He Makes All Things New

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19).

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Every new year we are set on making new resolutions for a new year. Things that perhaps we failed at or have been waiting for a chance to start over again. It is a time for new things and a fresh start. The greatest thing is that it does not take a new year to have a fresh start with God. When we mess up, we need to confess and He gives us a new start. There is nothing He cannot make new-Nothing. So as you read these verses from Isaiah they should bring us hope. They apply to us. I have written them as I believe the Lord would be saying them to us personally today. Hope you enjoy and have a blessed New Year!

My child, forget about all things that have happened in the past. Forget missed goals, marks, and disappointments. Quit letting them rule your mind. Give those things to me. They are too much for you to carry. You were not meant to carry them. They are done-finished. Don’t give them another thought.

Look at me. I am doing something new and amazing in your life. Trust me my child. It will be great. Keep focused and watch me. Hear me and listen. I will show you the way. When I do things they are on purpose and planned. I do things very good. I make no mistakes.

You know those dry places in your life? I am going to quench them with my living water. Wait for me. There are things you may not understand but I know. I see. You know those decisions you are not sure of? Yes, my child, I am going to make the path clear. That place that seems so unsure to you? I will give you assurance.

Keep your eyes on me and look to me. I will make all things new. You are after all a new creation in me. Live that way and believe it my child. You are mine and I love you deeply. I am always with you. I direct your steps so just follow me.

Book Meme

Angie at LSOF tagged me with this book meme. I love books so here we go.

1. One book that changed your life - The Bible. And a book that has truly changed and impacted my life was "Falling in Love With Jesus" By Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli. If you ever struggle with God's love this is a must read.

2. One book that you have read more than once - The Bible-I do not usually read books more than once unless it is for a quick reference or I skim it. If you are like me if is a discipline to not read the Bible in the same way.

3. One book you would want on a deserted Island - "Jesus the One and Only" by Beth Moore.

4. One book that made you laugh - "Mommy's Locked in the Bathroom: Surviving Your Child's Early Years with Your Sanity and Salvation Intact!" By Cynthia Sumner.

5. One book that made you cry - "I Surrender All" by Clay and Renee Crosse-They have a wonderful ministry called Holy Homes. Well worth checking out.

6. One book that you wish had been written - An instruction manual that is specific to each child given. It should come at the hospital before you leave and be specific to each child. :)

7. One book that you wish had never been written - Anything trying to accomplish evil. Words have the power of life and death.

8. One book you are currently reading - "Boundaries With Kids" by Cloud and Townsend and "Managing Your Moods" by Mary Graham. I will probably pick up a few others. I read several at one time. Not sure why I do this.

9. One book you have been meaning to read - "Forever in Love With Jesus" by Dee Brestin and Kathy Troccoli.

I am tagging Sanya, Kathy, Jodi, Cheri, and Lee.

Perspective

All of a sudden a white flash distorts my view. It hits without any warning. It can happen anytime of the day or night. There is no rhyme or reason to it. It just hits. Sometimes it is kind and other times not so kind. Sometimes with pain and others times without any. One thing that is consistent is that it distorts my view. It moves slowly over until all I can see is it's glare. Then moving on slowly leaves like it came. I do not understand it.

As with the aura that comes from migraine is our earthly perspective. Sometimes in a flash things can change and we not even recognize it. All of a sudden in a flash the way we see things can change. Innocently and perhaps unknown our perspective is skewed. It is not seen in the right light anymore. Something knocked it off balance distorting our view of things. It can be painful and unkind. But the way we see things are not as they always are.

The right perspective all the time is God's perspective. Oh, that He would give our hearts eyes to see Him clearly. Then perhaps our eyes will see others in that same light. Things are not what they seem. The prophet Jeremiah states, "our hearts are beyond understanding and cure." Yet God knows us and gives us a solution. Hebrews 4:12 states, " For the word of God is living and active...............it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart." Let us measure all things to His word so that we avoid the spiritual migraine by keeping the proper perspective.

Will You Know Him?

