As i stand on the of the new year i pause and look forward to what god has in store in the coming year. We cant control it we just ask god to guide us thru it. I remember the begining of 2000 i wrote a poem about standing on the precipace of a new millinium, one i never thought i would see. My mom said that god would come before then. Well for her he did, she died september 12, 1999. Two days after her 71st birthday. I then decided that i would take things more seriosly as far as living for god. We have to live in this world but not be a part of it. Just relax and watch god will help you do all those things you want to do.
On Fri Dec 31st, 2010 2:01 AM CST Amanda Webster-Sibal wrote:
>Each year, about this hour of the day, I find myself doing the same thing. It
>is December 30th that bothers me to death. It is about this time that I haven't
>thought of a thing about myself to make into some truly wonderfully defined
>resolution. I can come up with things I wish to do, but really -- they are no
>different than things I want to do EVERYDAY (and fail at doing sometimes). What
>makes this intriguing event likened to watching the mileage on a car turn over
>so special? Why is it that the new year makes us want to bring up this idea
>that we can start everything new? What it is that makes us want to make a new
>start? A year is closing and a new on is quickly approaching. In years past, I
>find myself sitting around this hour each year drumming up ways to better
>myself. I can finally lose those extra pounds. I can be more attentive to my
>lack of organizational skills. I did that once, and I honestly think my life
>became LESS organized. I have looked at my constant struggle with anger and
>constant over inflated tenderness that causes me some extreme pain sometimes --
>and I am sure that it causes others the same. I have looked at my absolute
>hatred of being wrong because I am such a highly trained professional
>perfectionist. So much so that admitting my own wrongs is so difficult that it
>nearly impossible. I am forgiving of others, but I am not forgiving of myself.
> Many times I am so stuck on what I did wrong, my anger erupts from no where ---
>but at no one -- it is only at myself. I am so disgusted that yet again I have
>screwed up and cannot bring myself to be ashamed -- AGAIN. That only means I am
>really good at failing as well. No, none of that seems like it would even come
>close to do what is going through my mind.
>
>What this all boils down to is the idea of a new beginning. Many of us search
>and long for a way to make a "new beginning" - our reasons may be obvious to
>some but very personal as well. Maybe our reasons are NEVER obvious. It
>doesn't matter, though. We all look for it -- when do we get a second chance?
> When can we START OVER?
>
>Christ wanted to make all things new. Revelation 21:1-6, "Then I saw a new
>heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth had passed
>away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, the new Jerusalem,
>coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
> And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, 'See, the home of God is among
>mortals. He will dwell with them as their God; they will be his peoples, and
>God himself will be with them; he will wipe every tear from their eyes. Death
>will be no more; mourning and crying and pain will be no more, the first things
>have passed away.' And the one who was seated on the throne said, 'See I am
>making all things new." Also he said, 'Write this for these words are
>trustworthy and true.' Then he said to me, 'It is done! I am the Alpha and the
>Omega, the beginning and the end. To the thirsty I will give water as a gift
>from the spring of the water of life."
>
>Isn't it wonderful? This very concept of making things new. Is it not
>completely natural for our minds to fall into this thinking when the year is
>coming to a close and another one is fast upon us. But ... again ... that
>brings up these things about resolutions. What do we do to better ourselves?
> What do we need to change? How do we do it!? If I fail after a week, can I
>just quit? So, we are back again at the core of the problem. What do we do?
> Do we pick the superficial things that seem fun? Do we take the fully
>spiritually path and leave the "fun things" alone for a time? Is one right over
>the other? Do we simply week for "balance"? It is nearly impossible to sit and
>figure out resolutions because it takes a painful examination. We have to ask
>ourselves a very tough question -- where am I failing and how can I fix it?
> Ouch. So, each year, I struggle around this time to answer that question.
> Sometimes -- I completely ignore it and just pretend like I did it anyway and
>tell others my resolutions were "private". Really -- if I have ever told you
>that -- don't believe it. It really isn't true at all. That was just the year I
>got lazy.
>
>I think this year I have found a better use of my time -- a resolution for my
>little yearly ritual. I simply wish to be used by God in whatever manner he may
>see fit. Put me to doing. Put me to suffering. Let me be employed by thee or
>laid aside for thee. I will allow Christ to prune me so that I can grow more
>fruit. I will resolve to consistently abide in him through study, worship,
>prayer, and witness. This will be a grand year that this time I will be ringing
>in later today through prayer and renewal and recommitment. More
>specifically....
