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?
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