White Space

When I was a marketing major, I learned how the careful arrangement of each element on an advertisement contributed to its overall design appeal and visual effectiveness. One of the most vital, yet perhaps overlooked, elements to good design is simply white space.

There are actually two types of white space: undefined white space—which is simply a blank sheet of paper or opened document with no ascribed purpose, and active white space, which occurs when an object is strategically placed in an undefined white space.

Spaces between images and words are crucial for creating harmony and achieving balance. If too many elements are crammed onto a page, essentially the overall message will be lost in the clutter. Itishardertodecipherthemeaningofmessageswithoutspaces. Similarly, I believe many marriages are unable to breathe because they are unknowingly suffocating under a big pile of distractions. Life becomes one big run-on sentence, with no pauses for breathing, or borders for definition and meaning.

Just like a room in a house needs habitual cleaning, a marriage does not exist in a vacuum, but rather an active environment that requires regular attention. Sometimes a couple’s schedule can get so over-crowded, and valuable quality time begins to shrink until it is almost non-existent. Regular date nights are important to protect each week, so the territory of your marriage is not unintentionally occupied. Sometimes your schedule can be crowded by seemingly “good things,” but the simple truth is, there are only twenty-four hours in a day. If your priorities are not protected, others will schedule your life for you.

So many unforeseen sacred moments float inside the active white space of our marriage. Laughter. Unexpected kisses. The unspoken excitement of hopes and dreams begging to take shape. Moments longing to be memories.

Remember the elevated sense of expectancy you felt on your honeymoon? Two souls forged together in spirit with the burning belief that anything was possible. Sometimes we must intentionally erase the corners of our soul that are cluttered with negative impressions and images from the past. Perhaps you still have to forgive your spouse for a disappointment, or maybe you have to forgive yourself for not meeting an unattainable self-imposed expectation.

Whatever it is, determine to travel to the destination in your heart where you feel free once again. One of my favorite verses is Psalm 31:8, “You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place” (NIV).

My husband and I spent our honeymoon on a Paradise-like island called Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic. It was a surprise honeymoon—I packed my bags with no idea where I was going, but I knew in my heart it would be incredible. I recently learned that the literal interpretation of “Punta Cana” means “white point.” :)

 

 

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A Sans-Serif Marriage

In my prayer time today, I heard the words, “sans-serif.” I knew this was a type of font, but I thought it was unusual to enter my thoughts so abruptly and clearly. I felt in my Spirit that there must be some sort of hidden message God wanted to speak to me. I started researching about this style of font online. Sans-serif fonts have become the most prevalent for display of texts on computer screens. The French Word “sans” means “without.” The term “serifs” refers to small projecting features at the end of strokes. If you look at the picture, you can see that in sans serif fonts, the ends are smooth and rounded. Serif fonts have line width variation, whereas sans-serif fonts are consistent without much line variation.

God wants our marriages to be read by others in the sans-serif font. If we want the message of Christ to be easily understood by others, our marriages must boldly stand apart from those of the world. Psalm 139:16 says, “Your eyes did see my substance, being yet unformed; and in Your book they were all written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them” (KJV, 2000). God wants each marriage to tell a story. Our marriages have the capacity to serve as a divine expression of His heart seamlessly knitted to His bride. God wants each marriage to be an earthly type and shadow of a glorious heavenly relationship. He wants us to love consistently, without variation from day to day.

When we purpose in our hearts to impart grace (unmerited, undeserved favor) to our spouse, it is as if all our “serifs” or prominent shortcomings, weaknesses, and mistakes have been effortlessly erased. As we show grace more consistently, the message will become clear and bold to everyone around you. Interestingly, sans serifs are sometimes used as a device for emphasis due to their typically darker, bolder color. When we emphasize grace rather than offense in our marriage, the message of the Gospel is retraced in our own hearts and visible to others. Romans 5:20 says, “Moreover the law entered that offense might abound. But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more.” When we become rigid and unforgiving toward our spouse, we are in essence, typing out the message of the law.  

