"Once we clearly acknowledge the soul, we can learn to hear it's cries. - Dallas Willard, Renovation Of The Heart."

It takes courage to pursue our dreams. It takes time and patience to unearth buried treasure. But I believe with all my heart that we must do both.

12.31.2009

Happy New Year!


2010. Where have the last ten years gone?? To be honest, I feel I have wasted so much of that time. I am getting better a living in the moment. Not living in the past. Not living with the "what if's " and "if only's" And I am coming to really believe, not just know with a head acknowledgment that the purpose of my life is to draw ever closer to my God. Everything else falls into place when that happens. As I draw closer and really see his heart, learn his heart, my heart changes. That is what I desire. But I am learning that it is a process, and I am learning to be patient with myself in that process.

I want to leave this year and enter the new one with this prayer on my lips and in my heart.

O Holy Spirit,
As the sun is full of light, the ocean full of water, and Heaven full of glory,
so may my heart be full of You.

God's divine purposes of love and the redemption wrought by Jesus are
vain unless You work within me:
regenerating me by Your power,
giving me eyes to see Jesus,
and showing me the realities of the spiritual world.

Give me endless supplies of Your presence, like an unending fountain or
inexhaustible riches.

I lament my coldness, poverty, emptiness, imperfect vision, half-heart-ed
service, pray-less prayers, and praise-less praises.

Come as power, to expel every rebellious longing, to reign supreme and keep
me Yours;
Come as teacher, leading me into all truth, filling me with all understanding;
Come as love, that I may adore the Father and love him with all my heart, soul,
mind, and strength;
Come as joy, to dwell in me, move in me, animate me;
Come as light, illuminating the Scripture, molding me to its ways;
Come as sanctifier, of my heart, soul, spirit, and body. Conform all of me to the
image of God's Son;
Come as helper, with strength to bless and comfort, directing my steps;
And come as beautifier, bringing order out of confusion, loveliness out of chaos.

Open my eyes to behold your glory. Magnify your glory to me by being
magnified in me, and make my life as the fragrance of God to those around me.

Amen

(anonymous puritan prayer from "The Valley of Vision")

I wish all my sweet blogging buddies a blessed New Year!!!
I am truly thankful you are all part of my life.
You have blessed me with your kindness, support, encouragement and love.

19 comments:

thekathrynwheel said...

Happy new year mary :-) Loving the journal page on this post. If you e-mail me your address I'll send you a copy of the UK Stamping magazine - I don't think you can get it in the states. Kate x

Anonymous said...

Happy New Year!! Love the journal page. Thanks for sharing the wonderful prayer! May the new year be filled with much love, joy and many blessings!! {hugs}

Martha Lever said...

That is a big AMEN to that prayer. I hope 2010 is blessed for you Mar, and that wonderful prayer will be fulfilled in your life. Me too! Happy New Year!

Debra@CommonGround said...

What a wonderful all encompassing prayer. Really just perfect.
Sending blessings for a wonderful New Year!
Debra

Anonymous said...

Mary! That prayer is beautiful and your heart is so correct. Thank you for the great reminders you leave for the ones God is speaking to.
Sending you an Angel hug Back.. and a big smile.. :-D

Brandi said...

xo xo .. happy happy new year Mary .. so glad we our paths have crossed

A - Zinnia Productions said...

What a beautiful prayer...and outstanding journal page! oxoxoxo Zinnia

Anonymous said...

Mary,
Happy New Year to you, too. I love the prayer. Praying along with you for all those things. Just beautiful.

Blessings,
Tammy

Megan Hoover said...

Happy New Year Mary...I have a hard time living in the moment as well. Love that prayer. I needed that!! Thanks!

DJ said...

Happy 2010, Mary!
May the new year be all you need it to be...
Joshua 1:9

Just Be Real said...

Mary Happy New Year to you and yours. Thank you for sharing such a lovely prayer! Blessings.

Jo Reimer said...

Thanks for that prayer, Mary, and the reminder to start this year clingly closely to my Savior.

lori vliegen said...

such a beautiful prayer, mary.....shared with us by such a beautiful person! thank you for blessing my life with such reminders each and every day! i wish you much happiness and many creative blessings for 2010!! hugs, :))

Kristen said...

I really enjoyed reading that prayer. I need more of those readings in my life. Thanks so much for sharing. Have yourself a wonderful new year! ~Kristen

S. Etole said...

and a wonderful New Year to you ... filled with His presence

Brian K said...

Hi Mary! Happy New Year! Thanks for stopping by my blog and being a loyal follower! Here's is to a wonderful creative, healthy 2010!

Poetic Artist said...

Mary,
I hope the new year is filled with sweet spirit and wonderful moments that bring you closer to our Lord.
Love,
Katelen

Anita said...

Beautiful prayer lifted up by a beautiful heart. The Lord bless you in 2010.

Katy said...

Wonderful post, Mary! I need to read it TODAY. Thank you for sharing! I have that book, but I haven't looked at it in a while. I need to get it back out again!