Living in Hope

I have decided this year to try and change three things. One mentally, one physically, one spiritually. Well to be honest, I will try and work on those areas, but it is God who will change me.

So, looking firstly at the physical part of me. I’m aiming to try and get fit. To have more stamina, more strength, to work hard. As I am getting older the saying “use it or lose it” is so true! So, I am diligently going to try and put in more and more consistent exercise days in my life. (Oh, dear did I really say that? – YES.)

Secondly, I’m going to work on my mental health. I would like to read the Truth of God more (His Word) and get it into my heart, into my being.

There is a song called, “Keep on Hoping” and some of the lines go like this:

Somewhere hidden in the noise there’s a truth
Someone to believe and hang onto
In each and every little word that you hear
I pray that one thing would be so clear (yeah)

With all those voices in your hеad
Just don’t, don’t ever forget
That God’s still good and Hе’s still got it all in control.
Keep on Hoping ~ Riley Clemmons

I want to make sure I’m not listening to other voices from the world but be reminded always that God is still good and He has good for me and He is in control.

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5:

… we take every thought captive to obey Christ.
2 Corinthians 10:5

So basically, Christ is the sieve we put everything through. If it does not match up with the truth in the Gospel we reject it. Good discernment is needed here.

And the beautiful chorus from the song above is so uplifting.

Come on and keep on hoping when the days get dark
Keep on singing, don’t you ever lose heart
Lift your eyes, the One who gave you life will give you
Strength to keep on going, so keep on hoping

God will give me strength so lift your eyes and keep on hoping. Remember just a few short weeks ago we were singing and saying “Christ, the Hope of the World has come.” Well, HE NEVER LEFT. He’s still here!

Thirdly, I want to work on my spiritual life – the interior of me, the most important. My heart and soul and spirit which are entwined.

Basically, in this area I am going to do nothing. I am just going to surrender. The hardest thing of all.I need God to work on me. Change me, Fix me. Instil into me the intertwining of His Spirit with my Spirit. And that only comes with my surrender to Him, to His Lordship. Putting Him first in all my decisions.

Well, they are my hopes for the New Year. What are yours?

Have you even thought about it?

Why don’t you encourage us by sharing what you Hope for this year?

What things are you going to put into your life for the first time? Or what will you expand upon so that you keep lifting your eyes to Him and living in Hope?

May these jottings from my journal inspire you to believe in and fall in love with Christ- the hope of the world, as stated in Jeremiah 17:7, ‘Blessed is the man who believes and trusts in and relies on the Lord and whose hope and confident expectation is the Lord!’

Love

Rosemary

Every week groups of ladies meet together to chat about the things I raise in my weekly blog post and to chat about life in general. We call these ‘Heart Connect’ groups. If you would like more information please click HERE.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Have you thought about your hopes for the new year?

What are some of the things that you will implement that will help you to look to God each day?

3 Comments

Leonie Cornell

January 4, 2023 at 9:37 am

Hello Rosemary. I have decided to follow your lead. Before I read your methods for growing in the 3 areas I answered myself. I had a lot of spriritual ‘things” but lacked the reason.

For physical, I am going to do my best to stay on my SCD diet, which will hopefully help me heal my gut, and also give me better nutrition and food absorbing. I pray this leads me to have much better results in my DEXA scan and show my bones growing not shrinking and my foundational needs like iron and calcium not failing to be absorbed and used, but instead staying and noursishing me.

For mental , I wrote be more positive despite the circumstances, but in spiritual I wrote as well as others, to complete the Catechism in a Year in the year, and to do at least one half of the Bible in a Year, including finishing the last 12 days of the recent year. So taking onboard your idea of how to be more positive and motivated, I too am using The Word, and also my spiritual book reading that I do most Tuesdays with some friends, plus the Heart Connect I am privileged to be part of with you.
Finally, Spiritual. I listened to the 3rd day of Catechism in the year, yesterday and it was an explanation. One thing struck me, as it was pointed out. We say in the Creed I believe, and its easier to say than to act on sometimes. Just as the apostles and Jesus did, I need to go beyond saying the words, to selling out, to entrusting in God’s love and salvation that I say I have and so I too, am surrendering to God in all things. ( and knowing I can get back up after all the falls). Thank you for the wise words and sharing your heart as you do all the time.

