Tension

I feel a constant tension, but I guess it isn't a bad thing.  As the lyrics to the song, Altar and Door (by Casting Crowns) go, I  am between who I was, who I am and who God is making me to be.

I was also thinking of the song Who Am I, (by Casting Crowns)

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart
Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are...

Thanks, God for a brisk walk and thoughts of you. Thanks for my fluffy, handsome walking partner who drags me along.   Thanks for health and the ability to walk.  Thanks for a balmy day in January and the bright sunshine.  Thanks for an I-pod so I can listen to tunes while I walk.  Thanks for who you are and for working in me.

My mindset

(photo from biologycorner.com)



The issue of mindset has come up several times this week.  I have been thinking about how Christ is not part of my life....but is my very life.  In these verses in Col. 3:1-4 it speaks about how,  if I am dead and alive in Christ I should set my mind on things above.  What does that mean?  The same idea came up in Small Group in Romans 8:5 of the mind set on things of the Spirit.   So as this new year is off and running I want to keep in mind the "1 thing" (Luke 10:42) to fellowship with and abide in Christ;  to seek first His kingdom (Matt. 6:33) and to know Him more fully (Phil. 3:10).  Lord, please teach me what it means and how to set my mind on things above.

Three Words for 2012

I am revisiting my post from last Jan. 16, 2011 in which I chose three words to set the stage for my goals for the coming year.  My words for this year are SOLI    DEO    GLORIA    which means "glory to God alone."  That's what I want all my life  activities to be...



Starting 2012.....

As I prayerfully enter into the New Year I agree:

A New Year's Prayer

To thee, O God, I give up myself, to be used and employed for thee. I desire to live no longer than I may do thee some service. Make what use of me thou pleasest, only let me obtain mercy of the Lord, to be found diligent, humble, and faithful. O that the work of this year may be better done than that of the last, and my time more filled up; and that I may never grow weary of well doing.
To thee, O God, I give up myself, to be disposed of by thee as thou pleasest. I know not what the year may bring forth to me, or to my family. But welcome the holy will of God; and God, by his grace, make me ready for it. If it be the last year of my life, my dying year, may I but finish my course with joy; and farewell this world. Whatever afflictions may this year befall me, I desire none of them may move me from God and my duty, amen.(a prayer by Matthew Henry, January 1, 1707)

From Bob Hostetler's blog: http://bobhostetler.blogspot.com/

Here's another good one:

Lord God Almighty,
I understand that I am unable to do anything without your help,
so I ask you to enable me by your grace to fulfill your will.

Give me grace to do whatever brings most glory and honor to you,
pleasure and profit to me,
and life and love to others.

Help me to number my days,
spending my time wisely,
living my life with all my might while I still have breath.

Humble me in the knowledge that I am chief of sinners;
when I hear of the sins of others,
help me to not look upon them with pride,
but to look upon myself with shame,
confessing my own sins to you.

When I go through difficulties and trials,
remind me of the pains of hell
from which you have already delivered me.

Place people in my path who need my help,
and give me a compassionate and generous spirit.

Fill my heart with such love
that I would never do anything out of a spirit of revenge,
nor lose my temper with those around me.
Hold my tongue when I am tempted to speak evil of others.

Thank you for the gospel and for the hope of glory.
Help me to live in light of these truths every day of my life,
so that when the time of my death arrives,
I will rest assuredly in you,
and you will be most glorified in me.

In Christ’s name…

- Trevin Wax (adapted from the first 21 of Jonathan Edwards’ resolutions), first posted on January 3, 2010

Looking forward to 2012

Well, I don't know if I'd go so far  as to call it a  RESOLUTION, but I am going to try to blog more in 2012.  I like to look back at the direction my thoughts (dithers) have taken.  I am pondering the New Year and I came across a quote this morning:

"Most of us have two lives, the life we live and the unlived life within us."  Steven Pressfield

I want to be more intentional in 2012.....about the inner, unlived life becoming the one I will live.  I see my goal as Micah 6:8 to do what the Lord requires of me:  To act justly, love mercy and to walk humbly with my God.  I am anxious to see where that will lead in the coming year.

One of these days I'm gonna get serious about my blogging and update more often.  I've been busy baking and decorating cookies for Christmas celebrations and gifts.  Isn't this cartoon precious???



Plus, since acquired a Kindle Fire...things just aren't getting done around here...LOL.

Futility

"The futility of our efforts may be the Voice of God calling

us to be still in Him instead of trying to

work things out on our own"   by Priscilla Shirer

So, I guess futility has it's purpose.  It's where I end and God begins.