As an ex-teacher who retired quite a few years ago, I (Hazel) still tend to think of September as a time of 'new beginnings'. It was a time for getting to know another class of children and issuing new exercise books - and I well remember my own schooldays when I received those unspoiled books.
So, when I was thinking of today's challenge, my mind went to 'something new'.
With our Heavenly Father there is always an air of expectancy - Lamentations 3:22-23: 'Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.'
This is echoed in that much-loved hymn 'Great is Thy faithfulness', one of my mum's favourites and was dad's too - it brought tears to my eyes at his funeral thanksgiving service.
KimSo, when I was thinking of today's challenge, my mind went to 'something new'.
With our Heavenly Father there is always an air of expectancy - Lamentations 3:22-23: 'Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.'
This is echoed in that much-loved hymn 'Great is Thy faithfulness', one of my mum's favourites and was dad's too - it brought tears to my eyes at his funeral thanksgiving service.
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss!
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great Faithfulnesss, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
There is no shadow of turning with Thee;
Thou changest not, Thy compassions, they fail not;
As Thou hast been, Thou forever will be.
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss!
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss!
Morning by morning new mercies I see.
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided;
Great is Thy Faithfulnesss, Lord, unto me!
Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon and stars in their courses above
Join with all nature in manifold witness
To Thy great Faithfulnesss, mercy and love.
Pardon for sin and a peace that endureth
Thine own dear presence to cheer and to guide;
Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow,
Blessings all mine, with ten thousand beside!
It is our prayer that those reading this will experience these blessings for themselves.
'New beginnings' can be scary at times, for instance, for children going into a new class, a new school, young people going off to college or uni for the first time - there is an air of excitement mixed with a certain trepidation at stepping out into the unknown.
With Jesus as our Saviour and friend we have no need to be afraid of the 'new beginnings' that He has in store for us, for we have the confidence of knowing that 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).
Perhaps you are going through a dark patch where life is difficult and troublesome. Be comforted by the words of Isaiah, who assures us in chapter 43 of God's presence with us in troubled times and going on to say 'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
So my challenge to you for this fortnight is to create 'something new' - it might be a LO that reflects on a 'new beginning', an event of special significance like a wedding, a new job, etc or a card for a new event, such as 'new home', 'new job', 'new baby' etc - or something that rejoices in God's faithfulness in His provision of 'new mercies' every day.
My own LO is based on those verses from Lamentations 3, reflecting on 'new mercies' even amid suffering. As usual, each member of the DT has her own unique response to the challenge. Please visit their own blogs to read and see more about their creations and thoughts.
If you are prompted to join in our challenge, please leave us a comment so that we can come and share in your creation. We would love to see you joining in with 'something new'.
Hazel
Lythan
Pauline
'New beginnings' can be scary at times, for instance, for children going into a new class, a new school, young people going off to college or uni for the first time - there is an air of excitement mixed with a certain trepidation at stepping out into the unknown.
With Jesus as our Saviour and friend we have no need to be afraid of the 'new beginnings' that He has in store for us, for we have the confidence of knowing that 'Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever' (Hebrews 13:8).
Perhaps you are going through a dark patch where life is difficult and troublesome. Be comforted by the words of Isaiah, who assures us in chapter 43 of God's presence with us in troubled times and going on to say 'Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland. (Isaiah 43:18-19)
So my challenge to you for this fortnight is to create 'something new' - it might be a LO that reflects on a 'new beginning', an event of special significance like a wedding, a new job, etc or a card for a new event, such as 'new home', 'new job', 'new baby' etc - or something that rejoices in God's faithfulness in His provision of 'new mercies' every day.
My own LO is based on those verses from Lamentations 3, reflecting on 'new mercies' even amid suffering. As usual, each member of the DT has her own unique response to the challenge. Please visit their own blogs to read and see more about their creations and thoughts.
If you are prompted to join in our challenge, please leave us a comment so that we can come and share in your creation. We would love to see you joining in with 'something new'.
Hazel
Lythan
Pauline
1 comment:
Such lovely examples ladies! I love what you did with the words.
hugs, Joyce
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