Every New Year's Eve and Day the world exclaims, "Happy New Year!" to each other; some shout it passionately at a wild party, while others whisper it politely to a passer-by.

Well, I have decided that I would like the world to stop saying this phrase (do you think they will listen to me?). The word "happy" is really such a small, shallow word, and the world needs so much more! Happiness is over when the party is finished, or when the last bite of dessert is eaten, or when the money runs out, or when the doctor walks in with negative news--on and on.

What the world needs is a "Hopeful New Year." Hope is not dependent on the outside influences of health, wealth, and the next best thing. Hope comes from within, no matter the circumstances, no matter the trial. Listen to this verse:

Hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Romans 5:5

God's love in us--wow! I am not alone in my trial; there is no need to fear. Again, because of my faith in Christ, God is with me, in me. Because of Him, I will not be shaken (Ps 62:2). This makes me more than happy; this makes me hopeful. Yes, He promises each of us this:

He who believes in Him will not be disappointed. Romans 9:33

You and I may receive disappointing news this year; but He will be with us as we receive it, and as we walk through it. His word can direct each of our steps--into peace that passes understanding, and into joy that causes others to wonder. Let's make this declaration is 2010: "In His word I will put my hope" (Psalm 130:5).

So I expect to see "Hopeful New Year" on all party hats, plates, and napkins next year. Do you want to help me start the movement? (I'm kidding, but not really). Just tell a handful of people the difference between happiness and hope, and who knows what will happen? Because remember, nothing is impossible with God (Luke 1:37)

"Behold, like clay in the potter's hand, so are you in My hand..." (Jeremiah 18:5)

I have always loved the clay/potter analogy given in Scripture. What a beautiful picture of our personal relationship with our Maker. While doing a little deeper research on this topic, I found a short video on www.millhousepottery.com. Master potter Alan Frewin works quietly and intentionally on his thought-through vessel. Please watch this 3 minute video keeping these lessons in mind concerning our Potter:

1. The center of His wheel--The clay is placed in the center because it is the foundation of the vessel. The pot is only as true and as strong as the centering (Out of Fire Studio). Likewise, our life's foundation should rest on Christ alone. If it does not, then everything will be off kilter.

2. In His Hands--The potter uses the palm of his hands to gently press and pull, in an upward and then downward motion to obtain his smooth, desired results. The potter also uses his arms and shoulders, with elbows resting on his knees, to help support the motion; he doesn't mind the mess because he knows what he is doing. Our Potter, too, holds us between His hands securely, making us and molding us into His planned vessel. We may wonder what He is doing at times, but He always knows the plans He has for us.

3. The utensils--The potter uses different tools to chisel away excess clay, and to create something new. Similarly, our Potter allows certain circumstances to enter into our life to groom and grow us.

4. The water--The potter continually adds water throughout the whole process so that the clay stays soft and manageable. Our Living Water, the Word of God, keeps our heart tender and our will bendable so that we can become exactly what our Potter desired from the beginning.

I pray that I will let my Potter have His way with me. I must trust Him fully. Yes, I want to stay in the center of His wheel.

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Holy--a small word that can hardly, humanly be defined. Descriptive words that embody holiness are: perfect, sacred, set apart, divine. When men in the Bible encountered God's holiness, their response was similar; they each fell face down in humble worship. Likewise, when you or I allow our hearts and minds to dwell on the great I AM in this way, we too, become like Isaiah, and Ezekial, and Paul--we become wholly His.

Wholly--all-in, everything, full capacity, entirely. I love this promise found in Scripture: For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth, that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His. ( II Chronicles 16:9) I want to be strongly supported by an Almighty God, don't you? I want to be completely His. But often times, things (and I mean frivolous, meaningless, empty things) lure me away. Each thing punctures my heart, causing me to become...

Holey--crack, breach, rift, leak. God says, "For My people have committed two evils: they have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, to hew for themselves cisterns, broken cisterns that can hold no water." (Jeremiah 2:13) I must daily make a choice: do I want to be wholly or holey? One is more deeply satisfying, and the other is superficially pleasurable. One is eternally rewarding, the other is temporarily gratifying. One stays full (to overflowing), the other leaks.

The King of kings asks for our whole heart. He then promises: "He who believes in Me...from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water." (John 7:38) The only hole in the vessel should be the one in which His love flows.

I want to be still enough in God's presence to hear the angels sing, "Holy, Holy, Holy!" I want to fall face down in humble worship. I want to be filled completely with His power and His love. And then from my whole heart, I want to cry out, "Here I am Lord, send me!" (Isaiah 6:8)

I grew up in the deep southern woods of Mississippi--lots and lots of pine trees towered over our home. So when I moved "way up here" in Tennessee, the colorful fall season took me by surprise. Year after year, I am mesmerized by the radiant reds, the fiery oranges, and the brilliant golds that are bursting from the trees and bushes--incredible, breath-taking beauty.

