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Friday, December 31, 2010

The View In Front Of Me...

A very dear friend has been posting pictures during this week of
miserable weather in the 48, from a tropical location. She has titled them, "The view in front of me." On New Years Eve, that is a blog post!

I've spent some time this last week, as I am sure many of us have, reviewing the last year in my mind. I've read over my blog, my journal, chatted with friends and the kids. I've curled up with my man and tripped down memory lane, sometimes in stitches over the adventures we have had. Glory to God for all He has accomplished in us this year. Who knew on the eve of 2011 we would be where we are? Right, He did.

We have prayed like crazy this year for Belle Malone. She continues her fight with little change in her health. Her mom, Kim, has become my dear friend. After five years in church together, it took Facebook to make us friends. How blessed I am to love her.

John and I learned to not spend and to give Him our first fruits. I still have my refrigerator and I may just give her a good cleaning today as a symbol of all we have been through. How amazing to learn a want from a need...and to trust Him with what our needs are. Truly Matthew 6:25-34 has become a way of life to us. I got to read it last night with our middlest daughter, Brennan.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

“And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."


We found that, at times, we were way more pagan than we realized. We worried often...until we didn't. He met us every dime of the way.

I watched as John fell head over heals in love with our God this year. With every ounce, John trusted Him and we have fallen deeper in love with each other because of Him. He is the reason we are who we are.

...as a nation, we stood together to declare "WE THE PEOPLE!" in a voice we had long forgotten. Look at us! We remembered that Washington works for us and we surround them. We are still the greatest nation on earth and if the FCC does not take down my post, I will rest a little easier knowing freedom still exists...and we remember that as a Christian nation, freedom has never come free.


I learned that Red Bull and vodka can turn even the most well intentioned woman of faith into "that girl at the party"...don't ask how I know that. Just trust me. Witnesses? I will not let you find them! There is no reason to go any deeper into this discussion. I have no desire. So stop asking. You may think I am just trying to fill up space next to my very nice picture. While that may be true, I will not regard your presence about this subject matter any more. Time for me to hit the Enter key and scroll down....









I have found my faith grew deeper. My insecurity is less~thank you Beth Moore. If you do nothing else for yourself in 2011, dear ones, read "So Long Insecurity" this year. It is a game changer and you will never be the same for it. It grew me to know that other people's insecurities are not my own. There is a standing with out apology...not in arrogance but rather in the humbled righteousness of one who knows that I am nothing with out Him. He is my all and all. Sometimes, I forget...but not for long. He always reminds me who I am in Him. The Truth really will set you free...

To the New Year! I get to look forward to February 25, 2011. House Me from the Wind Ministries presents: HouseWyne. An evening of wine, woman and song with a whole new meaning. God has orchestrated this woman's event with the ease of the Creator of the universe. Given that I know nothing about event planning, it is blast watching the miracles happen. He has organized a team of woman who all know what they are doing and all with the same heart: to show woman that we are invited to sit at the banquet table of Jesus and He desires to give us our fill. And gift of all gifts, He has arranged it so the event is free. We will take up an offering with the proceeds given to a local charity...Who gets to play hostess to over a hundred woman for free? Honestly, can you even stand His goodness to us? Details to follow in the next couple of weeks and watch for our fliers and ads on Cablevision if you are local...

I may wind up with roads that look more like this: I know I can't see around that curve. I have no promise of tomorrow. None of us do. But look at the VIEW IN FRONT OF ME! Can't you just see the very Glory of God? I have no doubt the curves are what will keep me alert. I enter this new year a little lighter (yes, I lost ten pounds but that is not what I mean and you know it) in my spirit. The past is in the behind now...or something like that. I think I know where it is written better..."Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained. "( Pillippians 3:12-4:)

See you next year, dear ones...Oh! And I have turned off comment moderation. So if you haven't left a comment in the past, feel free. No hoops to jump through any longer. Just another little something I am leaving behind this year!

4 comments:

Melissa Divelbiss said...

Lots to look forward in 2011! Happy New Year friend!
-M.

Maryellen said...

To you too dear one! Nothing to fear in 2011!

Anonymous said...

They outlawed the caffeine and alcohol drink in Wa state b'c of that. One is an upper and the other a downer. I'm sorry you had to go thru that. God bless you!

Maryellen said...

Bless you too! Have a wonderful new year. xoxo