New Year Count Down

Nearly time "to call it a day" on 2009 and the passing decade!

As I see in my mind's eye the sands of time quickly passing, I am struck once more by the power of Almighty God! The trees strong and tall in the courtyard. The wind stilled as the sun has come out to shine brightly, and only a whisper of a breeze foretells another cold front will be upon us by Saturday morning. As I remember how my man and I have been checking the weather report these past several days a laugh threatens to pierce the silence here in my study.

We humans are so funny, aren't we? We depend on so many things. We consult the weather report (not just one..the TV and the newspaper); the financial projections published by "those who know"; our counselors and/or life coachs; our past experiences; what our friends think, and the list goes on! As I read over the previous I have to admit that I'm among these "funny humans".

I also have to state that consulting "these who have information I do not" is not wrong. That is, unless I leave God out of the equation. Unfortunately many times I put consulting the Lord, not on the top of my list but in the middle and sometimes on the bottom!

I want this year and this new decade to be different!

I'm not going to move away to a monastery and separate myself from people, media and the world that the Lord has placed me in, which would make it so much easier to stay on track. No, I'm staying put. I want to be (as one of my friends is fond of saying) "superglued" to Jesus! I want His Word on everything, before I do it, not after. I want to love my family, my friends, those I serve, and my enemies with Christ's love. ALL THE TIME! When it's convenient and especially when it's not.
I want to forgive, ALL THE TIME! When I feel like it but especially when I don't!

I want to live out, in my ordinary, daily life, Paul's instruction to the church at Corinth. The CEV translation speaks directly to my heart and life -

I may speak in different languages of people or even angels. But if I do not have love, I am only a noisy bell or a crashing cymbal. I may have the gift of prophecy. I may understand all the secret things of God and have all knowledge, and I may have faith so great I can move mountains. But even with all these things, if I do not have love, then I am nothing. I may give away everything I have, and I may even give my body as an offering to be burned. But I gain nothing if I do not have love.
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud.
Love is not rude, is not selfish, and does not get upset with others. Love does not count up wrongs that have been done. Love is not happy with evil but is happy with the truth. Love patiently accepts all things. It always trusts, always hopes, and always remains strong. Love never ends. 1 Cor 13:1-8a

How do I, how do you do this? For the answers I turn to God's word.......

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

As we ready ourselves dear friends to close the door on 2009 and step into the next may we join hearts and hands to look to Jesus FIRST in all that we do.

Let's "Just Do It"!

It's my prayer,
Judy