Words are a dime a dozen in a social media saturated world. How can one word change anything?
Here it is. A picture of our One Word For 2011.
Can you find your one word in this collage of hopes, dreams and prayers?
God can.
Not only does He know your One Word, He also knows the others that keep you up and grip your heart, when you’re lost by a breath of uncertainty or discouragement.
He is faithful. Even if we’re not.
Your One Words Are Special
For our Faith Barista Jam last week, I put out a prompt to share one word God has placed on your heart for the new year.
You came out in full force. The comments and blog posts you shared were phenomenal.
By the time I was halfway through, I had to stop and sit in awe of how personal our God is and how uniquely He speaks into our real-life stories.
I wanted you to see how special your words were. Your words come from a place deep inside — where we wrestle and dream with God.
Can you see the ones that look a little bigger? The words grow bigger if more people choose the same words.
Isn’t it beautiful — how we’re all so different and yet, we make up this In-Between Community of faith?
I don’t know where these words will lead us in the coming months ahead.
One thing is for certain.
This journey requires putting our faith in Someone to guide us.
Someone who can change us.
God Heard
I don’t know how your week has been since you’ve shared your hopes for the new year.
More likely than not, other soul-harming words may be threatening to topple your one word from it’s rightful place.
Just like the serpent did long ago — after God just delivered Perfect Paradise words to Adam and Eve — he questions us today: “Did God really say… ?”
It’s been like that for me.
But, I’m putting my confidence in a few things.
– It doesn’t even matter whether we’re stumbling or succeeding.
– What matters is:
The God who guides us loves us.
“Absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us.”
~ Rom. 8:38-39
The God who loves us is faithful.
“If we are faithless, He is still faithful because he cannot deny himself.” 2 Tim. 2:13
Keep going. God heard your One Word prayers.
Unlike others who rely on new year resolutions, our One Words are not guiding us.
The God behind the One Words are.
“But let all who take refuge in You be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And may You shelter them,
That those who love Your Name may exult in You.” Psalm 5:11
*Join the Jam Tomorrow: Thurs 1/13/11*
Share your Faith Fresh discoveries! Topic: Share how God is calling you to be more bold or confident. Serve it up any way you’d like. Just keep it real! Link up or simply comment at the end of Thursday’s post.
How are you doing in your new year?
If you’d like to share your One Word for the new year, it’s never too late.
Share with a comment. Or click here to add your post to the jam or read the stories behind One Word Collage. I’ll update it to include your One Word.
Pull up a chair. Share a comment or subscribe by email.
~~~~~
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54 Comments
Bonnie, it’s so amazing how God works. My word is “seek”. I didn’t plan to choose a word, but even before I read about having one word for the year, I had a word. This is the second blog I have read on this subject. It’s humbling to see how He works in His peoples lives in similar, but unique ways!
“More likely than not, other soul-harming words may be threatening to topple your one word from it’s rightful place.” My word has already been threatened so many times. It’s good to know God is faithful, even when we’re not!
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..My Anthem 2011 =-.
What a wonderful word to point your heart towards, Jennifer! Your journey has been full of God all over it! So good to see you.
Absolutely love this!
.-= Nancy´s last blog ..When Heaven Comes Down to Earth =-.
Love you in this, Nancy!
You know my one word–JOY. And I hope you also know how much of it you bring to my heart. So grateful for you, friend!
.-= Holley Gerth´s last blog ..Why You and Your Words are More than Enough =-.
You bring joy to my heart. Right behind the word Holley is Joy. Just like you know behind my word confidence is bringing me to “do” joy! Big wrap around hug for you!
loving the wordle, bonnie! my word is out there in front, which means i have so many sisters hoping with me this year. awesome!
.-= kendal´s last blog ..cornerstone =-.
You do! Right here next to ya’, Kendal!
[…] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Glynn Young, Alltop Christianity. Alltop Christianity said: Your One Word For 2011 Matters (Soul Resolutions): Words are a dime a dozen in a social media saturated world. … http://bit.ly/eqNd7V […]
Shared you via FB today. :o) Since I don’t tweet (yet) but wanted to get it out there.
