I have been doing a lot of "cleaning out" this week. I have done lots of laundry and packing for our beach trip next week, but also just cleaning out and throwing away too.

I found an old notebook under a seat in my car that contained notes I took from a sermon I heard months ago. Some of you may be familiar with Randy Harris.  This is the sermon he gave when he was a guest speaker at our church. It was a powerful message.

10 Ways to Live the Kingdom of God:

1. Memorize Scripture. Especially the Sermon on the Mount.
 I fall so short here. I do not teach my boys to memorize enough scripture either. I think this is why he makes this point #1.

2. Quit Whining. We are raising a generation of entitled people. Think about our grandparents generation of Christians.
Wow. Good point. I cannot remember hearing my West TN Grandmother or Grandfather ever utter a complaint.

3. Make a covenant with God and with each other. And keep your covenants.

4. Take a risk. Get involved in something outside your comfort zone. Live Romans 8 about "daring to trust God."

5. Walk- start to move, stroll, hang out, and see where God leads you.
I really like this one. For me this also includes running. I learned so much training for the half marathon. About myself and others. Sometimes you just have to get moving and see where you go.

6. Relocate yourself. Get outside of your "church."

7. Be Calm. Be Prayerful. Stay Sane. Sanity is contagious and so is anxiety.

8. Simplify. Travel Light. Find out what happens when you say "No."
Awesome! Love this one. The world will not end if I throw away junk or say no to someone.

9.Commit. We live in a world where we want everything instantly. Some things require a long-term commitment.

10. Be Present. Be present where you are in this very moment. Listen for God.