New Years Meditations
I read Chris's blog today on 2007 meditations here. It's inspiring. It deserves a second entry today...
Today starts the first day of my final semester of INSTE. I started this in 1997 - supposed to be a five year course, it has officially taken me ten. But, the life lessons I have learned in the last ten years could not be replaced. I see now that there was a work God wanted to do in me... one that required five more years than most other people. :)
INSTE has been more to me than a formal training... it has been a tool God used to teach me about Himself. I have learned so much about Him... and as 2006 came to a close, I too was impacted by Pastor's sermon on purpose. Not only for me but for other people. I know - you aren't supposed to think sermons are for "so and so". I have been a Christian for 22 years. Although at times I struggle with my daily and weekly and periodic purpose, I know that "to know God and make Him known" is my lifelong purpose. But, I have a new burden for 2007. That is to "help others to know God and make Him known". My kids, my family, my sisters, my brothers, my friends, my spouse, my neighbors, strangers...
I look forward with anticipation at how God will work in me this year. I look forward to meeting new people and finding new hurts and hangups to show Gods love to. Although a large part of me is afraid - I know a God that is bigger than the hurts, hangups, temptations, and sins of every person regardless of who they are or what they have done... and I know that with the help and empowering of the Holy Spirit, other people can and will experience the same freedom and joy that I have found in walking and living in the Spirit of God.
I want to begin a prayer book - a list of specific prayers I am praying for others - to see the great work that God can do for them.... just as He has done for me. (ut oh... is this a New Year's resolution?)
For the past few years, I have chosen a Bible verse for the year. Last year it was from Isaiah... and was so appropriate for my entire family. This year for me and my family, I choose this, for one phrase alone, "ever-increasing".... may my children, all of them, and my spouse, continue to be transformed in 2007 with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit....and may you also!
2 Corinthians 3:18
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Today starts the first day of my final semester of INSTE. I started this in 1997 - supposed to be a five year course, it has officially taken me ten. But, the life lessons I have learned in the last ten years could not be replaced. I see now that there was a work God wanted to do in me... one that required five more years than most other people. :)
INSTE has been more to me than a formal training... it has been a tool God used to teach me about Himself. I have learned so much about Him... and as 2006 came to a close, I too was impacted by Pastor's sermon on purpose. Not only for me but for other people. I know - you aren't supposed to think sermons are for "so and so". I have been a Christian for 22 years. Although at times I struggle with my daily and weekly and periodic purpose, I know that "to know God and make Him known" is my lifelong purpose. But, I have a new burden for 2007. That is to "help others to know God and make Him known". My kids, my family, my sisters, my brothers, my friends, my spouse, my neighbors, strangers...
I look forward with anticipation at how God will work in me this year. I look forward to meeting new people and finding new hurts and hangups to show Gods love to. Although a large part of me is afraid - I know a God that is bigger than the hurts, hangups, temptations, and sins of every person regardless of who they are or what they have done... and I know that with the help and empowering of the Holy Spirit, other people can and will experience the same freedom and joy that I have found in walking and living in the Spirit of God.
I want to begin a prayer book - a list of specific prayers I am praying for others - to see the great work that God can do for them.... just as He has done for me. (ut oh... is this a New Year's resolution?)
For the past few years, I have chosen a Bible verse for the year. Last year it was from Isaiah... and was so appropriate for my entire family. This year for me and my family, I choose this, for one phrase alone, "ever-increasing".... may my children, all of them, and my spouse, continue to be transformed in 2007 with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit....and may you also!
2 Corinthians 3:18
"And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit."
Comments
"to reflect His glory", I am going to chew on that today as I clean.