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"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation; the old has gone and the new has come." 2 Corinthians 5:17

I have been getting ready to preach a sermon on Sunday. In studying the passage I am using, I came across an interesting reading of the verses around the passage I am using...anyway...it made me think. Having a fresh start can be a good thing. obviously it can also be abused. I mean you can start over and over on purpose (i.e. do something on the weekend knowing you can ask forgiveness later). But I began wondering how many times we do actually want a fresh start but can't get one because people can't seem to get it in their minds that we are actually sorry for messing up and really want to start anew. When it comes down to it, God is the one that truly knows if we are starting over...but He is also the one that brings about REAL fresh starts..ones that come from the inside out. I mean how can we tell if someone has made a fresh start? Or can we tell at all? I think the person's actions will give us a great hint. BUT I wonder how many people start out with the intention of making the fresh start from God a true fresh start (wanting to change their lives, friends, behaviors, etc), yet, the people around them don't 'see it happening' so don't give them the help they may need? In other words, how important is it that we help those that are looking for a fresh start? What is our role in helping someone who has been cleaned by God to continue to grow in Him? Or should that person just do it on their own? Shout it out folks....

I am not sure about you all but I tend to worry. It is something that I am trying to get over and not do so much. Worry tends to keep me up at night and also make me more introspective...which is not neccessarily a bad thing. But it does also have an effect on my attititude at times. Jesus tells his disciples that worry will not add years to life, put food on the table or make your clothes more stylish. I agree so why can't I act on this belief? Why do we worry so much? Does it make us unfaithful if we worry about things? Does it mean that we don't really truly put our faith in God if we worry so much? Let me hear you out there.....

We recently started some new things inside the Ministry I work with here. One of these new things is a class. The class is like a "What is my purpose" mixed with "How can I use my gifts" hybrid creation that will hopefully help students grow closer to God and learn to serve Him in their lives where they are right now. (man that was a long sentence) Anyway, I am pretty excited about it. But also a bit anxious because when you start something new there is always the tension of how things are perceived by others. I do worry about how I am perceived by others and also how this class may be perceived...I don't want any of those folks that decide not to take the class to feel like there is something wrong with them because they don't take it. It is just an option. At the same time, I wanted for anyone that wanted a bit deeper class to have that option as well. ramble, ramble ramble. What's my point? My point is when new things start, it is always a bit shaky. It takes time for people to get used to change. It also takes caring and prayerful consideration when you plan out new things.

What do you guys think about new things? Why do new things shake some people up so much? What is it about the newness that some people think is not right? Sound off...

"I don't care what you say, I can do what I want, when I want." "You don't own me." "You are not my momma." "Why do people have to drive so slow in the fast lane." "I am really more important than you." "You think you are special, but really you are nothing more than a means to my end." "No one deserves this award more than I do." "If there was a picture of what humblness really is in the dictionary, it would be a picture of me." "I think that I am definitely the most popular, best looking, and for sure the most talented person I know." "I am the best ever."

What is the theme here? What is the attitude of these statements? Does attitude matter? What is the difference between being confident and being very very confident? I think that attitude means a lot. Now, i don't mean attitude like we would usually think attitude means. To some of us, attitude is a certain 'right' we all have and must use at will. It is like an excuse to be rude or mean or cover up for our own insecurities. No, the attitude I am talking about is like that of someone that is more concerned about the well fare of others than of themselves. It is about putting others needs before yours. No it is not easy but it is more powerful than selfishness any day.

Some things to ponder...is your attitude important to your outlook on life? Is your attitude important to your treatment of others (including family and friends specifically)? Is your attitude something that should reflect a certain mindset? Sound off...

You know when you don't do something you have always done or go somewhere you love going for a long time, you miss those things. I have missed blogging and hearing from you about my blog. So I am back. I am going to try and blog a bit more over the next few weeks. So let's start with one about some thoughts I had begun blogging about...new life.

There is something about fresh starts that really help people have hope. When you get to start over on something that you have messed up on, it gives you a chance to do a better job (though we don't always look at it that way). But when we get a fresh start on a part of our life that we never thought we would get a chance to have, it is amazing. There is a feeling that comes along with fresh starts that can not be explained. I think everyone needs that type of feeling. I think everyone deserves a fresh start and deserve a chance to live a 'new' life. Don't you think so? Even if we have messed up and are not perfect, isn't it something that we deserve? Even if we are at a place that we think we can never over come (bad decisions that keep multiplying, bad choices that seem to come back to haunt us), don't we deserve to feel and fall into something that forgives these choices no questions asked? I think so. I think we all are in need of this type of forgiveness. Don't you? But how do we get to this place? What makes us want to be forgiven? What makes us realize we need help from a place beyond ourselves? Where can we find this freshness, this new life??? Chime in everyone....the clock is ticking.