Happy New Year!

Al and I wish you all a wonderful new year; a year plump-full of love, joy and peace coming to you from our loving, all-knowing, gracious, compassionate, never-tiring Heavenly Father; pouring into your life in the right amount, the right consistency, the right texture to embolden, strengthen and refine you and to fill you up in the way best suited for you so that you can become the whole, complete person as God has specifically designed you.

May it be a year full of just enough adventure, excitement and challenges to keep you alert and focused on the real reason for our existence right here on planet earth.

Revisiting favorite places from our travels via our photos, prompts me to include some on this post.  Here is an image of the beautiful Sea of Galilee, the Sea around which and on which Jesus taught so many lessons and healed so many people. 

In my Bible reading today I focused on the following thought-provoking Scriptures, Jesus' own words while teaching around this remarkable setting:

But the seed planted in the good earth represents those who hear the Word, embrace it, and produce a harvest beyond their wildest dreams.
Mark 4:20

Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity. Stinginess impoverishes.
Mark 4:25

Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am.

Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. 

What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Mark 8:34-38

This is once again the Great Reversal:
Many who are first will end up last, and the last first.
Mark10:31

…hmmm, so much to think about…please help me, Lord Jesus.
(Scripture References taken from The Message)
 
Along a similar vein of thinking, I came across this inspirational article in the Abbotsford Times today, written by Alice Maryniuk.  I've enjoyed her writing in the past and always find it well worth reading.  Please check out her column today at the following site by copying it into your browser:


http://www2.canada.com/abbotsfordtimes/news/faith/story.html?id=42e29d75-5ccd-429c-94bb-784245dad6be

Al and I enjoyed a pilgrimage to the Holy Land four and a half years ago.  Here I am walking along the shore of the Sea of Galilee.  I'd love to go back.

Remember this good old song:

"In fancy I stood by the shore one day,
Of that beautiful murm'ring sea.

I saw the great crowds as they thronged their way.
to the Stranger of Galilee...."

-I couldn't find a good clip for it on You Tube but if you like you can check the words and "midi music" just by typing the title into the browser.

ps the photo of Al and me was taken in our computer room with our iMac-
Photo Booth