The Hope of Newness

We all love the new year. It gives us the hope of a new start, a new beginning. It affords us the opportunity to forget the past and press on toward something better. This year is no exception.

W

While the hope we feel at the advent of each new year may be illogical (really, it is just another day and a human measurement created to track time), the hope we experience as we place our lives in Christ's hands is profoundly real-- for He truly does erase our every mistake, our every misdeed and wipe our slate clean! The Bible states in 2 Corinthians 5:17, "If any man be in Christ he is a new creation; old things have passed, behold, all things are made new!" 1 John 1:9 says, "If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness"-- ALL unrighteousness! Isn't that amazing!

W

This year I am hoping for a year of new beginnings. I have made decisions in the past that have put a strain on me-- relationships that still pull me down emotionally at times. And just when I was about ready to give up all hope that I could ever be freed from that weight, the Lord reached down in His grace and illuminated His glorious truth: "Behold, I am making all things new." What sweet words!

W

For He has said to Israel: Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the mighty waters, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert." (Isaiah 43:16, 18-19)

W

I am hoping that this year I will (finally *ahem*) meet someone and fall in love. :) I am hoping to finish a little demo CD I am working on. I am hoping to be freed from the fear of man-- to become someone who blesses those around me and loves without reserve. In my own strength, none of those things can happen-- but in Christ all things are possible. And even if one or more of these things should not come to pass, I have the peace and assurance that He is working in me to will and to do for His good pleasure, and that all He has purposed for me will have been done... He is faithful to complete what He has started!

W

So here's to a new year, and the hope of newness in Jesus Christ! Amen! :)

W

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere you go... :)
W
So this year I got a real tree! I'm just hoping I don't kill it... So far, so good-- it's been 1 whole day! I've gotten a mini tree from Trader Joe's for the past 3 years, and every year I kill it. Just not enough light in my house. This year it didn't even make it until Christmas, I was so sad! I hate killing things! It was so cute too. I shall have to pray for my tree... :)
W
I visited El Paso, TX last week and you know, it's a very friendly place. They had a Christmas tree set up, and snowflakes hanging from the ceiling in the airport-- my hotel room had Christmas music (which said the word "Christmas" in it) playing in the lobby. The fireplace was lit, and there was a tree with presents underneath by the door. There were books for borrowing on a bookshelf in the lobby, and the people at the counter were concerned about whether or not I had breakfast and told me how to take it on the go.
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I rode in the hotel shuttle--which didn't only go to the airport for a change--all around El Paso as the driver took some freight pilots to their hub. I had a lovely time hanging out with the driver and the pilots, chatting about what this world is coming to and how liberal California is! You can't even say "Merry Christmas" in California anymore without "offending someone". But in El Paso, it was all over (even though it was still commercialized). It was just a very friendly place, not impersonal or sterile like most places I go. Despite being a barren industrial wasteland that gets up to the 100's in the summer, I think it is quite lovely. I enjoyed myself completely!
W
Fun stuff also, I got a little digital recorder for Christmas (early)! It also plays mp3 files, so now I have a music player as well. With this I can make impromptu/demo recordings and upload them onto my computer! So I can burn a CD or put music on the internet if I want. This shall replace my 1980's tape recorder as an awesome quick recording device. The sound quality is pretty amazing too! Yippee! Fun stuff.
W
Well, I could write more, but lest I lose your attention (if I haven't already), I shall bid you adieu! Merry Christmas! Praise be to God for the gift of His wonderful Son-- for He is the reason for the season! :)

Yay! Time for "The Holidays"!

With Thanksgiving a week away, it is officially time for "the holidays"! My favorite time of year! The food, friends, family, and cool weather is just wonderful to me. I already have some scented pine cones and my pumpkin pie air freshener out! :D

W
It's hard to believe it's here already though... Wasn't it just January '08 like... a couple months ago? It's strange how a year can fly by so quicky, and yet, when you stop to think of how much has actually happened in that year, it seems like an eternity has passed. Strange stuff. I wonder what it will be like in heaven for all eternity with no time? ;)

W

Just some food for thought...!

W