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Happy New
You
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I
spent a good part of the night with youth. It was an honor to have been
invited to play bass for the 'rock' band for an overnight 'Lock-in' for
our youth. I haven't played in a band so loud since the late 1960's. The
youth were having a great time eating pizza, shooting hoops and
preparing for a blackout hide and seek game as I left, with just a
little over an hour of 2008 remaining. During the worship that kicked
off the night, our pastor invited his visiting brother-in-law to deliver
a message for the coming year. His title was "Happy New You".
His message was different than mine of not making New Year's
resolutions. He questioned, why not make resolutions, if our reason for
not doing it is only because we have a habit of not fulfilling them?
Then he suggested, you don't decide not to take a bath, just because you
know you're going to get dirty again. He left us with three attainable suggestions for New Year's resolutions and the probable effects of them. First, spend at least five minutes a day, "getting into the word". The effect of reading the bible or good devotional material could be a chance to hear from God! He explained that when we pray, we're conversing with God, but most times, it seems to be a one-way conversation. In reading His word, we allow God to 'speak' to us. Next, make plenty of Christian friends and spend lots of time with them. The effect is that this will help us stay on the right path. The third suggestion is to take 'the mission of the church' outside the walls. He put it well that if we only are 'in church' when we go to the building, we aren't in church enough. He suggested that for most teens (even the most active), they're 'in church' only between one and four hours per week. This is true for adults as well. Then he mentioned that School or work would require about forty or more hours per week, and to remember that the 'church' isn't enclosed in the four walls we call the church. 'We' are the church and the church is in the world. Further, he suggested a practical way to take the mission of the church to the world. "Have you seen a kid sitting alone at lunch?" This was one of his questions. He then asked, "Have you ever been that kid"? He said if you have been, you'll know how he/she feels to be alone. If you haven't, he suggested thinking of him or her and how it may feel. "Get up from your 'in crowd' friend, go over and sit with the one who is alone... and become a friend", was his suggestion of one way to take the mission of the church into the world. The effect here is two-fold. First that person who needs a friend finds one. And, second, when we offer ourselves as a friend, we gain one. I hope the teens found his message to be as good as I did. His practical suggestions aren't for youth alone. I just may begin making resolutions again. Father, as I begin this 'new year', I take comfort in knowing You are the same. The same yesterday, today and tomorrow, is promise of never ending love and grace, offered again and again to each of us who will never deserve it. With this, I do want to 'get into Your word, surround myself with Christian friends and take the mission of the church into the world' daily. These are goals I can attain, and I ask Your help. I am weak, but in Jesus I am stronger. In an attitude of submission and obedience, I invite Jesus into my life and heart. Help me to keep my eyes, ears, mind and heart open to the whispers and urging of Your Holy Spirit. Fill me with the desire to befriend the friendless and love the unlovely. Let me see each of Your children as beautiful, valuable works of Your hands and heart. Honoring Your name above all, I pray Your kingdom to come and Your will be done on the earth as in heaven. Give me today what I need; food and tools to work Your work and equip me to be Your servant. Forgive my sins, as I forgive other sinners. I lift these cares to Your feet: Virginia, Megan, Connie, Chris, Amber, Ginny, Susie & Miles P, Kathy, Kristen - Chryl - Jim, Smokey, Carolyn's mom & family, Nancy, John, James - Rockie - Stacie & family, Groeber family, Eldon & Delores, Ed & family, Scott - Linda & children, Cheryl, Terry, Adam, Ruby, Wilma, Maria - Lucas - Sierra, Keith, Donna, Cheryl, Alethea, Glenna, Glenn, YWAM missionaries, Lettie - Gayla & Barry, Terry, Chuck, Ben, Mary, Shawn & Heidi, June, Johnnie, Ken, Chris, Dale, James B, Misty, Dianna, Carley, Victoria, Ralph - wife & son, Doug & Debbie D, Brandelyn & Brock, Meg, Lisa & sister, John, Katy, adoption of Grace, Don, Dean, Kera, Steve V, Tina, Seth, Larry C, Becky, Larry S, John & Carolyn, Jason, Jay & Rick, Linda, Delores, Gary, Melinda, Glen, Lisa, Nadia, David, Beulah, Aaron, John S, Ian, Lynda, Thelma, Mike, Rosetta, Carolyn, Kaitlyn, Judy, Dan F, Tim, Austin, Pam, Lou, Larry, Pastor Dave, Margaret, Ruth, Rick, Carla & children, Baby Kurt - his family, John, Rick, Stan, Lynn, Roger & family, Tom, Valerie, Judy, Paul, Allen Michael, Irene's family, Lacey, Bobby, Donald, Amy - her daughters & husband, Lucinda, Summer & family, Steve, Matt - his 2 year old son & family, Richard, Ma Glenda, Charlie, Amy, Karen, Tia, Ron, Patsy, Leola, Don, Jack, Wendy, Eula & her family, Rob & family, Iris, Carrie - Brandon, Judy, Freddy, Arianne, Corey, Robin & husband, Mark, Georgiana, Martha, T. J., Jerry & Donna, Cubby, Bill, Ted, Silas, Julia, Cathy - Brandon & Ed, Fran, Kris, Joe, Kristie, Mike, Pat, David, Dylan, John, Robin & husband, Eric, Ray, Heather - Scott & family, Warren, Thelma, Bergen, Kenny, Dawn, Jeff & Vicky, Myra, Frances, Jim, Ron, Phil, Randi, Jack, Randy, Dick, Larry & Vicki, Pam, Dave, Archie, Gary, Josh, Tim, Catherine, Lisa - Sam, Woody, Curt, Dustin, Larry, Burt, Jack, Cline, Johnnie, John, Lynn, Norma, Olivia, Drew, Our loved ones in need of salvation and guidance, all who are dependent, depressed or grieving, Those fighting / working for freedom and safety from terror, neglected / abused / missing children, God's servants and churches, those looking for work, in rehab programs, our own families and everyone we hold dear in our hearts. Lead me away from tests and temptations, for I am weak. Deliver me from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever.... Amen. And he said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation." Mark 16:15 ESV |
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