It's Then Sings My Soul Saturday when I link up with Amy of Signs, Miracles and Wonders.

This morning, I awakened with the song "Still" in my head.

God is so amazing! His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness.

I went to sleep last night somewhat troubled. I hate to admit that because my theme for 2010 is to learn to trust and obey. And it was only one day into the new year and ...I wasn't trusting already.

But God ...awakened me with this song!

Hide me now under your wings
Cover me within your mighty hand.

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are King over the flood
I will be still and know you are God.

Find rest my soul in Christ alone
Know His power in quietness and trust.

What more can I say? I will trust and obey Him.

Happy New Year!

It's Thankful Thursday and Laurie of Women Taking A Stand is our host this week. Laurie asked us a question.

What do you see when you look back over this past year?

What a perfect question to ask since tomorrow begins a new year; 2010.

I've heard it said not to look back but only forward.

While I don't think we should dwell on the past, I learn much by looking back. It provides me with a time to reflect and assess:

• What mistakes did I make ...so I won't repeat them?
• What lessons did I learn?
• What am I grateful and thankful for from 2009?

Since this is Thankful Thursday, I'd like to focus on ...being thankful.

Although 2009 was a very difficult year for me, I've much for which I can be thankful. So, here's my thankful list (in no particular order):

• Family and friends who have walked alongside me when I felt like I had nothing to give
• My church family and pastor who have reached out to me in ways I would never have imagined
• Blogging is high on my list too. I have rediscovered my voice and have found writing to be so therapeutic.
• My blogging friends are such a joy and encouragement to me. I never knew I could feel such love for people I never met in person but I do.
• The love I feel for my husband.
• I'm learning so much in the field of social media through the work I'm doing with my husband.
• Spending so much time online, I've reconnected with many cousins and family members throughout the world.
• I've been able to pray for so many families in need and this is such a privilege.
• I've been introduced to so many new songs through Then Sings My Soul Saturday.
• I'm on the lookout for things to be thankful for as I know I will write a thankful Thursday post.
• I can find encouragement and accountability to make healthier lifestyle choices as I write my Fitness Friday posts.

I could go on and on but I'll stop here. See, when you focus your mind on looking back to remember what you can be thankful for ...it changes your perspective.

May today be a day of reflection. Tomorrow is a new day and a new year; a day to look forward.

I'm so thankful that the Lord's mercies are new every morning and that ...He is faithful.

Happy New Year,

On this Walk With Him Wednesday, Ann of @Holy Experience has asked us to share about looking to the new year.

I've been praying about this next year and have chosen my theme for 2010.

It is ...trust and obey.

I remember teaching the little children in Bible Study Fellowship the words to this song.

Trust and obey
For there's no other way
To be happy in Jesus
But to trust and obey

I can easily sing those words. But do I really put them into practice?

I have to say ...no, not always.

I've been studying the book of Philippians recently. I look forward to the early mornings when I can open up my Bible, have my notebook and pen ready and click on Opening His Word Together.

Scott Samter is an excellent Bible teacher as he goes through the scriptures verse by verse. I've been so blessed by his teachings. BTW, he is Jill's hubby of Forever N Ever N Always. Need I say more?

Anyway, Philippians has been just what I've needed to study right now. Isn't that just like our God?

How I long for that peace; the peace of God which passeth all understanding.

As I look to 2010, my desire is to put these verses into practice. Enough worrying and experiencing anxiety! There is nothing too difficult for my God. But will I trust Him? And will I obey?

That is my goal for 2010. To trust and obey!

BTW, I'm also joining eLisa of Extravagant Grace the first week of January. She has an excellent guide that you can download to help with priorities and goals for 2010. Read all about it on my post here.

Let's get ready for 2010. I believe we can be used by God as we blog from our hearts. I also believe we can be a source of encouragement and prayer for one another.

Will you join us? And don't forget to visit Ann @ Holy Experience for Walk With Him Wednesday as you look forward to 2010.

Blessings,

A new year is almost upon us. I can't believe it will be 2010 in two days.

Where has the time gone? I guess that's what happens the older we get, right?

It's that time when we often make those New Year's resolutions.

Let me tell you what I'm going to do this year.

I'm planning to join eLisa of Extravagant Grace for the first week of January. If you aren't familiar with her ...you need to get to know her.

