Changes for Next Year

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” —Jeremiah 29:11-13

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Usually around this time of year, I get all gung-ho and psyched about my plans for change. However, this go around, I’m just way too exhausted for all that (physically, emotionally, and mentally). So, what’s the good news? Well, since I’m already so drained, I simply cannot waste energy “spinning my wheels.” I need not try to get all hyped and pumped up about a dozen things…that I want to drastically change over night!! (Of course, that’s not such an effective approach anyway, huh?! )

However, I sense the Lord telling me that changes will come this new year…but not because of any personal pep rally concerning New Year’s Resolutions!! No, God has some changes that He wants to take place, but in His timing and in His way. I also realize that this new year, I’m not going to be focused on being BUSY, but instead on being fruitful and productive. (There IS a difference…In fact, it makes all the difference in the world!!)

Well, I don’t pretend to know what next year holds. I don’t have it all figured out. No elaborate plans. Can’t say I don’t even have some concerns, but I do know one thing. I don’t hold the future…God does…and that’s a good thing!

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Well, I’m home alone, and I’m off to grab my guitar. There’s a song I feel the need to sing. It’s called “I Know Who Holds Tomorrow.”

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HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

I pray you have a year of true peace and joy!

“The Inside Track”

O.k., I just think this is so cute and hilarious that I have to pass it on! Oh, and I also want to say, there’s only FIVE days until Christmas! If I don’t see ya back here before then… MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

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I’ve always heard it helps to know…someone on the inside of an operation:

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**You can find the above pic and more at LOLCATS. (You can also personalize a free eCard! )

That girl…

…sure knows how to get to me!

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Sarah really blessed my heart today with something she wrote. I don’t know if a single day passes that I don’t wonder whether I’m doing anything right. I can’t help but consider if my kids are learning any of the right things. (You know, I mean, if any of the good stuff is really getting through to them!)

Anyway, sure makes me cherish the little things…like the quick post Sarah added to her blog today:

Christmas

A Special Moment…

This afternoon, we came home, from the second funeral in our church within a week. We promptly changed out of our dress clothes and grabbed a quick bite to eat. Next, Scott and I found ourselves sharing in a simple activity with our kids…

The four of us were sitting around the kitchen table, coloring Christmas pictures, while listening to praise songs and Christmas hymns. I just cannot describe to you the wonderful, pure, and quiet joy that I felt. Suddenly, it was that kind of moment when I wanted to freeze time. So, I stopped, and I looked around the table at the sweet faces of each family member. Then, I said a prayer of thanks, and I took a “mental snap-shot,” so as not to forget…

Canines, Cats, and Christmas

Here’s a little Christmas humor for ya:

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**For more photo fun, you may visit: LOLDOGS and LOLCATS.

Quotes for Christmas

This morning I went looking for some Christmas quotes.

I didn’t have much difficulty finding a few. My favorites are:

Christmas is not as much about opening our presents as opening our hearts. ~Janice Maeditere

A Christmas candle is a lovely thing;
It makes no noise at all,
But softly gives itself away.
~Eva Logue

He who has not Christmas in his heart will never find it under a tree. ~Roy L. Smith

May Peace be your gift at Christmas and your blessing all year through! ~Author Unknown

Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall. ~Larry Wilde, The Merry Book of Christmas

It is Christmas in the heart that puts Christmas in the air. ~W.T. Ellis

I heard the bells on Christmas Day
Their old, familiar carols play,
And wild and sweet
The words repeat
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!
~Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

I love the Christmas-tide, and yet,
I notice this, each year I live;
I always like the gifts I get,
But how I love the gifts I give!
~Carolyn Wells

Great little One! whose all-embracing birth
Lifts Earth to Heaven, stoops Heaven to Earth.
~Richard Crashaw

There has been only one Christmas – the rest are anniversaries. ~W.J. Cameron

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**You may find the above quotes, along with many more at: Quote Garden

**I found the above photo at: Flickr

Through The Fire

There was another song I was introduced to this past Sunday…one that’s been playing in my head all day. The last several weeks, in particular, I’ve been going through some uncertain, difficult times. I’ve been struggling more than usual, and it’s been so hard to see clearly.

