NEW LIFE - START NOW

The Super Bowl is over, now what?

In some parts of the U.S., and the world, spring is not on the way.  You look out and see the snow piled up, bare trees and no sign of life in your flower garden.  But never fear, what now looks dead will rise again!  God planned it that way -  season's, the unforced rhythm of nature.  King Solomon, a man known to be very wise, wrote something about this is the book of Ecclesiastes.  Take a look at Chapter 3 which talks about 'a time for everything'. 

We have our personal season's also - there is the season of confusion, the season of revelation, the season of gratitude...and yes, we also have season's of misery sprinkled through our lives here on earth. 

It's very easy for me to know that spring is coming to my community.  I can see it.  I can sit at my desk and look into my yard and see the budding rose bushes, lilac plants that have begun to bloom, and the begoneas that have already burst forth with pinkish-red flowers.  I enjoy the majesty of the 'Bird of Paradise' plant.  The bright orange blossoms, with just a touch of blue, look like birds with their little heads held high surveying God's plan for renewal.

It's starting already, and soon there will be a whole symphony of color along the freeways.  God's way of announcing spring, and He, the creator of it all!  Don't you want to be refreshed, renewed, wrapped up in glorious colors that bubble up from a source of inward joy?  Yeah, me too!  I've found only one way to do that.  Push the world and it's woes aside, look up and connect with God who is always faithful to bring good things to His children.  Look for miracles.  They happen often and we're too busy to notice. 

Last week we drove from North San Diego County where we live, up to our daughter and son-in-law's home in the beach area of Los Angeles.  We had crystal clear weather and could out into the ocean for many miles.  Our eyes were searching for migrating whales.  Sadly, we couldn't spot any.  However, the indescribably beautiful sunsets made up for our disappointment in not being able to wave to the whales as they glide by on their way to the warmer Mexican waters where they'll birth their babies.

So, how do we calm down and get focused on what is important?  How can we recognize the miracles that come our way and know what God wants for us?  Read the Bible.  There is no excuse, most anyone can get a copy of the Bible if you live anywhere near civilazation...and even if you don't.  The Bible is available on cassett tapes and CD's - you can listen on the way to work or school!  You can download the Bible to an I Pod and walk around hearing the words of Scripture.  Thanks, Steve Jobs!

These are 'words of life'  you need to know them.  The Bible is difficult you say - yes, but God Himself will open your ears so you can hear, and open your eyes so you can see.  Our Heavenly Father has given those who believe the gift of the Holy Spirt, who will help us. Jesus told us...

"... the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things."  John 14:26

There is a man by the name of Joel Osteen who has a very large ministry.  He's a television evangelist, plus has a huge church in Houston, Texas.  He comes under condemnation  because his message is so 'upbeat'.  Some complain that he doesn't tell people enough about the wrath of God and doesn't talk much about hell.  No, he doesn't.  God has given him a ministry for believers, God's wrath and hell are not something the saints, those who belong to Christ, need to be concerned about. 

He starts each message by holding up his Bible, and asking the others to do the same. Then, they repeat these words together...

"This is my Bible
I AM what it says I am
I HAVE what it says I have
I can DO what it says I can do.

Today I will be taught the word of God
I boldly confess my MIND is alert,
my HEART is receptive,
I will never be the same!"

Amen!  When God's Word penetrates your heart, life will change. What wonderful words to start a new year, the coming of spring, and turning days from struggle and misery to joy and peace.

You have to see to believe - no, you have to believe to see.  Jesus never says 'No, you're not good enough'.  He wants us to come to Him and trust Him with our lives.  He will make you alive, you will be reborn, and life will never be the same.  John 3:3. Don't wait, don't waste another minute - start now!  There is a whole new life, and a whole new way of looking at life - just waiting for you.  Go for it!

Thank you Lord that YOU are able (Jude 24) and will gather your sheep together and give us new life.

WHY I BLOG

I blog to have a voice, to make a difference, to feed a passion. I blog to experience joy, to reach out to others on the World Wide Web. I blog to have a place to deposit what I’ve learned and continue to learn.  I blog because it makes me happy, content.  I blog for the thrill of a new word that appears on the page, or an exhilarating thought that flows from me to my readers. I blog to challenge and inspire, to be honest, vulnerable, and risk criticism. I blog because I love to write, sometimes surprised by my brilliance, other times annoyed by my lack of ability to communicate. I blog because words written have more weight than words spoken.  They aren’t as easily erased or forgotten. I blog because I love words and desire to handle them properly. I blog to add clarity to difficult concepts, to explore mysteries and miracles that take my breath away. I blog because I wonder, because I wonder, I search, because I search, I find.  I blog for excitement, to race and tumble at breakneck speed toward a truth, a treasure that puts life into perspective. I blog for all those who want to know, but will not ask.  I blog for family, friends and people in Iran and China. I blog because I want to know me, what I blog is me, coming from the One who created me.  I blog because it’s God directed and I am in awe when words drift without effort from mind to paper.  I blog in hopes that the dawn of a new discovery will bear fruit in the lives of those who read my words and will ultimately lead to a relationship with the Living Word.  I blog to introduce, praise and give glory to God.