Pursuing the Presence, Purpose and Power of a closer walk with Christ

Archive for December, 2011

Review and Renew


The end of the year reflections bring a mix of perspectives reviewing one’s life over the past year and the hope of a bright new year.

It is healthy and productive to look over the past year to review what has or hasn’t been accomplished in one’s personal and business goals.

It is also healthy and productive to make new goals that have a balance of realistic expectations and the guidance of Almighty God.

I find that the ushering out the old year’s disappointments, shortcomings, mistakes and unmet goals is tempered by the grace of repentance, forgiveness and renewal in the new year.

For last year’s words belong to last year’s language
And next year’s words await another voice.
And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot, “Little Gidding”

We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.
Edith Lovejoy Pierce

 I remember Anne of Green Gables’  teacher said something to this effect,  “Tomorrow is a fresh new day with no mistakes on it.” 

God’s love and grace can give you a new slate. I’m so glad Jesus wiped mine clean. Each new day in the coming new year holds the potential for beginning with a clean slate.

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The Best Gift of All


Christmas. What  an encompassing word containing the pivotal message of hope. God loved us so much that He gave His only Son, Jesus, so we would not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16 (Paraphrased) It also because of His love that we celebrate Christ’s birth on December 25th.

The meaning of Christmas is different for individuals, families, religions, and countries.  The Free On-line Dictionary defines it as:

             1.A Christian feast celebrated on December 25th

              2. A Christ festival

               3. from Old english, CrIstemaesse; Christ’s Festival

What memories do you recall from your childhood that fit this definition?  Would you describe the gift of God’s Son born as a baby in Bethlehem? If you would venture to ask a group of people in a shopping center this question,  it is likely some of the answers would have nothing to do with  the true meaning of Christmas.

People might say Christmas is about getting together with your family to exchange gifts.

Parents might say Christmas is about surprising their children with gifts from “Santa”

Still others might say it is a time of year when we celebrate at parties with eating and drinking.

Perhaps you  might even hear a “Ba Humbug” among the answers.

If we look  further into the celebrations of Christmas many countries have, a common thread is gift giving. In this  great United States of America, great because it is so blessed by God, many gather together in families, at places of work, churches and communities celebrating the season with gift giving as well.

“It is more blessed to give than to receive,” the apostle Paul said in Acts 20:35.   

If we look at the words of John Greenleaf  Whittier below, we might be inspired to be blessed everyday.  

Somehow, not only for Christmas,
But all the long year through,
The joy that you give to others,
Is the joy that comes back to you.
And the more you spend in blessing,
The poor and lonely and sad,
The more of your heart’s possessing,
Returns to you glad.
John Greenleaf Whittier 

We can take the gift  of  the message of salvation and forgiveness of sins we received to others that have not yet received Christ. Jesus is the best gift of all.

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