Is there a better way to spend a Friday night than talking with your spouse about things that stir your affections for the Lord while sipping a hot cup of tea? Just thinking about it makes me grin. Yesterday I shared with you that one of my goals for 2014 is to intentionally plan to do more things that stir my affections for the Lord. So after an inspiring conversation with my husband, I decided to sit down and make a list of the things that stir my affections for the Lord.

If you have followed my journey for a while, you probably know I like lists {as seen here, here, & here}. Now, this new list isn’t a list of what fires me up. Lots of things fire me up or make my heart sing {like this list of what fires me up here}. This list specifically makes my heart yearn to know Him more intimately. This list is made up of things that directly reflect Jesus. This list makes me want to fall to my knees and worship Him.

sunsets
oceans/beaches
community
meaningful conversations
worship music
sermons by Matt Chandler
learning new things about the Word
morning quiet times {especially with a cup of hot tea}
beautiful views of God’s creation
being outside/adventurous
volunteering
leading Bible studies {especially with middle schoolers}
long walks
lots of laughter

I also made a list of what robs my affection for Christ. In 2014, I want to avoid these things.

being physically lazy
too much time online or TV
empty conversations
idleness
negativity
eating poorly

Over the next year I want to pay close attention to my life and these lists. I’m sure they will need updating and changing as life continues. But they are a great start. This year my goal is to fill my life with things that stir my affection for the Lord and to avoid anything that robs me of that affection at any cost.

What inspires you? What stirs your affections for Christ? What robs you of your affection for Christ? I’d love to hear some of the things you would put on your list.

Above all else, guard your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.
Keep your mouth free of perversity;
    keep corrupt talk far from your lips.
 Let your eyes look straight ahead;
    fix your gaze directly before you.
 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet
    and be steadfast in all your ways.
Proverbs 4:23-26

If you do write and post your own list, please leave a link below. I would love to see it!