Resolutions?

I had NEW on the brain yesterday. Today it's resolutions. How many resolutions have a made and failed to follow-through on? I wonder if there are any at all that I've succeeded at? hmmm. hmmm. There aren't any just popping into my head here. I wonder why resolutions are so hard to keep? What does being "resolved" mean? How can I be resolute? Maybe I should resolve to be resolute. Where is that determination? I always seem to resolve to make changes that I need to make or want to make, which seem to be the most difficult things in life......take the most determination.....and fail them every time.

I thought I would go to the Bible and see if anyone in there made resolutions. Well, I found Jehoshaphat. He resolved himself to inquire of the Lord. (2 Chron 20) Now there is a novel idea, resolving to inquire of the Lord BEFORE he made a decision. Faced with war and not knowing what to do, He inquired of the Lord! And was brought victory. Next, I find Daniel. He resolved not to defile himself.(Daniel 1:8) And he didn't. Even in the lion's den. And he was brought to victory. And then I find Paul. He resolved to know nothing but Christ Jesus and Him crucified. (1 Cor. 2:2) And he was brought to the ultimate victory by finishing the race Christ had laid out for him!

So as I ponder resolutions and being resolved this year, I think I would like to resolve to inquire more from the Lord. I'd like to resolve not to defile myself(that's a stretch--to put it mildly.) I'd like to resolve to know nothing but Christ Jesus and Him crucified. These men were determined. I would love to have that kind of resolve. For this unused, fresh 2009, Father, I ask you to help me be resolved for You!

NEW

Well it's almost that time. The time for a NEW year. I approach this new year with lots of things "new". What exactly does that mean anyway? It can mean so many different things. New, as in unused or fresh. (new clothes, for instance.) Existing for the first time. Inexperienced or unaccustomed to. All of the above. I have excitement and trepidation. It's always easier to do what we've always done. I approach 2009 with hopefully a new job. (Still waiting on that one, but know for sure I won't have the "old" job.) For the first time in 9 years, I won't be "working" for a church. Vocationally, anyway. I'm no longer majorly involved with working with children...which is kind of sad. However, working with women and the Haven has been incredible. (Although I'm not even positive what's going to happen there.) Actually, the biggest thing "new" is not know what "new" is really going to be. Therein, lies the problem. Miss Control Freak here doesn't know what the plan is. Hmmm. God has definitely moved me out of my comfort zone into NEW. I gladly say goodbye to 2008. A year of heartache~~ but where I saw God be faithful in so many ways. I learned so much. I learned that learning is hard. The thing is, I want to be NEW. I want God to mold me into the woman He wants me to be. I want what He wants, and I submit to that. Even though, it is so far out of my comfort zone! I pray 2 Cor 5:17 "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" Father, make me a NEW creation. Eph 4:24 "and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness." Father, help put on the new self so I will be more like you!" 2009 exists for the first time ever. It is fresh, new, and unused. What does NEW look like for you?
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

Friends

How many old friends do we really have? I mean those kind who live life with you? Through thick and thin? Beauty and ugliness? About 28 years ago, I met someone who would become a lifelong friend. I didn't know it then, but God would grow a love for this person that can't be explained. A sisterhood, I think, few women really get the privilege to have. Someone to laugh so hard with, you pee your pants and your stomach hurts for hours. Someone you can cry with in the sad times until you are hiccuping from needing air. Someone who will tell you the truth when your hair is ugly. Someone who will bring you chocolate or send a card, just because. Someone you may not talk to for months on end, but you know is only a phone call away and would move heaven and earth to get to you if needed. Someone you can disagree with, but maybe just agree to disagree. (Even though I'm the one that's right! :-) We have both changed and grown. Life has hit us both. But one thing has not changed...that solid comfort of knowing that someone is out there that loves me just the way I am. Proverbs 17:17 says "A friend loves at all times." My friend has loved me, even when I haven't been a very good friend. Proverbs 18:24 says "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." (or sister, in this case.) Eccl.4:9-10 "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up!" I am so thankful for my lifelong friend. I don't tell you as often as I should, and I'm a terrible friend at times...but I love you dearly! Happy Birthday!

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Twas the Night before Jesus was Born

By Natalie Lowe Christmas 2008


'Twas the night before Jesus was born, when all through the land

Everyone headed to their home town, every child, woman and man;

Joseph bundled up Mary and helped her with care,

Not knowing if Baby Jesus soon would be there;

Their hearts held the memories of what the angels had said,

And thoughts of this wonder was dancing in their heads;

And Mary great with child, her hands on her lap,

Just wanting to rest and take a little nap,

She rode on the donkey with a gentle pitter patter,

Joseph watching closely to make sure nothing was the matter.

They arrived in Bethlehem, tired and worn out,

knocking on doors and going all about.

And though they tried with all their might

There was no place to rest their heads for the night,

When, finally, an innkeeper did appear,

And said, “you can rest with the animals, that’s all I have to offer my dear”,

Then out on the hillside, in the dark quiet night,

The shepherds were interrupted by a great fright.

