
As the new year approaches, we will start setting our new years goals. Some people find a word for the year to focus on. My friend Beth does just that. Please help me welcome to the table this week, Christy Award winning fiction author, Beth K. Vogt. She has some wise words on this topic. She also has a gift to give for Christmas! There of course will still be a recipe for you at the end. Enjoy the conversation today and enter to win the gift!
“Words have the power to make things happen.” Frederick Buechner (1926-), American writer & theologian
I believe in the power of words, both spoken and written.
The words we speak can either encourage or alienate other people. As an author, I want the words I write to do more than entertain my readers. I pray over my novels, weaving in truths and threads of hope.
But in the past 13 years, I’ve discovered the power of one word to change my life.
The New Year used to be a time for making my list and checking it twice – a list of New Year’s resolutions, that is. I’d plot out my do’s and don’ts for the coming months, all in hopes of becoming a better me by the time the next New Year rolled around.
The only problem? I always lost my oh-so-carefully-thought-out list within a few weeks of writing it. All my good intentions gone, leaving me feeling like a failure, year after year.
And then I discovered the idea of focusing on one word for an entire year. Just a single word, instead of a numbered list. It’s hard to forget one word, right?
My steps for determining my One Word each year are simple:
- Each September, I start mulling over my One Word for the coming New Year. No decisions … just tossing words around in my head. And yes, I pray through this process, too.
- God uses a variety of methods to help me decide my One Word. I watch for a repeated word to rise up, possibly through what I’m reading in my Bible, or through the books I’m reading, or songs I’m listening to, or maybe a sermon series.
- Once I know what my One Word is, I look for a Scripture verse to go with it.
- I also look for some sort of visual to go with my One Word: a graphic or a photograph.
My One Word becomes my focus for the next 12 months, something I concentrate on, allowing God to deepen my understanding of the word and to change me – how I act and react to people and situations.
Some of my One Words have been:
- gratitude– I kept a gratitude journal and found my “glass-half-empty” attitude revolutionized.
- forgiveness– I had a lot to learn and unlearn about forgiveness, praying through broken relationships.
- collaborate– Collaborate means “to work jointly on an activity, especially to produce or create something.” I focused on collaborating with God in my writing life.
- kind– Ephesians 4:32a encourages us to “Be kind to one another.” In 2018, I started each week with a quote on kindness, sharing it on Instagram and Facebook, and looking for opportunities to be compassionate and kind.
My One Word for 2019 is “anchor.” After compiling a series of my anchor verses – key Scripture verses that have helped me through the years – I’m going to focus on where I anchor my thoughts.
What about you? Are you a New Year’s Resolution kind of person or do you focus on One Word? Never heard about choosing a word for the year? You can read more about it the book My One Word: Change Your Lifewith Just One Wordby Mike Ashcraft and Rachel Olsen.
BIO:Beth K. Vogt is a non-fiction author and editor who said she’d never write fiction. She’s the wife of an Air Force family physician (now in solo practice) who said she’d never marry a doctor—or anyone in the military. She’s a mom of four who said she’d never have kids. Now Beth believes God’s best often waits behind the doors marked “Never.” A Christy Award winner, as well as an ACFW Carol Award winner, Beth’s first women’s fiction novel for Tyndale House Publishers, Things I Never Told You, released May 2018. Moments We Forget, book 2 in her “Little Women gone wrong” series releases May 2019.

Want a chance to win a copy of Beth’s book, Things I never Told You? Comment on this post and you’ll be entered into a drawing for a copy of her book! Complete rules can be found by clicking Contest Rules
Now, for this week’s recipe:
Sloppy Joes with Cheesy Tomato Macaroni
Sloppy Joes:
1 lb. ground beef/turkey/chicken
1 can tomato soup (condensed, no water added)
Approximately 1 Tbsp. Mustard
Approximately 2-3 Tbsp. Ketchup
2 Tbl. Brown sugar
Dash or 2 of season salt
Brown ground beef/turkey/chicken in a large skillet. Drain. Before returning the meat to the pan… empty contents of tomato soup, add mustard, ketchup, brown sugar, and season salt. Stir together until well blended. Add additional of any of the ingredients (except tomato soup) if desired. Return meat to skillet and heat through on medium low heat for about 10 minutes. MMM MMM Good!
Cheesy Tomato Macaroni:
1 lb. Spiral noodles (or noodles of choice)
1 large can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes
4-6 oz. triple cheddar shredded cheese
4-6 oz. mild cheddar shredded cheese (this depends how cheesy you like it)
1 stick butter
In large crock pot, place butter, crushed tomatoes, and cheeses. Turn on high with lid on to get things melting. Meanwhile, cook noodles as lable directs. Drain. When cheeses and butter are mostly melted, add noodles and mix well. Place the lid back on and continue cooking on high about 30 minutes to infuse flavors and finish melting. Comfort food for sure!
