Archives for December 2024

15 simple steps to begin decluttering your home today

Filed Under: Organization and Cleaning // December 17, 2024

This post is all about giving you the right steps so you can begin decluttering your home today.

It can be easy to look around your home and feel overwhelmed by the amount of clutter and not know where to start. Here are 15 tried-and-true tips to help you declutter by minimizing the overwhelm you feel.

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Are you someone who has tried decluttering before, only to give up when you feel overwhelmed? Or maybe you are new to this whole “decluttering” idea and have no idea where to start. Perhaps you’ve already done a successful full-house declutter, but are looking for ways to continue pairing down more.

No matter where you find yourself in your decluttering process, these 15 simple steps are sure to give you the inspiration you need to create your dream home.

15 simple steps to begin decluttering your home

If you are looking to easy-to-follow steps to help you declutter your home today, you’ve come to the right place! Here are my tried-and-true steps to decluttering and maintaining a clean home.

Set a clear goal
Begin with a small decluttering project
Start with the trash
Tackle one thing at a time
Declutter anything you find on the floors
Declutter anything you find on surfaces
Try a no-spend month
Try the “one-in, one-out” rule
Declutter a problem area you see daily
Create drop-zones
Don’t keep decluttered possessions in your home
Adopt the “joy-test”
Set a daily timer
Ask for help
Celebrate small victories

Set a clear goal

Before decluttering your home, you must set a clear goal. Otherwise, as soon as the going gets tough, you’ll want to give up.

When setting your goal, think about what you want your home to feel like when you are done. Do you want an Instagram-worthy minimalist aesthetic, a clean but cozy home for welcoming company, or a fun yet organized playroom for your children?

No matter what your final vision is, write it down and be as specific as possible. This will help keep you motivated when you become overwhelmed by the decluttering process.

Begin with a small project when decluttering your home

If this is your first time decluttering, or if you tend to get overwhelmed whenever you clean, start with a small and manageable project. Instead of trying to declutter your entire bathroom, just pick one drawer or cabinet and see how much you can get done in five minutes. Instead of doing the entire closet (which could take hours), start with only your shoes and keep the ones you truly love.

No matter where you choose to begin your decluttering process, starting with a small project is the best way to keep you motivated. It does not require large amounts of time, and you get a feeling of accomplishment when you complete your task.

Ask yourself “what do I need to keep”

If you still find yourself getting stuck when working on a small project, ask yourself “What do I need to keep?” instead of “What can I get rid of?”. This important question shift can help you clearly see the things that are important to you because you will pull out the few items that you know you cannot part with. Then you can sort through whatever is left and either throw it away or place it in the donate pile.

Moving on to bigger projects when decluttering your home

Once you have mastered working through small projects, feel free to move on to a bigger project. Consider completing the whole bathroom or closet, being confident that you now have the skillset necessary to conquer it.

If the thought of working through an entire room or category still feels daunting, don’t be afraid to break it into smaller, more manageable projects. As soon as you finish one small section, simply move on to the next until you finish the whole area.

Start each home decluttering project by removing the trash first

It is easy to feel paralyzed when you look at a decluttering project in your home and are confronted by all of your possessions. That is why Danna K White, author of Decluttering at the Speed of Life, suggests starting with the trash. She says that when you look at a space, the very first thing you should do is remove all of the trash. This is a very easy first step because it only takes a few second to remove the things that are clearly trash. But it is also enough of a forward momentum that you now have enough motivation to continue in the decluttering process.

cleaning and organization — How can you create your dream home today?

Tackle one thing at a time

If you have started decluttering in the past but given up because you’ve felt overwhelmed, consider tackling just one thing at a time. So, instead of taking out all the clothes in your closet, only handle one piece at a time and decide immediately if it is trash, donate, or keep. This way, you can keep everythign hanging up in your closet and simply work you way from one end to the next. Then, even if you get stopped mid-closet, you will have completed at least a portion and you won’t find yourself with a mess to clean up.

Declutter anything you find on the floors of your home

One of the main reasons your home looks messy and cluttered is because of the things on your floor. If you are looking for a quick project that will bring about a lot of rewards, consider starting with the floors. Only furniture should be touching the floor – a simple rule that makes removing anything else easy.

If there are clothes on the floor, decide if they are worth keeping or donating and then put them in their correct location (donation bin, hanging in the closet, or dirty clothes basket). If there are kids’ toys, put them away or create a home for them by utilizing a large basket or storage bin.

Pick up anything that does not belong on the floor and put it away or toss it in the donate bin (or trash can).

