When walking my dogs today, I literally 'smelled' spring in the air, even though living in a midwest state, you realize there's still cooler temps and whiteness that doesn't leave til April, or when the birds are singing in full chorus!! But we all look forward to a promise of good things to come, just as Jesus has prepared for us the promise of eternity in heaven with Him, taking on our sins, dying on the Cross, and in his Resurrection assuring us salvation.

 For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.
He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him.
                                                        1 Thessalonians 5:9-10

What a comfort knowing our eternal home in heaven is waiting for us, and living our days on earth is a temporary weigh station that's filled with ups and downs of worldly circumstances and situations that can sometimes cloud what lies ahead. In reading,studying and applying His word, we can live within our world knowing the right direction and having the right attitude, maintaining faith and hopefulness in what God has planned in our lives.

Through him and for his name's sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith. And you also are called to belong to Jesus Christ.
                                                        Romans 1:5-6

As you go through your days, open your eyes and your ears to what God wants us to hear and see.
Co-workers, neighbors, friends are a part of our ever-changing world and the vision we have before us.
His word doesn't change, and it's that constant that can keep us focused and living in faith and obedience to God, and showing love to our fellow neighbors.

Wandering through Life - Hope for Neighbors Christian gift book allows us to see God's grace and love present in our ordinary lives.

**A special Study Guide written by Wendy Nelson will soon be available to purchase to be used in conjunction with the book, digging deeper into His word and exploring the stories and verses further.**

The slate is clean. Our to-do lists and resolutions and constitutions might start to wane a little as the beginning of the year falls short of our plans and expectations and vision of what is to come.
The word "our" is a part of that disappointment if 2016 isn't all "we" want or hope for, or strive to happen. Unless reliance and plans begin with trusting the Lord instead of our own resources, we set ourselves up to fail, to knock ourselves back down because of personal things we have done, or not done at this point. Starting with prayer with the Lord's direction fuels our hearts and minds where He has planned for us, and accepting His guidance prepares us for the ups and downs we encounter daily. There will be trials, there will be triumphs, and the Lord will be with us through all of them.
"Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I have in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire but you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." -- Psalm 73:23-26
Wandering through Life, Hope for Neighbors Christian gift book illustrates the hope and the promise each and every day when we allow Jesus to be first in our lives, preparing a clean slate daily, washing our sins clean.  May this year be a blessing and full of promise and light amidst the dark and troubled times that come upon our lives. Be assured of His forgiveness, His grace, and His everlasting love.
Wishing you peace and promise and assured faith in Christ alone.