²⁰ Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, ²¹ to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen. Ephesians 3:20,21 NKJV

A new year including an extra day, yes, it’s a leap year and a new decade. I’m not one to associate a new calendar year with new beginnings, per se. I mean, last night, as we struggled to keep our eyes open until the ball dropped and the clock changed from pm to am, our lives didn’t start over. I am grateful that the Lord allowed me to make it to this point, and I do, however, like to reflect on the last 365 days. 2019 was a great year, and I am looking forward to every day I am blessed to be here.

Speaking of reflection, can I take a few seconds to write about these homemade rolls from scratch I made over the holiday season? Check out the pic below.

I’m really not one to brag, BUT these rolls make you want to find some gravy to sop. 🙂 And I don’t even eat gravy. LOL So good!

Seriously, though, 2019 was fantastic for many, many reasons. The most meaningful isn’t glamorous, and the people who I come in contact with regularly have heard me say a bazillion times before. “The peace that you gain from having an intimate relationship with our Lord, Jesus Christ, trumps any accomplishment in my life.” ~Me

I’m looking forward to continuous growth in Him.

Ephesians 4:22-24 NLT says, ²² throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. ²³ Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. ²⁴ Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.

Antoine and I teach a class at our church. I get a kick out of sharing with the attendees my life experiences following half of the Word. (Half is generous. LOL) Kind of what I do here on this blog, but way more animated in real life. 🙂 One of the things I mention frequently is the struggle I had because although I received Christ, I didn’t fully surrender all or accept the fact that I would spend the rest of my life surrendering crap as it surfaces. So, I spent A LOT of time in a state that I haven’t named yet. LOL  Basically, stressed and void of any lasting peace.

LOL Moving and wearing myself out. Like, whatchoo you doin’? Huh, whatchoo doin’?

Now, don’t get me wrong. My walk is far from perfect. But here’s the thing, I have to RELENTLESSLY seek after Jesus. EFFORT!! EFFORT!!

Isaiah 26:3 says, You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You!

Here’s a second thing. 🙂 That verse was a go-to verse in the past, but the difference between now and then is effort. I spent years saying a lot but putting in little effort. You can’t have perfect peace just because you can recite a Bible verse or listen to a sermon about it no more than you can lose weight only by claiming you will and watching an exercise class. You have to do something.

James 1:22 But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise, you are only fooling yourselves.

James 4:7, Therefore, submit to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

I spent so much time fooling myself, and I definitely lacked in the submission department, holding on to stuff. (Pet peeves, bad attitude, etc.)

As I tell the folks in our class, learn from my mistakes. LOL

Well, day one of 366 is just about over. As we move forward, we have to remember who our Source is and keep Him first. And to those people who try to make us Jesus juniors in their lives, point them to the Lord, who is our Source, and pray for them. We’re all creations and may be used by God, but we all have to make an effort to know Him for ourselves. Right?

My prayer for you and me for 2020 is what the Apostle Paul wrote/prayed in Ephesians 3:14-21. Read it, and don’t forget to #CheckYourHeart.

I’m not exempt, I’m just . . .

Blogging it out.

Goofy pics below.