Declutter anything you find on surfaces in your home

Although this will take more time than decluttering the floors, removing excess clutter from surfaces will have a profound impact on how you view your home.

Things tend to accumulate anywhere there is a flat surface, and most of the time, it is because those things have no home. When sorting through these things, decide what must be kept and immediately put them away or assign them a home so that they don’t clutter your surfaces again.

Try a no-spend month

Although there are so many great steps to take when decluttering your home, perhaps the best one to try is a no-spend month. This is exactly as it sounds. Looking at a calendar month, you will decide to only spend money on bills and necessities such as food.

A no-spend month is great for two reasons. First, it allows you to pause the incoming clutter so that you have less in your home to continuously declutter. And second, it shows you how many useless purchases you typically make, saving you money.

Use the “One-in, One-out” rule when decluttering your home

If a no-spend month sounds too extreme for you right now, try the “One-in, One-out” rule instead. This rule states that anytime you bring something into the house, something else (in the same category) must go.

For instance, if you buy a new sweater, one of your existing sweaters either needs to be donated or trashed. Ideally, this rule is used as a general rule of thumb that you are replacing things in your home that have been used and are past their prime or no longer serve you.

Declutter a problem area in your home that you see daily

If you are looking for a small decluttering project that will have a big impact on your home, declutter a problem area that you are affronted with daily. This could be your entry table as you come into your home, or your nightstand that no longer has room for your cup of water while you sleep.

By decluttering an area that you see and use daily, you will reap the benefits of a calm space in a short time, motivating you to continue on your journey.

Use this as a clutter-free zone

Once you have spent time decluttering your problem area, use it as a clutter-free zone. Be relentless in your quest to not let any clutter find its way back into this area. This will ensure that your space can stay clean with minimal effort on your end.

Create drop zones in your home

Maybe you have already spent some time decluttering, but you notice one place tends to accumulate clutter. Or maybe you find yourself always misplacing something because it does not have a designated space.

Consider creating drop zones throughout your home to help contain clutter. These are spaces that are specifically designed for you to “drop” certain things quickly. One example of a drop zone that I use is a drawer on my entry table for keys, wallet, and name badge. This ensures that I always know where these important items are and I don’t forget them on my way out the door.

Another example of a drop zone is a basket in your kitchen to catch your mail and other paper items before you get the chance to sort through them. Or a basket in your living room for the dog or kids’ toys.

Don’t keep decluttered possessions in your home

Although this one seems like a no-brainer, remember not to keep decluttered possessions in your home. When you are going through a room or category and removing all the trash, take it out to the dump as soon as you finish before moving on to the next step. If you fill a donation box while working through a category, immediately take it to your car to go to your local thrift shop. And if you finish decluttering a section of your home, but have not filled up a complete bag, don’t wait until it is full to take it to your donation center.

By removing your decluttered possessions from your home as soon as they are ready to go, you ensure that you can enjoy your newly cleaned space without feeling the need to rummage through your hard work and keep something you’ve already made the decision to let go.

Adopt the “joy-test”

Marie Kondo, author of The Life-Changing Magic Of Tidying Up, uses the “joy test” for every possession in her home. In this method, you will hold every item in your decluttering category and, one by one, ask yourself, “Does this item spark joy for me?”. If the answer is “yes” then you can be confident in your decision to keep it. Likewise, if the answer is “no” then it is probably something that you can let go of.

Set a daily timer to keep the momentum for decluttering and maintaining your home

If you, like most of us, find yourself short on time and do not have an extended period of uninterrupted time to devote to decluttering your home, consider setting a daily timer. To do this, choose a specific time that you can set aside every day. This can be early in the morning, before your children wake up, when you get home from work in the afternoon, or before you wind down for the evening. The onyl thing that matters is that this can be a consistent time in your daily routine.

Then, choose how much time you can dedicate to the cleaning process. Anywhere from 5-30 minutes will make a huge difference in your home if you keep up with it.

Finally, when the time of day comes for decluttering, set a timer with whatever time you have chosen and see how much you can get done. Chances are, you will surprise yourself with your progress.

15 simple steps for decluttering — Here are the best steps to help you begin decluttering your home today.

Ask for help when decluttering your home

If you have tried decluttering, but always find yourself overwhelmed and discouraged, consider asking a friend for help. Sometimes it is nice to just have someone you can talk to and bounce ideas off of while you are sorting through your things and deciding what to keep.

Celebrate small victories when decluttering your home

No matter where you find yourself on your decluttering journey, remember to always celebrate the small victories. You do not have to complete a huge project to celebrate. Rather, congratulate yourself on each step of your journey. Be proud of yourself when you declutter a kitchen drawer. And celebrate when you clear out a box from your basement.

