I love beginning a New Year. I love buying a new calendar and filling in the slots with all the activities. I love setting goals and budgets. I like checking the list off. Last year my goals were simple. 1. Meet with God daily. 2. Write daily.
Goal number two, I think I met, but only if grocery lists and thank you cards count. I definitely wrote more if for no other reason except to share the cancer journey with others.Goal number one was met. They were not all exactly how I had hoped. Not every meeting was awe inspiring, yet every time I asked him to meet with me he showed up.
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“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.” James 4:8
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Many of my prayer times were confessional in nature. Sin is a big problem in my life and in the world. Last night as my oldest children and I watched the last five minutes of the New Year’s Eve special a commercial came on that highlighted a few of the top searched items for the year 2015. Each question came with stirring pictures. One of the questions asked, How can I help refugees? The powerful pictures stirred you to want to get involved. Others included topics on same sex marriage and transgender issues. One even asked what color is this dress? The picture showed three different colors of the same dress. Each one highlighted the sinfulness of our world. Whether violence or immorality, greed or indifference. The commercial was a call to prayer for me. So after the ball dropped that is what we did PRAY.
In 2016, my focus will be praying. Hurting people are all around us desperately in need of love, kindness and mercy. Will join me in condemning less and loving more this year? Will you commit to pray for those in need?
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“because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.” James 2:13
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Will you join me in praying with perseverance? How can I pray for you in 2016?
Father, show us who you are. Help us be completely yours in 2016. No reserve, No regrets, No retreats. Lord, help us honor you more than anything or anyone else. No one and no thing takes a greater priority than you. Help us be abundantly yours. In Christ’s most holy name and by his power. Amen.
As always I encourage you to read through your Bible this year. Google search reading plans. If you are looking for a new devotional book for the days when you wake up late. Check out Twila Belk’s Raindrops from Heaven. The entries I read last year were awe inspiring and thought provoking.
Abundantly His 
Hey Emily, this is Mike with Southern Sweet Bee. Thanks so much for the nice thank you card you sent. I’m glad you enjoyed the honey. You take care and if you would like you can check us out on Facebook. Some of the bee yard photos are from your parrents farm. Talk to you soon, Mike.
Thanks Mike! I went on to the fb page and hit liked. Southern Sweet Bee is simply the best honey! Thanks for your prayers through this cancer journey. I hope you’ll come back to my blog and be encouraged. Take care, Emily