One of the tactics the enemy uses to distort the pure message of Christianity is confusion. I believe the world is confused about Christianity because of the conflicting messages that are daily encountered. A good marriage is not characterized by the absence of offense, but rather the presence of grace. Walking in unity is walking in grace. Romans 8:1 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” God wants the profession of our beliefs to match the demonstration of our lives. If Jesus did not condemn you, then you have no right to condemn your spouse or yourself for that matter.

Revelation 12:11 says, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” As our marriage unfolds, it becomes a testimony to others, reflecting the resurrection power of Christ in your relationship. Each word, each kind gesture, each hug, each kiss, each sacrifice takes on such a greater meaning than you can naturally comprehend.

I pray that God will pen each ordained marriage into living epistles that will bring glory to His name. II Corinthians 3:2-3 says, ²“Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read by all men: ³Forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshly tablets of the heart.” One day the earth and all its contents will be destroyed, but the books that God writes will last forever. How will your marriage read?

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Look at the Moon!

Last night I woke up in the middle of the night and the Lord showed me a vision of a waxing crescent moon. He told me when believers face night seasons in their Christian walk, they need to ask Him for a “waxing crescent moon” along their journey until day breaks.

One of the most frustrating experiences is when a seemingly bleak reality sharply contrasts the glowing promises arising from His Word. When we are believing God for a very specific promise, the enemy will inevitably lurk in the shadows of the night, spawning confusion to trouble our minds. It is during these night seasons that we must strategically engage in spiritual warfare. Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (KJV)

I have learned instead of rebuking the enemy, a much more effective strategy is to meditate on the unchanging promises found in God’s Word. Psalm 119:105 says, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” As His Word is illuminated in our hearts, the revelation begins to bulge in our beings like a waxing crescent moon.

As soft moonlight scatters across the water’s surface to create a glistening pearly path, God wants us to walk in expectant hope that is sealed by His tremendous love for us. Romans 5:5 says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” (NKJV) The Holy Spirit, like the moonlight, has the beautiful capacity to soften wrinkles of worry and hush our fussy hearts with a gently lullaby. God wants to lead our darkened souls like steady ships that sail triumphantly into the morning hours. God has an appointed time for breakthrough; He is the One who changes the times and the seasons. When we rest in the assurance that the Author and Perfector of our faith is our First Love, Jesus Christ, even the night season can become glorious.

As we meditate on these illuminated promises, we find our faith growing from glory to glory. We may not see the fullness of their manifestation, but we take heart in spiritual progression and begin to embrace the journey.  We must remember to simply receive His love every time we open the Bible. God does not want us to analyze His promises, but rather metabolize them…digesting them entirely through the capsule of love. Think about studying the moon from a distance, dissecting it scientifically versus gazing the moon through a romantic lens. Although we are commanded to love one another, we must receive His love continually for we cannot give what we do not receive. I John 4:19 says, “We love, because He first loved us.” (NAS). It is His perfect love that plucks us from the midnight and plants us in the morning of new beginnings. 

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Are You Running Today's Race on Yesterday's Faith

God gave you both the desire and the faith for what you are believing for. The desire often manifests as a strong feeling that seems to grow stronger. It is visceral, palpable, and deeply knitted into the very fabric of your soul. Psalm 34:7 says, “Delight yourself in the LORD; and He will give you the desires of your heart.” The problem is, we very much remember the desires of our heart, but we often forget how to delight ourselves in the LORD. It is innately human and natural to let disappointments distort the perception of our faith. Too often we stop at, “I just don’t have the faith for that.”

