Happy New Year!

As I write this post, it is actually before Christmas.  I was just scrolling through my Facebook feed and saw a “memory” post from 3 years ago by one of Jim’s cousins.  I was struck by the fact in the original post, my cousin’s mother liked the photo.  This year this beloved Aunt has died.  She died just 5 months after her husband of 60 years.  It was shocking and grief racking through the holiday season.  

I was struck by the thought shared by her husbands brother.  He was at this Aunts house putting up Christmas decorations and came across a devotional note left by their mother.  It was poignant as the passage was not only a message for her, but for the family in that moment.  It was from I Corinthians “….for in my weakness His strength is perfected…..”.   

This to me is an example of God’s love perfected through us when we allow him to direct our paths, our minds and our loves.   When this happens, we impact not only in living, but in death.  Anything sown for God’s glory will not be a waste.

As you seek God this coming  year through worship, praise, prayer, reading and living ask.  Ask God “how does this scripture apply to my life in honoring you?” , “how does this passage change my heart to grow your kingdom here on earth?”, “am I moldable and open to the work of the holy spirit in my life to be more like your Son, Jesus?” ; “Open the eyes of my heart to want to be more like you.”.

I honestly believe this is where revival and renewal begins: in our own heart, our own lives and our own living.  People would rather read you than read the bible.  Live the whole word loudly.  Ask God to make 2016 a year where you grow so close to Him through His Word that no one will question your dependence on Him.

Peace and Blessings

May God be with you through this new year.

Forgot Again!

Ok, I fill in occasionally in children's church for the teacher.  Lately it's been every other weekend, but we got catty wompus with the recent holidays.  So this was a week I was to teach and forgot.  Grrrrr to me for not using that dull pencil and relying on that sharp memory.

Well, I'm drawing on recent meditations and praying and praying and praying.

Esther keeps coming to my mind.  My kids will love it.  I tell the story with animation as we climb into our time machine and travel backward to tell the story.  I do so love to make them smile as I bring bible stories to life.  You should hear them all say "don-kay"!  

Who can think of Esther and not think "for such a time as this."?

I wasted a lot of time and energy wishing that I were someone else, some where else on some other time line.  I dreamed I was Scarlett in Gone With the Wind - I was suited for civil war times.

Finally in my 30s, a sunday school teacher taught a lesson about that very subject, but from other scripture.  God didn't put us in pioneer days or victorian days or civil war days; He put us in this day.  

That was profoundly eye opening for me, but then again I am a little slow on the up-take sometimes.  How I wish that someone along the way would have given me that gentle nudge earlier.

Now spending the rest of the night in prayer.  

My Lord and God, Humble me to present Your word to young and tender souls.  Open ears and hearts to receive what you would have them learn.  Amen.