Thank you so much for sharing this! Very insightful.
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Hi,Tonya, I’m glad you enjoyed the post. So maybe you’re considering OneWord for 2019? (Sorry for the delay in responding. I’ve been on the road since Wednesday.)
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Yes, definitely
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Tonya I’m so happy you enjoyed the post. You are entered to win a copy of Beths book! I look forward to hearing from you again 🙂
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I’ve thought about doing one word for the year – definitely need to give it a bit more thought! Good post!
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Hi, Lisa: Yes, choosing One Word for the year takes some thought, but I hope you have fun with it, too. Here’s hoping you find your One Word for 2019!
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Tonya I’m so happy you enjoyed the post. You are entered to win a copy of Beths book! I look forward to hearing from you again 🙂 Hi Lisa! Yes definately think about a word to focus on. It is a good way to have a new perspective on the new year. You are entered to win a copy of “Things I Never Told You”. Winner will be drawn tomorrow (Tuesday the 18th) Good luck!
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BTW you are entered to win the book!
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This reminds me of another blogger I know, there family comes up with a theme for the whole year. Love it!
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Hi, Deborah: How fun that the family comes up with a theme for the year.
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Hi Deborah, I love that idea as well! As my family gets older, everyone is going in different directions and that gets a little more challenging. However we do what we still can lol. I’m glad you dropped by and I hope you find a place at the table permenantly 🙂
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Oh yes, you are entered to win the book!
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I love the “One Word” idea! I would love to incorporate this into my traditions. Thanks for the idea!
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Hi, Jaymie: I hope you let me know if you decide on One Word for 2019!
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Hi Jaymie! Welcome to the table. I have recently added this idea to my traditions as well. I look forward to choosing a new word each year. I have a post coming up that reveals my word for 2019. I look forward to seeing you again!
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have a great holiday season
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Thank you, JW. Merry Christmas!
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Thank you and Merry Christmas! Hope to see you here at the table again and welcome. You are entered to win!
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I haven’t specifically chosen a word for the year. However, seems last few years I’ve had certain words be very prominent. This year thd words “joy” & “hope” have been very real & prominent. For now two will carry into 2019.
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Hi, ozarkharness: Joy and hope are wonderful words to carry into 2019. The word “forgiveness” was once my One Word for two years.
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Ya know what, I think having a phrase for the year is great too. Perhaps yours could be joyfully hopeful? Welcome to the table and I look forward to seeing you again! You are entered to win Beths’ book!
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My word: Worship
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Hartfiction: I imagine this One Word will transform your heart in the coming year.
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Hartfiction I agree with Beth on this one. Welcome to the table. Pull up a chair and stay a while 🙂 Look forward to seeing you again. You are entered to win the book!
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I have done the one word/sometimes a short phrase thing for years but I have NO idea what my word for 2019 will be!
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Hi, Jordan: One thing I know: I’ve never started out the New Year without One Word to focus on! 🙂
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Hi Jordan! I am certain that with some thought and prayer, it will be revealed to you. Welcome to the table and I hope you find encouragement here. Thanks for joining me. You are entered to win.
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My one word for 2019 is JOY
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Jo: This is a wonderful One Word for 2019!
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Great word Jo! Welcome to the table. There’s always room for you here. I appreciate you coming on board. You are entered to win.
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What a great idea, focusing on one word! While it’s only one word it is still able to make an impact on many different areas in your life. I’m late to the game but currently trying to come up with a word!
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Nancy: You’re not too late to the game, that’s for sure! And yes, the One Word becomes the lens through which we focus on the coming year. It truly changes everything!
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Nancy it’s never to late! Pray about your word for 2019 and it will come to you. Welcome to the table and I look forward to seeing you again. You are in the running for the book.
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gratitude…. I need to work on this one…
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Joey: Gratitude started it all for me …
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Great word Joeym11. Welcome to the table. Grab a seat and stay a while. You are entered to win.
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Peace – the world needs more of this in 2019.
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I so agree with you, Debbie. I chose “kindness” last year because I felt like the world lacked kindness.
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Amen sister Debbie!I agree with you! Welcome to the table. I hope you enjoy being here. You are entered to win.
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My word for 2019 is Grace, I need to stop being so hard on myself and realize that sometimes I need to give extra grace to others as well.
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Hi, Abby: Giving grace to both ourselves and to others can be life-changing.
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Abby I need to do the same. I’m so glad you’ve joined the table family. Welcome. You are entered to win.
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We read Little Women for book club, so your book has caught my attention!
