My blog got a facelift just in time for the new year. Even better than that, our family grew with the addition of a new baby boy! With all the “new”s that are around me, I’m reminded that Jesus too makes all things new. That is actually a hugely comforting thought for me. Most days I can get so frustrated at myself for not being the person I want to be, for seemingly lacking growth in so many areas of my life, and for often feeling like certain parts of me have grown stagnant and complacent. However, as I look over the last year, and all the years of my life, I can see clearly how Jesus has been working, regenerating and restoring broken places in me, softening off the rough edges, bringing greater self-awareness, and inviting me into closer relationship with Him. With the relaunching of my blog, I want to continue to strive to discover the true, real life and “newness” that Jesus has for each of us, and share how he is changing me, transforming my thinking, and making my life more meaningful and joy-filled. My great hope is that what I write, or perhaps ramble on about, is useful to anyone who has struggled with the things I’ve struggled with, or who are simply fellow sojourners in this world who want to live as closely to Jesus as possible.

My theme Bible passage for the year is Psalm 16, where I am reminded that whatever happens during the next 12 months, or whatever circumstances I find myself in, if I am in Christ I shall not be moved. Jesus alone is my security and whatever I encounter, I will not be shaken.

1 Keep me safe, my God,
for in you I take refuge.

2 I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
apart from you I have no good thing.”
3 I say of the holy people who are in the land,
“They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
4 Those who run after other gods will suffer more and more.
I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
or take up their names on my lips.

5 LORD, you alone are my portion and my cup;
you make my lot secure.
6 The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;
surely I have a delightful inheritance.
7 I will praise the LORD, who counsels me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
8 I keep my eyes always on the LORD.
With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest secure,
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
nor will you let your faithful[b] one see decay.
11 You make known to me the path of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence,
with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Our New Addition to the Family