“Moved by the Spirit, he [Simeon] went into the temple courts. When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in his arms and praised God. Coming up to them at that very moment, she [Anna] gave thanks to God and spoke about the child to all who were looking forward to the redemption of Jerusalem” (Luke 2:27-28,38).

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Have you ever given a person the silent treatment? You know that behavior where you just ignore them and go around them without talking to them? Well, that is what it felt like to Israel from God. They went 400 years without hearing a word from God. 400 years! Wow-I cannot go silent for longer than a day so 400 years is just unfathomable to me.

After that period of exhaustive years with no word from God the silence was suddenly broken. Through the cries of a newborn baby, the Savior of the world had finally come. However, many people missed it. Perhaps the most surprising people who missed it were the priests. How could this be? They studied the Scriptures. They knew a Savior was to come. All their head knowledge was not enough. They missed it because their hearts were not searching for Him.

There were two people however who were diligently searching and seeking after the Savior. They were Simeon and Anna. They recognized Jesus the moment they saw Him.

What an amazing privilege to see God wrapped in the flesh of a baby boy. The temple would have been a busy place full of people. Perhaps other parents were there with their babies doing the same thing the law required. The baby Jesus was nothing more spectacular than the others in physical appearance. There was nothing to make Him stand out among the others. He was ordinary and just like any other baby who had to come to the temple for consecration. Yet Simeon and Anna knew. They knew things others didn’t because they were seeking God.

How about you? Are you seeking God with all of your heart? Do you recognize His voice when He is speaking to you? Are you devoted to Him alone? Will you know when He is trying to get your attention? Let us be sure we do not lose sight of the most important thing this season!

Father, help us to be like Simeon and Anna. Help us be a people who seek you with our full hearts. Help us to recognize You when You are seeking and directing our lives. Thank You for saving us. Thank You for humbling Yourself by putting on flesh to walk in our shoes. Lord, You amaze me. I love You. Amen.

Merry Christmas

Photo courtesy Liz Power Photography.
MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM OUR FAMILY TO YOURS!
Remember the reason for the season-A gift from God, our Savior wrapped in flesh and in a manger. Bringing joy to the world through salvation made available to all who would receive it. We are ready for a big birthday celebration. We have much to praise Him for. Praying you all will have a great one.

Wellness Wednesday

To see others progress go to Darlene's blog.

My goal until we meet next is drinking more water. I am focusing on increasing my water intake. I am doing this in all areas. Physical drinking water. Spiritual drinking in of the Word.
This is God's temple and taking these small steps should start to help me feel better. Then I plan on trying to get back to the work out slowly. I will be listening more to my body than to "experts." This is a tougher battle than I ever thought it would be but God is in control and with Him all things are possible.

Christmas Ponderings

Today my pastor spoke about the people who missed Jesus that first Christmas when Jesus was born. People who should have known--missed it. The very priests who researched the word-- missed it. They were in a 400 year period of silence. A long time not hearing a word from God. How could they miss it?

When God seems silent in my life I know that I draw even nearer to Him. I know He is there and I hold tight to His very word through the Scriptures just desperately searching for Him in this silence. Why did they not have that same desperation?

God is so good to us. Let us not miss Him. We can miss Him this season as well when we are caught up in other things. Things that really do not matter. If you get a chance go over to His blog. My pastor's wife is writing a story about their son. He had cancer when he was a little boy. Her story is so heart warming. God is the God of miracles and if you get a chance read it. Their son is such a neat young man and boy can he lead worship. I cannot wait to see what all God has in store for him.

Proverbs 31 GiveAway!

Hey all. Here is a really neat Christmas give away. If you have never checked out Proverbs 31 Ministries you need to. This is a really neat ministry of women and this is a great way to get to know them. There is a drawing everyday I think. Go to Lysa's blog and enter a comment there. Then she is featuring someone elses blog where you go and get another chance to win. It is a way to get to meet them. It is worth your time.

Daughters Anyone?

Hey all. I just want to ask anyone with daughters to please go over to Vickie Courtney's blog.
She is trying to make a decision about which cover she should use for her new book, 5 Conversations You Must Have with Your Daughter. It looks very interesting. Please help her out. Plus it will enter you into a drawing for some free stuff!

