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.