Happy 2013! Glad we all didn't go up in flames!

You know what always intrigues me about New years? The excitement people feel about having the chance to start all over. A clean slate, a fresh start. Whether they liked the past year or not, they always want that new beginning.

I get it. Some people do choose to leave the past (or think they can choose) behind them. Others Cherise every lesson they have learned and use it in their new start, as sort of a "jumping off point" for the next big thing. They way they do this is "resolutions" *gasp* *croak* *sob* , I know I said it!!! They don't work! Never have never will! Because we were not created to work this way. "New Years" Just one measly day a year to renew your whole life, well that seems like a pretty tall order doesn't it? I mean just one day to think of all you want to change, and then start doing it. Personally I would be overwhelmed. Like this lady---------------------------------------->
 The truth is, God gave us this amazing plan of renewal in his word, it happens all throughout the year. And better yet, He did it through a series of Holidays so that we could have fun doing it and not get overwhelmed as we were faced with the tough stuff!

I think for me the two most important are Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) and Passover. The reason being (for me) this, DOA= is a time of recognition of ones unworthiness in the presence of God, it shows us how very little, and how stained we truly are, AND YET HE LOVES US. HE made a way for us! It is a time of opening our hearts to Him and hearing what He would have us lose in our lives as a sacrifice to Him. Now, I not all talking "I heard God telling me to go kill those people" type thing. And in the wake of the tragedies that have occurred recently I do not put that sentence in here lightly. I put it in here to be clear, that when you surrender your heart to God, truly surrender it completely, He does not ask you to do things that are outside His will (like those killing were). But He may ask you to do strange things... give all the food in your pantry to the local food bank (when you are unemployed and have little food, and no money coming in and kids to feed.) I know of a time he asked a very poor woman who had been gifted with a Starbucks barrista cappachino maker not to long ago, and told her to give it to one of the wealthiest men in church. (and no he wasn't single) He refused to take it and instead took it and (to honor what God said, And then handed it over to someone else to destroy it. Such worldly things do not make send to us now, but I know for a fact all those people involved have been blessed, both spiritually and financially (no they are not all rich, but they are doing better than they were) They had new beginnings.

Passover should be easy to understand, if you know the story of the exodus from Egypt. For the entire thing is about freedom! I love that time of year, as spring comes round, and you are looking at your life and you start to see who or what are the "Pharaohs" in your life. God usually starts His work in my on this one a few months in advance, sometimes it's how I talk to people, or sometimes its something like reading the word, or being a better wife. Sometimes its more physical like eating healthier or not smoking, or more spiritual, like praying to be less selfish (which by the way is a really hard one!)
Mathew 6:19-21 says :
¹⁹ “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. ²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. ²¹ For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."

I tend to think of this verse a lot at Passover time, where am I putting in all my energy? Are they worldly things or Godly things? Are they both? It isn't as if God doesn't want us to have a good time while we are here on Earth. He wasn't to bless us. But with things that are pure. I recently saw this meme on FB and it made me think.
It is kind of the same thing isn't it? I wonder who or what rules over the presidents heart and mind? We read so much trash about him. Some true. Some not. When I think of all the babies murdered in womb every day it is very hard for me to look at this face and not hate it. But maybe that is my lesson for this new year. To learn how to love without prejudice. To pray with out condemnation. And understand that while I can still hold him morally accountable for his actions and have righteous anger, Maybe I should also be able to look at him, a little bit more like God looks at me when I come before him at Yom Kippur. Unworthy, full of filthy, but, if willing to surrender, always redeemable. Isn't that what new beginnings are all about?
So for this New Year, that is my resolution. to attempt to  pray for him more, and show more grace. I am sure it will be a journey, and I am certain I will fail. And that is why I also am thankful for Grace!

HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIENDS!