New Year’s Eve and HOPE

First of all, I am not at all offended by the recent comments from Miranda. Bless you Imogene for trying to protect me. I openly welcome all opinions and comments. I don’t intend this blog to be about who is right or wrong. So, Miranda, you do not need to apologize for expressing your opinions. I personally think that both of you are right in your own way. All opinions cause us to stop and think about how others view their world. I find it very enlightening and educational. Sometimes, just being quiet and listening to other people is worth a college education! So keep your comments coming along.

There was a post on the LBD Caregivers Yahoo Group today about Final Wishes Planner. I was pleasantly surprised to look at the website — very helpful, indeed. I plan to print it out for both Pam and me. I’d highly recommend it for anyone. It never hurts to have things written out in advance. If an emergency happens, the planner has done all the work for us ahead of time!

So New Year’s Eve is here. It’s interesting how we celebrate the passage of time. The New Year, birthdays, the “time is money concept, etc.” Basically, tomorrow is simply another day as time continues to pass.

But many of us tend to fret and worry over time and tend to lose hope. We find ourselves trying to muster up hope for the future. But this is human hope. That kind of hope is in limited quantity, and when it runs out, you are left drained, discouraged, disappointed and …hopeless! It may masquerade as “hope,” but it is completely different from the hope that God provides. God’s hope renews and refreshes. It empowers, uplifts, and strengthens. God’s hope does not disappoint! There is an unlimited supply of God’s hope.

“Father, You are the God of all wonderful, everlasting hope. Your Word tells us that those who hope in You will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, and they will walk and not be faint. Please help me always put my hope in You and You alone. Thank You that with You all things are possible. I pray that all will place their HOPE in You and You alone …”

Warmly………..David Thomas

God will give you Courage, Strength, and Faith in Him to Face the New Year

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. –Joshua 1:9

Each year at this time, thousands of people stand in the cold in Times Square, New York. No big event beckons them. No ballgame is being played. No rock concert is getting underway. It’s simply a huge, lighted ball that drops from a tall building. And within a few seconds, hardly worth fighting traffic and crowd pushing for, it descends marking a new year.

Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year’s Eve only celebrates the passage of time–something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one.

The old year’s problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. It must have been the same way for the Israelites when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God’s promise that He would never leave or forsake them.

As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. You will certainly face both trying and joyful times ahead, but you can rest assure that He “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Joshua 1:5). That promise is enough to celebrate the new year ahead!

Ask God to give you courage, strength, and faith in Him to face the days ahead. Thank Him for being faithful and for never leaving your side.

Warmly…………..David