Odessa Community of Christ

03/03/2026

Day 12:

One day a little boy asked his mother, “Is it true we come from dust?”
“Yes, sweetie,” replied his mother, “That’s absolutely right.”
“Is it true that when we die we go back to the dust?”
“Yes, dear, that’s right. Why all these questions?”
The little boy ran into his room and came out all excited.
“Mom, I just looked under my bed and there’s someone either coming or going!”

What?? Yes! Dust bunnies! We all have them, we all know where they like to spend their time and, many times, we all walk right by them without even noticing!

Today as you purge your house to fill your bag, think about those things that live in the corners and recesses of your heart and life. Just as physical dust bunnies accumulate unnoticed, spiritual debris can build up, requiring intentional reflection and asking God for help to clean your heart. Shine your light and "kick up some dust" by opening up the place for God to come in.

We are almost a third of the way to purging 40 bags of stuff from our home and heart! Are you keeping up?! Are you finding more time and space for that walk with God??

02/28/2026

Day 10

Have you kept up with your 'bag a day'? Maybe today is the day to spend out in the INCREDIBLE weather. How about some time in your car or maybe just the console. Dust in the corners, crumbs in the seats, scuffs on the doors—just layers of life piling up over time. What's in there? How long has it been there? Is that gum still edible?!!

We don’t get messy all at once. It’s the little compromises, the small pains we never deal with, the habits we ignore, the wounds we tuck away. Filth piles up slowly—until one day we look at ourselves and barely recognize who we’ve become. But the moment we let God start cleaning us up, everything changes.
Piece by piece.
Layer by layer.
He wipes away what we thought would stain forever. He restores what we thought was too damaged. And suddenly, we start to look and feel new again—not because of our own effort, but because He’s the Master Detailer!

Just like that car, your life and heart can shine again. Nothing is too dirty. Nothing is too far gone. Nothing is beyond restoration.

It's time to DEATAIL your heart. Let go and Let God!!!

02/26/2026

02/26/2026

Day 8 of our challenge:

Just think of it, we've eliminated 8 bags of stuff from our home, office, garage, or whatever you are focusing on! EIGHT BAGS!!!

So how do I eliminate the unnecessary elements from my walk with God?? A great first place to start is to just stop. Be still for just a few minutes. Let your mind pause and let allow the world to go away. Just breathe. You are opening up a place within yourself where God can enter. Talk to Him. Find the clutter.

What are we having for dinner this week?
For which events do I need to plan rides for the kids?
When are my work meetings?
What do I need to prepare for my Monday meeting?
What is bothering me right now?
How can I be more supportive of my family this week?
What am I going to do about . . . (the fight with my son, my
friend’s silence, my daughter’s need for shoes, coaching
track practice tomorrow, etc.)

Don’t aim to accomplish anything measurable. Simply rest with God and let him enjoy this time with you.

God wants us to bring our burdens and create space for him to direct our footsteps. He is inviting you to create this space as well. But we first need to stop and give our clutter to Him.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

02/24/2026

Day 6:

Get your bag ready! Go! (?!) But where do I start today?

How about that paper drawer? You know, the one that you stuff all the instruction manuals to countless small appliances, coupons, photos, pre school art projects from the kids that you just can't get rid of and a million other things you just didn't want to deal with in the moment.

Paper is such a small item but it can sure add up fast! Before you know it, you find yourself at the bottom of a mountain of paper! But you know...

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." Mark 11:22-25

Today, try moving your mountain. Fill your bag and open your heart to God's desire to replace your mountain with His love!

02/22/2026

First Sunday of our 40 Bags in 40 Days! Today is a day to put the bags and the baggage away! Slow down and allow God to reset.

02/21/2026

Yesterday we focused on a JUNK DRAWER. You may decide to tackle another one today or maybe just a cluttered corner or section of the garage!

Our minds can quickly become junk drawers—filled with cluttering thoughts that don't belong, which breeds spiritual chaos in our lives. The problem is, you can empty a drawer but you can't empty your mind. You are always thinking about something. Sometimes we just can't shut it off!

