A Fresh Perspective for the New Year

 I spent a very interesting New Year's Eve...fighting a cold......alone. It was a great opportunity for reflection.
Hubs and I had planned a quiet evening at home with a movie since I hadn't been feeling well. It became necessary for him to spend some time with his parents last night, they have been in need of a bit of help these days due to some medical issues. So I stayed home and he ventured out. By the time he got home it was 9:00 and I was almost asleep. Needless to say the New Year rolled in without any hoopla from our house!

So on to the fresh perspective, I thought I'd share a new card in which I used some water-color pencil coloring. I don't usually use much coloring (just don't think I'm very good at it) but I have decided to branch out and try some of the techniques that my Flickr friends have been using so successfully. (I've even dragged my sewing machine out to try some stitching too.) There is some sparkles from Perfect Pearls misted over the colored image. (click on the photos to enlarge them)

I'm hoping to branch out with new and improved art this year and I'd like to invite you to come along with me.

Thought for the Day: So back to the opportunity for reflection mentioned above. I spent some time "pondering" Philippians 3:13-14, Paul is writing to the church in Philippi...

"But one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus."

   It's the first day of the new year, another milestone occasion to start fresh. Millions of people are starting diets and embarking on a quest to achieve their new year's resolutions. Many if not most will fail miserably, haunted by past failures. But Paul's advice is excellent- forget those things which are behind!

   Years ago there was a silly film called The Cannonball Run, in which oddball characters competed in an illegal cross-country car race. One character, the stereotypical suave, wealthy Italian who drives the expensive sports car, stands out in my memory. In one scene he yanks off the rear view mirror on his car in a show of bravado, and declares, "What is behind me is not important!" His goal was to reach the finish line first, that was his focus. Silly movie, but a wise statement that has stayed with me. Too many times I've been derailed by the ghosts of failures past. Paul said to forget what's behind- it's not important. And focus on ONE goal- to know Christ and to grow to be more like Him.

   My prayer for this first day of 2010, is that I would resolve to know Christ and to grow in that knowledge every day. To begin each day with fresh perspective, forgetting the past and it's failures; realizing that God's forgiveness is real, His mercies are new every morning and to take another step toward a life of faith and obedience. Every morning can be a fresh start if we follow Paul's advice.

Some additional verses to ponder: 2 Timothy 1:12; Philippians 1:6; Hebrews 12:1-2.

Blessings for a fresh start,
Nancy