Intrigued

I have always been intrigued by words...what they sound like, how they are spelled, and what they mean.  It is so much more fun to describe someone as amiable than just plain old kind, for example.  I always enjoy watching Anne of Green Gables and the way she uses words.  She paints a vivid picture.
I have been intrigued these last few weeks, as I have blog-hopped.  I enjoy looking at pictures and reading many different thoughts/ideas from some very creative people!  I will say, there are sites that I will not visit again because I disagree with their views and philosophies.  In this world of cybering, we need to be careful of what we put before our eyes!  God's Word still stands true in this "modern age"!  I think we forget that as we "idle our time away" sometimes!  There are sites that I do go back to regularly because I am encouraged and challenged in my spiritual walk...however, this does not take the place of daily Bible reading and study!
One similar thing that I have noticed, everyone is reviewing their year and gearing up for the new year.  Several bloggers have stated that they have "picked their word for the year".  I cocked my head and audibly said, "Huh?"  They pick happy sounding words...Leap, Happy, Jump, Moments, and etc.  I sigh, "Awww."  Then my kids wanted to know what I wanted, "Never mind, I wasn't talking to you, go back to work."  And then I got the "You are strange" look.
Word for the year...hmmm.  Never thought about that before.  It is unique.  In our church circles, we always have a "theme" for the year.  As I contemplated some of what these writers said, I realized our family had a "theme" for the year last year: 
"God is good!"
 I prayed it.  I breathed it.  I meditated on it.  I cried it.  I slept on it.
The word for last year was...
"Grace."
Undeserved, all-sufficient, amazing, and the sustaining...grace that I hadn't needed in such a way before 2010.
As I had a conversation (texting style) with my Dad this morning, I was hit with the thought that even "Nothing...is impossible with God!"  As Dad shared his heart, my heart wrapped around this thought...and sent me on a mini-Bible study this morning through the New Testament, specifically.  I read in the Old Testament too.  Job, Jeremiah, and many of the prophets preached/proclaimed this truth over and over, "I  know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever:  nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it:  and God doeth it, that men should fear before Him."  Ecclesiastes 3:14.  I understand why many people choose a word to focus their thought as they seek what God is doing in their life each day, but the words do no good if there isn't a heart/thought change.  Already this morning...I am convicted by what I read and study.  I experienced God's grace and His goodness...first-hand...last year.  I know that "Nothing is impossible with God."  How will it affect my thinking, believing, understanding, and doing this year?  What does "nothing" look like?

NOTHING...

but what I receive from my Heavenly Father.  John 3:27
but what the Father can do for me.  John 5:19-47
profitable comes from the flesh.  John 6
good in honoring myself.  John 8
can be done apart from the Father.  John 15
answered or given because I don't ask my Father.  John 16
should be judged before time...when He makes known the hidden things.  I Corinthians 4
known, yet as I ought to know.  I Corinthians 8
to glory in if I don't give...share...preach the Gospel with others. 
    I am a castaway (failure).   I Corinthians 9
if I don't have charity (love).  I Corinthians 13
if I think myself to be something.  Galatians 6
in my life in which I should have to be ashamed.  Philippians 1
done through strife or vainglory...but through humility.  Philippians 2
without prayer and supplication with thanksgiving unto God...then peace!  Philippians 4
lacking without, first,  studying to be quiet, working with my own hands, doing my own business...
without an honest walk.  I Thessalonians 4
brought into this world by my hands...nothing carried out!  I Timothy 6
should be left out from under His feet...our surrender of every area of our life.  Hebrews 2
wanting...nothing wavering...always doing.  James 1

Pastor has used the phrase a couple times in the last few weeks, "He must increase, and I must decrease."  Everything I have heard and studied lately is in direct opposition to the world's philosophy.  "Stand up and be heard."  "Say what you think."  "Do what makes you happiest."  "Do whatever it takes to get where you want to go."  "There are no absolutes."  "What will it hurt?"  "It's not a big deal."  "Be the person you've always dreamed."
And here I sit...intrigued by the truth...that we are nothing...without Him!  That is my focus for this year...

NOTHING

**As I finish this thought...my husband texted me...and I just wavered...big time!  The Lord is already testing me on everything I just spent all morning studying.  "Lord, help me obey!"**

Revised on  January 14, 2011:       NOTHING...YET...EVERYTHING!