I'm sure I am not the first to correlate God's seasons with His love story:

Fall represents His dying for us on the cross.

Winter represents His burial, enclosed in a death that we will never have to endure.

Spring represents His resurrection... a newness of life for all who believe.

And Summer represents the growth and abundance of this new life.

So, here we are again in the seasonal cycle; the glorious fall surrounds us. It's hard to believe these brilliant leaves on the trees are actually dying. But isn't that exactly what happened at the cross? Listen to Jesus' words to His Father, just before He was taken into custody:

Father, it's time. Display the bright splendor of Your Son so the Son in turn may show Your bright splendor." (msg, John 17:1)

Come to Me all you are weary and heavy laden and I will give you rest.
Matthew 11:28 Two thousand years ago, the King of Glory hung on a tree, dying. His fiery passion for the world He loved held Him there, not the nails. His perfect crimson blood was willingly shed for you and me. And as our Savior's life was drained from Him, it was the most tragically beautiful gift to behold. Before the darkness of "winter" encroached, the Light of the World triumphantly cried out, "It is finished." Indeed, it was awe-full.

Today, this day, when I see the radiance all around me and watch these colorful trees of the field clapping their hands, I know why they're applauding. I want to join them in honor of the King that gave His life a ransom for many. So I too, will praise Him, and thank Him... for His glorious Fall.

Every morning, I work through my ritual of getting ready for the day. I brush my teeth, wash my face, and begin the "beautifying" process in front of my mirror (that tells no lies!). As the years go by, and the beauty marks make their lasting imprints in the form of spots, and dots, and lines, I must intentionally choose to fight discouragement. In doing so, the Lord sweetly reminds me of my true Mirror, His Word. God longs to speak into my life much like the physical mirror "speaks." For example:

I wash my face; His Word washes over me, making me clean once again.

I brush my teeth; His Word freshens my spirit, and give me words to encourage others.

I pluck my eyebrows (I was "blessed" with a lovely uni-brow); His Word points out areas of my thinking process that need to be "nipped in the bud."

I apply facial cream; His Word soothes my soul like nothing else in this world can match.

And finally, I apply the make-up; His Word promises to enhance the beautiful Work that already exists in me.

Just as I have a ritual in front of the mirror on my wall, my heart needs to remember the importance of quietly sitting with my Mirror in my hands. I must hold His Word, peer into His Word, listen to His Word, and then obey His Word--all for my good! The desire of my heart is to age beautifully; I want to look more and more like my Savior each day. After all, the real truth is that I am (and you are) His image-bearer. (Genesis 1:27)

I love what my Mirror told me this morning: They looked to Him and were radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed. (Psalm 34:5)

I choose the truths of the Mirror in my hands way over the truths of the mirror on my wall.

You're Beautiful because He is,

Chris

A passage of Scripture got me to thinking about forgiveness. I found myself contemplating this term and asking, "What is the full meaning of forgiveness, anyway? What does it look like in my life, today?" I love the Biblical word pictures that came to mind:

I see Christ hurling my sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)

I see Christ cleaning my sin-filled, scarlet-stained heart, making me white as snow. (Is 1:18)

And I see Christ trampling my iniquities under His foot. (Micah 7:19)

Ah, forgiveness. Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your mercy and grace that was poured out at the cross! The Righteous for the unrighteous; the King for the prisoner; the Rich for the poor. I choose to hold this Hand!

If I just stopped right there, I could rest AND rejoice. But, my heart knows that Scripture speaks into forgiveness further.

Jesus, teaching His disciples (us) to pray, said we should pray in this way, "...and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors." (Matthew 6:12) Really? Yes, really. He goes on to say, "If you do not forgive men, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions." (Matthew 6:15) Ouch.

So, on the other Hand, I have to ask myself:

Am I hurling someone's sin (that hurt me) into the depths of the sea?

Am I washing away their deliberate (or not deliberate) stain that was thrown onto my heart?

And I trampling their wrong-doing (not the wrong-doer) under my foot?

To some, right now, this Hand of forgiveness seems impossible. But, let me remind you, it's not your Hand. The same Forgiver that died for you, is also alive in you--One Savior, two Hands. He is the One who will enable you to do the humanly impossible: the hurling, the washing, the trampling. Trust Him, then obey Him.

What is forgiveness? I believe it's rejoicing in the sweet release from our own sin, as well as relinquishing the sin and its effects (the hurt, the bitterness, the resentment) of those who trespass against us.

Nails were pierced through both Hands so you could be free indeed.

With this love,

Chris