Love

Leonie

Patricia Drummond

January 4, 2023 at 11:27 am

Hi Rosemary Happy New Year 🥳
I started the podcast with Father Mike Schmidt both Bible in a Year & Catechism in a Year . In 2022 I started reading Bible in a Year & only got to April so maybe hearing it in a podcast I will be able to focus on the Word.
Three month goals at a time are my approach.
Surrendering to Jesus makes so much sense to me I can not worry I can give it all to The Lord I do agree with you !!
Daily prayer for my children is a priority as well. I have a really good friend who prays with me everyday on the phone we adjust our prayer according to what is happening with family, friends & the world. We have been doing this since Feb 22,2021. Truly we look forward to these 15 minutes of prayer & discussion we have. In reality if we are not able to connect in a particular day we pray the same prayers on our own.
Watching your videos Heart Ministry for Women has been a blessing in my life.
God Bless all you do, you touch the hearts of so many. 🙏🏻
Patti 💞

Debbie

January 5, 2023 at 12:40 am

I absolutely love your words today. And reading the comments I was so surprised that both of the women above are also doing the catechism in the year which I started also. I am very excited about this and look forward to a deeper understanding of our faith. I desire to to grow in these three ways. Physically in getting more exercise. mentally by being in the word and also saying the rosary each day. And spiritually is studying the catechism and as you said surrendering my life to the Lord. Thank you so much Rosemary.

Leonie Cornell

January 4, 2023 at 9:37 am

Hello Rosemary. I have decided to follow your lead. Before I read your methods for growing in the 3 areas I answered myself. I had a lot of spriritual ‘things” but lacked the reason.

For physical, I am going to do my best to stay on my SCD diet, which will hopefully help me heal my gut, and also give me better nutrition and food absorbing. I pray this leads me to have much better results in my DEXA scan and show my bones growing not shrinking and my foundational needs like iron and calcium not failing to be absorbed and used, but instead staying and noursishing me.

For mental , I wrote be more positive despite the circumstances, but in spiritual I wrote as well as others, to complete the Catechism in a Year in the year, and to do at least one half of the Bible in a Year, including finishing the last 12 days of the recent year. So taking onboard your idea of how to be more positive and motivated, I too am using The Word, and also my spiritual book reading that I do most Tuesdays with some friends, plus the Heart Connect I am privileged to be part of with you.
Finally, Spiritual. I listened to the 3rd day of Catechism in the year, yesterday and it was an explanation. One thing struck me, as it was pointed out. We say in the Creed I believe, and its easier to say than to act on sometimes. Just as the apostles and Jesus did, I need to go beyond saying the words, to selling out, to entrusting in God’s love and salvation that I say I have and so I too, am surrendering to God in all things. ( and knowing I can get back up after all the falls). Thank you for the wise words and sharing your heart as you do all the time.

Love

Leonie
Patricia Drummond

January 4, 2023 at 11:27 am

Hi Rosemary Happy New Year 🥳
I started the podcast with Father Mike Schmidt both Bible in a Year & Catechism in a Year . In 2022 I started reading Bible in a Year & only got to April so maybe hearing it in a podcast I will be able to focus on the Word.
Three month goals at a time are my approach.
Surrendering to Jesus makes so much sense to me I can not worry I can give it all to The Lord I do agree with you !!
Daily prayer for my children is a priority as well. I have a really good friend who prays with me everyday on the phone we adjust our prayer according to what is happening with family, friends & the world. We have been doing this since Feb 22,2021. Truly we look forward to these 15 minutes of prayer & discussion we have. In reality if we are not able to connect in a particular day we pray the same prayers on our own.
Watching your videos Heart Ministry for Women has been a blessing in my life.
God Bless all you do, you touch the hearts of so many. 🙏🏻
Patti 💞
Debbie

January 5, 2023 at 12:40 am

I absolutely love your words today. And reading the comments I was so surprised that both of the women above are also doing the catechism in the year which I started also. I am very excited about this and look forward to a deeper understanding of our faith. I desire to to grow in these three ways. Physically in getting more exercise. mentally by being in the word and also saying the rosary each day. And spiritually is studying the catechism and as you said surrendering my life to the Lord. Thank you so much Rosemary.