My past, my present and my future...

Read: Philippians 3:15-21
"I press toward the goal ... Brethren, join in following my example."
Philippians 3:14,17

In his painting "An Allegory of Prudence," 16th-century Venetian artist Titian portrayed Prudence as a man with three heads. One head was of a youth facing the future, another was of a mature man eyeing the present, and the third was of a wise old man gazing at the past. Over their heads Titian wrote a Latin phrase that means, "From the example of the past, the man of the present acts prudently so as not to imperil the future."We need that kind of wisdom to overcome the anxiety created by our past failures and the fear of repeating them in the future - an anxiety that keeps us from living to the fullest now.Paul was able to "forget" his past and anticipate his future (Philippians 3:13-14). This doesn't mean his memory was erased; it means that Paul was free of any guilt or pride he may have felt from his past actions, because God had forgiven him. This attitude enabled him to live in the present and "press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus" (v14). So he had one driving passion - to know Christ better.As we close the chapter of 2004, let's rededicate ourselves to Christ. Jesus will enable us to live fully in the present as we gain wisdom from the past and face the future with courage. - Dennis De Haan

"Standing at the portal
Of the opening year,
Words of comfort meet us,
Hushing every fear" - Havergal

Never let a bleak past overshadow a bright future.

“Forgive us, Lord, for failures past,
Then help us to start anew
With strength and courage to obey
And closely follow You.” – Sper

“Lord, I am learning of Your power
To give me victory each hour;
As I keep walking close to You,
Your Spirit fills with life anew” – Hess

these are all taken from the Daily Bread materials that were carefully typed out by a friend of mine and have been most encouraging...

PS: Sometimes people are offended by multitude of words, and sometimes, by the lack of words spoken...