One remedy - fill our mind with what belongs so that what doesn’t belong there has nowhere to stay! That's the mental workout that Paul gave us in Philippians 4:8.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”

When you fill the drawer of your mind with godly thoughts, then ungodly thoughts have a harder time sticking around. Give God your thoughts today!

02/20/2026

Let’s focus on that JUNK DRAWER! We have one in just about every room, right?! We have so much ‘stuff’ that we have a drawer or, more than likely, multiple drawers of just odds and ends. Stuff that is left over and just doesn’t have a permanent place or purpose.

Pick one. Spend your 15 minutes today on that one drawer. If you are anything like me, your bag may have some pretty unusual stuff!

Take a picture of the oddest item you found in your junk drawer and post it below!

Remember to deal with that bag where it is best suited. (trash, donation, etc.)

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Psalms 73:25-26

02/19/2026

What do you do when the day is full of 'clutter'? The kids need a ride to school, oh, and 'don't forget I need extra money for the field trip on Friday'. Two of my co-workers are out sick today and SOMEBODY has to get this work done! The tags on the car need to be updated and ... UGH!!

We all need a little space to clear our thoughts when life feels out of control. We feel anxious, snap at the family and feel overwhelmed about even small decisions.

We all need spaces where we can problem-solve, meal-plan, make lists, cast vision, assess relationships, and clear our mental chaos.

When life is full, finding this space can be tough. However, if we stop to look outside ourselves, God has a plan for us all. He's waiting to hear from us!

So today, choose a time of the day that you can set aside to step away from the clamor. Sort through your mental clutter while you are purging and creating your BAG for today! Don’t touch your phone or turn on the TV. Think through the day ahead and make a plan. Find the Peace that God wants to give you. Let god and let God.

02/18/2026

It’s here! Day 1 of the 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge! 🎉 I’m so excited to be starting this journey with you. Over the next 6 weeks, we’ll clear out what’s weighing us down to make space for 'The One' who truly matters.

The goal is simple, fill 40 bags with stuff you no longer need and get it out of the house. But it’s also a time to reflect and clear out the unnecessary ‘stuff’ in our heart. Our 40 Bags in 40 Days Challenge is set up to help you purge your home and heart while taking an inward look at the type of home and spirit that allows us to prepare and move forward into the season of Easter. What a great way to get rid of the cobwebs that get in the way of our walk with God! Together!!

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21

WHAT GOES IN THE BAG
Obviously, trash goes in the bag. That’s usually the easiest one for people to deal with. We want the trash out of our homes. Gather it all up in all of its forms, bag it, and take it to the curb or dumpster.
If it is something of good quality, you can drop off at any of the community centers in town. (Helping Hands, Community Service Center, Odessa Senior Center, etc.) Easy!

Even the smallest shopping bag of trash or unwanted/unneeded items counts as a bag. Aim for at least 1 bag each and every day (besides the kitchen & bathroom trash)!

02/16/2026

Let’s all BURP!!

No! Not like you think! Let’s burp our homes and our lives…TOGETHER!I Let’s do a “Lüften" of our lives but more importantly, our soul!

"Lüften" (German for "airing out" or "ventilation") is the German cultural practice of opening windows wide—often on opposite sides of a house—for 5-10 minutes to create a rapid air exchange for improving indoor air quality, prevent mold, and refresh the home. This is done every day YEAR ROUND!!

So, let’s give our lives a little refresh as we journey toward the cross. A lüften is done a little each day. So, let’s ‘open up and refresh’ that “junk drawer” or garage and BURP out the unneeded stuff so we can clean up our lives and hearts for the one who gave it all!

Here’s how it works:
Beginning Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) until April 4th, spend 15-20 minutes and BURP (purge) one bag of stuff from your home, car, garage, shop, office, … for a total of 40 bags at the end of the Challenge. 15-20 minutes a day! During this time be intentional and BURP out the unneeded in your life; your home and your heart!
You can do this as a family activity or each member can do their own BURPING!! Be intentional and BURP out the unneeded in your life. Come here for daily encouragement cuz we can do this together!!

Remember: A bag is a bag! It could be a huge black bag or a tiny “snack-size” ziplock bag! Burp out a bag a day!

(Want to supercharge this challenge?? Commit to not buying any more stuff for the next 40 days too!)