Lisa Notes: One word 2013

One word 2013 – Jesus

Is this a cop-out? Choosing “Jesus” as my One Word for 2013?

Most of the words that we choose for One Words are implicitly about Jesus at their core already. Mine in years past:

2012 Venture (with Jesus)
2011 Breathe (in Jesus)
2010 Depend and Delight (on Jesus)

But this year, I want to focus in as tightly as I can go. And when all is said and done, what’s at the center?

Jesus

So as simple as it seems, Jesus will be my one word and heartbeat for 2013 (and always, I pray!).

I want to read through the gospels in a fresh version (The Voice). I’m halfway through Jesus: A Theography. Also on my reading list is Walking in the Dust of Rabbi Jesus and Simply Jesus. And Love Does because what good is the knowing without the doing?

So on the doing side, one concrete goal is to live out a different discipline each month, beginning in January with Vision—The practice of waking up to God. To become more like Jesus, to love Jesus more, to love others more through Jesus.

I’m aware that planning can only be a rough draft for living, yes? How the Spirit will choose to blow through will surely surprise me, as he always does.

But with Jesus beside me and in me, even when it’s hard, it’s all good, and even when I can’t see it, it’s all grace. That’s Jesus.

* * *

Have you chosen One Word for 2013? Please share.

Comments (43)

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panda444 30p · 639 weeks ago

I love your one word for 2013; Jesus. May His name be our one word for our whole lives. Btw, Melanie of Only a Breath is creating blog buttons with your one word for free. Check out my one word post: http://www.heartchoices.com/2013/01/one-word-2013...

There's a link to her blog if you like.

Happy New Year!

Blessings and love,
Debbie
My recent post A Look Back at 2012 Through Photos

1 reply · active 639 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Thanks, Debbie. Your word of "Surrender" should make for an interesting year!

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outsidemywindowinsidemyheart 38p · 639 weeks ago

Love your one word, Lisa! What an exciting year you will be having! And yes...My one word is Surrender...and I shared it yesterday over at the blog. I'm excited...even though I know there will definitely be some HARD things to go through, I know HE means it for my good AND the best part...HE IS IN THE MIDST WITH ME! :-)

1 reply · active 639 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

He is in the midst with us--yes, that is definitely the best part.

Just visited your blog and saw your word of Surrender just like Debbie above. You both even mentioned the same song. Hmm...I'll be following this word closely now. :-)

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fsamons 60p · 639 weeks ago

That's actually genius. It is all about Him. "No man comes unto the Father, but by Me."

I haven't really come up with a word, but maybe "seek" would define my desire. I will continue to seek His will first in study. It sustains me.
My recent post THINGS CHERISHED

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Thanks for adding that verse, Floyd. A very appropriate one.

"Seek" is a great word. I know you are a seeker at heart because I hear it in your words in the things you notice and write about. May the Lord bring you many treasures this year as you continue to seek his will.

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Dawn · 639 weeks ago

How can one argue with that word, Lisa? That is the Living Word. The One most worthy of all words...Oh my! I love it! I want to read the walking in the dust book! So perfect. I am smiling at the thought of your choice! SO NOT A COP OUT!
My recent post The Uncertainty of Bubbles

1 reply · active 639 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Yeah, I couldn't really argue with that word. ha. Thanks for the affirmation that I'm not copping out. Love your choice of "release"!

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kamrandolph 32p · 639 weeks ago

I don't know that I like my words very much......... I feel like God is telling me to "Let Go" so *** gulp**** I am going with that. It scares me to no end. I love your word, because everything centers around Jesus.
My recent post Letting Go……….

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

"Letting go" can definitely be a scary concept. I pray that God will fill each surrender with lots of grace to ease any pain of letting it go. Many blessings to you along the way, Katie!
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Sel · 639 weeks ago

So happy to hear you settled on that word. I think there is no better word to focus on! The word is Life, Bread, Truth, Light, Gate, Good Shephard, Resurrection, Vine....and so much more!! You already look a lot like Him and certainly point others to Him. Your love for Him is evident and such an encouragement for me and many others I'm sure. I'm looking forward to seeing where He will lead you and how He will continue to reveal the new you that He made you! Love you!

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Thanks, Selwyn. You encourage me so much to follow Jesus hard not just by your words but also by your life. I'm so glad Jesus made us sisters through his blood! I look forward to seeing how God will use you this year too. I know it will be good. Love you much!
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Betty Draper · 639 weeks ago

Last year I took "kind" as my one word and was tested a lot in this. So far God has not given me my one word yet. There is something wonderful about that name isn't there. I have this statement hanging in my house, "Life is in Christ". Will check back to see what Jesus is teaching you.
My recent post Jason Prayer

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

What a beautiful word: kind. It conjures up good things in my mind.