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Hi, Jennifer! Little Women was my favorite book growing up. I read it over and over again — but didn’t realize the “Little Women gone wrong” similarity with Things I Never Told You until after I wrote the book.
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That is so interesting!
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Hi Jennifer, I love book clubs. You are entered to win this book which will be drawn later today. Good luck. Welcome to my table and I hope you enjoy being here! I have lots more to share.
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I so enjoyed this post. I am going to choose one word to focus on in 2019. The word I am going to focus on is gratitude. Beth I like your idea of keeping a gratitude journal. Merry Christmas!
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Hi, Kerri: I hope 2019 is an encouraging, life-changing year for you!
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Kerri I’m so glad you enjoyed Beths’ post. Welcome to the table. I hope you find more enjoyment here! The winner of the book will be drawn later today and you are entered to win!
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I haven’t chosen a word for 2019 yet. I’m leaning towards something like quiet, introspective, contemplative, etc. Taking time to slow down and think on things.
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Hi, Arletta! All of those words sound so, so good to focus on!
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Arletta that’s a great thing to focus on. Having a phrase is great too. Something like quiet introspection. Welcome to the table and I have a place setting just for you each week. You have been entered to win the book!
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My 2019 word is patience (long-suffering sounds more elegant…).
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🙂 MJSH: Ah, patience … I have a story about the the first time I ever prayed for patience …
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MJSH I think we all need that! Welcome to the table. I look forward to seeing you again. You have been entered to win the book!
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I love the idea of choosing a word. I’ll have to think about it a bit more.
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Jaimie: Let me know what you decide!
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Hi Jaimie, yes indeed. Finding just the right word take some thought but it is well worth the effort. Welcome to my table! I hope you continue to get full here. I will be selecting a winner very soon and you are entered to win the book.
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I’ve never chosen a word for the year. I have read about Debbie Macomber doing it as well. If I had to choose one word, I think I would choose Rest, I was my mother’s caregiver for many years until we had to put her in Memory Care at a local nursing home. She passed into Heaven on December 4, 2018. So I like the word Rest.
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Linda: It’s so wonderful that you cared for your mother; what a loving, gracious gift to her. I pray that the coming year is filled with rest for you.
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Linda I’m so very sorry for your loss. It is a tremendously difficult thing to be a care giver. Bless your heart. I want to welcome you to my table and I hope you get full here each week. You are entered to win Beths book which will be drawn very soon.
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I am not much good at lists of resolutions. One word sounds like an interesting alternative. I will consider trying it. I may have to try the cheesy tomato macaroni too.
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Doesn’t the recipe sound yum? Of course, I’d have to adapt it with gluten-free pasta, but that is easy enough.
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Carol I agree that resolutions can be a bit daunting. I like the one word idea as well. Welcome to the table and I hope you find more recipes to feed your physical body and spiritual food to feed your soul. You are entered to win the book.
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Yes, I’ve been doing One Words for a few years now and just love it. My word for 2019 is Pursue. This past year God has really been opening doors for me to begin pursuing a dream I never thought possible… and I keep feeling that Voice prompting me that this is the time. So I’m going to be brave even if it’s scary. I’m going to step forward even if it doesn’t turn out anything like I expect – because it probably won’t! As long as I let whatever happens draw me closer to Him, it will be a worthy pursuit.
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Erin: I am so excited for you as you step out in faith and pursue your dream! Yay!
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Amen Erin! Drawing closer to Jesus is what matters. Welcome to the table. I am thankful you’re here and we are on much the same journey. You are entered to win the book.
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My word for 2019 is Gratitude.
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Bonnie: Gratitude is such a powerful One Word.
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Bonnie that is always a great thing to focus on, an Attitude of Gratitude. Welcome to the table. I am looking forward to seeing you again. You are entered to win.
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I’ve considered doing a word, but have never actually done it. Will have to think about it! Thank you!
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Melissa: I hope you discover One Word for 2019! 🙂
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Melissa this is a great time to give it a try. Welcome to my table. I am looking forward to having you here again. You are entered to win.
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I’ve never thought about starting a New Year with a Word, but love this! I would choose Collaborate with God through prayer throughout each day!
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Jill: As you know, I think collaborate is a wonderful One Word! 🙂
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Jill that’s an awesome focus. Welcome to the table. There is a place here for you each week. You are entered to win the book.
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Beth, thank you for this wonderful post. I don’t do a One Word. He’s been working to bring me out from the back side of the desert step by step.
Have a blessed Christmas!
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Caryl perhaps God will lead you to a particular word as He leads you through the desert. I’d like to welcome you to my table and I pray you will find comfort and support here as God continues to lead you. Blessings.
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