The Love Nest: January 2013

Stranger by Mandi Mapes

just another day in a beautiful town
where money makes the world go round
caught in a place where no matter what I do
I feel let down
'cause I keep chasing all these funny things
that don't even matter
in the end

this world is not my home
I am a stranger in this country
Jesus in me won't You pour me out
I'm ready to abandon all my shiny things
my family, and this American dream, Lord
come take it all from me
until there's nothing left but You

Lord, open my eyes
that I may see the brevity of my life
may Your Word tear down my sinful heart
and fill me with new desires
by Your Spirit I will live for You
and love You with all my soul
so have Your way in me
and let Your kingdom come

I love to use Evernote as my prayer journal because it is so easy to use and I can look back on my prayers and thoughts so quickly. I looked at last year's entry. I posted on January 3, 2012. Here is what I posted...

Here we are again. A new year. New dreams, new hopes, new resolutions. The list could go on. I always think about the mistakes I made the previous year and the hopes I have for the new year.The one thing that makes things all the different is Jesus. Jesus changes everything. I can't do anything but Jesus can. Jesus, I am asking you to reveal yourself to me in 2012 like you haven't ever before. I want to be HOLY in your eyes. I don't want to live for this world (which I tend to do).Today I read Colossians 3 (one things of many) and learned:

Set your mind on things above

seek first his kingdom

my life is HIDDEN in God. My security is in God when I trust in Him.

CHRIST IS MY LIFE. Perfection will be mine when Christ returns.

Eliminate sin and cultivate christian values.

GET RID OF GREED (ahh, I feel like I always want more)

The wrath of God is coming

always forgive other christians

LOVE

David Platt tweeted today:

plattdavid
Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Good news: salvation is here. Bad news: damnation is near. Proclaim them both.
1/3/12 10:00 AM

I love that it resonates with what I read today. Kingdom is near. How am I advancing it today? How am I growing closer to the Lord?

I want to ask myself that question every morning when I am praying and reading. How am I growing closer today? How am I advancing the kingdom?

I have very similar prayers and hopes this year in 2013. My new years resolution? To make Jesus known in my family (baby Evelyn) and the world.

I was thinking about 2012 and decided to recap the year. What a blessed and busy year it has been. The Lord answered my prayer that I prayed on Jan. 3, 2012. I prayed that the Lord would reveal himself to me like he hasn't before.... and he did!!! Thank you Lord for the gift of another year.

January

1. Officially became a brunette again. Traded my blonde hair for my natural hair color.