That's a beautiful statement--Life is in Christ--to have hanging in your house and I know it is in your heart as well. I pray I will have good things to share with you about how I see Jesus loving others this year.
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Teresa R · 639 weeks ago

My word for 2013 is Grace. I picked it after hearing Kenneth Copeland's prophecy for 2013 - The Year of Great Grace

1 reply · active 639 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Love, love your word, Teresa. My official word for 2012 was Venture, but my unofficial word was Grace. :-) God kept showing me grace over and over and over. Praying the same for you this year.
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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beverleyhirst63 50p · 639 weeks ago

Amelia Grace Rose Smith was born on the 4th Jan at 3.32am. She weighed 8lb 6oz, has brown hair, unlike me or her mother. Both mother and daughter are doing great. She make a grandma.
My recent post The Tools

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Oh, such happy news!!! So thrilled to hear this, Beverley! I know you'll be a wonderful grandma. Enjoy! :-)
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Lynn Severance · 639 weeks ago

As others have shared, Lisa, I also think your choosing "Jesus" as your word of focus is wonderful.

Last year my word was, "Sing" and truly there were times it was hard to do and other times that God's song came through and made my "singing" easier.

As I sought Him for a word for this year , the one I kept hearing and received was "Serenity".
Perhaps that is a good one after a year of "singing"!
My recent post Seasoned

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Love both those words for you, Lynn. They fit you well. I can imagine you in your apartment singing to the Lord, regardless of outer circumstances. And now Serenity. Beautiful.
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Larry Cornell · 639 weeks ago

Glad to see you are still blogging. I stumbled upon your post about anger from '09. You know in the last few years certain aspects of my faith have been put through the wringer. My Dad suddenly contracted bone cancer and then died. I was unsure what do do because we had been estranged for a long time due to how he treated our family when I was growing up. As I heard the news that he had only six months to live, I was frozen and took some time to pray about what to do. Before I felt I had an answer I received the news he had died much sooner than anyone thought. For at least four years I have had a chronic pain in my mid-back. I have also grown increasingly aware of the disease we call modern secular society and how it is destroying churches and families across the country. I see my enemy every day that I go out, and I see my God rarely outside the pages of Scripture. Then I see the Cross, and I try to make sense of what the Lord is saying when He sends His Son to such a death and calls us to the same? Vanity of vanities, all is vanity. But the Cross is not vanity. I have to admit that God is confronting in me every concern and I feel very uncomfortable about it. The name 'Jesus' is a blessed and fearful name. This man who is God has irrevocably altered human history through His shameful death on the Cross. Admitting what the name of Jesus says about reality penetrates to the dividing of soul and spirit, bone and marrow. As John said all nations will weep because of Him. But there is a nation that will rejoice because of Him and it is made of those whom He foreknew.

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Wow, you have definitely been through some stuff in the past few years. I can imagine that the sudden illness of your dad and the quick death was very difficult to deal with. My own father got lung cancer near the end of 2009 and died February 14, 2010. However I did have the blessing of getting to be with him through the whole process, so I can't really imagine the pain you went through under the harder circumstances of estrangement.

"But the Cross is not vanity." So true. Because of the cross, we find grace and place grace in circumstances and relationships that wouldn't have it otherwise. I'm thankful to be part of His family that lives and breathes by grace.
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Lis · 639 weeks ago

My word for 2013 is "behold." Just behold Him, Jesus - in His Word, His world and perhaps to behold aspects such as His love and His grace..

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Lisa notes 103p · 639 weeks ago

Oh, that is a great one, Lis. "Behold." There's such a richness to be found if we'll be attentive to actually seeing Him around us and in us. May God bless your year of beholding his immeasurable beauty.
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Melissa · 638 weeks ago

Jesus is definitely a good word on which to center your year (or, life). I like that. And you are certainly right when you say that planning is only a rough draft for life; the Lord gives us (or allows) surprises all the time.
My recent post When Panic Attacks

1 reply · active 638 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 638 weeks ago

Those surprising time--good and bad--are often when I most realize my need for Jesus. I want to be more aware of his presence all the time. I "know" it, but don't always keep it in my field of vision. Thanks for your encouragement.
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Cherry · 638 weeks ago

Visiting from Faith Barista Jam - good to be back here again! I always enjoy reading your posts. And what a great word for the new year - all else stems from this word/name "Jesus" - and I like your goal of focusing on and living out a new discipline each month.
My recent post The Heart of a Mother {Forever Close #1)

1 reply · active 638 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for stopping in, Cherry. Just visited you, too, and saw that adorable new grandbaby. One of these days I hope to have some of those, too. :-)
My recent post One word 2013 – Jesus

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Renee · 638 weeks ago

It was good to read this a second time...My words for this year are trust and rest.It is really a blessing to be able to read all these different posts and see how God is working in all our lives. Bless your journey, Lisa!
My recent post Trust and Rest

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Lisa notes 103p · 638 weeks ago

Thank you for sharing on your blog the reasons why you chose trust and rest. I love when people are so authentic about things that they've been through and continue to go through. I totally agree with you that it is a blessing to read others' posts and see how God moves in just the ways we each need for his glory. Blessings to you, too, Renee!
My recent post My First Daybook of 2013 – January

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sherylo 1p · 638 weeks ago

What a great way to tighten things up!