My husband and I went to an estate sale a couple of weeks ago. On the way, Adam pointed out the street name on the opposite side—Whit’s End.  He couldn’t help but notice the play on words. He asked me jokingly, “How would you like to live on ‘Whit’s End?’ ”

 

The truth is, many couples feel like they are stuck in this precise spiritual location. A lot of junk mail has piled up with their names on it. They have come to a dead-end in one or more areas of their lives and feel that this must just be their permanent address. You may even feel like you have somehow let God down because of an apparent lack of faith. I have learned that we are often harder on ourselves than God is. Jesus does not condemn you for not having faith, He meets you just where you are so He can give you new faith.

One of my favorite passages is in Mark 9, where the father of a son who was possessed by a spirit since childhood approached Jesus. In verse 22, the father speaks, “It has often thrown him both in the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us!” In verse 23, Jesus responds to him, “‘If You can?‘ All things are possible to him who believes.” Keep in mind, earlier the father had brought him to the disciples, but they could not cast the spirit out. For years the father had experienced the emotional and spiritual turmoil of raising a child with such an extreme infirmity. The father was completely exhausted and exasperated. You could say, for all intents and purposes, he had been living at his “wit’s end” for quite some time.

This Scriptural account gives us insight into the enemy’s tactics in our lives. One of his favorite schemes is to wear us down to such a point that doubt and unbelief become a residual part of our spiritual makeup. The enemy knows that Jesus has all authority—that is something he can never change. Therefore, his tactic is to try to skew our perception of Jesus. Notice the father’s words, “if You can…” When the word “if” enters through your mind in a negative package, you can be sure the author of that thought is Satan himself. Remember in Matthew 4:6 when Satan tempted Jesus: “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command His angels concerning You’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”

This is why in Mark 9 Jesus had to address the father’s unbelief first. Satan had utilized the passage of time, marked by disappointments and delay, to plant seeds of doubt in the father. Jesus had the power to heal his son and the desire to heal him. Jesus wanted the father to first know Him personally in His true identity—as the Son of God.

When the father received this revelation, his response is powerful. In verse 24, the father said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” At first read, you may think this is a contradictory statement. If he believes, how can he have unbelief? But, if we were to be honest with ourselves, we all know this is exactly how we have felt at different points in our lives. Through the father’s statement, we glean a better understanding about faith.

·         Faith is not something that originates in ourselves- The father’s statement showed the spiritual dichotomy of human nature versus God’s nature. He effectively was saying, I don’t have anything left in me that even resembles faith, but You are God. He met Jesus as the Author and the Finisher of his faith.

·         Faith given by God is multiplied in His love- He believed that God was the source of all faith and that through His infinite compassion, He could touch and heal His spirit of unbelief and resurrect new faith in Him. As the father was seeking a physical miracle for his son, the father received a parallel miracle in the Spirit. The son was suffering from a physical condition that had “...often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him.” Similarly, I would imagine the father must have oscillated from the fiery anger of confusion to the drowning waters of his emotional turmoil—both seeking to destroy the health of his soul. After Jesus commanded the deaf and mute spirit to come out of the boy, verse 26 says, “After crying out and throwing him into terrible convulsions, it came out; and the boy became so much like a corpse that most of them said, “He is dead!” Is that not exactly the scheme of the enemy? He wants to get into your soul so that you will not hear (deaf spirit) and not speak (mute spirit) God’s Word in faith. You may even feel spiritually dead instead. Oh, how I love verse 27, “But Jesus took him by the hand and raised him; and he got up.” No matter what you feel, or how it seems…BUT JESUS….

·         Jesus does not run out on us when our faith runs out- God knows that we cannot run today’s race with yesterday’s faith. He designed it this way so that we would have fresh encounters with the Living God. Imagine if you told your spouse, “Remember, I talked to you a month ago.” Many times, we think, we have already prayed, so why bother to talk to God about it again. More than anything, the Lord wants to draw us into intimacy with Him. He longs to hear the voice that He created speak His Name. He wants to give us the desires of our hearts, but we must first delight ourselves in Him.