Allow the process of decluttering your home to be imperfect

In a world of Instagram aesthetics, it can be difficult not to compare your home or decluttering journey to another. Take a moment to instead look around your home and appreciate the hard work you put in. Remember, your first round of decluttering does not need to be perfect. Don’t get discouraged if you only declutter a few things from a drawer. Realize that decluttering is a process that takes time to learn.

It may not be perfect on your first pass-through, and that’s okay. All that matters when decluttering your home is that you are moving towards your end goal.

What will you start decluttering today? Let me know in the comments below!

This post was all about 15 simple steps to decluttering your home to give yourself your dream space.

20 Bible study methods to deepen your faith

Filed Under: Bible Study // December 10, 2024

This post is all about Bible study methods for anyone who is new to Bible study or is looking to refresh their daily quiet time.

Anyone looking to grow in their faith and know God better should have a daily Bible study and reading plan. This is because the Word of God is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and is useful for teaching and instruction (2 Timothy 3:16-17). However, the only way the Bible can have an impact on our lives is if we open it and seek to understand what it is saying.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

Although simply reading the Bible is a great place to start for any believer, it may (and should) leave you with questions as you grapple with the text. Part of the reason for these questions is that the Bible was written to a different culture using a different language than we speak today. So naturally, some things get lost in translation.

This is why implementing different Bible study methods can be a valuable tool for any Christian. Bible study methods are frameworks that help you understand the culture, language, and context of the passage you are reading. When you understand the original meaning, you can then faithfully apply the scripture to your life.

Here are some of my favorite Bible study methods, with brief descriptions to help you choose the one that’s best for you.

Beginners Bible study: Methods to help you engage with God’s word

If you are new to Bible study, it can be easy to become overwhelmed with all of the different methods. Don’t let the overwhelm stop you. Just pick one or two methods and give them a try for a couple of week. If they aren’t working, evaluate why not and see if there is a different method that suits your learning style better.

Choosing a method

Any of these Bible study methods can be used for a beginner, although I would personally recommend one that looks at the bigger picture of the Bible instead of diving deep into the meaning of one verse. This is because I believe it is important to have a good understanding of Biblical foundations and the narrative story of the Bible.

If you already have a good foundation of the Bible and are looking to go deeper in studying single verses or passages, consider doing one of the verse-by-verse methods, such as verse mapping. These have you look into the original context as well as the Greek or Hebrew behind single words.

Fly-over Bible study methods

The fly-over Bible study methods are by far my favorite way to study the Bible. When you read and study the Bible as a whole, you can see so many themes appear that may get lost in the verse-by-verse methods.

Bible in a year

This may be the most popular Bible study method out there – and for good reason! Reading through the Bible in a year allows you to see the overarching theme of redemption and God’s love for His people. There are so many great reading plans available, and most take 15-20 minutes per day. So this is a very achievable way to study the Bible for everyone.

Here are three different types of Bible in a year reading plans

The Story of Redemption | This Daily Grace reading plan guides you through the entire Bible by focusing on the overarching story of redemption, giving a short devotional with the daily reading. Daily Grace also offers other reading plans and shorter devotionals.
The Bible Recap | This plan follows the Chronological timeline of the Bible and explains each day’s passage in an easy-to-explain way.
The One Year Bible | This plan divides up the scripture each day so you are reading a section from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalms and Proverbs so that you don’t get hung up in one book.

starting a bible study method — Any method is worth trying if it helps you understand your Bible better.

Bible in four months

If you are able to commit an hour a day to Reading through your Bible, I would highly suggest reading through it in four months. This advanced timeline will help you see the big picture more clearly while gaining a deeper understanding of the Bible as a whole.

If you are interested in learning more about reading through the Bible in a short timeframe, check out Rapid Bible Read Through by Keith Ferrin.

In-depth verse by verse Bible study methods

If you have already done a full Bible read through, or are just looking for ways to study individual verses or passages in-depth, these Bible study methods are a good place to start.

Verse mapping

Verse mapping is a great way to fully understand any verse in the Bible. This Bible study method can be particularly helpful if there is a verse that stands out to you during your daily Bible reading that you want to know more about.

When verse mapping, you will create a guide map of the verse that includes all pertinent information to help you understand the context and meaning of the verse. To do this, you will first look at the surrounding context of the verse, identifying the message of the whole passage. Then you will highlight any words that stick out to you and research them using different tools. You can see my whole guide to Bible verse mapping here.

