Based on past performance, many of us can attest that doing a new thing is hard. This is where some of us fall off the cliff — or don’t even try! It takes determination to not allow past performance to thwart us from trying or doing a new thing! Doing a new thing is tough. Especially when that new thing takes will power or money — few of us have much of either. And, as we age, we have this daunting fear that past results (things that were good before they stopped being good) don’t necessarily mean that today’s performance…
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As I read year-end letters, more Christmas cards and letters, headlines and articles, a common theme is always revisited this time of year — sure as New Year’s resolutions, are the slogans and affirmations: Out with the old, in with the New! This Year’s the Year for You! The sentiments may have very different motivation, very different context, but the intent is the same: This year’s going to be the best year ever! And they always are. Today. Today is the first day of the New Year… clean, fresh slate, an unmarked calendar, a new dawn, a bright new day…
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May the Lord, indeed, crown your year with goodness ♥ and may the coming year be your most blessed year in the Lord. Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. 2 O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. 3 Iniquities prevail against me: as for our transgressions, thou shalt purge them away. 4 Blessed is the man whom thou choosest, and causest to approach unto thee, that he may dwell in thy courts: we shall be satisfied with the goodness of thy house, even of thy…
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Francis Chan: “… Everything I do is either going to bring reward or regret… You’ve got a few short years, here on this earth…” “We get one chance at this life on earth… and then comes eternity.” Francis Chan Rope Illustration
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As the fruit and nuts and leaves fall from the trees around our yard, I can’t help but notice the poignant reminder that our lives, too, have seasons — and they change. As I reflect on this, I am reminded that the most fruitful season may not appear to be the currant one – even though it may appear so with the fruit that is dropping into the baskets at this time. I’m looking ahead to the winter when the trees have no leaves or blossoms or blooms and I’m praying this time will be the most fruitful of all.…
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I just came across a little note in my basket… and thought, this is just what I’m needing! The reminder to have a Mary heart and a Martha mind was the gist of the note. I’m personalizing it a bit to be: Mary thoughts and Martha hands. I must be in the Word and in song in order that my heart and mind are stayed on heavenly things. I must be in the Word and in song that my hands and plans are stayed on heavenly things — working at or accomplishing good things. This is such a needful reminder…
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That might sound like a strange title to a message I want to share with you today, but perhaps by the time you finish reading this letter, you’ll have an idea and perhaps realize some things you’ve been wanting to take care of for some time. So, what’s pulling on your apron strings? You know… the thing or things that nag at you or that seem to be pulling at you from one direction or many. You may be attempting to work around your home and keep having interruptions or distractions that prevent you from accomplishing what’s really needful. You…
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I’ve sure been thinking of the serendipity of finding the pages of that letter in the old desk — I shared about yesterday. In addition to the great wisdom and blessing of the words of these two pages, the fact that they are only part of a longer letter is fascinating to me — fascinating and wonderful. You know, another wonderful aspect to all this is that it sure blesses me and encourages me further regarding the integrity and depth of grandma’s character — that, and the quality of friends she had. So, here’s a bit more from the letter.…
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This has been a most interesting year. I wonder what I’ll think when I look back on this year — in years to come. I wonder if the rough edges will seem smooth later on and I wonder if the smooth days will be remembered with even more fondness. Hmmm. It’s interesting to think of all this. As I looked back at the very few posts over the last several months, I noticed I’ve been sort of stuck in a recurring theme: journaling, remembering, recording… messages that will be left behind. Tonight, cleaning in one of the bedrooms upstairs, the…
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Though I have a number of very favourite or treasured verses I continually recall, there are a few that give me great encouragement and great hope. Some I have copied and posted in my home, some I have highlighted or underlined and some I have recorded alongside God’s work or answers to prayer, continued petitions, blessings and other heartfelt matters written in journals. As I’ve been slowly reading through the Word this year, I’ve been sort of surprised at the number of verses I’ve underlined or highlighted. I’ve been continually blessed and encouraged by dated notes beside significant verses…