                                                                                                                                                                   

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Sorting It All Out

I obtained a personal accomplishment this week—it may not sound miniscule in the grand scheme of things, but I assure you, it borderlined on the miraculous for my personality. Here it is…drumroll…the precarious avalanche of papers that teetered next to my shredder has now vanished. POOF! Gone.

 I stared at the familiar spot for months, watching it grow into a colorful life of its own. Some days I simply got used to it, as if it were a dusty piece of home décor. Other days, I ignored it altogether, choosing to clip it out of my line of sight. And then, there were other days of course, that it bothered me to the point of annoyance and spilled into other areas of my life, tainting my mood and triggering a vocal or tacit complaint.

Yesterday, however, I faced it head on. Sitting Indian-style on the floor, I sorted through what seemed to be an infinite supply of papers that seemed to multiply rather than diminish. As much as I was tempted to just toss the whole pile in the trash and be done with it, I knew that there were important papers that need to be filed. So, one by one, I scanned each item, and carefully executed their fate. I know I save some things that I should probably throw away, but just don’t have the heart to do so. If you have ever given me a card, I have a gigantic shoe box where they all live crammed in together under one roof---er---I mean lid. It is starting to overflow, actually. Isn’t this a perfectly good excuse to buy another pair of shoes?! Also mixed in the hodge podge were old receipts from 2012, junk mail, and more papers demanding a destination. When I finally got to the glorious end of it all, I had to pull out the vacuum to clean up the confetti of paper that the shredder had vomited all over my carpet.

I started to ponder, isn’t this exactly what we do in our relationships, especially marriage? Because we don’t want to deal with them, we allow issues to pile up until they seem to take on a life of their own. Some days we avoid them, other days we choose to ignore them altogether. When we choose to look in their direction without addressing them, we naturally feel overwhelmed, annoyed, or even defeated in some way. Isn’t this the plan of the enemy? To confuse us, overwhelm us, and litter our lives in the space where peace, joy, and intimacy should reside?

I am starting to understand in a deeper way, that both in the natural and supernatural, our God is a God of perfect order. For every item that concerns us, He has a divine destination. What may not be an issue for one partner, could greatly distress the other. It is important to be intentionally specific in conversations in which issues need to be addressed. Too often, marital malaise can be traced back to complaints about the other in general. Just like the mound of papers, there is a method that will eventually allow you to reclaim this occupied space in your marriage. Pick a mutually agreed upon time to discuss (not late at night when your husband is sleepy—trust me, for some reason, this doesn’t work at all). Incidentally, one thing you want to NOT do, is talk about every problem--ad nauseum--all at once. I know females, including myself, are especially guilty of this. I think we have a psychological file cabinet for just about everything. When a certain topic is addressed, others seem to spill out uncontrollably as well. When you do pick an issue, decide whether this is this something that can be discarded. Is it still relevant to the season that you are in now? Or can it be tossed for sake of current peace and happiness. Could it be something that may be treasured to one because of the deeper meaning, but may have no sentimental or relevant value to the other. Listen with your heart, forgive (both your spouse and yourself), bend, and most importantly move on--together.

If the goal of unity is in mind, understanding will begin to flow with increased and purposeful communication.  Things may even appear messier as you endure the drudgery of the sorting process, but as you do, one day you will look at that space where the enemy tried to take up residence, and by your cooperation with the power of the Holy Spirit, something miraculous will happen—he will vanish. POOF! Gone.

-Isaiah 41:12, “You will search for your enemies, but you will not find them. Those who are at war with you will be reduced to nothing and no longer exist.”

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Spreading Like Kudzu

Recently, my husband and I completed our first fasting experience in unity. I have fasted at different times in my life, but this is the very first one that we committed to do as a couple. The Lord revealed to me that we were to pray and meditate on the Lord’s Prayer during this period of fasting. He told me that anything I could possibly need or desire was contained in this prayer. The words are second nature to most of us, but how often do we really reflect and absorb the implication of these powerful words:

 “Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, As it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses , As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, For  ever and ever. Amen.”  (Matthew 6:9-13)

Provision, forgiveness, deliverance, protection from evil, peace, and spreading God’s kingdom—it is all packed in these powerful lines. I heard God speak to my heart, “I want my kingdom to spread like kudzu.” I researched “kudzu” online and discovered some interesting details about this type of plant.

