Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Tomorrow Is A New Day

Choose a new direction

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

A radio host recently asserted that ninety percent of our thoughts are the same from one day to the next. Do you believe that?

When you stop to consider, the figure makes perfect sense. Don’t we follow the same routine schedule, deal with the same problems, and encounter the same people? Without conscious effort to do otherwise, it’s logical our thoughts would be the same. We ruminate over mistakes and sometimes blunder ahead with no better choices or refuse to make changes that could lead to a better path.

A trend has unfolded since the first of the year. Instead of resolutions, many folks have chosen a word for the year. Abundance. Dependence (on Christ). Forgiveness. Perseverance. Yet, one word I haven’t seen is the one I mentioned a few weeks ago in reference to fear.

Change.

How can a six-letter word be so scary? Why does it take so much effort to think new thoughts, believe new ideas, and embrace a new path?

The failure to do so is what leads to all other failure in life.

So there you have it. My word for 2013 is change. Better late than never, I guess. J

Some changes this year will be bittersweet, like my son graduating high school, while other change I’ll embrace. And yes, some will be scary. But in the meantime, I’ll cling to a verse that reminds me, no matter what changes in my temporal earthly life, there’s one thing I can always count on to stay the same:

“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” Hebrews 13:8

Can I get an amen?


I will be leaving for The Cove (Billy Graham training center in Asheville, NC) on Friday for a weekend writers’ conference. Please pray for my traveling safety both Friday and when I return on Sunday. Pray that my writing will be edified and my goals strengthened by the presence of the Holy Spirit always in abundance at this beautiful mountaintop complex. My schedule will be chock-full, but I will attempt to blog some photos during the conference.

If you have a prayer request, please share it in the comments below or email me confidential requests. Would you take a moment to lift up those on the prayer list at the top of the blog, along with Sgt. Jesse McCart as he continues rehab?

TC Avey requests prayer for her sister-in-law. It has only been three months since her brother (TC’s father-in-law) died of lung cancer. She was diagnosed a few weeks ago with the same cancer. She is progressing really rapidly. Without a touch for God, she will not make it.

We have a praise report from Courtney’s family on her MRI last week. This is from her Caring Bridge site:

Courtney's MRI showed no changes and the area below the tumor cavity that they have been watching for months, looked the same as last time. Dr. Peters still feels that this may be calcium deposits from prior radiation treatment and not tumor growth. To be sure, she has ordered a PET scan along with the contrast MRI on our next visit in late March. This will determine if it is indeed scar tissue or tumor. Should the PET scan show scar tissue, Dr. Peters plans to address reducing or removing one of Courtney's chemo drugs. She will remain on the Avastin IV indefinitely, but at least she may be able to drop one of the two oral chemo drugs.
Thank you all again for your concern and interest for Courtney. I assure you that we are so thankful and take great comfort in knowing that prayers and well wishes are coming her way, especially on the days we are Duke waiting on results. God bless you all.

The only thing I can add is Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!

God bless,
Laura

©Laura Hodges Poole

Photo courtesy of Microsoft.com free clip art

8 comments:

  1. PRIASE GOD for Courtney's good news!!! so happy to hear this - i have tears in my eyes!!! it will be such a blessing if she is able to drop one of the chemo drugs. we are need to stay in prayer for her.

    so sorry to hear about TC's sister-in-law. i know what they are feeling. my dad was diagnosed with lung cancer within weeks of my mom's passings of cancer and passed quickly. so i understand the need for prayer this family has.

    laura i am so jealous of you getting to go to the cove. i have always wanted to go. though i am jealous i will pray for you safety and for the Holy Spirit to move. God Bless and enjoy you time there!! :)

    btw- LOVE NewsBoys! enjoyed the video!

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    1. Thanks for being such a faithful prayer partner, Betty. I'm excited about going to The Cove. I went last year for the same conference. It will be cold and windy! I'm fortunate to live an hour and a half from Asheville so it makes it easier to attend. Glad you enjoyed the video. I love their music, too. God bless.

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  2. CHANGE...big word. I'll be praying for you.

    Enjoy the conference! I'd LOVE to go...I might be a tad bit jealous- he,he

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    1. Thank you, TC. You're always faithful in prayer. I'm fortunate to live close to The Cove (an hour and a half away). If you ever get the opportunity to go, do so. You won't regret it. God bless.

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  3. Hi Laura,
    I wrote about change over a year ago http://www.janiscox.com/change-fearful/. I talk about embracing change. And in Experiencing God this week in our Bible Study the number 6 says: "You must make major adjustments in your life to join God in what He is doing."

    So I applaud this word as your word of the year and I ask you to link to my Wednesday's Word - so others can read it there too.
    Blessings,
    Janis

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    1. Thanks, Janis. God nudges all of us to step outside of our comfort zone. I'll go over and link to your blog. Thanks for stopping by! God bless you.

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  4. I love your word! It is somewhat like mine... go. The verse you shared is such a comfort in an ever changing world!

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  5. Change... so good to know that we can face it because we belong to the Changeless One.

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