Word study

A Bible word study is a great way to look at the original Hebrew or Greek word in any verse that you are reading. You can then cross-reference it with any other occurrences of that word to give you a deeper understanding of what the concept means. When doing a Word study, it is important to understand the word in context, and there are many great resources to help you accomplish this goal. If you are interested in learning more about how to do a Bible Word study, you can learn more here.

Acronym Bible Study methods

There are many different Bible study methods that use acronyms to help you easily remember the steps. Here are just a few of the more popular ones to give you an idea of how they work.

SOAP method

The SOAP method stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. Scripture includes reading a passage a few times and writing it out to slow down and understand it better. Observation occurs when you notice concepts and ask questions about the text. Application takes place when you know the original context and see how it can apply to your life. And prayer occurs when you thank God for His word and what He has revealed to you.

TEXT method

The TEXT method stands for Talk, Encounter, eXamine, and Talk. In this method, you will begin with prayer, Talking to God, and asking Him to reveal Himself through His word. You will then Encounter God and Humanity in scripture as you ask yourself: what does this passage say about God and His creation? Then you will eXamine your heart to see if there is anything within you that does not align with what you have learned, before you Talk to God again.

REAP method

The REAP Method stands for Read, Examine, Apply, and Pray. This method is very similar to the SOAP method, with just a couple of differences. You will want to begin by Reading the passage and contemplating what it says. Here, you want to consider what the key points of the passage are and note any person, place, or thing mentioned. You will then Examine the verse and dive into any of the questions you had from reading it. You will follow it up by applying the passage to your life and praying to God, just as you do in the SOAP method.

types of Bible study — There are so many great Bible study methods to choose from!

ACTS method

The ACTS method stands for Ask, Chapter, Think, and Scripture. To follow this method, you will first Ask God what He wants you to understand from your Bible study. Then, you will read a full Chapter slowly and carefully as you Think about its meaning, original context, and how it applies to your life. You will finish this Bible study by writing down one or two verses in the Scripture tat stood out to you.

Over-all picture Bible Study methods

If you are looking to study a specific topic or character rather than reading through the Bible or going in-depth with different verses, these methods are for you.

Character study

When doing a Character study, you will look at one individual mentioned in the Bible and follow their life. During this type of study, you can see examples of what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ, while also learnign that even the most righteous followers make mistakes. Popular Character studies include ones that look at Abraham, king David, or Paul, as well as ones that follow the 5 women in the genealogy of Jesus or Women of the Old Testament.

Topical Study

A topical Bible study is a great method when you have a question about a topic or theme in the Bible. For instance, if you would like to know more about “salvation” you would read 10-20 verses on that topic and draw observations from connecting the main points. One great way to do a topical Bible study is through Bible Gateway, as you can search for any word or topic.

Inductive Method

The inductive Bible study method could also be called the intuitive method because it consists of reading the passage and making observations about it. In order to make observations, you will want to look to answer the 5 W’s (who, what, when, where, why, and How) of the passage.

If you are looking for even more Bible study methods, Rick Warren goes over 12 in His book Rick Warren’s Bible Study Methods.

Reflect on which Bible Study methods are right for you

There are so many different types of Bible study methods, and it can be overwhelming to know where to start. So many of these methods use the same steps and principles, just applied slightly differently. So, let this post encourage you that there is no wrong way to study your Bible as long as you are doing so with an open heart willing to be transformed by the Word of God.

Are you ready to grow in your faith and make Bible study a daily habit? Pick one or two of these study methods and commit to trying them for the next week. Set aside a specific time each day, and get ready to meet with God through His word! Don’t worry about doing it perfectly—just start, and let the Holy Spirit guide your learning.

Which method will you try first? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

This post was all about the best Bible study methods for every believer.

Joy in Worship | Finding Delight in the Presence of the Lord

Filed Under: Bible Study, Deuteronomy // December 3, 2024

This Bible study is all about finding Joy in Worship.

Do you find it challenging to experience joy in worship? Maybe traditional church services feel routine, or tithing feels like a chore. No matter where you are in your faith, Deuteronomy shows that Joy in worship is not just possible – it’s essential.

In the middle of a long list of laws the Israelites must follow when they enter the Promised Land, Moses gives instructions for having Joy in Worship. Although it may seem like the Israelites should need no encouragement in this – after all, they watched as God delivered them from slavery and brought them to freedom – these chapters detail not only how but also why there needs to be joy.

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my full disclosure here.

The Lord is sovereign over all. Yet He is not a faraway God who never wants to interact with His creation. He desires to have a close relationship with each of us. He wants us to fellowship with each other and bless each other out of the abundance with which He has blessed us. These chapters look at practical ways we can experience joy in worship today.