She is the author of "Your Girl." If you have never read this book you need to go out and get it. It is a book that you should read about once a year.

Great announcement!

Scenic City Women's Network

New Book Release

"Standing On God's Promises"

is launching soon!

FOREWORD by JAN SILVIOUS

SCWN'S first Devotional book "Standing on God’s Promises" is almost ready. God laid this book on our hearts several years ago and it is so exciting to see it come to fruition. Camille Platt, SCWN Board member is our editor. She has worked many hard and long hours in getting this book put together. She has done a wonderful job! Thanks Camille!!

As Scenic City Women's Network collected submissions for a new book of devotionals written by Chattanooga women, I have been astounded by the thoughtful entries. Some of the writers are experienced and have had their work published before. Others are novices. Some write about how God has revealed Himself through personal experiences. Others expand on a favorite piece of Scripture. Participating women come from different backgrounds, different careers and different parts of the city. Their simple messages of God's attributes testify to His unchanging character.

The world does not offer a platform to give God credit where credit is due. This book, "Standing On God's Promises," changes that. If I've learned anything through the process, it has been that you do not have to witness the parting of the Red Sea to have an amazing story about God to share with others. He deserves praise for big and small miracles alike. And you do not have to be a professional speaker or writer to get the message out. Let's focus together on God's amazing promises!

This is a one of a kind collection of God's Promises.

We have a limited number of first edition copies available.

Perfect gift for any woman who passionately pursues God.

ONLY $10

I have some devotions that will be published in this book. Stay tuned because in a couple of weeks I will be doing a drawing to give one away to share in the joy. There are many gifted women writers and I am so humbled to be included in print alongside them.

Believe

"The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth." ~Psalm 145:18

Believe. That is something we tend to hear about a lot this year. Not necessarily in regards to Christ but in regards to Santa. Whenever I hear this I always think about God. I think about how belief is so important. Faith is such an important thing to God that it is impossible to please Him without it. It is so important to believe God by taking Him at His word. By believing that He does reward those who earnestly seek Him.

God is so good. He never changes. He is always the same. This verse was a great reminder to me. The Lord is near to all who call on Him. The second part is those who call on Him in truth. That word listed there for truth means "in belief." We need to not only call on God but also call on Him and believe He hears us and will answer us.

So when you hear Believe this season I want to challenge you to have faith that God is near, He lives in us by His Spirit if we are His. He hears us if we call on Him. He answers us. He is a God who works in our daily lives. He is a God who loves us completely. So what a great gift to give God this season--Belief or Faith in Him.

Give Him all the concerns in your life by faith. Give Him all the hurts by faith. Give Him all the joys by faith. Whatever it is He wants to be part of it. He loves you. Praying we will not be a people of unbelief. Let us make this the best birthday bash ever for our Savior. He is worthy.

Wellness Wednesday

Well, this week has been uneventful so say the least. I have seen no changes as of yet in my weight. I have noticed that my clothes are loosening up some so that is a sign of progress. I have been trying to get a good nights sleep but every day this week-no kidding-some one has got up in the middle of the night and got me up with them as well. Every single day. Now, the problem with this is getting back to sleep. So I just struggle with laying there for hours. So I have not been resting well. Perhaps that is contributing to the health issues.

Due to those health issues I am stopping the harder physical activity until I can get properly checked out and get a plan together with the doctor. I will be more focused this week on eating right. So far that has been going pretty good.

Go over to Darlene's blog to read her great article. Also, check out what the other inspiring participants are saying.

Special Gifts

I just have to tell you all about some gifts I got for my birthday that meant so much to me.

First, my hubbie took off half of the day and took us girls to see "Enchanted." He deserves big applaud for that. He is quite the man. He even enjoyed himself. I often wonder what it would be like to be in his shoes here in girl world. We love him so dearly.

Then, I got a special card in the mail from my grandmother. The one I posted about who was out of our life for about fifteen years. She sent me a letter with an old silver certificate in it, which basically is a dollar that is redeemable for silver, that was from a bet she and my grandfather had about whether I would be a boy or a girl. My grandmother won. They wrote down my name and the bet details with the date and time I was born on it. To think she kept it all these years is so sweet to me.

