I Can Think Clearly Now

by Barbara Chadwick

Ephesians 1:3Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing... And verse 16: I do notcease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers.

These words of Paul speak to my feelings about my family. What a blessing they are to me. I hold each name in my hand every day and visually hold them up to God in prayer. But these are my thoughts onNew Year's Day of 2008."

The house is quiet. I can think clearly now. What a joy it was to have them all here, and how it blesses me to know they wanted to come. It was a lovely time of sharing, playing, kidding, singing, gifting, receiving, noise and laughter. I know I'll want them to come again, as often as they can. But, this morning, right now, I can think clearly again.

God Has A Plan For Your Life

by Barbara Chadwick

Genesis 16:6-13 (The Message)The story of Hagar, Sarai's maid

Hagar is running away. Her heart is heavy. She thinks her situationis hopeless. She is scared, confused, pregnant and alone. In verse 7God speaks to her, "Hagar, what are you doing here?" and in verse 9He says in essence, "Go home." The God of grace and mercy gave herhope that day. In verse 13 we see her response to the God of tendermercy who reached down to the barren desert and touched the heart ofa girl whose heart was aching, "She answered God by name, praying tothe God who spoke to her, 'You're the God who sees me!"

God saw her. He knew her life story - all the parts before this andall the parts yet to come. He had a plan for her life.

God has a plan for your life too. In Jeremiah 29:11 God says, "I knowthe plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you,plans to give you hope and a future.

"Where are you today? Jeremiah 29:12-13 show how God will respond ifyou call on His name, "... you will call upon me and come and pray tome, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when youseek me with all your heart."

BUT… (Part II) …Shut Up & Color

by Audrey Wauson

Compare the Last generation’s reaction (Numbers 13) to God’s desire to bring them into a wonderful and glorious place with the Next generation’s reaction (Joshua 1)…

Joshua 1:1-11 After the death of Moses the LORD's servant, the LORD spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' assistant. He said, "Moses My servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them. I promise you what I promised Moses: 'Wherever you set foot, you will be on land I have given you—from the Negev wilderness in the south to the Lebanon mountains in the north, from the Euphrates River in the east to the Mediterranean Sea in the west, including all the land of the Hittites.' No one will be able to stand against you as long as you live. For I will be with you as I was with Moses. I will not fail you or abandon you.

"Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the instructions Moses gave you. Do not deviate from them, turning either to the right or to the left. Then you will be successful in everything you do.

Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do.

This is My command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go."

…Joshua then commanded the officers of Israel, "Go through the camp and tell the people to get their provisions ready. In three days you will cross the Jordan River and take possession of the land the LORD your God is giving you."

…Jos 1:16 They answered Joshua, "We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us.

While we were stationed in Panama, one day my husband was in his commander’s office griping. Finally, his commander just looked at him and said, “Ssgt Wauson, just shut up and color.” We can either focus on the negative, coloring our world in ugly, non-matching colors, and be like that generation that died in the wilderness…just a stone’s throw from the promised land … OR we can accept that God knows what He’s talking about … We can believe that if God tells us to do something, even though it might be hard, or scary, or … He is God, and He knows what He’s asking us to do, and He knows that we can do it with His help …. and “just shut up and color.” We can color our world with the beautiful colors of peace, joy, love. We can color our thoughts with everything that is pure, and lovely. (Philippians 4:8) What color is your world?