"RECENTLY, a restaurant that had been closed for a while reopened. It had been freshly painted in bright, cheerful colors and the grounds entirely re-landscaped to include an inviting pathway to the door. The old sign had been replaced, and the message board read, "Under New Ownership . . . Same Name, All New Menu."

This message caused me to reflect on the time when I became a Christian. I was still known by the same name, but I was changed. I was no longer the old me trapped in the bondage of sin but a new creation in Christ. My life became a whole new menu of what I hoped I could offer others. I became a more cheerful person because I had the joy of the Lord in my heart, and I tried to be an inviting path to the door of Christ.

I now know what it means to belong to the Lord. I too am "under new ownership" - same name, but with new love and commitment to offer." Upper Room

Lord, thank You for the possibilities You've opened up to me, for the new purposes and gifts I continue to receive, for the joy and love I could not have without You, for the security of being under Your "new management." I don't ever have to worry if my "business" will be profitable because You ALWAYS work things for the good, You are always at the work of producing a fruitful harvest in our lives, and every Word you send out WILL return having done what You sent it to do!

Even if I didn't proclaim Your glory, You'd make all of creation Praise Your Name! I don't have to worry about advertisements or good press. You've got instruments for praise we cannot silence!

From Isaiah 55:
You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace
The mountains and the hills will break forth before you
There'll be shouts of joy, and all the trees of the field
will clap, will clap their hands

And all the trees of the field will clap their hands
The trees of the field will clap their hands
The trees of the field will clap their hands
While you go out with joy

Or, a meditation of this by Sufjan Stevens:
If I am alive this time next year,
will I have arrived in time to share?
And mine is about as good this far.
And I'm still applied to what you are.
And I am joining all my thoughts to you.
And I'm preparing every part for you.

And I heard from the trees a great parade.
And I heard from the hills a band was made.
And will I be invited to the sound?
And will I be a part of what you've made?
And I am throwing all my thoughts away.
And I'm destroying every bet I've made.
And I am joining all my thoughts to you.
And I'm preparing every part for you

Thank You for preparing every part of me for every part of You and Your plan. I want to be a beautiful bride! I can't be beautiful without working harmoniously with the other members of the Body. May my life (that I've so resolutely desired to stand out and be unique) be joined into the orchestral composition You are creating. If I stand out, may it be because You have chosen to give me a "solo" and not because I am hopelessly tone deaf and loud. I would love to hear the sounds You hear. The full experience of this life is SO VEILED to us! Angels and demons in warfare and on patrol, a full spectrum of colors our eyes cannot see, a full range of sounds our ears cannot hear, all the ways You can defy the "laws" of nature (walking on water, making something out of nothing, healing, etc)... If this is living, it is but a dim reflection of how we will live when we're with You! And that's not even the best part! The physical realities don't hold a candle to the unashamed, unhindered, unfettered LOVE pervading the New Earth! To think of Heaven, I get all wrapped up in the ludicrousness of how perfect it will be and I can't accept it. It doesn't seem possible. If I have doubts at all about my faith any more, it centers around the idea of eternity. Life without pain, sin, sex, marriage, struggle and strife seems beyond comprehension. I don't even know if I like the way it sounds sometimes... How can we be thankful for good without the evil as contrast? How will we spend our days? Won't worship get tiresome after the first million years? lol... Well, I know You've got it all worked out, so I don't have to pretend to get my head on board. You did not create my brain to be able to grasp all You are or all You know. That's not my concern now anyway. I'll take relationship over wisdom. Loving You and being loved by You is what matters most.

And now, Lord, please go with me through my day. Fill me so that You can be poured out to my family and my neighbors today. Work out all the details and still my heart and mind. Bless my husband at work today. Bless my son and daughter as they grow and play and learn. Bless my friend Katie as she tries to cope without much sleep. Bless Freya, Melissa, Shelley, Mary, Cheri, and every other pregnant lady I know - their bodies, their babies, and their homes. Bless You for who You are and what You're doing in me and my life. You deserve highest praises, glory hallelujahs, and every knee bent in worship. Hasten! Maranatha (Come Lord Jesus)! Don't delay! I want to be with You!