Resource Review: The Greatest Planner Ever!
(Spirit, Soul and Body All-in-One)
To see page layouts, watch or listen to this review at ... https://youtu.be/d7s26s4dc1A
Ok, I’m trying to stay low key. When I get excited about something my eyes get big and I guess my eyebrows show more animation than a cartoon superhero. I found myself doing that the other day when my friend, Donna, asked me about my Planner.
She’s not the first one. I’ve had many people notice how awesome it is!
I discovered this Planner two years ago when my daughter-in-law drew my name for the Christmas gift exchange. I have to say, I don’t think it’s a good idea to gift people books. They’re too personal. 99% of the time they end up unread headed to Goodwill.
This one is worth all mis-fired gift books combined. I couldn’t have LOVED IT more and that passion grows the longer I use it!
I’m a planner-type person. I’m pretty sure I’ve lived by a calendar and to-do list since my fingers could hold a crayon. Most years my calendar was just a generic one our banker mailed us before the holidays and my to-do list was nothing more than a blank notebook. It’s all good. I made it work.
But this one encompasses spirit, soul, and body! It’s hard cover, a-whole-year-in-one integrating spiritual formation practices along with all the best tools of an excellent planner: The Sacred Ordinary Days Liturgical Year Planner.
Based on the Church calendar which begins with Advent, this planner starts with the month of December. I’m not in a liturgical church right now but the older I get the more I value the wonderful aspects of every church tradition. From Non-Denominational churches we receive the gift of passion for bible study and scripture memorization, from Catholic; the sacraments, from Jewish; tradition and the festivals and from the liturgical denominations; the church calendar and daily lectionary readings.
The first pages start with a liturgical wheel calendar (pie chart) of the church year. Next, prayerful planning and discernment for the year ahead with a complete Rule of Life section; walking the user through prayerful discovery of their God ordained priorities and direction, specifically for them and their callings.
Guiding the planning, here at the beginning and all through the year, with the the Examen framework and 7 categories of life (spirit, body, mind, relationships, home, work and resources); the perfect foundation for making decisions and determining what our priorities will be for the year ahead.
After that a two-page yearly calendar. Then monthly calendar with two-page spreads for each month with large blocks each day and lines on the side to write in the month’s highest priorities.
Following the twelve month calendar a section devoted to Advent, the first of the Christian holidays with explanation of this sacred season, scriptures of the season, thoughts to ponder, practices to consider and reflection questions. The Planner includes a reflection section like this for each major Christian holiday.
Each week starts with a weekly examen page with the seven categories of life (spirit, body, mind, relationships, home, work and resources) and space to fill in how the Lord is leading you in each area that week with the opposing page dedicated to Sunday with a sabbath quote and wide open space reminding us of the joy and open space of sabbath. I circle back to this two page weekly spread as I set my daily priorities.
Each day has its own page beginning with a one to two sentence prayer at the top. Underneath that the five lectionary readings for that day. I love having the day’s scriptures right there. Spaces for your 3 most important priorities of the day helping us get prayerfully, laser-focused on what really matters. Lines underneath that for your to-do’s and the final 1/4 page blank for notes.
Each week, month and year includes an examen practice of prayer and reflection, circling back to the 7 important categories of life, focused on listening to God’s direction and obedience.
I have flipped back many times to my beginning of the year Examen to remind me of the scripture verse God gave me for that year and priorities.
Other fun aspects… 2 great cloth book ribbons. One that you keep in the page for the current month and the other holding your place for the current day.
Extra journal pages at the end, a few drawing pages and just to add an extra cherry on top, the last two pages include a finger labyrinth and a “Sabbath idea page” to jot down ways you might want to enjoy spending your Sabbath.
I’ve loved this Planner and think you will too! It’s so easy to forget what is most important; to stay balanced and focused on love for God and his word. Here is a way to keep all of it at our fingertips. I’m so thankful for this resource.
I’ve been wanting to tell you about this Planner for months. With crazy “supply chain” issues, we weren’t sure if we were going to be able to get it again this year. We just heard last week that Sacred Ordinary Days wasn’t able to get printed copies to sell on their website. But we are able to purchase 2023 pdf downloads to print ourselves.
I’m so glad! I have gotten a quote from a reputable local printer. Before I ordered just for myself, I wanted to make it available to you as well.
It’s a little pricey…. but really not much more than other quality planners out there. Our final price will be determined by how many we order. I wanted it to be high quality, so I had them price it out as similar to the original from Sacred Ordinary Days as possible even down to the 2 bookmark ribbons!
Cloth covered, hardbound, 480 pages, 2 ribbons… turnaround within 2 weeks of order…
1 - 5 copies $100
5-10 copies $ 90
10 or more $ 75
Plus tax of course, and if you need it shipped, whatever book shipping would cost, I’d be happy to ship it to you.
Let me know if you’d like one. I’ll be placing the order December 1st.
Linking arms to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength in 2023!
~ Lori