Happy New Year 2015!

"May this year be the best ever!"
© Karen Kyle Ericson, all rights reserved.

A few years ago I realized I don't keep my New Year's Resolutions, so I quit making them.  2014 was hard for a lot of us.  We had wars and rumors of wars, even some new bad guys.  Most of us are impressed with Pope Francis, and are grateful for his thoughts.   Maybe it's a good time to lay down denomination, and just be Christian, believe and grow in our faith.  I'll continue doing Hope Faith & Life this year. It's a fun ministry and challenges me in good ways. I feel like it fits like a glove: photography, illustration, writing, the Bible...  I'm loving it.

I'm beginning to find some business opportunities for my art and photography, which is very exciting.  This year, I'll focus more on selling my work and setting some work hours for myself.  I've always worked from my heart so it's a mental shift to think business about my doodles.  While I was working in business, I bought art supplies whenever I could, and now I'm pretty well stocked up : )  Yay!  

Two things we can always count on is change and God's love for us.  I pulled out some verses that came to mind about finding peace and some goals for the New Year.

This is my favorite prayer in the Bible:

The prayer of Agur
2 Surely I am more stupid than any man,
And do not have the understanding of a man.
One finger points out, and 3 point back at me...
 
3 I neither learned wisdom
Nor have knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended into heaven, or descended?
Who has gathered the wind in His fists?
Who has bound the waters in a garment?
Who has established all the ends of the earth?
What is His name, and what is His Son's name,
If you know?
I know! Jesus!
 
5 Every word of God is pure;
He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.
6 Do not add to His words,
Lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
7 Two things I request of You
(Deprive me not before I die):
8 Remove falsehood and lies far from me;
Give me neither poverty nor riches—
Feed me with the food allotted to me;
9 Lest I be full and deny You,
And say, “Who is the Lord?”
Or lest I be poor and steal,
And profane the name of my God.
(Proverbs 30:2-9 NKJV)
This is so true.  I am happiest when I have just what I need, too much gets confusing.  More creative too.

More awesome verses:
9 "I've loved you the way my Father has loved me. Make yourselves at home in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you'll remain intimately at home in my love. That's what I've done––kept my Father's commands and made myself at home in his love.

11"I've told you these things for a purpose: that my joy might be your joy, and your joy wholly mature. 12 This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. 13 This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. 14 You are my friends when you do the things I command you. 15 I'm no longer calling you servants because servants don't understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I've named you friends because I've let you in on everything I've heard from the Father.

16 "You didn't choose me, remember; I chose you, and put you in the world to bear fruit, fruit that won't spoil. As fruit bearers, whatever you ask the Father in relation to me, he gives you. 17 "But remember the root command:  Love one another."
(John 15:9-17 Message)
These are Jesus' words for us.  We didn't choose Him, He chose us.  A good reminder that love isn't just a feeling, it's an action, challenge and necessity.

17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
(2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
We can find forgiveness in Christ.  We just need to believe we are really forgiven.

28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.
(Romans 8:28 NKJV)
Sometimes the goodness comes later in life.  When I was younger, His peace and wisdom helped me succeed.  I like to ask God for words to say when I'm stumped.

19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen
(Philippians 4:19-20 NKJV)
This is tricky. The television has one idea of what we need, and God doesn't necessarily agree!

18 “Do not remember the former things,
Nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing,
Now it shall spring forth;
Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness
And rivers in the desert."
(Isaiah 43:18-19 NKJV)
It's time to put the past to rest.   I feel much better now letting it go.  Forgiveness and compassion are provided by God everyday.  I'm definitely not qualified to judge others.

Chris Tomlin, Amazing Grace (link)