Monday, December 31, 2007

How Do We Succeed? New Year, New Goals, New Dreams!

"Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind
and do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him,
and He will
direct and make straight and plain your paths."
Proverbs 3:5-5, Amplified Bible

It occurs to me as I brace myself to undertake several new projects this year,
that I may have bitten off more than I can chew.
This was really a problem for me in my younger day,
and something we will chat about sometime, but not today! ;)

Today, I thought it appropriate to share my thoughts, hopes, and expectations for success
in the coming year.
Because, I KNOW I am NOT alone in wondering about the coming year,
and what is ahead.
Not alone in comparing and measuring myself to the stack of to-do projects, issues, challenges, hopes and dreams to be tackled.

My hope of course, is NOT in myself , (I know you knew me better than that by now! ;)
But, my hope is in the One who made me, saved me,
protects, provides for and guides me!


As I perused my to-do list, I thought about how I came about taking each of these things on,
and was greatly encouraged.
Because, though in myself, I see much lack towards accomplishing these things,
I did not undertake them lightly,
or without committing them to Christ beforehand.
My hope in Him, as the wind beneath my wings so to speak,
is why I know that success will come.

"For in Him we live and move and have our being; as even some of your [own] poets have said, For we are also His offspring."
Acts 17:28

Success might not look like anything I pictured,
and it very likely will be something richer and more textured
than anything I could design or even imagine!
But, it will come!

"Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors
and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us."
Romans 8:37


Happy, Happy New Years to each of you and your families!
I pray that we and our families will all together
come to know Christ in a fresh and invigorating way this year,
and that we will have fresh desire and strength to pursue our dreams
and to help those in our circle of influence to attain theirs!
Much love and joy to you all, in Jesus' matchless Name!

9 comments:

Joyful Days said...

Happy New Year to you!! So glad to have found you!

May it be filled with joy & blessings!


(())

She Rose Up said...

Julie, that goes double for me! Happiest of New Years to you!

xoxo,
maria

Sharon Brumfield said...

I so say AMEN! to your last paragraph.
I want to see some amazing God only changes in my life this year.
May we all look back at this year and be simply amazed at His works in our lives.

Ally said...

Hey Maria,
Thanks for the link...I loved it...it´s true...part of my heart is hurting...needs a real touch from God! Thanks for sharing with me.... It´s so true that we often feel that we can only share when we are through the tunnel...but right now I am just so IN the tunnel....and it´s nice to know others are going through tunnels too because at times like these it feels like everyone else has their lives togther.

luvmy4sons said...

Thanks to you! Happy New Year to you too! Love the post. Very encouraging. My favorite was the scripture-we live and move and have our beging...oh yes! Thankfully so!

She Rose Up said...

Sharon, I am with you! Great Expectations! He is able to do exceedingly, abundantly beyond anything we could ask, think or imagine!

Hey there Ally! You are so right,it often seems like it, but its not true, we DON'T any one of us have it all together, no one!

But, the good thing about that is we can all comfort each other, He designed it just that way!

Thanks! Glad you liked it!

Hey, Leslie! That is one of my very, very favorites! Glad you like it, too!

Thanks you all!
Much faith, hope & love for us all!
Maria

Renee said...

Wonderful post! Such encouragement! Thank you.

Unknown said...

Happy New Year to you and yours! Awesome post and so true. Too often we come up with things to do without commiting them to God first and then at the end of the year we wonder why we failed, and where we went wrong.
Prayer & direction are always key factors in any goal!

Blessings to you and your,
Regina
By the way thanks for stopping by, Nice to meet you!!

She Rose Up said...

Renee! Great to hear from you! Thank you!

Regina! So glad you dropped in! I loved the message in your blog! Glad I found ya'!

Thanks & take care, Ya'll!
Maria

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What Does it Mean Anyway? "Free to Fly"...

Well, it's like this: Here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Free: a : having the legal and political rights of a citizen b : enjoying civil and political liberty c : enjoying political independence or freedom from outside domination d : enjoying personal freedom : not subject to the control or domination of another2 a : not determined by anything beyond its own nature or being : choosing or capable of choosing for itself...having a scope not restricted by qualification 7 a : not obstructed, restricted, or impeded ...Now, here are some of the Webster's Dictionary definitions of Fly:1 a : to move in or pass through the air with wings b : to move through the air or before the wind or through outer space c : to float, wave, or soar in the air ... a : to take flight ...6 : to work successfully ...Examples which apply from Websters: fly high : to be elated - fly in the face of or fly in the teeth of : to stand or act forthrightly or brazenly in defiance or contradiction of

What does this mean in my life? This means that in life we are meant to be free. While historically mankind has not always enjoyed the opportunity to fully appreciate what that means, we are so indescribably fortunate as to live in a time of the greatest spiritual, physical, financial and political freedom ever known. Freedom doesn't come cheap, nor does it come easy. But the best things in life don't come that way do they? As I write this I am struck by how this sounds like a political statement, and for me this is much more of a spiritual thing, but, same goes for that (political that is). Freedom doesn't come easy. And it's worth whatever fight you have to make to overcome in your life in order to live a life that succeeds. Now the questions is - what is success for you? What is your standard? In my mind what is needed is a definite target - because you can't hit and maintain a moving target. A stable, rock-solid, anchor with no variable, yet multi-faceted. Something pure, just and worthy. If you look at any web page of news you can see that our society is certainly lacking in this area. What a great time to live as a rebel! Nowadays to be a rebel, all you have to do is be willing to engage in the battle of life, while anchored to Christ!