A Blueprint for the New Year---2015

Our Father says…

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.  (Isaiah 43:18-19)

My response should be…

Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139: 23-24)

But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3: 13-14)
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, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. (Hebrews 12: 1-2)

My Goal and Year's Verses for 2015...

Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always.
Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced
(I Chronicles 16: 11-12)

What Makes a Blessed Christmas?

                         






                            Oh, Come let us adore Him!

 

 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us

John 1:14

Pre-Christmas Check Up

Christmas is in what?....something-teen days?   

Are you ready?  Not the usual "ready" of decorations, presents, groceries, travel plans, etc. etc.


Are you ready inside to celebrate the season of Christmas--the birth of the Christ?
 

This semester at work had been a good one, busy but fairly quiet as semesters go. Then suddenly, about a month ago, things with which I will not bore you changed. Deadlines loomed large. Students who were supposed to submit their work weeks ago didn't. My house suffered, my sleep suffered, my "peace on earth good will to men" suffered (significantly).

It came to a head on Thursday when I drove to my office in a fog of concern about what I still had to do and what I had forgotten to do. There is a little fire station on the outskirts of the city where I work that has a marquee where they post birthdays, other important occasions and announcements.

Thursday's notice read...DO NOT OVERLOAD YOUR OUTLETS.

I get it that they were talking about electrical circuitry --- but they were really talking to me. I was there--in Outlet Overload Land! Does that sound familiar?  Have you ever been there?
I drove on by that fire station and began to think about the deeper truth and wisdom in their message----a message far more profound than, "Don't plug in too many connected strings of Christmas lights," like the Chevy Chase Christmas movie. 


If your outlets and circuits are nearing overload (or there already like mine were)  on this December 13th with something-teen more days until Christmas, here is our invitation for renewal and hope from the Master Electrician.

The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul...
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
Psalm 19: 7a-8
Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28
Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:7
Be still, and know that I am God;
Psalm  46:10
You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
Isaiah 26:3
I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart!
I have overcome the world.
John 16:33

There is certainly a lesson in that!