings in Christ.
August 3rd, 2010 at 9:20 pm | Permalink
Pastor Bruce,
Thank you for your prayers. I was very touched by your thoughtful & kind note.