Wrapping Up the Old and Ringing in the New

Today, I spent time putting the house, computer...my life in order.

There are things I am tossing out,
     deleting,
          rearranging to get ready for the new year:

New things,
     new activities,
          new opportunities to live for Him!

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV)

"Out" with my old nightshirt I've worn just about every night since May 1994 - I finally splurged on a new one! :)

It is so comfy, but you can see through it and holes have appeared. I hate togive it up, but there's really no sense in wearing it in this condition.  ;-)

"In" with the new nightshirt!

"Out" with keeping up shallow Facebook cyber relationships, and "In" with developing deep, life impacting face-to face, relationships. I don't plan to be on very much, so call, text (on my new phone), or stop by for coffee to catch me up on your life.

"Out" with trying to get what I don't have and "In" with being content with all that God has blessed me with: the people He has brought into my life for such a time as this, the opportunities He's given me, the provision he's made for me.

"Out" with the out of shape I'm in and "In" with health and fitness.

I'm excited about all the possibilities and HOPE 2012 holds.

While You Were Sleeping-LFC January 2008

Who's Help?

This is an old joke that keeps coming to mind as I think about my life, and as I pray for so many people in hard situations. 

A storm descends on a small town, and the downpour soon turns into a flood. As the waters rise, the local preacher kneels in prayer on the church porch, surrounded by water. By and by, one of the townsfolk comes up the street in a canoe.
"Better get in, Preacher. The waters are rising fast."
"No," says the preacher. "I have faith the Lord. He will save me."
Still the waters rise. Now the preacher is up on the balcony, wringing his hands in supplication, when another guy zips up in a motorboat.
"Come on, Preacher. We need to get you out of here. The levee's gonna break any minute."
Once again, the preacher is unmoved. "I shall remain. The Lord will see me through."

After a while the levee breaks, and the flood rushes over the church until only the steeple remains above water. The preacher is up there, clinging to the cross, when a helicopter descends out of the clouds, and a state trooper calls down to him through a megaphone.

"Grab the ladder, Preacher. This is your last chance."
Once again, the preacher insists the Lord will deliver him.
And, predictably, he drowns.
A pious man, the preacher goes to heaven. After a while he gets an interview with God, and he asks the Almighty, "Lord, I had unwavering faith in you. Why didn't you deliver me from that flood?"
God shakes his head. "What did you want from me? I sent you two boats and a helicopter."

This is a lesson I am continually being reminded of as I pray for people - as I seek my own "help"; God often answers in ways I never imagined. I often miss His answers because I'm so focused on MY ways, I don't recognize His ways.

     "For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
 neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD."
                  (Isaiah 55:8 ESV)

Lord,
Open my eyes to see how you are at work - help me to recognize you rescuing, redeeming, restoring, relieving, renewing, redirecting, and removing through circumstances and through people you place in lives.