In The Beginning

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”

Genesis 1:1, ESV

My husband and I recently visited the Creation Museum in Northern Kentucky as well as the Ark Encounter, its sister attraction.  As we strolled through biblical history, we observed man’s amazing interpretation of God’s original creation—a picturesque universe—vast, unspoiled, and serene.

Genesis 1 conveys how God spoke the world into existence in six days. At the end of each day he looked over all he’d fashioned and “saw that it was good.”

Sadly, it’s impossible for God to observe today’s world and say it’s good. Thanks to the first man, Adam, and his lady, Eve, life in a perfect world is no longer an option. In fact, our world’s corrupt condition bears little resemblance to its idyllic beginning.

As an artist, I can't imagine placing my finished work, my masterpiece, into the hands of a small child. A child who has no appreciation for the time, heart, and emotion I’ve invested into the creation process. However, God did exactly that. The Master Artist crowned humanity with his glory and entrusted the work of his fingers into our hands—hands of mere children.

Am I a faithful steward of his creation and the days he's entrusted to me? Are you? As we stand on the threshold of a new year can we look back over 2016 and say it was good?

America just weathered the nastiest election season in our nation’s history. I dare say all of us, irrespective of our party affiliation, would eagerly shout with one resounding voice, “good riddance” to 2016. But let’s look at the year from a personal perspective.

Perhaps you’ve experienced blessings that far outweigh your sorrow. For you, releasing the year to an unknown future is difficult. For others who’ve experienced great sadness, personal tragedy, and loss, you’re more than happy to bid a hardy farewell to the last 365 days.

None of us know what 2017 has in store, but its days spread out before us like a primed canvas. Unspoiled by human touch, it offers us the hope of a brand new start. How can we be faithful with the time God’s allotted to us and use it for his glory?

In 1 Corinthians 3, the Apostle Paul communicates that a builder must be careful how he builds. “No man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (v.11).

If we establish 2017 on the sure foundation of Christ, we’ll be able to look back at the end of the year and say, “It was good because in the beginning, God. . .

Oh, that I would trust him as much as he trusts me.

Now it's your turn. What is one aspiration you hope to initiate for "good" in the new year?

I always welcome your comments.

Happy New Year!

Starr

** This article was first published in Thrive magazine, January 2017

Forward . . . March!

"Feelings are real, but they aren't always based on reality 

so don't let them lead you." —Jennifer Rothschild

God freed the Israelites from captivity, but the enemy was relentless. Pharoah was in hot pursuit and threatened to return them to a place of bondage. 

Moses prophesied over God's people. He told them not to be afraid, to stand firm, and to see the deliverance of the Lord. He assured them that the Lord would fight this battle for them. 

Then the Lord said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? tell the Israelites to move on."  Exodus 14:15

The Israelites were not to lift a hand to defeat the enemy. God had set them free, and he was calling them to move on...to walk in the freedom he'd provided. 

Don't let the enemy strike fear in your heart. Let the sound of your praises and the pounding of your feet on the pavement before you drown out the rattling of sabers and the clamoring of the enemy behind you. God's got your back. 

What has God called you to do? Get busy with his plan for your life. Trust him and move forward. He's got your future too.

Now it's your turn: What are some ways you choose to move forward when the enemy is in hot pursuit?

I always welcome your comments.

Blessings,

Starr

My One Word 2016 — SOAR

"They that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength;

they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run,

and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."
—Isaiah 40:31, KJV

In 1999, I replaced the practice of making New Year's resolutions with the prayerful selection of a scripture verse for the coming year. Each year, I'm amazed at how God repeatedly brings this verse to my attention and affirms and uses it to lead me through situations that arise.

Two years ago, I read My One Word written by Pastor Mike Ashcraft of Wilmington, NC. His book speaks of this same principle, only he takes the concept a step further and narrows the selection process down to one key word for the year. I now select my scripture and sum it up in one word. For added emphasis, I develop an acronym that underscores the reason I've selected the word. 

This year my focal verse is Isaiah 40:31. My one word is SOAR. Its acronym defines my focus and reveals the pathway to my success.

Surrender
Of
All
Repeatedly

My desire in 2016 is to rely on the power and strength of God to enable me to soar above the circumstances and distractions of life and accomplish all that he envisions for me. If I neglect to surrender my will to God's will daily, I'll undergo numerous false starts and stops and will fail to experience life from his vantage point.

Now it's your turn. Please join me in the selection of a scripture focus and one word for 2016.

I always welcome your comments. I'd love to know what you've selected. Please share it in the comment section below.

Happy New Year! I hope you soar.
Starr