The Closing of Another Year

credit: morguefile

This post marks the end of two events - the first, smaller event is a month of posting every single day for December -  not as easy as one might imagine.  Without my iphone I assuredly would never have been able to do it.   Some posts came from way out in left field and sometimes I had to rely on my "blog interest list" I keep on my iphone.  It was a good practice for something I am certain - just what - I will have to discover.  I was not alone in my journey for my friend JanMary joined with me and gallantly kept up, her posts had much more "meat" on them, far tastier than my paltry offerings. 

The second event, of course, is the end of the year.  Farewell to 2010, welcome to 2011!  I confess I've been ruminating on this all day hoping to come up with some thoughts on this milestone.  This is what has occurred to me. 

The changing of the year is significant but on the other hand its not?  Allow me to explain.  I am confident anyone who knows me knows I am a Christian.  No, I don't have it splashed all over my blog with daily scripture etc.  I do share "the word" when I feel led to do so and then I do publish what I think may be of interest and value.  I love the Lord with my entire being and I'm secure in my relationship with Him.  Today is one of these times I would like to share something which I will marry with the word - regarding New Years. 

Though my Mr. and I stay up until midnight on New Years and have some "nibblies" and do something fun like play a game or watch a movie - New Years does not have a great significance to us.  I believe this is because though many people observe New Years as a time to make "resolutions" - to drop bad habits, do some inner searching, make changes etc - a scripture keeps coming to the forefront of my mind:

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed,

for his compassions never fail.

They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Lamentations 3:22-23

So to clarify - to me EVERY day is New Years.  Because I'm a believer I'm always searching inside - always looking at each new day as an opportunity to renew.  I don't have to wait until the end of a 365 day year to take stock.  Not only this - unlike making "resolutions" (which are basically promises to one's self to give things up or start doing things) I instead surrender my every need to the Lord who is my constant helper.



1 God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way

and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam

and the mountains quake with their surging.

 

 

Psalm 46

 

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm glad there's a calendar.  I love the turning of the seasons and all the occasions we celebrate (especially Easter, Christmas and ones which have a spiritual significance)  I enjoy that these set-aside days seem to bring us together in groups of family and friends and often give us an extra day to rest.    But New Years are to me simply markers of passages of days that we are allowed to live here on our earth.  In the grand scheme of God's Plan for us, this is nothing - a wisp of air, a practice run, a time to practice out what REAL love should be. 

 

This next 365 days we will all lose loved ones, meet new friends, celebrate joys and suffer sadness's.  We will experience growth in some areas and setbacks in others.  We may be granted a full year or we may be taken - but its all just messy, complicated, joyous, desolate etc... living unless we believe.  I say this because of my own testimony.  I don't have one of those shocking, exciting, tragic or electrifying stories that would make a great novel or movie - just an ordinary life changed to something extraordinary.  I wish I knew how to describe to you the very depth of change inside of me, all because of His presence in me. 

 

All I can tell you is that if your life is missing something - if you feel you are merely living out your 365's to no point, won't you give Jesus the same opportunity to step into your life as you would not think twice to give up to a debt counsellor, marriage counsellor etc? 

 

After all your 365's are over - what's left? 

 

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,

that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

 

John 3:16

 

I wish you could see what I see - what my Grandma saw, my Mother saw - so many people who have gone before me knew when they surrendered their lives to the Lord.  I am so comforted to know they are saved - that's why today I could not end without giving you the opportunity to know that even if I don't post each and every day, something spiritual etc - I believe, I'm here for you if you want to know how you to surrender your life to Jesus. 

 

Thank you to all who have "followed", visited, and commented on my blog for the past year!  I have created this graphic for you for any of your projects you might like to use them for - they are about 6 inches long, the first without a drop shadow, the second with.  They are in png format.  I believe you can simply right click and "save as" to download them.  Please do not share them directly with others, at least have them come visit for themselves and ... I'd love a comment! 

 



I Wonder...

photo: morguefile

I'm run dry of blog-post ideas that are current so I will blog about something I think about now and again. 

Ever since I was a kid I've loved to look look at houses - any house that was not my own, and wonder what it would be like to live there.  Even in the tiniest glimpse I can get an immediate sense of what it might be like inside and what I'd feel like living there.  From the poorest shack to the fanciest of mansions I'm intriqued.  I must say that I have always especially liked travelling at night and catching a peek as warm and buttery lights shine out. 

Is it just me - or what?  



A Lucky Find!

When I visited the MCC Thrift Store in Abbotsford recently, I was delighted to find the following book:

The paper inside looks like this:

I've not seen paper like this - its unique and feels wonderful.  The book features basic Wok Recipes, with just a few ingredients and the hand drawn illustrations are fabulous. (which I can't obviously show you without breaking copyright laws)  The thing is, we loaned this cookbook out at some point and it never came back.  We did not think to write down who we loaned it to and so could not ask for it to be returned.  I hope whoever has it has enjoyed it. 

So when I came across it at the thrift store I was delighted.  Have you loaned out books that did not come home?  Do you keep a list of who you've leant to? 

PS - there are some pretty oooh-lala snow photos on my sister's blog!





Dessert Disaster



Oops!  Seems every occaision the family gets together something gets spilled, flipped or flopped.   We've had cakes, steaks and lasagnes in my memory.  

This time it was the delicious Strawberry Slice my Mother in Law makes.  As I was not there to witness it in person I have to rely on the varying accounts which blame it on the slippery surface of the glass pan and the shifty plastic lid on it that caused the spill-ee to lose control of the contents.  Sigh! 

So - what about you?  What was the last food item that took a nose dive in your household?



Who Cares

The title does not match this post but I waited until bedtime to post and can not think of what to call it and this is what my Mr said to name it.





It has been raining and raining and raining so despite that we made ourselves get out of doors for a walk on the trails. It was rather refreshing.



-- Post From My iPhone

An Unusual Craft

My niece has an unusual little hobby which she began several years ago. She likes to play with fire!






That is, she uses a toothpick and dips it in the melted wax until she makes a small creation.






This is her creation for 2010. Do you play with candle wax? Or does someone in your family have an odd little hobby?



-- Post From My iPhone

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to All! These posts are short, sweet with larger servings promised in the coming days!



-- Post From My iPhone

If You Catch It JUST RIGHT...

I noticed that if I waited toll JUST the right moment I could take a photo that made it seem like the head of the worker INSIDE this kiosk is on the body of the person in purple. The purple sweatshirt is actually a reflection of the front of the lady on the right. There is a mirror panel that runs all the way along. Here's a closer shot:





What does this have to do with Christmas? Nuthin - but wishing you all a wonderful Christmas eve and Christmas Day!

-- Post From My iPhone

Table Decorations

A plain white napkin, a twist of wired ribbon, a red button, a length of gold elastic make an inexpensive and attractive table setting. Add a candy cane and fresh sprig of evergreen for that last touch!


-- Post From My iPhone

More Yummies

Was served a persimmon today, my first ever. I liked it very much. Have you ever had one? If so, how do you eat yours?





Was served a nummy homemade eggnog latte. So foamy and creamy with a healthy caffiene kick! Better than starbucks.


-- Post From My iPhone