First Things First
Okay, so it’s the first day of the new year and the best time to chart the course for a bright new beginning! Let’s get to it. My kids and I were recently listening to our Seeds CD when Jeremiah 33:3 was sung to music and I knew right then, I had a verse for the year:
“Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.”
No kidding, over the last several weeks I’ve asked myself a hundred times if I’ve asked it once, “What will Spiritual Formation look like this time next year at Cross Point Church?” Well there’s one way to find out. Call to Him. And when we’ve called Him a thousand times, we’re gonna keep calling.
We can’t start out charting a course for life change in the context of community without first asking Him how to do it. And then, listening. Our minds are too finite, too small, too “inside the box”, to try to do it on our own. Common sense is too, well common these days. I got a Christmas card last week that reads, “God uses simple ordinary places and people to do His greatest work.”
Let’s call to Him, listen, obey, and then watch as He continues to do His Greatest Work!
How do you start your projects? Do you use a “Verse for the Year”?
How can I possibly be the first person to comment on your blog?!?
I knew you would do one. I knew you would be “in the ministry” one day. We are so proud of you!
Yes, verse (or passage) of the year:
Proverbs 2:1-11
“My son [or daughter], if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God.
For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair – every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.”
Every year I also have a “theme” or phrase that God drops in my lap sometime around Christmas every year. He did that all last week and it is this:
“This year, in 2009, lean on me and do not be so easily offended.”
I’m interested in learning what He has to show me about that one! But I can’t tell you how many times it has stopped me in my tracks over the past 2 days and kept me from spouting off about something or getting my feelings hurt or letting bitterness creep in.
Yeah…gotta blog that!
Happy New Year, Ricky. Excited about your new journey!!
Blessings,
Dori
Hey Ricky! I’m in Jackson TN and have followed Pete and Brandi for a few months and love CP and what they do. I also happen to like Dori a lot too and so she has hooked me up to your blog now? Thank her later. Ha!
I haven’t found a “verse of the year” yet, but am working with many other women this year to memorize 2 scriptures a month and get the Word really sunk into our hearts. That is where some serious change can take place. I’m excited about that.
Congrats on your CP position. I truly believe God is up to BIG things over there!
Blessings in ‘09,
Fran
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “pray without ceasing”.
Work, deadlines, travel, doctor appointments, exercise, soccer practice, homework, visits to the vet, etc etc etc….my current time with God (or lack thereof) isn’t really fair to me or to Him.
My 2009 verse for the year will also be my objective for the year!
I am reading Tony Dungy’s book right now. I am on the second chapter where he lost his job from the Bucs and he said he was “looking for a burning bush.” I think too often we want it to be obvious, when really God wants us to just trust and LISTEN!
Great thoughts, Ricky! I’m so excited about this year and your role here at Cross Point!
You have no idea how much I needed this tonight. I know I’m late on reading it but God has a way with that timing. This is definately going to be a year of formation and transformation. For a long time my life verse has been Jeremiah 29:11 – 14. I have always focused more or verse 11 “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to prosper you andnot to harm you, plans to bring you a hope and a future.”. However, at least for right now I am focusing on verses 12 – 14 “Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I WILL listen to you (how amazing is that?!). You will seek me and find me whem you seek me with all of your heart. I WILL be found by you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back from captivity. I will gather you from all the nations and places where I banished you, declares the Lord, and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exilem”
I mean how amazing are those words! God knew that we would not always understand, that we would go our own ways and promised he would be here. As humans we would say I MIGHT be here when you come crawling back but Jesus says I wILL be here and this is how you find me. He’s a really great God!
Ok now with that said, I am so excited for this part of your life and the journey you, Carmen and the kids are starting out on this year! I can’t wait to see how God continues to use you!
we love seeds family worship!!!!!! I have 4 of the CD’s! Hope you’re doing well, neighbor! We should get together! (I know I always say that when we see you all but it never happens!!!)