Happy New Year! In reflecting on what my first message of 2020 would be, I thought what better than to share words of wisdom from those wiser, those who have shared insights more eloquently than I. The first goes back a few years!
Every new beginning comes from some other beginning’s end.
Seneca
Seneca
In the New Year, never forget to thank your past years because they enabled you to reach today! Without the stairs of the past, you cannot arrive at the future.
Mehmet Murat Ildan
Mehmet Murat Ildan
The website The Art of the Simple posted questions upon which to reflect on the previous 365 days of 2019.
- What was the single best thing that happened in the past year?
- What was the single most challenging thing that happened?
- What was an unexpected joy this past year?
What a wonderful thought it is that some of the best days of our lives haven’t even happened yet.
Anne Frank
Anne Frank
Last year’s words belong to last year’s language, and next year’s words await.
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot
And suddenly you know: It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.
Meister Eckhart
Meister Eckhart
You’ll never get bored when you try something new. There’s really no limit to what you can do.
Dr. Seuss
Dr. Seuss
It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves.
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
And now we welcome the new year. Full of things that have never been.
Rainer Maria Rilke
Rainer Maria Rilke
The following is an excerpt from the prayer shared on the Concord Pastor website last Friday:
Lord, I wonder how my new year's resolutions
compare with your plans for me
in this new year...
compare with your plans for me
in this new year...
I know you have plans for me
- I read that in the bible, in Jeremiah 29:
- I read that in the bible, in Jeremiah 29:
For I know well the plans I have in mind for you,
plans for your welfare and not for woe,
so as to give you a future of hope.
When you call me, and come and pray to me,
I will listen to you.
When you look for me, you will find me.
Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,
I will let you find me...
plans for your welfare and not for woe,
so as to give you a future of hope.
When you call me, and come and pray to me,
I will listen to you.
When you look for me, you will find me.
Yes, when you seek me with all your heart,
I will let you find me...
I'd love to know your plans for me for 2020!
Of course, I know that your plans for me
won't determine my new year:
your "plans" for me are more like the invitations,
the challenges you whisper in my soul,
prompting and nudging me
to speak, to move, to act...
Of course, I know that your plans for me
won't determine my new year:
your "plans" for me are more like the invitations,
the challenges you whisper in my soul,
prompting and nudging me
to speak, to move, to act...
Your plan is to challenge me
in just those places in my life where I'm
most stubborn,
most afraid,
most anxious,
laziest - or least inclined
to respond to the opportunities
you set before me...
in just those places in my life where I'm
most stubborn,
most afraid,
most anxious,
laziest - or least inclined
to respond to the opportunities
you set before me...
And your new year's plan
is to console me and hold me,
forgive me and comfort me
in just those places in my life where I am most alone
and most in need of your mercy, your presence,
your peace and your Spirit...
is to console me and hold me,
forgive me and comfort me
in just those places in my life where I am most alone
and most in need of your mercy, your presence,
your peace and your Spirit...
Wherever your plans may lead,
I know you want only the best for me;
wherever my prayer might take me
you're my guide through my darkest hours;
and whenever I call upon on you,
you'll hear me and understand me...
I know you want only the best for me;
wherever my prayer might take me
you're my guide through my darkest hours;
and whenever I call upon on you,
you'll hear me and understand me...
Hold me, Lord, in that sweet, deep peace
flowing only and always from your heart to mine:
hold me, Lord, for deep in my soul
I know that's the plan you have for me...
flowing only and always from your heart to mine:
hold me, Lord, for deep in my soul
I know that's the plan you have for me...
Amen.
Happy New Year!!!