We are blessed with a new season and for many it stirs up the desire to make new changes, resolutions and begin things afresh.  It's been on my mind a lot, especially learning new things, processes and new ideas to share in the Community, but I'm also reminded it's more than replacing the old with something new.

I was reminded of that today actually.  When we are made new in Christ, and old things are passed away, that doesn't mean we just replace an old way of thinking with a new way of thinking.  We are transformed, as we encounter the God of the universe, and begin a relationship with Him.  That is far more than just replacing an idea, or believing something new.  That is an entirely new life.

Jacob left his uncle Laban with wives, servants and loads of livestock, in those days that was their wealth and he was a very wealthy man. In working hard for Laban, Yahovah / God blessed the work of his hands and he then was instructed to return to his homeland. He was so wealthy that he was prepared to offer his brother Esau, who he feared meeting, 550 different types of animals as a peace offering from goats, to rams to camels to cows, bulls and lots more. He had so much that even when Esau told him not to worry Jacob insisted and said:
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