Back to the Future—Rowboats, Timelines, and Goal-Setting



Free Sample Microsoft Timeline Template

A component of the Beth Moore Bible Study, “Believing God,” was to complete a timeline of our life in 10 year segments, asking God to reveal to us all the spiritual mile markers in our lives…broken places, hurts, disappointments, accomplishments, and joyful times…to help us see that God had been there all along…His grace is sufficient. 

To accomplish this task, I discovered a very helpful tool for a “Timeline Template” through Microsoft. It’s free, and it’s very easy to use, the text boxes expand to whatever size you need, and the arrows on the boxes can be moved to any location on the timeline. 

I have copied the link for this “Timeline Template” ….it really helped me to get my thoughts on paper, and God has used it to heal me in so many ways...Here’s the link…

http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/templates/timeline-TC001016265.aspx

The Hebrew concept of time is like a person rowing a boat. We see where we have been, we back into the future. I can clearly see that God has been there with me all along. I am not stuck in the past, I am rowing into the future, moving forward, proactive, with my focus, my mindset, on God, who is sovereign. He sees the past, the present, and the future all-at-once. 

Morning after morning in my quiet time, I bring myself back to the Cross of Christ…as I bow before Him, I experience anew His forgiveness, redemption, mercy, and grace, as I sense His blood dripping over the Crown of Thorns pressed into His brow, onto my heart, covering my sin, and I get up from my knees wearing His Robe of righteousness as I face the day ahead…rowing into the future. 

What are your thoughts?                                                                                                                         

Consider asking yourself these creative thinking questions as you set goals for the future…

• In what ways might I use this timeline template for creative problem-solving and goal-setting?
• In what ways might I use this timeline template to project my hopes and dreams for the future?
• In what ways might I use this timeline template to visualize my spiritual mile markers for the future?

(c) 2011 beth willis miller

Rembrandt's Return of the Prodigal

"The Return of the Prodigal Son" by Rembrandt

Henri Nouwen, the famous author, once gave a postcard print of this painting to individuals who had come to hear him speak.

He asked them to look at the hands of father--one hand masculine and strong, and the other hand feminine and gentle.

What a wonderful way to illustrate the unconditional love God has for all of us prodigals, full of grace and truth.

In what ways does this painting speak to you?