Friday, April 04, 2008

It Is a New Season

Then He who sat on the throne said,"Behold, I make all things new." And He said to me, "Write, for these words are true and faithful."
Revelation 21:5


Dear Prayer Partners,
We have just celebrated Easter with all the flowers in bloom and the weather changing quickly! We see new life springing up all around us and we must know that our God has made all things new. This picture reflects the new life that is occurring daily in our back yard. What a joy to watch the birds feeding in this yard that only a few short months ago was black from the fire that almost consumed our property and our home! (See picture on previous blog article) As you can see new growth is happening! We have always thought our back yard in the spring was like a park. Well as we compare pictures from the fire we see all that the Lord has done for us. We praise His Holy Name for His protection of our home but also for the lessons we have learned through this experience.
On Resurrection morning we experienced a wonderful worship and praise time as we gathered with like believers in our church sanctuary to celebrate that Jesus is Alive!! The joy on the faces of all in attendance reflected the freedom they feel to worship our Savior because He is truly alive and His Holy Spirit is present with us daily. Did you have an opportunity to set aside some time to worship and praise Him? Did you reflect on this New Year and the new growth you see all around you in the nature that He created? What does this New Season mean to you?
The blackness of the yard a few months ago reflects the blackness that can happen in each of our lives if we do not have Jesus as Savior and Lord. In the Word it says in Psalm 107:10-12: Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death, bound in affliction and irons—because they rebelled against the words of God, and despised the counsel of the Most High, therefore He brought down their heart with labor; they fell down, and there was none to help.
Now we see green grass and new growth just as in a life given to the Lord through faith and trust in our Lord Jesus. In Ephesians 5:8-10 it says: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. We rejoice that we live in the light and that we have hope for the future!
Thank you for your prayers during this time as we seek the Lord for His perfect plans for us and Christ’s Kingdom Ministries. It has been a busy year already and we know that we will continue to be useful for the Kingdom of God!
We love you all and thank the Lord for you daily.

Charley & Karen