Fresh Start

The Egyptians spending their time pleading for President Mubarak to go are looking for a fresh start. But other voices seem to be saying that it is going to be very difficult to get a fresh start - because they don't want a violent revolution.
On another stage, yesterday showed that Fernando Torres didn't get a fresh start at Chelsea - to the delight of all Liverpool fans and those few anti-Chelsea people.
But where can fresh starts come from?
The whole of the Gospel story is about offering all sorts of people a genuine fresh start. Long ago, the Prophet Isaiah spoke of the astonishing promise from God to produce newness and a fresh start for all who listened carefully to His Word.
'It is the same with my word.
      I send it out, and it always produces fruit.
   It will accomplish all I want it to,
      and it will prosper everywhere I send it.
 You will live in joy and peace.
      The mountains and hills will burst into song,
      and the trees of the field will clap their hands!
 Where once there were thorns, cypress trees will grow.
      Where nettles grew, myrtles will sprout up.
   These events will bring great honour to the Lord’s name;
      they will be an everlasting sign of his power and love.” (Isaiah 55.11-13)
For this week, with all its challenges and opportunities, I know I need the Lord's touch to bring me a fresh start. Expecting Him to act according to His word, I set out with hope and anticipation. How about you?
Best wishes,
Richard