SO looking forward to tomorrow’s jam! I got the desire to talk about this last week and hadn’t had a chance to do it yet! :o)
Again it’s always a pleasure to read your blog!
.-= Leanna´s last blog ..Scripture for the Year =-.
Thank you, Leanna! FB’ing this post is such an honor!
I loved the word collage! And seeing all our words up there together knitted for the year.
.-= Tammy@meadows speak´s last blog ..When the Clouds Fall to the Ground =-.
Love you in this, Tammy! Lit up!
Fantastic! And this mornign the Lord gave me a 3rd word for 2011 to go along with persevere and expect – He gave me listen.
I may blog about it later…
.-= HisFireFly´s last blog ..Glory in silhouette =-.
Ah, the words are starting to trickle in… !
I chose a new word every year – something I have been doing for the past few years. My words (I actually chose two this year) are Grace and Knowledge. I want to study harder and hide His Words in my Heart being much more aware of the Grace that has been given to me.
Thanks so much, Sunny
Sunny, what a perfect pairing. How can we take in knowledge without the grace to practice and live them? Love.it.
Bonnie, this collage is so beautiful I tried to print it out to hang it on the wall for a joyful reminder of the faith community here. Words to enrich my days. But I ran into technical difficulties so forwarded the message to hubby who is magical with technology.
Have a beautiful day!
.-= Beth Werner Lee´s last blog ..update 1-1-11 =-.
Maybe I can try to do a download… Thanks for the idea, Beth!
That would be awesome!
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..Refreshing Myself – Refreshing Others =-.
Just shared today about how my theme word is going.
.-= zoe´s last blog ..New Things Check In =-.
Thanks, Zoe!
You do a wonderful blog. Thank you for your cheerful spirit.
My word for this year is hospitality. I need to be ready at an instant for company and I am not. I want to have friends over so I’m going to work at my house and become hospitable. It doesn’t have to be perfect but presentable.
Thanks for making me consider where I need to be this year,
<3 Donna
.-= Donna´s last blog ..The Fashion Show =-.
Oh, I can imagine how many memories are going to be created, as you journey in hospitality… getting to know you as is. Love your word, Donna! Springboard to offer refreshment to others.
MY ONE WORD FOR THIS YEAR IS TRUST.
Thanks, Shirley!
This is gorgeous! It’s a beautiful, tangible way of showing what God is doing in the hearts of many.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..Christmas Reflections- Reflection 4 Looking Ahead =-.
I love this! I’m working with my words. I can see how God is applying them (abide & sacrifice) to so many areas of my life. It’s scary, exhilarating and inspiring. God is Good!
.-= Melissa Brotherton´s last blog ..1 AM =-.
The words that God is putting on my heart is trust and love. Things have been very stressful as of late (devil at work, hmmm?) but in my bed at night is where the true words and magic happens with Jesus and me.
Thanks, Bonnie.
B-A-L-A-N-C-E
.-= Kissie´s last blog ..Birthday Date Contest =-.
That’s very cool! I love the word collages and this one is especially meaningful. There is always a fight against the Word, and things will try to choke the truth out of us even as the enemy tries to steal it. We do have grace to stand though, if we choose it. Glad we can encourage each other in our standing and progress! Thank you, Bonnie.
.-= jasonS´s last blog ..What Demands Response for You =-.
I love this beautiful collage–all of our words coming together as God’s Poema for 2011! And I love your words of encouragement, because it sure has been a battle this week to remain believing. But like you said, our trust is not in the words, but in the Word, himself. He alone holds us together. He is faithful to finish what He started in each of us. Blessings to you, Bonnie, and all who gather here!
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Passionate Patience =-.
That collage is beautiful! Thanks Bonnie!
.-= Helen´s last blog ..Merry Twelfth Day of Christmas =-.
LOVE IT! That collage does make all our words go together. :o)
.-= Nikole Hahn´s last blog ..Reflecting Him- Not a 5K- But Several Marathons! =-.
What a cool thing to see! It makes me feel a part of something bigger. God knows what he’s doing, huh? Thanks, Bonnie!
It’s so awesome! All of us woven together by Him and His word(s) in us and through us. That’s a beautiful tapestry of our community’s words. Beautiful! Thank You Bonnie. Thank You so very much.
