Gary and I are going to be more disciplined. At getting to bed by 10:00 pm, and reading our Bibles in the morning, for starters.

This past week we did quite well, with only one night closer to 11:00 than 10:00. The plan did not go as well over the weekend. I guess we tend to be more lenient with ourselves when there is a chance to sleep in. The earlier bedtime is key during the week, though. So we'll see how it goes.

The Bible reading is something I continually struggle with, especially being the mother of two preschoolers. Gary does better at it then I do.

[Speaking about sleeping in, we moved the clock radio to the opposite wall. We had it on the wall shared by Ellie's room. She'd hear it and wake up. The move has been helpful, since Ellie doesn't wake up as often now.]

My other discipline is using technology less, mostly the computer. I am on it way to much. I find the computer and Internet to very helpful tools. But like everything, too much of something isn't good. I turn the computer on before breakfast and sometimes spend the whole morning on it. Meanwhile the kids are getting into things, and I end up yelling at them. But really it's my fault, I wasn't watching them. So, I started my timeout from computers on Friday. I never turned it on, nor on Saturday. Not until tonight at dinner did we flip the switch. And once this baby was purring, I felt the call to check email, to check the Internet for something.

Really it's a problem. My plan is to not even turn it on until after lunch when the kids are napping, and then shut the cabinet doors once nap time is over. I may have to shut it down instead of just closing the cabinet doors, but we'll see.

It all started with the book I started reading, "Shepherding a Child's Heart," by Tedd Tripp. It was in the chapter about goals I have for my children. The main goal I should have for my children is that they glorify God and enjoy him forever. The other stuff comes when that goal is met. So, I starting thinking . . . do I glorify God in all areas of my life? Not hardly. I have become like the Israelites. Instead of forcing the Canaanites out like God told them to do, they lived among them. And they were influenced by them. They took up idols and turned from God. I have let things that are ungodly influence me.

So, back to computers. My computer has become an idol in my life. I hadn't really thought of it that way before typing this post, but it's true and hard to admit. I used to think that I never really had idols in my life. Obviously not a big golden statue. But anything, ANYTHING, that takes over God's place in my life is an idol.

And I want it to stop! There are other things that will be changing, too. But right now, that is the biggest.

What are your idols?