January 20, 2014 - "Something New!"

Good morning to you all, Today we start a new week in the first month of a new year. Some of us are on a new journey toward health and have set some new, challenging goals. I like the word "new" A LOT. I am one of those who tire of things easily and LOVE the fact that every twenty-four hours I get to start over...every 12 months I start over...I love new recipes and new information that help me be the BEST me I can. How about you? Now I realize that nothing feels as good as a pair of OLD sneakers and OLD sweat pants, because the new sneakers cause blisters, but to every season there is a NEW. Can I say again I am grateful for that? There were seasons in my life where I didn't always make wise choices - maybe you can identify - but my bad choices never stopped the beginning of a new day. The only problem with starting a new day was at some point I had to come to the realization that simply starting over - a new day - didn't change the consequences of my bad choices. Unfortunately. But when God makes things new, when God makes a path, when God declares He's doing a new thing, that's something special. I read the passage below over the weekend and felt to share it with you as a means of encouragement. I really want to emphasize the portion that admonishes us to "forget about what's happened; don't keep going over old history." God always makes a way doesn't He? Sometimes we need to remember that He creates new paths and new adventures for those He loves and created for Himself. That is such an amazing thought as we begin the week. Is there something you need to release in order that you can accept this truth? As you read this passage, let's be alert and be present. I plan to! PK Isaiah 43: 16-21 (MSG) 16-21 This is what God says, the God who builds a road right through the ocean, who carves a path through pounding waves, The God who summons horses and chariots and armies— they lie down and then can’t get up; they’re snuffed out like so many candles: “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is! I’m making a road through the desert, rivers in the badlands. Wild animals will say ‘Thank you!’ —the coyotes and the buzzards— Because I provided water in the desert, rivers through the sun-baked earth, Drinking water for the people I chose, the people I made especially for myself, a people custom-made to praise me.