"Every perfect gift is from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. James 1:17 (The Bible often compares goodness with light and evil with darkness. For other passages see-Psalm 27:1-Isiah 60:19-22-John 1:1-14)        We begin a new year of our lives today with mixed feelings. God alone can and does know all the thoughts in our hearts. We have not walked this way before, and our minds are full of thoughts of what the year ahead may bring us.  There are times in our lives which are like the golden shafts of light in the early morning. The beauty of the moment is so great that we want to grasp it and keep it unchanged forever.      But we know this cannot be. There will be changes in the days of the coming year. The thought of change makes some of us afraid. Perhaps we have had thoughts of fear also. When such fear takes hold of us we forget the steadfast love of our God. It is He who gives us all good things from above and who knows each step of the way which lies before us. When God's ancient people said, "My way is hid from the LORD, and my right is disregarded by my God," God told them to remember that He was the everlasting God, who never grows faint and whose understanding is unsearchable.      Christian friends, He is the God of the New Year, the God of love toward His children, the God who gave us His Son as our Savior, the God in whom there is no shadow due to change, the God who takes us by the hand and leads us into a new year of His grace.   Through shadowed days or sunlit, Whatever this year may bring, This fact may be thy comfort; God reigns in everything.   THOUGHT FOR THE DAY - Never doubt God's goodness. Even when our trials seem beyond our understanding, we an trust God to give us perfect gifts.  Click in the links below and enjoy -- http://www.dobhran.com/greetings/GRnewyear4.htm http://llerrah.com/aprayerfornewyear.htm