it's all just a process...

for the past several years i haven't made new year's resolutions, seeing how i hardly ever follow through with anything for too long; so, i'll just say the following is a list i'd LIKE to accomplish/witness during 2010. it's better this way. if i put too much pressure on myself, it all goes downhill, and i do realize this is probably a character flaw. see there... the pressure is already building...

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1. play the piano and guitar a little more than last year

2. journal (dreams, sermons, experiences, etc.)

3. read the Bible in its entirety (the plan i'll be using is found on www.brookhills.org)

4. tithe (i have to confess i haven't been doing this on a regular basis, and i guess i've used the whole "church-hopping" issue as an excuse. do i give to the church where i'm being fed or give to the one i'm still a member of? if any of you have any wisdom, feel free to comment. either way, the money is going to do the Lord's work, so where is probably irrelevant.)

5. be reminded daily of His perspective, not my own

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whether i stay in the wilderness or find myself on a mountaintop, He is still the same. He is holy. there is a purpose for everything under the sun, and i want to continue to be mindful of this truth. He hasn't wiped me out yet, so there's something left for me to do. i want to carry out His purpose for me and be faithful to the end.

last night i was driving home from work and looking at the sky (which wasn't too smart considering i was driving), and i was a little overwhelmed. there were streaks in the clouds that looked like finger marks and the moon was peaking out from behind them. it reminded me of getting in the car on cold mornings when i was younger and writing my name on the windows. my name would be there until we went through a car wash or the rain washed it away.

my name is now written on His heart, and it can never be erased. thank you, Jesus.

Before the throne of God above

I have a strong and perfect plea.

A great high Priest whose Name is Love

Who ever lives and pleads for me.

My name is graven on His hands,

My name is written on His heart.

I know that while in heaven He stands

No tongue can bid me thence depart.

When Satan tempts me to despair

And tells me of the guilt within,

Upward I look and see Him there

Who made an end of all my sin.

Because the sinless Savior died

My sinful soul is counted free.

For God the just is satisfied

To look on Him and pardon me.

Behold Him there the risen Lamb,

My perfect spotless righteousness,

The great unchangeable I AM,

King of glory and of grace,

One in Himself I cannot die.

My soul is purchased by His blood,

My life is hid with Christ on high,

With Christ my Savior and my God!

-Vicki Cooke, Charitie Bancroft

i've wandered down the wrong way so many times, but He never lets me get too far gone. He's always correcting me and bringing me back. and He shows me so much mercy.

this year is going to be a good one.

Lord, teach me.

p.s. this is really random, but if you're a regular reader of my blog and disagree with something i write... please, please, please comment. correct me. teach me. this is all just a process, and we're in this thing together.