The New Year is upon us. Are you looking back, resolving to do better this year? Most of us take some time to ponder the past year and look ahead as January launches us into a new frame of reference. Perhaps we think we need to readjust our goals, setting the standard higher or lower. Perhaps we want to shift our priorities and focus more on family and friends rather than our jobs or businesses.

Often looking back can be a bit disconcerting. Perhaps we didn’t do what we had intended last year. Perhaps we failed in our own eyes and/or the eyes of others. Perhaps there are just too many regrets to even think about.

Whatever the circumstances, we can be assured of one thing: when God is part of the equation we know our future is secure and we have nothing to fear. Even if we don’t accomplish all that we set out to do, we know He will still love us. Even if we fail Him and those around us, we know He will never desert us.

How can we know these things? The Bible tells us so. Look at these promises:

“Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8:1)

“We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” (Hebrews 6:19)

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his …” (2 Timothy2:19)

“As the Father has loved me, so I have loved you.” (John 15:9)

“… God has said: “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So we say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid…” (Hebrews 5,6).

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jermiah 29:11)

With promises like those, and there are many more of them in the Bible, the one who puts his trust in Jesus has no need to fret or regret. The past is past, the future promising.

So let’s look ahead with a renewed sense of God’s presence, a renewed focus on His promises, and a renewed understanding of His deep love for us.

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SPURTS: A few bits of news about me –

*I recently collaborated with 5 other Canadian writers (Murray Pura, Jan Dick, Tony Hilling, Tracy Krauss and Ruth Snyder, to put together a collection of devotionals for Helping Hands Press. Uplifting Devotionals (http://amzn.to/1B1U7GY) just released in Paperback and is available on Amazon etc.

*The second book of my fantasy series, The Ambassadors will begin releasing in volumes this Thursday (15th) during the Helping Hands Press Thirsty Thursday party, 8:00 EST. There will be four volumes. Book One is now available in paperback (http://amzn.to/1wem2xF)

*I’m encouraged by my progress with my play, A Pattern in Blue, which will be part of the Budding Playwrights Festival in Rosebud Alberta on May 3-5. Lucia Frangione has been an excellent instructor and has helped to push my writing to a new level through the play-writing course.

*My speaking ministry continues to bring joy to my heart – I’ll be speaking to two Stonecroft groups in February – Drumheller AB on the evening of Feb.9th and Didsbury AB on the morning of the 10th. April will find me in Macgregor Manitoba speaking at a women’s Spring Rally, and September in Edson AB at a women’s retreat.

*I also have some teaching opportunities taking shape and some school visits in the future.

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