·         It is invasive in nature- It is a climbing, coiling, and trailing vine that climbs over trees and shrubs rapidly. Kudzu spreads by vegetative reproduction and by seeds which are contained in pods. The hard coated seeds may not germinate for several years, but can result in the reappearance of the species years after it was thought to be eradicated from the site.  I am reminded to never be discouraged when ministering for the Lord. Just because we can’t see immediate results doesn’t mean we have not made an eternal impact for the kingdom. James 5:7 says, “Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains.” God is raining down on the seeds that have been planted in hearts that have been hardened, and his kingdom is spreading in even the most unlikely places.

·         It is a noxious weed-  It climbs over trees and shrubs and kills them by heavy shading. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil (I John 3;8). We must unite and “shade” or protect one another with so much love and prayer that the devil can no longer take residence in human lives.  God’s kingdom is not some weak or fragile force. The resurrection power that operates in believers is dangerous to the devil’s territory. It comes from knowing that our identity is no longer the old man, but Christ who lives in us. Romans 6:4 says, "Therefore, we are buried with Him in baptism into death: that just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."

·         It is used as a medicine- The Harvard medical school is studying kudzu as a possible way to treat alcoholic cravings, by turning an extracted compound into a medical drug. Kudzu contains isoflavones including puerarin, and daidzein (an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial agent). It has shown value in treating migraine and cluster headaches. It is used to treat tinnitus, vertigo, and Wei Syndrome. It has shown potential in animal models of Alzheimer’s disease. It may help diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The leaves of kudzu show antioxidant activity that suggests food uses. God’s kingdom is the panacea for every type of sickness and disease. Every spirit of infirmity must bow to Jesus. We are given authority to activate the healing that has already been given to each and every one of us over 2,000 years ago at the cross. Mark 16:17-18 says, “And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues . They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick and they shall recover.” We are to bring healing to those that are suffering. Ezekiel 47:12 says, “And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit to his months, because their waters issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.” As living trees of righteousness, we carry the fruit of the spirit and the power to bring life through the activation of the Word and the power of His name.

·         Food and beverage- The roots contain starch, which has traditionally been used as a food ingredient in East Asia. In Vietnam the starch is flavored with pomelo oil and uses as a drink in the summer. As Christians we each carry a different “flavor” of oil or unique anointing that we are given to give a drink to all those who are thirsty. Isaiah 55:1 says, “Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come buy wine and milk without money and without cost.”

·         Basketry- Kudzu fibers have long been used for fiber art and basketry. The long runners which propagate the kudzu fields and the larger vines which cover trees make excellent weaving material. Some basketmakers use the material green. The Word of God can stir up creativity and release prosperity in the body of Christ. Haggai 1:6 says, “You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but you have not enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earns wages to put it in a bag with holes. As ministers of the Gospel, we can spititually locate the holes in people’s lives where they have sown into a mindset of poverty. God desires us to walk in covenant blessing and to prosper us. 3 John 1:2 says, “Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in good health, even as your soul prospers.”

·         Soil improvement and preservation- Kudzu has been used as a form of erosion control and also to enhance the soil. As a legume, it increases the nitrogen in the soil via a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. A symbiotic relationship occurs when one organism lives on another and is entirely dependent upon the other for survival. We must understand that we are completely dependent upon our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ for survival and to communicate this through demonstration to a lost world. So many people are experiencing erosion in different areas of their lives, and they have no idea why. Jabez prayed that his territory may be enlarged. God desires to bless us and improve every aspect of our lives. James 1:17 says, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming done from the Father of heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.”

May God's kingdom spread like kudzu.

