The Annual Life Journal
with 13-Month Calendar
by
Book Cover & Preview Text
HOW TO USE THE ANNUAL LIFE JOURNAL
Second Edition
Considerations for Getting Started
PEELING BACK THE LAYERS: THE ‘ONION METAPHOR’
My Dear Friends in Christ,
I believe that 2020 and 2021 have changed the landscape of our lives. The novel coronavirus pandemic made (some of) us stop, think, observe, and learn. However, if we consider where we are in our walk with the Lord, how much have we grown? Have we learned the lessons the Lord has been trying to teach us? What is God speaking to us? Our nation? Our world? How well are we listening, and do we want to hear God speak truth to us? Where are we going in 2022? In 2023?
These are just a few of the things we will explore as we prepare to peel back the layers, cross the threshold of 2022, and journey through the New Year. Our journey will be filled with, as is in life, peaks and valleys. We will be challenged with seeking understanding as we live out our faith. We will succeed, and at times, feel like we have totally failed. But it is all a part of life . . . of the journey. Our experiences (individual and shared), shape who we are . . . who we become. How is your becoming?
Part of being alive is learning and understanding the collective and individual journey we all share—like it or not. When we are born, depending on what type of family we are born into, we are exposed to different things—i.e., beliefs, behaviors, values, practices, traditions and customs, cultural influences, desires, and ideas. All of these things help to influence, mold and shape us, into who we are, and if we let them, who we need to be. At the center of all of these influences is God, Who loves us more than anyone ever could. If we learn through the safety, love, and support of a caring family, we are very fortunate. If we learn these through the hardships of life, we are equally blessed.
When 2020 began, we probably did not suspect that the year would turn out to be anything like it did. I know that several of my friends and I were focused on the 20/20 Vision! We had celebrated Christmas, welcomed the New Year, and were on the brink of what next?! At least, until we started hearing reports of what would turn out to be a global pandemic in the form of COVID-19.
Did this beast of a virus mean that we had been abandoned, left alone to face the challenges of the year all alone? What was God saying through all of the infections and mounting increases in people who had succumbed to the virus? Was God speaking at all, and did He truly care about us?
It is easy, when facing the hard things of life, to feel as if we have been forgotten. When all of life is pressing our backs against the wall, what do we do? What should we do? We know, as Christian believers, how we want to appear to be? Strong, right? We might think that, if we admit we’re experiencing doubts, then we must not be Christian? If we admit that we need support, that we are having a difficult time healing from the loss of a loved one, then others might think us weak.
We are constantly judging each other when the only judge should truly be the Lord—the One, Who created us . . . Who knew us before we were in our mother’s wombs. I believe God has something to say about His creation. I believe He is still speaking—when we can remove ourselves from the chaos of life and give ourselves the gift of hearing His still, small Voice. A Voice that is no less powerful, and One that speaks when we are truly listening.
Life can be hard, messy, overwhelming and yet beautiful, full, inspirational, and worth living all at the same time. What a paradox! Why are we all here? What is our journey all about? What is the Lord calling us to do? There are but a few questions we ask ourselves.
This Annual Life Journal is for your journey. This message sets the foundation as we begin to peel back the layers of our lives, our being—using the onion as a symbol. It is prepared for you to be able to work on you—i.e., to make the time to reflect on your life in a holistic and practical way. It is created out of something that I was seeking for myself many years ago.
My prayer for you, Dear Friend, is, as you peel back the layers of your life’s journey, you will do so in partnership with God—as you discover, confirm, reaffirm, dedicate or rededicate who you are to Jesus Christ. I pray you will to live out the dash (the time and space between the time when we’re born and when we will die) in the most meaningful and positively impactful way! God made us with His purpose in mind!
Building (or rebuilding) from 2020 and 2021, and allowing the Lord to shape you for what lies ahead in 2022, I encourage you to use the Annual Life Journal to see what God is saying to you. I write, especially to the one that is weary, who has experienced great loss; for, we all go on with, as one friend of mine says is done in her culture, the people we have left. We acknowledge and mourn the loss of everyone that has died due to COVID-19—and every loss, which I will say more about later in this Journal. We mourn and celebrate the lives of all, who died, especially those whom we could not gather to celebrate due the virus. We choose to go on—knowing God has more . . . for us.
As you use the resources in this Journal, engaging in thoughtful and considerate self-examination and reflection, consider: What is the journey all about? How will we be different, better, more compassionate and gracious people? What is God teaching us through life? Have we experienced any missed opportunities? Where will we go from here?
There is more; there is better when we are able to see. I pray this Journal is what you need to ponder your life and peel back those layers, step-by-step, with God.
Journey Well!
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About the Book
How many of us know who we are at our core? How often do we take the time to understand what God is speaking to us now? Is the journey with God meant to be one where we mindlessly live it, abandoned to simply react to what we see on our own? Is there more for us? Is there good or better? Where is Christ Jesus in our everyday lives? What now?
Considering 2022 and beyond—If you are ready to peel back the layers of your life and explore your personal, Christian journey, The Annual Life Journal is for you!
The past couple of years have been years like no other. They have been polarizing, perplexing, scary, challenging, and passionate. We have seen the best of us and the worst of us. We are all grappling with what to do next, trying to understand what the Spirit of God is saying to us. Can we hear clearly?
So many emotions are running hot, yet God is still speaking. Are we listening? Can we calm down long enough to hear His still, small Voice? Are we able to find a safe way to channel our fears, frustrations, doubts, lack of understanding, sadness, anxiety, disappointments, grief, and losses?
I believe God’s answer to us is, “Yes.” But, we must journey with the Lord in order for this to happen. There is no other way. This Journal is a resource to center our attention where it should be—in life with Christ by the power and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Jesus suffered, bled, died, and was resurrected for our lives.
This Journal is your invitation to come to the well, seek, understand; and place your hopes, dreams, aspirations, families, health, finances, emotions, relationships—the totality of your life and being—in Christ. The Journal is equally a comprehensive guide to help you navigate life.
Purchase your copy today. The Lord be with you as you journey, My Friend. May it be well with you always!
About the Author
Loyce poured her heart into developing a unique journal to speak to your spirit and bless your life. Led by the Holy Spirit, Loyce draws on years of experience ministering to people of all ages and walks of life to inspire, uplift, motivate, and create a safe space for healing. She uses her personable approach to engage with you in your Christian journey. Loyce earned graduate degrees in Bible Studies (Master of Arts, concentration, Old Testament) from Maple Springs Baptist Bible College and Seminary (summa cum laude), and Master of Divinity from The Howard University School of Divinity (Dean’s List). She is an ordained minister, associate pastor, singer, songwriter, author, visionary, and entrepreneur dedicated to building the Body of Christ. She is dedicated to using her every God-given gift to reach out to God’s people. For more information, visit Loyce’s website at: www.voiceandfaith.com.