More rapid than eagles his angels they came,

And they sang, and praised Him, and glorified His Name;

"Glory to God in the Highest!

And Peace to all men on whom His favor rests!

And then all the sudden the angels were gone.

And the shepherds stood there, gazing in awe!"

As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly,

In just an instant, the angels had disappeared into the sky,

So they followed the star that looked down on the babe,

To see if it was true, and where did the child lay?
And when they arrived, what did they behold?

A babe in a manger, just as they had been told!

The shepherds stared in wonder and looked all around,

To take in the site of where a baby king was found.

He was wrapped in swaddling clothes, from his head to his foot,

And he was so tiny and looked so cute!

Mary smiled at them, even with the animals in the back,

As the babe was laying in a small hay stack.

His eyes -- how they twinkled! his dimples how merry!

His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry!

His sweet little mouth was drawn up like a bow,

And his perfect tiny chin quivered just so!



He had a sweet face and the shepherd reached out to touch his hand,

And he suddenly understood, this was the great “I AM”.

He fell on his knees and bowed down to the king,

and worshipped and praised because of this great thing!

As the shepherd boy rose up to depart,

Mary looked all around and treasured everything in her heart;
She spoke not a word, but held the babe so dear

And looked over at Joseph, and she saw a little tear.

She traced his face with her finger, down the side of his nose,

For knew in her heart her babe would face many foes;

And she would keep him and love him as long as she could,

For they were part of something that was too difficult to be understood.
As the shepherds walked away and were almost out of sight,
She whispered in his ear, “sleep tight tonight.”
Peace on Earth, Good will to all Men,
Prince Jesus has been born, to save the world from Sin!
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

Baptism of Princesses

Matthew 18:2-4 "He called a little child and had him stand among them. And he said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. 4Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Sunday was a special day for me. Three precious little girls I have known since they were babies; were baptized. I love it when I see one of these precious ones come to Him. Jesus clearly said for us to change and come to Him like little children. What does that mean exactly? How do children come to Him? I think they come with pure trust. He actually tells us to change into children to come to him. In the King James Version, it says "be converted" which means to turn around or reverse ourselves back to a child. He says to "humble" as a child. As grown-ups, we try to psychoanalyze the salvation process. We make it so hard. Children come with such an innocence. They trust their Heavenly Daddy, just like they trust a Dad on this earth. They might go on a walk with their father to the park, and they may not know exactly where they are going or how they are going to get there or get home, but they hold their daddy's hand and they trust him to get them there and back safely. That's like their innocence in coming to Jesus. They may not know everything, but they are humbled enough and trust enough in Jesus, that they know He is going to get them there and back safely.

Now these little girls are all rare jewels indeed. If you took a moment to sit down and have a conversation with them, I imagine they could tell you more about the gospel and the love of Jesus in just a few minutes than most theologians could summarize in hours. They all three have a heart for God at such a young age and I know that is because their parents have been faithful to train them at home and bring them up in the way they should go. I am anxious and excited to see what God is going to do in their lives. My heart continues to break for the kids who don't have these kind of families to train them. To my little special princesses, Elisabeth, Ashlyn & Taylor, you have touched my heart in more ways than you will ever know and I am so very proud of you!! Don't ever forget you are a princess, and a child of the King! Matt. 19:14 Jesus said, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

www.natalielowe.blogspot.com

Tiko

I met a Spanish man today carrying all his possessions on his back. He had a little ripped walmart sack with his lunch in it and a water bottle. He had just arrived a few days ago from El Paso on a bus. Homeless, no job. He sat down beside me and I spoke a hello. He smiled and said hi. Said he was cold and trying to warm up. Looking for a job. He was walking and had been walking all over town. I just couldn't get past his smile. It came from his heart. My curiosity got the better of me, and I asked him his story. Why had he come to Amarillo? Family? Friends? No, he said. He had just heard it was a good place to work and live. He told me of a man who had stopped in the snow and given him a ride yesterday. He gave the credit to the Lord and said "I know the Lord sent an angel to give me a ride." I looked over at him and I said "You really love the Lord don't you?" He said, "yes mam, He's everything to me." He said, "I just walk down the streets singing praises to Him all day long. David did that, he walked the streets and sang praises." This man, with tattood arms and scruffy clothes, held the light of Christ in his eyes that I don't see to often. I invited him to our church and told him I would pray for him to find a job. He said, "God bless you Natalie." I replied back "God Bless YOU, Tiko." My friends, if you don't mind too much, say a prayer for Tiko tonight. Pray he is warm and finds a job so he can get an apartment. I have a feeling God is going to use him in Amarillo, TX. Thank you Lord, for sending Tiko to encourage me today. Hebrews 13:1-2 Keep on loving each other as brothers. 2Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.
www.natalielowe.blogspot.com