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Word for 2013

While jogging yesterday, I spotted a dime on the gravel trail. I heard God say that He was using that dime to give me prophetic revelation for marriages this year. Here is what He showed me:

The significance of ten- A dime is worth ten cents. Ten signifies the perfection of Divine order and completeness. When husband and wife are hand in hand in unity, their five fingers intertwine to make ten.  Although God can bless each individual, there is another tier of blessings that cannot be released until husband and wife are operating in unity and align to God’s order for their marriage.

Redemption in the rubble- The silver dime was surrounded by grey gravel, and could have easily been camouflaged if I hadn’t spotted it. God showed me the gravel symbolizes the clutter and distractions that the enemy tries to consume us with each day, and the dime represents our spiritual life. If we look for meaning and fulfillment though our circumstances, we will feel insignificant—lost in a sea of gravel.  The dime is silver, which represents redemption. Even when we don’t feel valuable in relation to this world, we must remember that our eternal value lies in Christ alone. I Peter 1:18-19, “knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition by your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” (NKJV)

The importance of perspective- I spotted the dime from a distance on my first lap, but when I searched for it the second lap, I didn’t see it. God showed me that when we start walking with Him, He will show us precious promises that belong to us. However, when we don’t see those promises fulfilled in the moment of our journey we believe they should have been, it confuses us. God wants us to keep our eyes on Him and walk straight on the path that He has called us to. When we start to desire the promise above the Keeper of Promises, God will lead us on another lap to show us a heavenly perspective and keep us close to Him. II Peter 3:9, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” (NKJV)

A resurrection of the dead- On the third lap, I found the dime I thought I would not see again. It just jumped out at me.  I believe that three years ago in 2010 many couples had faith for some situations, and that which they believed for appeared to die in the natural. 2010 was just the completion of a cycle. Every ending marks a new beginning. These past three years have been filled with trials and tribulation for much of the body of Christ. However, I believe that 2013 marks the third trimester for many this year and the promises that they have believed for will be birthed out this year. God will receive all the glory for He is the Living God who is resurrected and seated on the throne. In heaven nothing is lost and nothing is impossible. Ezekiel 37:4, “Again He said to me, ‘Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, “O dry bones, hear the word of the LORD! 5 Thus says the LORD GOD to these bones, “Surely I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 I will put sinews on you and bring flesh upon you, cover you with skin and put breath in you; and you shall live. Then you shall know that I am the LORD.” Luke 13:32, “Jesus replied, “Go tell that fox that I will keep on casting out demons and healing people today and tomorrow; and on the third day I will accomplish my purpose.” (NLT)

Watch for “suddenlies”- God is going to cause many situations to “turn on a dime.” Rapid changes will occur when we give God complete control and allow Him to steer our lives. No matter how things look initially, trust God completely and you will see miraculous suddenlies in your marriage, finances, and ministry. Suddenly means one second it is one way and the next second it is another. God has been working behind the scenes and many miracles will manifest this year. Acts 16:26, “Suddenly, there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”

Pocketing the “change”- The dime is commonly known as “change.” Many couples will experience change in the natural that may seem small at first, but is valuable because it is part of a greater heavenly bank that cannot yet be seen but is nevertheless real and present. In 2013 there will be an opportunity to “pocket the change” or embrace seemingly small changes because they will lead to something greater. Also, 13 is a number that symbolizes rebellion. God is wanting to deal with the stubborn and rebellious parts of us this year so he can bless us and give us the desires of our hearts. Begin to value small changes in your routines, habits, speech, and how you treat each other.  Every race is just a series of footsteps. Proverbs 4:20-27, 4 “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings. 21 Do not let them depart from your eyes; Keep them in the midst of your heart; 22 For they are life to those who find them, and health to all their flesh. 23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it springs the issues of life. 24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you. 25 Let your eyes looks straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you. 26 Ponder the path of your feet, and let all your ways be established. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; remove your foot from evil.”

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