A Turning Point - 2013

Today – I am stepping across the line. I’m tired of waffling and I’m finished with wavering.  I’ve made my choice, the verdict is in and my direction is irrevocable. I’m going God’s way. There is no turning back now!

 I will live the rest of my life serving God’s purpose with God’s people on God’s planet for God’s Glory. I will use my life to celebrate His presence, cultivate His character, participate in His family, demonstrate His love, and communicate His word.   

Since my past has been forgiven and I have a purpose for living and a home awaiting in heaven. I refuse to waste any more time or energy on shallow living, petty thinking, trivial talking, thoughtless doing, useless regretting, hurtful resenting, or faithless worrying. Instead, I will magnify God, grow to maturity, serve in ministry, and fulfill my mission in the membership of His family. 

Because this life is preparation for the next, I will value worship over wealth, “we” over “me”, character over comfort, service over status, and people over possession, position and pleasures. I know what matters most and I’ll give it all I’ve got. I’ll do the best I can with what I have for Jesus Christ today.  

I won’t be captivated by culture, manipulated by critics, motivated by praise, frustrated by problems, debilitated by temptation or intimidated by the devil. I’ll keep running my race with my eyes on the goal, not the sidelines or those running with me. When times get tough, and I get tired, I won’t back up, back off, back down, back out or backslide. I’ll just keep moving forward by God’s grace. I’m Spirit-led, purpose-driven and mission focused so I cannot be bought. I will not be compromised, and I shall not quit until I finish the race.   

I’m a trophy of God’s amazing grace so I will be gracious to everyone, grateful for every day, and generous with everything that God entrusts to me.  

To my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, I say: However, Whenever, Wherever and Whatever you ask me to do, my answer in advance is Yes! Wherever you lead and whatever the cost, I’m ready. Anytime. Anywhere. Anyway. Whatever it takes Lord – Whatever it takes! I want to be used by you in such a way that on that final day I’ll hear you say, “Well done, thou good and faithful one. Come on in, and let the eternal party begin!” 

Bill Burch

The “Plus+Factor” Connection

Last Sunday of 2012

2012 thoughts to take into 2013:

1.  What if God's closeness in my life depends on the depth of my closeness to Him?

2.  What if God's constant "connectness" to me is based upon my connectedness to Him?

3.  What if the reality of God's Word at work in my life depends upon the amount of time (and frequency of times) I spend reading God's Word?

4.  What if my ability to "hear" God depends on the amount of stillness I create in my life to actually listen for Him, along with my level of expectation to actually sense Him speaking to me?

5.  What if . . . (you fill in the blank with your own desires for your relationship with God).

Specific Requirements for a Meaningful Relationship

with God:

 

1.  Priority - spending time with God (unhindered fellowship with God)

     Is this too difficult for you?

 

2.  Stillness - quiet, undistracted, focused totally upon God (leads to closeness with Him)  Is this too uncomfortable for you?

 

3.  Connection - with the "Vine" (promotes spiritual nourishment for strength and vibrancy)  Is this too confining for you?

 

Evidence of Genuine Faith:  Make it all Match! 

 

1.  Living out what you tell others about your faith in God

 

2.  Living out what you say you believe about having faith in God

 

3.  Living out what you desire in a genuine, meaningful relationship with God. 

 

Two More Thoughts:

 

1.  What if the "rapture" happens in 2013?

 

2.  What if going to Heaven depends up on your relationship with God?  Are you ready to go?

What If?

What you see is what you get!

 

 While some see a “fiscal cliff” with gloom and doom,

I see an interesting adventure ahead!

 

While some see failure in our government,

I see an opportunity for change!

 

While some see disappointment in our current leadership,

I see a new appointment with God Almighty!

 

While some say, “There is no hope!”,

I say, “With God all things are possible!”

 

While some see only despair and darkness,

I see a light at the end of the tunnel!

 

While some see “the end of the road”,

I see a bright new beginning!



Immanuel--God With Us

T'was the day after Christmas and all was at rest.

Yet; the winds were a-howling and doing their best

to disturb peace and quiet, giving calm a test! 

Despite all the fierceness of that noisy racket,

just outside the door lay a beautiful, white blanket.

It covered the landscape and warmed my whole mindset.

For it represented my anticipation

of Christmas day and the happy celebration,

for the busy season was now in full completion!

But then, what in my pondering mind should appear—

the reason for the snow on Christmas day became clear—

it represented joy in the message that we hear.

The name of the Babe is Immanuel—God with us!

He surrounds us, covers us, we call Him Jesus—

for He’s the One who came from Heaven at Christmas!

The reason for the season is what we proclaim,

but where is the true joy and the peace in the same?

Have we forgotten what’s so good about His name?

He came to bring peace and joy to all who believe,

and fill our hearts with His love if we’ll just receive.

He came to be with us, and He never will leave!

If we’ll only trust Him and invite Him inside,

His love will stay with us; in our hearts He’ll abide.

Not only that, but under His wings we can hide!

He offers salvation and cleansing from all sin.

His presence stays beside us, for He lives within!

His power can fill us, and our battles He’ll win!

Like new fallen snow, we are renewed day by day,

Our lives take on new freshness when to Him we pray.

His joy, His peace, and His love are in us to stay! 

His love is the reason for joy in the season.

His peace can remain while all around us is pain.

His presence stays the same, for Immanuel is His name!

Happy Birthday, Dear Jesus!

Guess Santa knows . . .

...Oh, just see what a glorious fill...

Guess Santa must know the importance of reading the Bible and smellin' good!

Guess Santa must also know that a bunny-lover needs to keep her feet snuggly warm!

Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good-night!

Choose Now!

Be joyful; be glad;

rejoice as you dream!

New hope can be had,

and new light can gleam!

 

Refresh and renew;

Fill up with what’s best!

Keep only what’s good,

and discard the rest!

 

Expect all things new!

Decide now to choose

what brings growth to you,

and what God can use!

 

A happy new year

is my wish for you!

May those you hold dear

see Jesus in you!

Choose to love the Lord your God, and to obey Him and commit yourself to Him, for He is your life!  (Deuteronomy 30:20 (a)

What a Day That Shall Be

This old hymn was one that my dad requested my sisters and me to sing at my mom's hospital bed immediately after she went home to be with Jesus, on December 7, 2003. I just happened to run across it today. It blessed me and touched my heart so tenderly that I just had to share it.



Today, on Tuesday, December 18, I made an amazing discovery:  Click on the video, and then immediately stop it by clicking on the stop button (2 small straight bars at the bottom left of the video).  Then, using the control bar at the bottom of this YouTube picture, scroll over slowly to the first picture of a group of people, and look at the center back (between the two men dressed in suits in the top row) of the picture there.  If your picture looks blury at that point, move the control button just a slight bit, and it will clear up some.  Do you see what I just saw?  If so, let me know.  And, if you see what I can see, I hope you will figure out an explanation for it!