>
>I am no longer my own, but thine.
>Put me to what thou wilt, rank me with whom thou wilt.
>Put me to doing, put me to suffering.
>Let me be employed for thee or laid aside for thee,
>exalted for thee or brought low for thee.
>Let me be full, let me be empty.
>Let me have all things, let me have nothing.
>I freely and heartily yield all things to thy pleasure and disposal.
>And now, O glorious and blessed God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit,
>thou art mine, and I am thine.
>So be it.
>And the covenant which I have made on earth,
>let it be ratified in heaven.
>Amen.
>[The Covenant Prayer of the Wesleyan Tradition -- John Wesley (Founder of
>Methodism)]
>
>My passion and utmost desire is to become a consistent disciple of my Lord and
>Savior Jesus Christ in order to live the abundant life that Christ so desires
>for all of us. My mission is to follow His will, to make Him the Lord over my
>wishes, hopes, dreams, desires, fears, weaknesses, and all that makes me who I
>think that I am knowing fully that I am only completed by the sanctifying grace
>of my Sovereign God in Heaven. I seek the call upon my life and step out upon
>faith and upon the promises given to me by the Word of God, into this world that
>is full of demons, temptations, and evils, armoring myself with the tools God
>has given me to fight the attacks from the evil one. Looking no longer at which
>is behind me for the past, but rather, it is to strive from this moment on to
>follow God in all that I do.
>
>
>I look at the comforting words of one of my favorite Hymns
>
>"This is a Day of New Beginnings"
>Words: Brian Wren 1987
>Music: Carlton Young 1984
>Hope Publishing Company 1987
>From the United Methodist Hymnal
>
>"This is a day of new beginnings, to remember and move on, time to believe what
>love is bringing, laying to rest the pain that's gone.
>
>For by the life and death of Jesus, God's mighty Spirit, now as then, can make
>for us a world of difference as faith and hope are born again.
>
>Then let us, with the Spirit's daring, step from the past and leave behind our
>disappointment, guilt, and grieving, seeking new paths, and sure to find.
>
>Christ is alive, and goes before us to show and share what love can do. This is
>a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new.
>
>In faith we'll gather round the table to taste and share what love can do. This
>is a day of new beginnings; our God is making all things new."
>
>
>Time to put past the pain and move forward. Time to remember things and let
>them go. Time to seek new paths by the power of the Spirit. God is making ALL
>THINGS NEW.
>
>No, no --- this year I finally have a foolproof plan -- because I am not in the
>control seat this time.
>
>Father God -- I lift up all those that are reading this. I pray that those have
>have experienced great loss in any way over this year will be able to work past
>it by leaning up the joy that you give us and the comfort that we have in your
>promises. I pray that those that are pained by the sting of unemployment,
>financial woes, housing woes, and all the outcomes of the economy will be
>uplifted by their communities in their time of need. I pray that all of their
>needs will be met. Convict those that are nearest to these people to be able to
>reach out to those that may not be able to have a full meal on the table. Help
>us that can have that full meal be more apt to share our blessings with others
>without judgment and without hesitation. I pray that those who are going
>through uncertainty for other reasons -- be it in a marriage, in a relationship,
>a friendship, with family, or even medical reasons -- I pray that peace be
>placed upon you and the wisdom given to you to deal with the situation. I pray
>that those things you cannot change you will better be able to accept them and
>grow with patience. Those things that can be changed, I pray you gain the
>wisdom to do so. Be at peace with all the troubles. No matter what it is --
>God is standing near you. Amen!
>
>For us all, let us together as the Body of Christ go into the new year with a
>renewed sense of unity among us as friends and as the Family of God. Let us
>pray in the new year full of blessings. All that read this are my family either
>by blood, marriage, or friendship and I love each and every single one of you.
> I will be praying for each of you by name that your next year will be full of
>such wonderful things. I love you all dearly. Happy New Year.
>
>
>Amanda Amanda
>
>There is an optimistic belief widespread among the generous-hearted that the
>average human being has only to become sufficiently acquainted with another's
>trouble or danger to transfer it to his own shoulders not merely unhesitatingly
>but gladly. --Margery Allingham
>
>Bear one another's burdens. Galatians 6:2
>
>
>
>
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