Hope

Embracing the New Year

/ Joshua Thomas / 1 Comment

“Dear friends, let us love one another, because love is from God, and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. The one who does not love does not know God, because God is love.”

1 John 4:7-8 CSB

You did it! You made it through another year and are facing the start of the new chapter. I think it is always so important to celebrate the fact that you made it through another year, with all the good and the hard that came alongside it. You can be proud, because you are a wiser and better person because of this growth.

I love this time of post celebration and looking at the new year ahead of us, because it offers us a chance to continue a path of growth in our wisdom and love. Something I’ve done every year, is choose a word to be my focus for the year, not as a goal, but as a mindset or character trait that I wish to grow and center myself on. You may think this is a cliché, but I believe it is wise to set an intention for your year, not a goal that can feel shameful if you miss, but something that you can cultivate in your spirit so that you become a clearer version of who God has designed you to be.

My word that I chose for this year is, “embrace.”

To embrace something, is to hold close to your heart, to welcome in with deep love and affection, to step into the new season with open arms ready for whatever may greet you.

In a world where Jesus’ name is taken in vain by grifters, I want my life to be an example of love and light that the life of Jesus proclaimed, a life that Jesus called us to walk into and embrace.

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The Quiet Beauty of Christmas

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“Mary was treasuring up all these things in her heart and meditating on them.”

Luke 2:19 CSB

A little bit ago at this point, we had a small amount of snow come to North Carolina. By snow of course I mean a wintery mix of rain and “snow,” but that’s not the point. What I always love about these moments, is the beauty that comes. I was able to be outside at night and just listen to the snowfall and watch the little bits of it build up around the Christmas lights on the house, it was wonderful, and in this quiet moment, I was able to reflect on all of the joys that I have in my life.

I adore these quiet moments of Christmas, whether it’s the sound of laughter from Violet playing, nothing but the light of the Christmas tree in the living room after everyone is asleep, or the sounds of wrapping paper covering gifts as dear Danielle and I sit on the floor of our room. To me that’s the magic and it reminds me of the importance to embrace the quiet moments in our lives.

When you embrace the quiet beauty in life, your perspective shifts to the holy gift that Christ gives to each of us.

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What Are You Worshipping?

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“But she came, knelt before him, and said, “Lord, help me!”

“Then Jesus replied to her, “Woman, your faith is great. Let it be done for you as you want.” And from that moment her daughter was healed.”

Matthew 15:25&28 (CSB)

I’ve been thinking about worship a lot recently, part of that because of how nice it has begun to feel outside again. There’s something wonderful about the way the mornings are chilly and the breeze begins to blow more throughout the day. I definitely find myself in the summer months of North Carolina avoiding the outdoors from July and August, but this weather has been perfect. When I’m outside, I definitely feel closer to God, there’s a magical feeling of the fresh air, the growth around me, and the noises of distant birds singing a song.

I used to think about worship in a singularly defined way; it always took place in a room with a good sound system, dim lights, and a band that stayed on pace with Ableton…but obviously that just isn’t true. That’s a very surface level view of worship, because really worship isn’t about music, worship is about who you are humbling yourself and submitting to.

True worship is found in our adoration of our loving savior.

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Firm Foundation

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“Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock.” Matthew 7:24-25, nirv

Well, we’re a little more than a week into the new year! How are those goals holding up? I know for me, goals are often just set during this time in order to center myself on what needs to be changed for the better, but for many people, this is the moment where they start anew. I don’t want to diminish this, because it is important to work on oneself, but one thing that I need to remind myself during this time of introspection, is setting a firm foundation.

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Journey Update: New Year, New Goals

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I always love January. A fresh new year and a whole world in front of us. The past couple of years have been wild, I’m sure you’ve heard of this pandemic that’s been happening, of course I know that all of us have been dealing with the complications. In the midst of all the insanity and unknowns, God is still good. One of my biggest takeaways from this past year, is that God is still good and will continue to make a way in the wilderness. Perspective is incredibly important in all that we do, and I know life has not been forgiving in these past years, but we must rely on Christ and know that He is making a way in our wilderness wandering.

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Thank You for Seasons

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Can you believe that we are only a few more days until we enter December!? This last half of the year, for me, is always filled with so much excitement. From holidays to birthdays and anniversaries, there is so much fun, but time flies by. In recent years, I have learned the importance of the different seasons of life that we all go through. I look through the lens of the four seasons in nature and see how I continually grow and change in these different seasons. Some are harder than others, but in those hardships, I am reminded of the growth that is taking place and how it will propel me forward. Some seasons are time filled with joy and celebration of where God has me in that moment. In every season, I have learned to thank God for what each reveal about who God has made me to be and how He loves me in all things.

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Thank You for Loving Me

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I think life is a lot of learning from mistakes. We are all constantly growing, and part of those growing pains is learning from when we mess up. Sometimes we mess up only a little and sometimes it’s a big deal, but these are all moments for us to learn and mature. I never like holding on to something that someone has done to me in the past, because I don’t want people to hold on to the things I have done to them in the past. It’s a thing called grace and forgiveness, and it’s what Jesus modeled for each of us during His time one earth. Jesus chose to love everyone, even the people who would betray and kill Him. Even His last moment on the cross, Jesus cried out to God to forgive the people because they did not know what they were doing (Luke 23:34). That kind of love is the same love that is freely given to you and me.

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Thank You for Family

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I love getting time to spend with my nephew and niece. I have started to wear my really old converse, because I know that whatever happens, I’ll need some shoes that can get a little muddy. I get to run, jump, build, carry, pretend, and a myriad of other things and it always fills me with joy. I love family, I’m so thankful for the family that is around me each day, both biological and relational. The moments where I get to spend time with people I care about the most, reminds me of how God has blessed me and puts the right people alongside of me in this journey.

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Thank You for the World Around Me

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Outside of our window there is a massive tree. Each day in the fall we have watched the leaves change color, an orange red hue starting at the top until now where the whole tree is colored in this new hue. I love seeing this because I am watching nature at work, the leaves are preparing to fall, while the winter will have it completely bare, only to spring new leaves again. I look at that tree and see the intentionality in all of creation that God had a hand in.

When we look at the world around us, we see some amazing things. You can look at the mountains and the oceans, admire the vastness of them, or you can look at the small details like a tree outside of your window. I love this fall season because the colors of nature are so much more apparent as we look outside. November for me is a great time to reflect on all that I have been blessed with, and nature reminds me that I have an intentional God.

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Thank You for Making Me

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I love the month of November. Okay, I really just love this last half of the year. It’s a season with so much joy and I get to watch the weather slowly shift to be colder and cozier. It’s hard to believe that October is already over, but the month of November is a time to look at all of our blessings. While the history of Thanksgiving is questionable, I love what it has become in my life; a season of being reminded how much God loves me. I’ve learned that there is so much power in choosing to look at what is right in front of you and be thankful for it. I start writing in my journal something I am thankful for each day. It’s not going to be shared everywhere or me trying to get the attention of others, it’s merely a way to re-center my mind on what God is doing in my life. One of the biggest things I am thankful for, is knowing that God made me.

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