She's so talented with web designs and is a wonderful writer and best of all ...an encourager.

Have I told you I love women who encourage others? I think that's so important as we all could use some encouragement along this journey of life.

eLisa has spent some time in Anne Ortlund's book called "Disciplines of the Beautiful Woman". I checked my bookshelf and I found that I have a copy of this book. So I'm going to dust it off again.

eLisa put together a wonderful three page document to help us look back and review 2009 and then to set new goals for 2010. I love how her three steps include:

• Prayer
• Read the Scriptures
• Write it down
  

Here's what you can do to prepare for January 1-7:

• Visit eLisa at Extravagant Grace and read all about it.
• Add a comment and tell her you're in on this one.
• Download or print off the Living Intentionally Guide to get ready.
• Post about it on your blog, if you like.
• Tell your friends.
• Don't forget to return January 1-7 for a week of Intentional Living.

Let's join together and pray for one another. Let's be united as sisters in Christ as we live our lives in a God honoring way.

May we learn to let Jesus be Jesus in us and through us ...to impact this world.

I hope to see you next week!

Blessings,

It's In Other Words Tuesday and Miriam of Miriam Pauline's Monologue is our host. This week she has chosen the following quote for us to write about:

Such a timely quote after celebrating Christmas; the birth of our Savior. It continues to amaze me that Jesus (who is fully Divine) emptied Himself of His position and came to earth ...to be born as a human.

And what did He do?

Philippians 2:6-8 in Today's New International Version says:

"Who being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a human being, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death - death on a cross."

Jesus humbled Himself, taking on human nature and was born into a specific time and place; Bethlehem. He lived a perfect life of trust and obedience to God the Father. He demonstrated such amazing love that resulted in death on a cross. And that was for me ...and for you.

When I accepted Jesus as my personal Savior, I acknowledged that He paid the price for my sins on the cross and I received His free gift of salvation. It happened at a specific time and place when I trusted Him ...and I was born again.

Although I have not lived a perfect life since that time, my desire is to grow to become more like Jesus' example. And He has not left me alone. The Holy Spirit resides within me; to teach me, to guide me and to convict me.

When I deal with challenges in life such as:

• An uncertain future
• Unsaved loved ones
• Heavy burdens

I follow Jesus' example.

I trust and obey.

I believe His promises. He will never leave me nor forsake me. I read His Word and apply it. I spend time praying, telling Him what's on my heart. The more time I spend with Him, the more I find Him trustworthy.

I am learning to rest in Him. I find that nothing is too difficult for my God. And I'm learning to live in the power of the Holy Spirit. I don't do this perfectly but I'm growing.

I've learned that to be a Bethlehem, I must trust and obey.

As I allow Jesus to be in control of my life, there's less of Debbie ... and more of Him.

Guess what I got for Christmas? My husband and I were not doing gifts this year but he surprised me with one anyway.

But guess what? I LOVED IT!

What could be a better gift for a gal who loves to cook and to blog?

The DVD of the movie "Julie & Julia" of course. I was literally jumping up and down when I opened it.

Check out this preview:

I loved the scenery. At least, I loved the scenery in France where Julia Child lived. I'm quite familiar with the burroughs of NYC since I grew up on Long Island and that's where Julie lived; in Queens. Not so pretty but perfect in this movie as it went back and forth to Julia's life and back again to Julie.

And here's where blogging comes in. Julie starts a blog as she works her way through Julia Child's famous cookbook "Mastering the Art of French Cooking". Her goal is to complete it in one year.

I had to laugh when she wrote on her blog "is anyone out there?". Can you identify? And her first comment was from her mom!

I laughed out loud when Julie had over 50 comments and she jumped up excitedly at her work to tell her friend. I love to read comments too.

I also had to laugh when she and her hubby had a fight. As she was writing on her blog, she had to delete that part to protect their privacy. There are times when I write on Heart Choices and end up deleting portions after I proof read it to protect the innocent. Nothing like telling the world everything that goes on in your life, right?

So, if you're looking for a fun movie to watch during this week, I would highly recommend "Julie & Julia". It's rated PG-13 because of a few words (bad language). But otherwise, I loved it.

Have you seen it? I'd love to hear your thoughts.