Happy New Year.....only a few weeks late.

The first weeks of 2008 have flown by. Jillian and I went to see Miley Cyrus/Hannah Montana on the 3rd, and we've been in forward motion ever since. Yes, I did take my earplugs along. Not because Ms. Cyrus needs to be muted. However, the 12,000 screaming little tweens (and some of their mothers...no I'm not kidding) were a little louder than my thumping eardrums could endure. (At least on a consistant basis) So, during my little respites, as it were, I did think about life (and how much Jillian was enjoying the experience!!) Age......yes, I have having a Partridge Family Flashback (I still go to iTunes to retrieve, "I'll Meet You Halfway" and "Breakin Up Is Hard To Do" - sorry Neil Sadaka, I prefer David Cassidy's lead vocal) - Remember Friday evenings in the early 1970's? ABC was on at our house. The Brady Bunch at 8 PM, followed by Shirley, Keith, Laurie, Danny, Chris and Tracy. And let's not forget Reuben Kincade.
Sorry, rabbit trail...............Billy Ray and his Mrs. seem to have instilled some sense, morals and priorities into their young, and very famous, daughter. (She told Oprah that church is important - and I think she even shared a Bible verse) As I viewed the show, I prayed that she would not pursue the unfortunate path of some of her contemporaries. (Spear Sisters - poor, misguided, deceived girls).
OK......a store opening for my family's business, planning for the Circle of Friends Women's Conference coming to Walnut Creek Mennonite Church on February 15-16. Some planning for a new radio program with my pals Suzie, Beth, Jocelyn...you know the Friends Radio gals. (www.friendsradio.org) - a romantic weekend away with Bob (Cherry Valley Lodge in Granville, Ohio is a wonderful place to relax), a family reunion west of Columbus the following weekend.........a touch of the flu (yuck!)
An impromtu visit with a dear friend from high school days - and another who recently moved out of state........laundry, Cub Scouts for Chris, lots of talks w/Jillian.....11 year old girls have lots of important questions - and lots of interesting answers!
However beloved ones, through all of the various activities God stayed exactly the same. In this new year, that truth has become even more comforting and precious to my heart.
I sense Him really speaking to me about putting "first things first". There will be absolutely no way that I will enjoy a well ordered life unless I choose, but faith, to put first things first. Not surprisingly, even our children are learning that virtue in their kids church - so God is confirming it all over the place.
I need to get more sleep. For some reason I've not been intentional enough in that area. Also, the treadmill invites me to "take a walk" every day. Haven't done that yet, either. There's no excuse........I need to put first things first.
The first "first" thing that will never change, is to love the LORD my God, with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.....and my neighbor as myself. On a scale of 1 - 10? How are you doing in this area? I know the number on my chart, and I think I need to be making some improvements. It's not an outward lack of "doing", but sometimes the "doing" inhibits the "being".
If the "being" (being still in God's presence) isn't the cry of your heart, then there's a problem. I've noticed in myself - maybe you are thinking the same.
As COF encourages folks to encounter the One Year Bible on a daily basis, I have been reminded, especially by the Psalms, of God's nearness to those who seek His wisdom and comfort.
Seek Him in 2008 - He will be found. It's guaranteed - because He stands by His promises.......Good to know that never changes. No, no, never.
Peace - Lisa