Next, one of my sweet friends in our Sunday School class remembered my Starbucks Mocha fast. She bought me a gift card for a mocha since I said if someone gave me a gift of one I could have it but withheld it because she didn't want it to be a temptation to me. She gave it to me the other day as a birthday present instead. That is also a great gift because after all that is my love language! Thanks girl.

Then I got sweet cards with words of love and a willow tree angel ornament(which I love) that says to love and be loved. This meant so much to me because God has been teaching me to love well for quite sometime now. Only a girlfriend who has walked this path with me and who has seen God's miraculous work in my life could get me something so sweet as that!

Then the final gift came in the mail. Guess what it was.......Not one but two gift cards to Starbucks! Oh my, I seem to be set for a while now. Thanks mom and dad!

Thank You Walmart

Well, apparently Walmart's recent money saving advertising campaign is working because whenever I say we need to get something or whenever the kids want something I always hear, We can get it if we get it at the Walmart price.

Seriously, what is that about? It still all costs money! Apparently now they think if we go to Walmart we can get whatever we ever wanted and it will be okay because it is at the "Walmart" price. What is up with that? Apparently we are watching a little too much tv.

On a positiver note, perhaps this will make trips to Walmart a little more enjoyable with the wonder of it all.

Make a Choice

Every since I heard his song, Lost at Sea, I have really liked Jimmy Needham. This song however sealed the deal for me. It is called Fence Riders and really speaks to how I fell much of the time. When I look out into the body of Christ I see so many people riding the fence. I just want them to make a choice already. You are either for Christ or against Him. There is no halfway. It is all or nothing. So just make a choice.

I think it strikes me hardest because there is nothing, absolutely NOTHING, I can do about it. My tendency is to want it so bad for them I end up suffering much pain over it. However, as I observe, I pray and that is one action that can be taken. I need to remember that the Holy Spirit is at work in ways unknown to me. In ways that are not my business. Anyway, forgive me for my passion. Just make a choice already-one or the other and get off the fence! Just give Him everything. Your life would be better than you can even imagine. Your life would be that awesome adventure you long for.

Enough of my vent-just go listen to this song here. I am putting the lyrics below. Enough said. Thanks Jimmy. I am with you, boy! Keep it up.

Fence Riders
Am I foolishness too you?
And is it laughable the things I do?
Can your callused minds see past yourself to His divine?
Am I foolishness to you?

(Chorus)
Can I sing about my maker and have you not roll your eyes, Can I weep about my Savior and the way He died. I know it don't make sense to those who ride the fence, but I'm sold out to Christ.

You call it loosening up.
Loosening up. I call it Spiraling down. Oh Only one things the same. Only one thing remains Jesus, Jesus.

(Chorus)
Can I sing about my Maker and have you not roll your eyes, Can I weep about my Savior and the way He died. I know it don't make sense to those who ride the fence, but I'm sold out to Christ.

Your all asleep yeah. Oh Your all asleep yeah. Your all asleep all children but he's over needed. You , you don't see it no.

(Chorus)
Can I sing about my Maker and have you not roll your eyes, Can I weep about my Savior and the way He died. I know it don't make sense to those who ride the fence, but I'm sold out to Christ.

What Are You?

You Are a Gingerbread House

A little spicy and a little sweet, anyone would like to be lost in the woods with you.

What Holiday Food Are You?

Wellness Wednesday

Just some thoughts. Some of you have read previously of my battle with Lyme disease. It was a beast. I cannot think of a worse thing to go through. After seven years of fighting this battle, God just took it away one day. It was the most wonderful thing. I had no symptoms at all--so I thought.

God spoke two times very clearly through this battle. The first time He said that "this would be for a season". The second was that, "He healed me but it would be a long time until I was back to normal physical health". I have struggled to understand what that meant. I felt great after that very moment He healed me. Though I was symptom free, I understood some of what that meant. I do believe God was wanting me to start working out to get my body back in shape but two years passed from then.

