Resolved to Pursue

Romans 14:19 "So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another." 


How many of you already are contemplating your "New Year's Resolutions?" Are they the same ones as last year? 

HA!  I say that because one of mine is!  Guilty. 

When I think back on 2013, a crazy, violent, polarizing--sad year for our country, our world,  I believe, one has to reflect on the personal. We've all been faced with taking a stand, judging others and a continued debate on many moral and ethical issues. If you're active at all in social media and I assume you are if you're reading this, you know what I mean. 

As the yearend approaches, these questions arise as I ponder the next year. 

What has changed for me, what am I doing better, what do I need to pursue more of? What changes need to be made? Where do I place my passion? Am I actively preparing, equipping myself for the battle that continues to ramp up? 

It's simple really. Pursue MORE of GOD. Let Him continue to change me. 

How can I know Him more intimately? Serve Him, be more Christ-like?

 ...Reflect Him in this darkened world. 

Like a car that needs a tune-up and oil change, rotation of the tires and an alignment, it sure isn't going to happen if it stays parked in the driveway. 

To pursue requires an action, movement towards something, towards the Source of our very existance; molded and fitted into His Will.  

Debating, complaining, wordy explanations, attempts at convincing, justifying and co-dependancy; all our positive Facebook posts and good intentions will not spark change unless I am pursuing the Holy Spirit first. Change in myself and others will not happen through any of the above, but through the super-natural. Prayer wafts up to stir the Super Natural Will of God. In my giving up of my will, I receive His. To pursue is to sacrifice. 

And God gets the Glory for He is seen as the Divine Transformer, the One to be pursued. 

Do you know someone who could use a little "building up?"  

Is peace of mind possible in a world gone stark-raving mad?

Pursue Holiness and allow Him to lovingly pursue you. Watch, wait and be willing... change begins to happen and you become one little domino standing ready to tap the next.  

Thank you followers for a great year of Footnotes.  I am blessed.  

I wish you Joy in the New Year.
Deep, peaceful, mindful of God's-in-Control-Joy! 

Father God, I pray for this New Year. For the pursuit and the pursuer of Holiness. May this resolute journey take us to places where the unexplained are revealed, where weariness is restored. Let us look to a horizon shining with promise. Let our meandering walk become a run towards You.  I pray for fellowship and friendship to encourage that pursuit. Light us up Lord, with shining Words coming forth from the Holy Scriptures, words that melt and cling like warm wax dripping from desire of more of You in the Holy Spirit. Indwell us with Your power, Your Love. May our pursuit light the way for others to know You and make Your Son known, Jesus Christ, the Messiah, the One who is to come. Amen. 

Letter Perfect

2 Corinthians 3:2-3 (NASB)

You are our letter, written in our hearts, known and read by all men;  being manifested that you are a letter of Christ, cared for by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

Right after Thanksgiving,  I received something very unusual in my mailbox. Not my inbox...my mailbox. Stuck amongst the circulars, the Christmas adds and general junk mail,  a remnant of days past appeared. The feel of it in my hands made me anxious to view its contents. 

Colorful, happy with its sun sticker, the envelope's instructions included the To: and a From: 

I opened the side and carefully pulled out the stationary viewing the beautiful script of a handwritten letter.  

From my friend Soo, I've only known her these last two years.  She is a young mother, home schooler, crafter, gardener and fellow Pinterest enthusiast. She attended my church. Thankfully, because of ministry that brings different woman in all different stages of life together, we connected. Sometimes, woman  remain in their own swirling hoola-hoop of clicks, and nobody can see a way in. God's circle of fellowship never closes off, but expands, pulls us in, empowers us to move out. I am blessed Soo tossed a hoop my way.  She is a joy to know, beautiful and spunky. 

The Apostle Paul compared the Church in Corinth like an open letter, (in another translation), reflecting transformed and transparent lives. The movement of the Holy Spirit in the Church was evident!   In Soo's letter, she wrote of her new family adventure, moving to the Oregon back country, living in a small trailer with her family. They wait and plan for their new house to be built and more importantly, their patient wait on the Lord for a new and exciting purpose. In a down-sized lifestyle, this new forest of opportunity awaits them.  Her letter encouraged me to trust in God's plan and continue to venture out! 

Have you written a "letter" lately to someone? Maybe you still send out Christmas cards. If you do, I encourage you to write a little hand-written personal note. Yes, it takes time. Yes, stamps cost more money these days. Soon obsolete, antiquated, the gift of cursive writing in a sealed envelope is fleeting. Write one to your kids, your grandkids and mail it. What a treasure!  

Lord, You communicated to us in so many beautiful ways. The Ten Commandments were written on slabs of stone with Your finger and presented to Israel by Moses. David composed Psalms and prayers to speak to You and praise You. Solomon spoke his wisdom through the Ecclesiastes, I imagine his thoughts in a journal.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the churches to exhort and encourage.  Though we are thankful for our keyboards, the excitement of a personal letter is a blessing. Thank you Lord for this blessing, this friend. Encourage us to take the time to bless others with the written word...the hand written word.  Thank you for writing Your love on our hearts. Amen.