.-= Jeri @godsdreamsforme´s last blog ..Refreshing Myself – Refreshing Others =-.
I love that picture Bonnie. Very cool!
It is amazing to me how many times my one word has come up in conversation since I wrote my post last Thursday. I am continuing to anticipate and expect great things from God! 🙂
.-= Kevin Martineau´s last blog ..Plan B Giveaway and Book Club =-.
I love the words of everyone and the community here!
.-= Katie´s last blog ..Goals for 2011 =-.
The collage is so meaningful, and your words so beautiful … and encouraging. Yes, our trust and focus is not in our “word”, but in the God behind our One Words. Thank you, Bonnie.
.-= Cherry´s last blog ..My Part =-.
Bonnie, the word collage made me smile.real.big. Creativity in my writing is one new habit I am pursuing this year. Seeing the word collage reminds me of the many faceted creative ways to communicate words.
.-= Donna´s last blog ..Be Thou My Vision =-.
This is gorgeous, Bonnie! We are thinking along the same lines–great beginnings, I suppose–I posted a little ditty on Adam and Eve this morning. Thanks for hosting the jams, Bonnie. I think I’ve finally gotten it together to link up with you tomorrow! My timing is always, always wrong…
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Broken Thoughts =-.
You’ve certainly got a great response to this post. Nice to see “my” word in the Wordle.
.-= Maureen (Mo)´s last blog ..Wednesday Wonder- Vivian Maier =-.
You are sunshine to me and your words warm my spirit! You are so right…we can do this because of the God who is behind our words, not because of the words (or resolutions) themselves.
Love you, friend!
Dear Bonnie,
Today I finally got the back ordered Bible dad bought me for Christmas. I opened it up where they had placed the ribbon bookmark. It was on Psalm 37. The very first word I read was “Commit” in verse 5. I really think that could be my word for this year. To commit everything I do to the Lord. The older I get the more important that seems to be. So little else matters, really, I am finding out.
love you, mom~~
Love the worldle! And thanks for your sweet words. This week has been one of persevering. It has begun! Thanks, too, for providing this amazing community.
.-= Sheryl´s last blog ..Got Books =-.
I love your worddle!
just came across your blog from one of your participants and I love it. Your one word soul resolutions got me thinking and since then there have been a couple of different words floating around in my head and heart – like trust, service and Do-ing.
planning to join in your Faith Barista Jam.
.-= kari´s last blog ..Corner View – Winter =-.
pretty =)
I so love this image. What joy it is to see the focus of the body of believers..Beautiful faith. Thank you for sharing.
.-= Tiffany Stuart´s last blog ..Vlog- New for 2011 =-.
Oh Bonnie, how cool is that? I’m sorry I missed out on the one word thing. But if I had added mine, it would have been …intentional. I want to intentionally know God better, to intentionally draw closer to Him. That is my desire for 2011.
Happy New Year to you!
Blessings and love,
Debbie
.-= Debbie´s last blog ..Touched by an Angel =-.
My word for 2011 is also trust. Apparently I’m not alone. How I thank God for that.
I really appreciated the encouraging way that you ended this post, Bonnie. “Keep going. God heard your One Word prayers.Unlike others who rely on new year resolutions, our One Words are not guiding us. The God behind the One Words are.”
Thank you for that very important reminder.
.-= Melinda Lancaster´s last blog ..Lifelines arent always long =-.
You know, it is so cool that God really pointed me toward my one word soul resolution!! Even before the end of 2010, he led me to the word BELIEVE. I have been seeing it and hearing it from him!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Revisiting Television EMM =-.
My word is breath…..A creator’s breath, a counselor’s breath…pneuma…This word has developed out of learning how to use Christian meditation….The breath is divine and sacred and in this rushed world I think we easily forget that 🙂
Loved is my word for the year. For so long, loved seemed to belong to everyone else. Today I am claiming it for myself.
.-= Bev McDougal´s last blog ..Peace and Civility Pledge =-.
I’ve had this open for a few days as I ponder my words. Seeing it in a wordle is such a cool, tangible reminder of the power of words. Now, for the living out of said words…
.-= Cheryl Smith´s last blog ..Why Breathe =-.