I can see clearly now...
I love the start of a new year. It seems as if you can see the whole year with so much clarity. I think that's why we come up with new year's resolutions, because we can see what we want and we try to come up with ways of getting it...
I'm not sure of God ever intended for us to celebrate years coming and going like we do, but I think it creates a good rhythm. I learned a while ago that most things, if not all, have a rhythm to them. It's not always obvious at first, but if you observe or stand back for long enough, it becomes more and more apparent.
I like the rhythm of looking back and then forward - remembering the good and trying to make some sense of the bad and then creating an expectation for more of the good to come.
One of the reasons I love Jesus is that we can expect for more of the good when we walk with Him. Not more of the easy, but more of the good. Of course there are ups and downs, celebrations and disappointments, but in the end - when we follow Him - we move onwards and upwards. Of the increase of His government there is no end and the gates of Hell cannot stand against the Church He is building!
One of the rhythms I'm looking forward to more of in 2013, is the unforced rhythm of His grace (as the Message translation of the Bible puts it). Grace... that great force within Christians that not only gives us what we don't deserve, but energises us to do what we can't and often don't want to. It is when we let ourselves go to what He is doing, when we respond to what He initiates that great things happen... And I'm believing for more great in 2013!
On another note, we celebrated Liya-Jean's 2nd birthday yesterday. It's so awesome to see her grow into a little girl. It seems as if she is learning new things every day! We are really proud of her. She also featured as a present in our church Christmas play at the end of last year, which was possibly her cutest moment ever.
May you experience the 'hope of more good to come' that Jesus alone gives and allow His grace to lead you into greater things you ever thought possible.
Peace to you,
The Albrechts
PS I'll hopefully add more photos and videos soon.
I'm not sure of God ever intended for us to celebrate years coming and going like we do, but I think it creates a good rhythm. I learned a while ago that most things, if not all, have a rhythm to them. It's not always obvious at first, but if you observe or stand back for long enough, it becomes more and more apparent.
I like the rhythm of looking back and then forward - remembering the good and trying to make some sense of the bad and then creating an expectation for more of the good to come.
One of the reasons I love Jesus is that we can expect for more of the good when we walk with Him. Not more of the easy, but more of the good. Of course there are ups and downs, celebrations and disappointments, but in the end - when we follow Him - we move onwards and upwards. Of the increase of His government there is no end and the gates of Hell cannot stand against the Church He is building!
One of the rhythms I'm looking forward to more of in 2013, is the unforced rhythm of His grace (as the Message translation of the Bible puts it). Grace... that great force within Christians that not only gives us what we don't deserve, but energises us to do what we can't and often don't want to. It is when we let ourselves go to what He is doing, when we respond to what He initiates that great things happen... And I'm believing for more great in 2013!
On another note, we celebrated Liya-Jean's 2nd birthday yesterday. It's so awesome to see her grow into a little girl. It seems as if she is learning new things every day! We are really proud of her. She also featured as a present in our church Christmas play at the end of last year, which was possibly her cutest moment ever.
May you experience the 'hope of more good to come' that Jesus alone gives and allow His grace to lead you into greater things you ever thought possible.
Peace to you,
The Albrechts
PS I'll hopefully add more photos and videos soon.
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