"I'm aware that planning can only be a rough draft for living." I love it. I hadn't thought about it like that, but I like it. I may need to post that somewhere I can see regularly.

My word for 2013? Healing. After 2 years of perseverance, it's nice to have a new focus.

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Lisa notes 103p · 638 weeks ago

Healing - the word itself provokes such thoughts of hope and light to me. And yes, especially after two years of perseverance. Healing is where the perseverance pays off! May the Lord bless your year of recovery in ways you couldn't even have imagined.
My recent post My First Daybook of 2013 – January

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Courtney · 638 weeks ago

Found you over at Faith Barista...Yes! I've been noticing it, too, as I've been naming my years with one word--all the years really bear His Name. What better way to truly live a year than to call it by the name of the One Who made it? Excited to see where God will take you in the months ahead. May you find yourself falling deeper in love and truer in trust as you seek out the Savior in 2013.
My recent post If You're Looking for a Refuge

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Lisa notes 103p · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for your encouragement and blessing in my year of Jesus. I am excited, too, to see how he will use this focus to reveal more of himself and hopefully transform me more into his image and usefulness.
My recent post My First Daybook of 2013 – January

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barbie7777 51p · 638 weeks ago

Probably the best word ever! May God bless you as you draw close to Him and make Him your focus this year! My One Word is "simply". You can read more about it on my post.

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Lisa notes 103p · 638 weeks ago

Thanks for the blessing, Barbie. I am looking forward to having this focus of Jesus. And I love your choice of "simply." It conjures up feelings of contentment and peace for me. Enjoyed reading about it at your site.
My recent post My First Daybook of 2013 – January

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nikolehahn 45p · 638 weeks ago

I like what you said that planning is a rough draft for living. Very well put. I make so many plans that I have to tack "tentative" in front of it because I never know how my plans will work out as the day unfolds. Sometimes, God has different plans.

1 reply · active 637 weeks ago

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Lisa notes 103p · 637 weeks ago

Yes, God often has different plans than I do, too, Nikki. And one day I hope to FULLY trust that his plans are ALWAYS better than mine. Until then, he's very patient to work with me. :-)
My recent post When shame stings

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Monica Sharman · 637 weeks ago

Perfect choice!
My recent post On Realistic Caricatures, Charlotte, and God

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Lisa notes 103p · 637 weeks ago

Thanks, Monica.
My recent post When shame stings

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Bonnie Gray · 636 weeks ago

You know what's interesting, Lisa? Jesus has never been in greater focus during my most intense season of panic attacks. I don't have the level of concentration as my whole body and system is in trauma, but the passages that resonate and surface so, so clearly are ones in the Gospel -- and I am with Jesus in one of the many scenes of His story. His voice, his expressions, his emotions, all He sees and the people He encounters. Even when OT passages comes to me, I resonate with them through scenes from Jesus' story. He is more human to me than every before. All to say, you see -- I LOVE your one word - Jesus - for this year. Not a cop out. At all. So soothing to see you here with me a few weeks ago as I stepped back, ever so tentatively. I like blogging with you! :)
My recent post What Fried Rice Taught Me About Brokenness & New Year Resolutions

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Patty · 632 weeks ago

I have been led to "Grace" this year and the other is "Gentlness" ... okay, okay, that's two :) ... I truly felt him toggle between the two as I was praying over this in December. I always ask Him to work out a verse or portion of scripture in my heart every year and this year there were a few that came up (live as quiet a life as possible, be still and know I am God), but the one "You have also given me the shield of Your salvation, And Your right hand upholds me; And Your gentleness makes me great. Ps 18-35 was the one that ministered and called to me. It is His gentlenss that makes me great. I need reminders of His gentleness so I will run to Him without fear. Thanks for this post. So glad to have found your blog when Bonnie Gray from Faith Barista linked to you.

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Lisa notes 103p · 632 weeks ago

Grace and gentleness. I love that combination you've chosen, Patty! Two is good. :-) I didn't choose "grace" as my one word last year, but it actually ended up choosing me before the year was out. It was marvelous!

Praying for your journey to be a fruitful one. I'm sure all those around you will benefit from the two words you're letting work on you this year.
My recent post 3 verses, 3 people, 1 Word