Read all about how to have joy in worship, before reflecting on it below.

Deuteronomy 12-15

The place of worship cannot mirror secular culture

The Israelites were about to enter the Promised Land. As they entered, they would benefit from homes and crops they did not work for. All of the infrastructure they would need to live would be set up for them – including places of worship. The usual practice during this time was to use nice buildings or previously used places to convert into your own worship center. But God did not want any association with the pagan gods. Instead, the Israelites were called to be set apart by destroying anything that had connections with pagan worship. They were to follow the laws of worship that God had already laid out for them.

Do you use any part of secular culture in your worship? Do you think it is pleasing to God (Psalm 100)?

Deuteronomy 12 Bible Journaling — I love using stickers in My Bible journal when they match the theme!

There is joy in the house of the Lord

Through this section, we see repeatedly that the Israelites were called to rejoice when they went to Worship God at the place He would choose. They were called to eat and rejoice — to find joy in the presence of the Lord for His blessing. The Israelites were to find joy in the sacrifices offered on their behalf. They were to find joy through confession and communion with God. There was to be joy in fellowship with others.

God desires worship that is filled with joy because it is a reflection of our gratitude, trust, and fellowship with Him. Joyful worship isn’t merely about feeling good. It is a response to God’s goodness and provision.

Do you find joy in the House of the Lord? Or is going to worship a tedious task to be checked off each week (Hebrews 13:15)?

Serving other gods

The Israelites would be living in a land that pagans previously inhabited. But it was not just outsiders that the Israelites would have to watch out for. If someone from their own people came and spoke prophecies that came true but did not speak only the words of God, the Israelites were to ignore them (and even put them to death). If anyone tried to get the Israelites to turn away from the One true God and follow another, they would be put to death.

Although we are no longer supposed to kill false teachers, we should be aware of who they are and ignore or combat their teaching. Do you know the Word of God enough to spot a false teacher? What is your response when you hear someone teaching Biblical inaccuracies (Romans 16:17)?

joyful worship — You can experience joy in worship when you find delight in the presence of the Lord.

Clean and unclean

God wanted the Israelites to be set apart for Him and Him alone. Many of the rules and regulations He gave to the Israelites would make a clear distinction between them and other cultures. Not only would limiting the “clean” foods help keep the Israelites healthy. It would also prevent them from fellowshipping with pagan cultures. The Israelites could not eat with them. This would limit their exposure to other cultures and help insulate them from temptation.

What are some things within the secular world that you may need to pull back from to be insulated from temptation (James 1:13-15)?

Joy in Worship through Tithes

The Israelites were commanded to put aside a tenth of their harvest each year for God. They were then to take the tithe to the temple and enjoy it with their families in the presence of the Lord. This is because “the purpose of tithing is to teach you to always put God first in your lives” (Deuteronomy 14:23, Living Bible). So often, we get caught up in the correct portion of tithe to give, when we should tithe, or even where our money should go. We get caught up in the details and we miss the bigger picture. God called us to give back a portion of all He has blessed us with so we can rejoice with others in His presence. We are called to bless others in the same manner that God has blessed us.

Do you tithe rejoicing in all that God has done for you (2 Corinthians 9:7)?

Be openhanded

God commanded the Israelites to be openhanded and give to any who were poor among them. God had set up an ecomonic system in Israel. He promised them that if they listened and followed His commands, He would bless them. They would be a prosperous nation that could lend to other nations. However, God knew that they would not always listen to His commands. Because of this, He knew that there would always be poor among them. And so, God called the Israelites to be generous givers within their community.

In the same way, we should give openhandedly to others. Whether it be through money, time, service, or another method, we are called to bless those around us. How can you be a light to those you know, blessing them from the abundance the Lord has blessed you with (Hebrews 10:24)?

Deuteronomy 15 Bible journaling — These fine-tip micron pens work well for tracing designs into my Bible journal.

Set apart the best

Not only were the Israelites called to give the firstborn of their animals, but it was to be a spotless offering. It would be easy to offer up a blemished animal worth little value. However, a spotless firstborn would have been worth something. God often calls His people to give up what they value. Not because He wants us to live a boring life, but because He wants us to be devoted to Him alone. It is easy to say that we love God. It is much harder to give up the things we value to follow Him.

Do you set apart your best for God – whether it be time, possessions, or money? Or do you tightly hold on to what you value, unwilling to give it up (Mark 12:41-44)?

Reflect on what it means to have joy in Worship

True worship is found when we have joy in the presence of God. True joy in worship happens when we reflect on what god has done for us and freely give back to Him and those He has called us to bless. How can you experience Joy in worship today?