"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me." Psalm 51:10
It is a new year and its time for a change here. I have been away from blogging for over 5 months. In that time we've left the relative comfort but discontentment of our life in Osoyoos and moved 100s of miles north to La Crete, Alberta to be with my husband's side of the family.
Many things have changed for us in the last few month and we've faced many challenges and experiences both good and bad. While we are feeling somewhat settled into life in ths northern town, its becoming obvious that our hearts are still not settled.
I've spent the last 5 months dealing with God in many different ways. Anger, ignorance, fear, pleading, blame, love, thankfulness, and wonder. I don't know which emotion was the biggest for the final half of 2010 but its my aim to start 2011 differently.
Not only are we going to try and live a healthier more natural lifestyle in 2011 *hint: new blog coming* but I feel its really time to focus on getting our souls healthy too, finding our way back to that loving God, Abba God, Prince of Peace, not anger, oppression or discontent, the God who is our refuge, our Strength and our Shield, and actually trusting that HE IS these things because we've spent too long feeling the opposite.
My prayer for the new year is not only to hear His voice, as is always our desire, but to feel His LOVE, to feel His Peace, to see His Beauty, to know His Forgiveness, to trust He will Provide and Sustain us, calm the Anger & Bitterness that can take hold, to accept His Grace and Mercy, and to remember all the things we are Thankful for, that we are Blessed with and have 2011 be the year of Joy, Hope, Peace & Love. I know those 4 words are cliche, especially in this season of the year, but it is my desire for them to reign all year long.
So, here I am, January 1st. Lord, Create in me a new heart & renew my spirit!
Sounds like a great way to start off the new year. Open and honest heart before God! I feel the same way!!! Happy 2011 to you and your family!
ReplyDeleteWonderful dear friend!
ReplyDeleteOur family Bible verse is Nahum 1:7. You could say it is the "theme" or heart's cry of my husband, myself, and our two sons. "The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble, and He knows those who trust in Him."
Growing up as a child, my parents picked a Bible verse, one of many Bible verses to teach us during family devotions, but this one was our "theme" life verse. It is the Bible verse I wrote about in the One Year Life Verse Devotional published by Tyndale House. Deuteronomy 31:8 is still a guiding light in my life. My Guiding Light was my original title and the editor changed it to "A Family Verse", but that's okay because that is what it was.
When the storms in life have come, and they will because Jesus said we will have difficult times, but in Him we can have peace (John 16:33), this Bible verse has kept me grounded.
Deut. 31:8 is the theme of my blog too. "And the Lord, He it is who does go before you, He will be with you, He will not fail you, neither forsake you, fear not, neither be dismayed."
Lifting a prayer for you today as your family adjusts to your new surroundings. Wherever you may be, remember, the Lord is with you and holds you in the palm of His Almighty hand. Jesus loves you with an everlasting love! He will never leave you or forsake you!
Hugs,
Susan
Sounds like a great way to start 2011 ....with a humble heart and a prayer. May this year bring all that you pray for.
ReplyDelete"I've spent the last 5 months dealing with God in many different ways. Anger, ignorance, fear, pleading, blame, love, thankfulness, and wonder. I don't know which emotion was the biggest for the final half of 2010 but its my aim to start 2011 differently."
ReplyDeleteWOW! my new friend, you are soooooooo not alone! i have been going thru some of the most difficult times this past year or two, also and have felt exactly those feelings! stay strong, God IS with you!! hugs!