I
imagine most of you know I don't do resolutions. Many times I would make
the decision to lose weight during the next year... only to have failed
miserably. I always felt embarrassed near the end of the year, when I
realized I hadn't been able to keep my resolution. For several years I
thought I might quit smoking, resolving at the end of the year to be smoke
free by the end of the coming year. That didn't happen, till the day of
April 5, 1976. I don't believe I'd made the resolution to quit, because
I'd already become pretty cynical by then. Instead, what brought about
this change in my life was the feeling I was already beginning to die as a
result of smoking. In the factory, most restrooms for the assembly line
required a climb of 30 steps. After enjoying the last cigarette in the
pack at 9:35 AM, I began the climb, only to have to stop halfway to catch
my breath. I was much smaller then, so it wasn't due to my weight. At the
top, I began to cough violently, coughing blood into the trashcan. This
scared me and I thought I'd 'bought the farm'. Convinced it was already
too late to do anything about it, I took the extra pack of cigarettes out
of my lunchbox, and gave it away. Every time I felt the urge for a smoke,
I prayed.
I wasn't 'going to church' at the time. At best, Id' say I was a
'back-slider', a saved, but lost... sinner. But, God heard my prayers and
gave me the strength to end that habit. Today, I've been 'smoke free' for
32 years, 7 months, 26 days and (at this moment) 22 hours and four
minutes! I can't tell you the day, month or year I was saved, but the
moment I began a new life without further damage to my lungs is one I can
calculate to the minute (if you give me a little time). This is why I
don't make resolutions. I've never kept a New Year resolution that
mattered. But, I did resolve four things on the first day of this year.
Numbered one to four they were: 1. Read the bible more. 2. Seek God's
will. 3. Pray more. 4. Invite Jesus into my life each day.
Let's see how I did with them. I have read the bible more, but I still
feel I don't do it enough. I do find myself stopping more often to listen
and try to see or feel what is God's will, instead of charging into a
situation depending on my own wits and resources. But, once again I don't
feel I do it enough. I know I pray more and I try to take time to pray
before doing even some of the simplest things I've done for years. Now, I
want to try to remember to take a moment to pray before driving, shopping
or beginning my daily routine. I still need to work on greeting God first
every morning. I have been making it a practice to invite Jesus into my
life and heart daily. I realize these words alone can be an invitation
into an empty room, unless I come to Him in an attitude of submission and
obedience. So, I try to consciously have the attitude that I will submit
to His influence in me. These resolutions have been more than the usual
'wishes' for self-improvement. These 'resolves' have changed my life as
much as ending the life threatening habit of smoking. I know my
relationship with Jesus has deepened. It has, because I've come to realize
I can't ask Him to do all the work. I'll never be able to do my share,
because His love began before I was born and has never wavered.
Virginia (who helps elders to find jobs) is
unsure if she will have a job much longer. Megan has health issues. Connie
is in need of financial help to pay the rent and a large fee to the court.
Chris is also in need of financial help. Amber is in need of employment.
Ginny was to see her doctor yesterday afternoon. Please pray all is well
after prayer from the pastor, and/or her doctor can help.
Father, In You I put my trust to help me keep
my resolve to deepen my relationship with Christ Jesus. I want to continue
reading Your word, more and more... seeking Your will, praying more and
inviting Jesus into my life and heart. I pray in an attitude of submission
and obedience. Honoring Your name above all, may Your kingdom come, Your
will be done, in earth as in heaven. Give me what I need for the day and
forgive my sins, as I forgive other sinners. Lead me from temptation while
delivering me from the evil one. Lifting these loved ones for Your touch:
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. For Yours is the
kingdom, the power and the glory forever and ever.... Amen.
Now the word of the LORD came to me, saying,
"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born
I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Then I
said, "Ah, Lord GOD! Behold, I do not know how to speak, for I am
only a youth." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only
a youth'; for to all to whom I send you, you shall go, and whatever I
command you, you shall speak. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you
to deliver you, declares the LORD." Jeremiah 1:4-8 ESV
|