It is finally nine years later that I am starting back. Every time prior I started something happened to me to make me stop. This time has had it challenges but I am pressing through. I am more sure now than ever this is what God would have me do. He worked to many things out in that direction to confirm it.

I do press on. I am beating my body into submission to this. It has not been easy. I do have some heart damage that resulted from the Lyme disease. My heart beats faster than normal and this has been a little bit of a problem with my exercise routine. I am learning how to control it to make it stronger. God can heal that part completely too. It may be one of those things that takes time. I just want to be a good steward of what God has given me.

With that all said, my goal has changed slightly. I know those extra pounds will shed because of what I am doing but the goal now is one of getting heart healthy. God gave me this body and if I am to serve Him well, I need to be in good physical health. No excuses. He will give me what I need to get there. So, no selfish ambition here where there may have been some earlier. This is about me and God rebuilding this temple. Slow and steady. I am praising Him for my friend who keeps me accountable and her trainer who understands.

See what others are saying at Live Well Wednesday.

Starbucks Mocha Fast

Well, my 40 day Mocha fast is about to end. I have had two that were bought for me as gifts and that was part of the exception rule. The first gift was from my hubbie at our marriage conference and that was sweet of him, especially since it is my love language!

The second was when I was with my brother over Thanksgiving. We are lovers of the mocha and I think he thought it would not be the same if we didn't partake together! :) I rarely get to see him in person, usually we talk while in the drive thru over a cell phone!

I love fasting because it does seem to break strongholds. With both of those I received I did not have that addicted desire. I also do not feel like I have to run out and get one. That is a great feeling to be free. I have to do this from time to time with things that seem to get out of order in my life.

The sweetest part is that unknown to me the day I can partake again happens to fall on my birthday! God is so good. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. So, on that day I will partake and we will see where it goes from there!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

Blanket Philosophy or rather Little Blankie Ponderings

While watching the Charlie Brown Christmas last night on television dad says, "Hannah, you are like Linus. See his blankie?"

Apparently Hannah was way ahead of us on this because she instantly protested, "No I am not. I do not drag mine on the ground!"
Now this is hilarious because she used to and I see it happen sometimes and it grosses me out! I tell her to keep it off the ground. This blankie gets dragged all over the place and looks so nasty to me. I rarely get to wash it without a huge protest. But I suppose it is all about perspective.

Then she goes on to say (even though it is not always true), "I do not take my blankie out of the house because I lost one and I don't want to lose my others."

This conversation went on for a while discussing many blankie options and theories. Yes we are very intellectual people here! Then mom asks,

"Well Hannah, when will you not carry your blankie anymore?"
And Hannah replied, "I think when I am like 13."

Not sure how she got this age but it works for now! :)

See what others are saying at Not Before 7.

Marriage Monday-What Makes Marriage Christian?

Go over to e-mom's blog to see what others are saying.

Ephesians 5 is one of my favorite marriage passages in the Bible. It is such a perfect example of how a marriage should look. If we all took the time to surrender to the Spirit and walk by Him in our marriages the pains of divorce would be mostly non-existent. Walking by the Spirit involves dying to our selfish desires and living for Christ alone. This is completely impossible without the power of the Holy Spirit. We have the Holy Spirit in us if we are believers and that makes all things possible through Him, that is surrender.

Marriage is Christian in origin because God established this relationship for what it was suppose to be in the garden when He created the first two people on earth, Adam and Eve. As with every thing God has established for our good, there is always a bad that goes along with it. That is, marriages not being lived out in a godly manner. Not lived out in a way that should represent Christ and the church.

A marriage relationship is a representation of Christ's relationship to the church. So, in our marriages, do we represent Him well? Are we being great examples of Christ to others when they see our marriages? Wouldn't it be wonderful if people could just look at us when we are out with our spouses and just know there was something different and that something is what we all need--Christ. This could be the greatest witnessing tool of all for our society. Why don't we all ask God to give us hearts to submit to Him? Let us see what a difference our lives will make in the world just by a true example of living by the Spirit.