New Year's Eve Hugs

  Sending out big hugs on the last day of 2009.  You all have a great day today and I pray that you all have a very very blessed 2010.   I want to thank the ones of you who have been there for me this year.  There are so many of you.  This has been an exciting year, but at times, it would have been almost impossible without my Lord and Savior and those of you who have been there when I needed you.  I love you all so so much!!!! 

This was the devotional in my reading for today.  I thought it was appropriate for today.

 For the revelation awaits an appointed time;
       it speaks of the end
       and will not prove false.
       Though it linger, wait for it;
       it will certainly come and will not delay.  (Habakkuk 2:3)

Obstacles can't steal your dream without your permission.  Winston Churchill rallied blitzed, beleaguered Britain from the edge of defeat with these memorable words:  "Never give up!  Never give up!  Never, never, never give up!"  When you walk in faith and refuse to quit, God guarantees your obstacles won't prevent your vision from being fulfilled.  Though they were enslaved, Israel received the strength to overcome Egypt's efforts to break them.  The story of their survival and success reads:  "The more they afflicted them, the more they multiplied and grew"  (Ex. 1:12)  Paul's dream of evangelizing the world met roadblocks at every turn.  Tightening his grip he declared, "We are hard-pressed on all side, but....never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair.  We are persecuted, but...never...deserted: we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out!"  (2 Cor. 4:8-9 Phps).  Joseph's journey to the throne led him through betrayal, persecution and loneliness.  His dream, still alive and unsurrendered, was put on hold for years.  Vindicated in the critics' eyes, his dream at last realized, he recalls the amazing way in which God accomplished it.  "For,' he said, 'God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction'" (Ge. 41:52 NAS).  He refused to surrender his dream - it's what kept him alive.  God made him fruitful, not by exempting him from affliction but by promoting him right there, "in the land of my affliction."  Your obstacles cannot stop God; don't let them stop you. 

HAVE AN AWESOME 2010!!!!  Don't let anything or anyone steal your dreams!!