January 1, 2008

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  I hope you’re all having a blessed New Years Day!  We are just staying home, baking some cookies to send Ian {any tips on packing cookies for a trip out west?}, having spaghetti and salad for dinner, and watching the snow fall … yep, they’re predicting cold temperatures and about 3 inches of snow … I’m praying for 10!!   We’re being sort of lazy today, because when the sun rises tomorrow, we are going to dig in and start the monumental task that is set before us!  Lewis is not working, so it’ll give us a day to get started.  We’re going to work little by little sorting, discarding, giving away, selling, purging, and packing our things for the move in about 2 months!  I’m excited for the new thing that God is doing in our lives, and I’m looking forward to this new year, and sharing our ‘journey’ with all of you!  
  
  I know as we reflect over this past year, we could all share how God has worked in our hearts, and our lives.  I know for me, it’s been a difficult year, but as it comes to a close, I see where God has opened doors in my heart … molding and making me more in His image.  I thank Him for those hard things, for without them, I would not be where I am in Him now.  I see where I have been stunted spiritually and there was no real ‘life’ … I look again and see that the difficulties we go through bring life … spiritual life.  Don’t wrestle or struggle against adversity … submit to the working of God in your life, for in the end you’re closer and more like Him because of it!  He is ever faithful to see you through what He puts before you, to grow you up in Him.  To everything there is a purpose under Heaven!!
  
  I’m also excited to see what God is going to do in your lives this year!  I pray you’re all encouraged in your walk with Him … and that your relationship becomes deeper and richer as each day passes. I pray He blesses your year above all that you could ever ask or think!  I’m so thankful for the encouragement and closeness I’ve had with you here, and I look forward, with great anticipation, to all that God will bring into our lives as we look ahead.  Yes, God has blessed us all with another year … a clean slate … a fresh start … a new beginning … so, do you have any hopes, prayers, or goals for the new year?  I recently saw a blog where someone made a list of 8 goals for their lives in 2008 … this could be one of those ‘tags’ that everyone does … I’ve yet to do one, and this sure would be a good one to start with!  I’m going to make my list by the end of the week … anyone else??  Bless you all!!
  
   Hugs,
             ~ Deborah <><
  
  

  
  

  A New Year With The Lord

  A new year is about to unfold
  With new opportunities to explore
  Doors will open for new experiences
  New adventures with the Lord
  
  Remember not the former things
  The things of this past year
  The Lord will do new things in us
  Much more than we are aware
  
  For He will make a way for us
  As we put our trust in Him
  And He will guide our every step
  By His presence we have within
  
  What God has placed within our hearts
  We find we’ll be able to do
  If we look for the opportunities
  We’ll see the door to go through
  
  We mustn’t let anything hold us back
  But rise up and take our place
  And be all that God wants us to be
  With a fresh touch of His grace
  
  
   ~ M.S.Lowndes
  
  
  
  

  A New Year’s Prayer ~ Make this your own!
  
  Lord, my precious Savior and God, help me turn to You through this New Year’s prayer.  May I be grateful for every breath.  Dear Lord, as circumstances and issues came against me last year and have followed me into this New Year, I cry out to You.  Empower me with Your Holy Spirit to overcome these obstacles with a good perspective, realizing You allow trials in my life to mold me into the image of Your marvelous Son.
  
  I need a Father to truly love and care for me.  You are that Daddy, though at times I don’t feel Your presence.  Remind me that You will never leave or forsake me.  Teach me to find rest for my troubled heart.  Lord, let Your Word renew my mind day after day in this New Year. Protect me from the enemy who is on the prowl to devour me.
  
  This New Year, help me trust in You rather than be clothed with discouragement.  My desire is to follow You wholeheartedly this New Year.  Let my mind be renewed, refreshed, and returned to the joy of Your salvation.
  
  Heavenly Father, let me be not only a hearer of Your Word, but also a doer, practicing Your teachings, no longer quenching the Holy Spirit. Cause me to act on opportunities instead of apathetically overlooking them.  This readiness involves praising and worshipping You with a pure heart.
  
  This New Year, I trust Your closeness and care.  I have no need for fear because You lavish Your love on me.  My Father, I purpose to know more and more of You, seeking Your Kingdom and reign over my life.  May my actions prove I treasure the Holy Spirit indwelling inside me.
  
  Let this New Year and the following years consist of Your reign in me.  Let me take the time daily to lift Your name on high.  Let me realize all the marvelous gifts that come from above: rain, sunshine, blessings. Then, I will bless You with all my soul.
  
  May my mind focus on heavenly priorities: loving You and my neighbor.  Lord, this New Year let me walk in humility, serving You, loving You, giving You glory and honor every day.  Each day of this New Year may I acknowledge You in everything and for everything.  I thank You for the work You do inside me by Your love, power, and might.
  
  Thank You for this New Year.  Let me do according to Your good pleasure and purpose, pleasing You in every area of this life.  Thank You for Your mercy which makes all things new each morning — even after a day of failure.
  
  Father, thank You for adopting me as Your child.  In this New Year, I cry Abba Father, thanking you for restoring a right relationship with me through the cross. Conform and transform me unto all godliness through the burdens and blessings You allow to cross my path.
  
  Lord, thank You for hearing my prayer.  You care intimately for me.  May this New Year be truly about You – May I be all about God in my actions and attitudes.  From this New Year’s prayer, let me not forget to listen carefully to You.  Give me eyes to see and a heart to do Your will in this New Year.   In Jesus Name, Amen!
  
  
  

  

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