All Things New

A few weeks ago my trusty, old laptop finally kicked the proverbial bucket. Old faithful I called it. Probably the longest living laptop and best laptop I've ever owned. The logic board is gone but the memory is still good and I had a recent backup, so all is well in that department.

However, after weeks of waffling on which way to go on this situation and what to replace it with, yesterday a new laptop finally arrived and behold, all things are new! All things are new, and not in a really good way. This almost makes me want to cry.

I will not call this my laptop just yet, because it feels so much like someone else's laptop. I've not put my stamp on it. I've not dropped it and dinged the corner, thankfully! We're working on becoming acquainted and soon, I hope, we'll be friends. It's a process.

While setting up this new laptop, downloading applications and files, I was reminded of the passage in Revelation where God says He will, in the end, make all things new. I thought to myself maybe that's really just the beginning. Yes, the beginning of a beautiful eternity with Him!

My favorite part of Revelation 21:4-6 is the end, "I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely." But let's not forget the beginning of that passage, "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain." The first part of this passage is equally important. However, the middle is really the game-changer! "for the former things are passed away.... Behold, I make all things new." All things new... What a lovely thought!

"And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." Revelations 21:5

Another book I've been reading lately is the book of Esther. I love the book of Esther and the testimony of her life that's been carried down and influenced generation after generation of women. God used Esther to accomplish His purpose, but He didn't need her to accomplish it. It the same way, God doesn't need me to accomplish His purpose. His purpose, His will, His plan will all be brought to fruition with or without my help. But oh, to be part of that plan! To allow His will to direct my choices. To make His purpose my purpose. Just like Esther. ​

When give thought to eternity, I think, "What am I doing today to be intentional about sharing my faith?" Do the people I work with know how much I love God? What about my neighbors? Do they see it? Do they want what I have? Would there be enough evidence to convict me of being a Christian if I were on trial? What does my life look like from the perspective of an unbeliever? These are all great questions. 

​In light of those thoughts, I wanted to share with you an excellent book for your unsaved friends.

"The God Diagnosis is the unique journey of a successful surgeon who finds the fulfillment of all his life dreams empty, lonely, and depressing. Embarking on a quest for truth and the answers to life's basic questions, Dr. Viehman finds himself at the epicenter of the most mind blowing diagnosis of his life. In a riveting journey through investigation, testing, and personal struggles Dr. Viehman recounts his journey from death to life in a way that will resonate with anyone seeking the facts and examining the evidence for themselves. Dr. Viehman uses his medical mind to come at these issues in a profound way that is striking, refreshing and fascinating.

Dr. Viehman was born and raised in Wilmington, DE. He attended and graduated magna cum laude from the University of Delaware. He attended medical school at Jefferson Medical College in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania graduating number one in his class. He completed an Internship in Internal Medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, and a dermatology residency at Duke University Medical Center, where he was chief resident. Dr. Viehman completed his fellowship in skin cancer surgery also at Duke. Dr. Viehman co-founded the Cary Skin Center in Cary, North Carolina, and worked there 1998-2008. He is now in solo private practice at Sea Coast Skin Surgery in Wilmington, NC. Dr. Viehman has lectured nationally on dermatologic surgery and authored several published scientific research articles. He has multiple interests, including, running, cross-fit training, and missionary work for orphans in Ukraine with New Life Ministries." - goodreads

​If you have unsaved friends, especially of the highly gifted or intelligent type, The God Diagnosis will be a great challenge to their reasoning! The good doctor has already done all the legwork for them, and for you. He's investigated. He's reasoned. He's made a diagnosis of God, the Bible, the truth, Christianity, and he lays it all out in this book.

Have you ever thought of yourself as created by God For Such A Time As This? Is there someone today, a coworker or neighbor, that God wants you to reach for Him? Oh, to be a part of that plan! ​To allow His will to direct your choices. To make His purpose your purpose. God is in the business of making all thing new. How can we be a part of that plan today?