Then, just when I thought I was starting to come out of the worst of it, something happened. It didn’t happen to me, but it happened to a family in my church, when they lost a young loved one. Everyone in my church has been affected, but of course, none of us truly knows the full sting of the pain of those closest relatives…

We cannot understand such sudden tragedy, any more than we can make sense of ongoing suffering. However, God tells us in His Word to “not lean on our own understanding.”  This past week, a young widow understood this, when she simply said, “God sees the big picture.”  I believe that only the strength of the Holy Spirit could have enabled this young lady to make such a statement in the midst of agonizing grief and sorrow.

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This family is in the fire right now.  They’re in pain, they’re suffering, and they don’t understand the purpose.  However, while they hold to His hand, God will bring them through the fire…

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Through The Fire

By: The Crabb Family

So many times I’ve questioned certain circumstances
Or things I could not understand
Many times in trials, weakness blurs my vision
And my frustrations get so out of hand
It’s then I am reminded I’ve never been forsaken
I’ve never had to stand the test alone
As I look at all the victories, the Spirit rises up in me
It’s through the fire my weakness is made strong

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
He never offered victory without fighting but He said help would always come in time
Just remember when you’re standing in the valley of decision and the adversary says give in
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

I know within myself that I would surely perish
But if I trust the hand of God, He’ll shield the flames again

And He never promised the cross would not get heavy and the hill would not be hard to climb
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again
Just hold on, our Lord will show up and He will take you through the fire again

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**You may listen to The Crabb Family singing the above song, here. You may also hear Randy Travis,  (along with The Crabb Family) singing this song, over  here.

Are You Just A Nobody?

In Sunday School yesterday, Debbie taught our class, and she shared a couple of song excerpts that really stuck with me. The lesson was entitled, “Making Total Commitment.” The scripture came from Luke 1:46-55:

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich he hath sent empty away. He hath holpen his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy; As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed for ever.

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Mary was just a young, little hand-maiden of “low degree.” So, what was it about Mary? Why did God choose her?

Well, Mary loved God, and she was willing to do whatever it took to follow His will and His plan. Mary didn’t hesitate, didn’t make excuses, didn’t argue with God, didn’t try to go another way… Because of her humility, faithfulness, trust, and obedience, God was able to use Mary for such a wonderful and awesome purpose!!

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Do you ever feel like a nobody? Do you ever feel small and insignificant…like you can’t really do much for God? Every once in a while, I get “down in the dumps,” and I get to feeling like that. However, when I look at Mary, I’m reminded of what God can do through someone with a willing, obedient heart.

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One of the songs shared in Sunday School yesterday really touched my heart. It’s called, “I’m Just A Nobody…” I just love the simple message of this song:

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I’m Just A Nobody

By: The Williams Brothers

Intro
I was walking downtown one day,
and I saw a man that appeared to be just an old wino;
sitting on the streets, telling the people
about Jesus as they passed by.
And because he was all raggedy and dirty,
people would just laugh and make fun
of the old man and walk on by.
And he said because of the way I am,
no money, no fancy clothes, no fine homes and cars,
alot of people consider me as nothing,
and say I don’t know what I am talking about.
But there is one thing that he said
that really touched my heart and stayed on my mind,
when that old man looked up and said…

Chorus
I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
about somebody, who can save anybody.

I’m just a nobody trying to tell everybody,
about somebody, who can save anybody.

Verse 1
And he said, I’ve had so many problems in my life,
that I just couldn’t deal with so I started drinking,
thought it would help ease my pain.
But things got worse, so I said,
Lord I give up I’m in your hands,
and that’s when my life began to change,
but these people think…

Chorus

Verse 2
And he said, On the streets day and night,
that’s my life, that’s my home,
ain’t got nowhere else I could go.
So I just walk the streets,
telling the people about Jesus
from corner to corner, from door to door;
but they all make fun of me and say…

Chorus

Vamp
Save, save,
save your soul.

Chorus

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**Note:  You may listen to this song here.

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**P.S. At one time or another, any of us may feel like “a nobody.”  However, God cares for each and every one of us, and He’ll work through us if we let Him.