New Year Reflections

Well, it's here!  The beginning of a brand new year!

What does this new year hold for each of us?  We really don't know...

The future is just as dim as this early morning fog on Still Waters Pond...we can just barely see the glimmers of light on the other side...

We may feel like this teapot on a birthday cake, wanting to break out and celebrate, but the uncertainty of life is swirling around us and we just aren't too sure which way to go...

Or like this snowman and the beautiful cardinal, enjoying the beauty of the moment while it lasts, but realizing that all too soon all this reverie will melt away and we will be left wondering what happened...and what do we do next?

As we reflect on the joys and beauties of the Christmas season we have just celebrated, 

we take one last look at what was...

And in the midst of it all we find glimmers of HOPE...

little reminders of the JOY and PEACE of the Christ Child of Christmas 

and we are reminded to BELIEVE in His promises for us for a future filled with Faith, Hope, and Love

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"For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known.

And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love."

I Corinthians 13:12-13

Hear the words of the Prophet Isaiah, as he writes down what God the Lord still speaks to us across time:

“Ho! Everyone who thirsts,

Come to the waters;

And you who have no money,

Come, buy and eat.

Yes, come, buy wine and milk

Without money and without price.

2 Why do you spend money for what is not bread,

And your wages for what does not satisfy?

Listen carefully to Me, and eat what is good,

And let your soul delight itself in abundance."

Isaiah 55:1-2

As most of you may already know, my new "One Word" for 2022 is "Delight".  Throughout the year I will be reflecting on the word "Delight" from many perspectives...especially as I read through God's Word and discover the many places where God expresses His delight in His creation and His children...and also in the many ways we "delight" ourselves in Him.  But I also expect that I will personally be expressing "delight" in life itself...as the year unfolds before us and we experience first hand delight and joy in God's creation, family and friends and whatever blessings come our way. And just because I know that life is never all "wine and roses", I can probably expect there will be times when life won't seem so "delightful", and those will be the times when my "delight" may turn to trusting God even when things don't make much sense.  But for now, let us rejoice in the beauty and glory of God and declare His wonders among all peoples:

Since it is still foggy as pea soup outside, I thought you'd enjoy seeing this beauty that is blooming in my kitchen!  I just took this Amaryllis bulb out of the box a few days ago, and look at it now!

Psalm 96:1-4

"Oh, sing to the Lord a new song!

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

2 Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim the good news of His salvation from day to day.

3 Declare His glory among the nations,

His wonders among all peoples.

4 For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised;

He is to be feared above all gods."

And please notice that it has not just one blossom, but there are others on the way, ready to bloom any day now!

Yes, the New Year is full of promise and hope and delight...even if we can't see it all right now...we can believe it by faith and we can sing to the Lord a new song...

"Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad;

Let the sea roar, and all its fullness;

12 Let the field be joyful, and all that is in it.

Then all the trees of the woods will rejoice

13 before the Lord.

For He is coming, for He is coming to judge the earth.

He shall judge the world with righteousness,

And the peoples with His truth."

Psalm 96:11-13

Amen

and 

Happy New Year!