Happy New Year to You!

I am not a big NEW YEAR'S kinda gal. I think it is the biggest of let-down holidays. The only year I can remember it being HUGE fun was 2000 - I spent New Year's Eve in Beijing, China and counted down to a new millennium in Tienanmen Square with my (now) Honey, my brother, sister-in-law, and a gazillion strangers. Everyone held their breath anticipating technological mayhem at midnight and trying to stop humming Prince. It was awesome.

This year I have been excited too. Not about New Year's Eve, mind you, but about the new year. I can't tell you why. Part of it is due to the sermon I heard in Birmingham last Sunday. Dr. Barker preached on Faith and Prayer. On the heels of a week with my brother and stories of all God is doing in distant lands, the sermon was just the exclamation mark needed to get my heart racing with hope. What am I willing to trust God with in 2010? What do I believe God is capable of? Do I believe he could work and Little could actually be potty-trained? Do I believe He has the power to work in Bubba so that melt-downs are a thing of the past? Do I believe He could change me and the habits that have been a part of my life for YEARS?

Scripture says He has the power and testimony declares He has worked in the past. I am going to trust Him for change and rejoice in what He does. It's exciting, I tell you!!!

So after some time away today, I have landed on Prayer, Purpose, and Passion as my driving themes for the year. Oh that I would be on my knees in prayer and trust God for BIG things; things only He can do. To live with purpose; making the most of every opportunity and trusting that, whatever those opportunities look like, they came from Him. I desire that my life would be characterized by passion - zeal.

To sum up. . . Romans 12:11-12:

"Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in Spirit, serve the Lord.
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer."

I think I might just keep a little notebook and record what the Lord does - just like I was taught to do my freshman year of college. I'll tell you about the things too and "make known His mighty deeds among the people". And if you want to download Dr. Barker's sermon and listen for yourself, go here.