D1: Change

“Though we agree that change is an important facet of life, we often fail to accept change. Perspective gets clouded by emotions. Beliefs get overshadowed with doubts.”  (By Simran Khurana, About.com Guide)

It is officially the beginning of a New Year.  It is officially 2013.  As stated by Mahatma Gandhi, “I must be the change that I wish to see in the world.” 

I always enter a New Year desiring that the pain, frustration, sadness, or aggravation of the past year could somehow be erased.  Though it may be unrealistic, I desire to enter a New Year with nothing but good.   If this were possible, my thoughts follow to believe and desire that nothing bad would enter this year.  I would be surrounded by a bubble of goodness.  This bubble would protect me from pain.  It would protect me from all things bad.  This bubble would so conveniently allow for only good things to enter.  Though, in reality, would this be good for me?

As great as the good things are such blessing, do they really change my heart and soul?  Or, do these good things merely make me self-reliant, not needing others, not caring, and floating through life in a selfish state of being apart from the reality of the world?

As well, if I was surrounded in this safe bubble of protection, I must recognize that I am within that bubble.  Am I all good?  Or, am I in need of change so that the bubble can indeed be cherished, enjoyed, and a pleasant part of my life?  If I do not change, would the goodness of the bubble actually become despised as confinement versus the peace and protection that it brings?

I am not good.  I need Christ to daily walk with me, to protect me, to convict my heart, and to love me.  I need him to guide me, to teach me, and to comfort me.  He is my bubble of peace, protection, and love to surround me from the world knowing that I have everything that I need.  But, at times, my sinful nature breaks the bubble and I feel the pain of my separation with Christ.  It is not of God’s doing, but of my own decisions.

It can be something simple, or it can be something much more complex.  It can be a thought that is not appropriate.  It can be deep anger and bitterness in my soul, with a root of unforgiveness.  It can be a simple action that instead of claiming my fault, being accountable for the poor decisions that I make, I seek sympathy from others for the consequences of that which is actually my own doing.

I am reminded of a time speeding in the car.  Everyone speeds going far above the speed limit.  Is this really a sin?  There is a sign on the side of the road advising of the correct speed to operate one’s vehicle.  Yet, in the past, I have ignored that sign and sometimes traveled at a rate as the other driver’s around me.  There is justification.  I am doing what everyone else is doing.  This can’t be wrong?  Yet, when the siren echoes and the lights flash in the rear view mirror, the tears fill my eyes, “Why me?  Why do I deserve this?”  I do deserve this.  I was not following the speed limit.  Yet, in my lack of goodness, I desire mercy.  I desire to not be held accountable for the very actions that result in the consequences.  The rules are despised as confinement and wrong, as if that gives me the permission to break them.  But, the rules are indeed the protection that I need to avoid many dangers.

Dear Jesus, as I begin this New Year, please rid my heart of anything that is not of you.  Please help me to forgive those that have hurt me, and continue to hurt me.  Please convict my heart of the ways that I am led astray both knowingly and unknowingly.  Please fill me with your Spirit and presence, and help me to become more like you.  Help my heart to be loving.  Give me a Your vision for this upcoming year and for my life.  Surround me with your love, and help me to grow in intimacy with you this day and each and every day to follow.  I thank you that as my Father, my loving God, that your love is not confinement but it is protection.  Your love is great, beautiful, and peaceful.  Your love will guide me and help me in my time of need.  I praise you that you are a Holy Almighty and Powerful God who cares for me, and never leaves my side.  Help me to always know your nearness, and draw me deeply into your love.  I pray this with all my heart, and all my love, in great thankfulness for all that You have done in my life and all that You will continue to do in Your great love, mercy, grace, hope, and power.  Amen.

“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.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

New Hope New Year 2013

As 2012 comes to an end, and the New Year approaches, what are your desires? Do you have dreams, wishes, prayers, hopes, goals, or aspirations? As the New Year approaches, each of us can begin new. How would you like your New Year 2013 to begin?

Stated by Vic Johnson, a leading goal setting and motivation expert, “Most New Year’s Resolutions have gone by the wayside before January is over and most won’t even be remembered six months later. And the reason is pretty simple. Most are made in response to something negative; a habit or situation that the person wants to change or end. And therein lies the problem – it’s hard to develop momentum from a negative response. It is always easier to move toward something than away from something.”

Further stated, “…the best goal to set is one that calls for the individual to create a plan for their life based on a set of personal dreams. “Most people are in a free-fall through life, careening from one crisis to the next. If you were going to build a new house and you had this idea for a fabulous master bedroom suite, you wouldn’t rush out and start building the master bedroom. You’d have a complete plan before you started. When you approach resolutions and goals in the same manner, you end up with a much better chance of achieving success.”  (http://www.mylifecoach.com/new_years_resolutions_and_goals.htm)

As 2013 approaches, instead of looking at the past year in reflection of the negative circumstances that you would like to see changed, what if we looked forward towards a positive dream that each of us desires to accomplish? What dreams has God placed into your heart that can bring life to this upcoming year as you move in that direction with God’s guidance? Even one step towards a dream given by God is movement towards purpose and fulfillment.

“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.” (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

“Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” (Psalm 37:4-6 NIV)

Wishing you and your family a Happy and Safe New Year 2013!

My Agenda

So often, I come to Jesus with worries and lists of things that need to be completed as my heart would desire.  Is my agenda most important?

Do I take the time to be quiet and actually listen to hear the voice of Jesus?  Do I desire to hear what God may have to say?  Am I listening with a humble heart desiring to follow, or am I telling God how to respond?  Do I really desire God’s Will above my own?

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”  (Isaiah 55:8-9)

A New Beginning 2010

Last year seemed to contain an abundance of stress, worry, and sadness.  The strain of the economy burdened many families with increased expenses and stagnant to decreasing income.  For several, the year brought the drain of unemployment or the confirmation of hopes dashed with continued joblessness.  Others faced the pain, heartbreak, and exhaustion of relationship troubles.  Some have continued to walk through the pain of prior years attempting to grasp God’s love.  With several, the past year brought horrible illness and to others death of loved ones.  One little girl, 6-year-old Kate, was diagnosed with a brain tumor continuing to fight for her life as her faithful parents cry out to Jesus for His healing power.  The question begs, “Why?”

Faith is easily questioned and fears attempt to absorb every thought.  What if?  For most of us, our ‘what if’ tends to focus on the worst possible scenario.  I wonder, if we came to Christ as a child, how would our ‘what if’ be defined?

“At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure… Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:25-26, 28-30 NIV)

I wonder how 2010 would change if all were able to come to God as little children.  How would this change our perspective?  I wonder if our life would reveal the spunk and joy of little Kate.  In her pain, this little girl cries out to Jesus for healing.  She fights for her life daily.  Yet, when a bit of healing comes, she is ready to tackle her world.  Her mother’s posts show a little precious girl who despite her circumstances is filled with faith, love, spunk, and enough joy to be dangerous and dance on her hospital bed.  This is truly the joy of the Lord as her little heart trusts in God.

Today, I viewed an interesting commercial.  Two little girls were sitting at a table with an older man.  The man asks the one little girl, “Do you want a pony?”  Her eyes sparkle with excitement and she says, “Yes!”  The man reaches into his pocket and pulls out a