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" Show me your ways, O Lord, teach me your paths; guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God and my Savior, and my hope is in You all day long." Psalms 25:4-5

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Sunday, December 30, 2007

New Year's Aspirations

Well it's that time of year again.  I can't believe 2007 is nearly gone, it just seems like yesterday that it began.  This is the time of year for reflecting on the past year and making resolutions for the upcoming year. 

I quit making new year's resolutions a few years ago, because I couldn't keep them.  I never lost the weight, I didn't make it on my knees every day to pray, I didn't read my Bible every day, and I wasn't patient with my kids all the time.  It was just easier to not make the resolution than deal with the guilt of failure.

Our pastor gave a good message on resolutions this morning that made me reevaluate my position.  He pointed out the fact that we are all sinners and we all will fail at sometime.  None of us can do the right thing all the time, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try.  So I am going to make some new year's aspirations this year that I will strive to keep daily, yet knowing that I am going to fail sometimes.  Instead of feeling guilty when I fail, I will just get up, dust myself off, and keep moving up the path to get me closer to those aspirations step by step.

Here is a list of my new year's aspirations that will grow my character:

  •  I aspire for the life of Jesus to be revealed in me. (2 Corinthians 4:10)
  •  I aspire to be thankful all the time, no matter my circumstances. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
  •  I aspire to treat others the way I would like to be treated, focusing on tone of voice I use to speak to my family. (Matthew 7:12, Luke 6:31)
  • I aspire to be able to hear and follow God's will for my life.

Here is a list of what I need to do to achieve those aspirations:

  1. Read or listen to the Bible daily (I like to listen to the dramatized NIV Bible on my ipod) and pray daily.
  2. Fill my mind with positive thoughts, (ie. Christian radio, very little television, Christian books etc) and choose to be thankful.
  3. Pray daily for kind words, play with my children more, try to see the world from their eyes.
  4. Have daily quiet time, and organize my schedule to write more.

I can see I have a lot of work ahead of me this year and I can only achieve these things through Christ who strengthens me (Phil. 4:13). Whatever your new year's aspirations are pray each day for the Lord to help you to achieve them, because we can do nothing through our own power. 

In our Sunday School class today someone shared their 2007 resolution was to be more grateful and the way they achieved that was writing down every answered prayer.  I like that idea, so I am adding a page to my notebook to keep a record of all answered prayer.  May God be with you and bless you in 2008.

Happy New Year!

4:45 pm cst 

Sunday, December 9, 2007

Merry CHRISTmas
When we celebrate Christmas, we celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus. There is no other reason to celebrate Christmas, or to have holidays.  So. for those who want to just hear "Happy Holidays" and buy a "family tree," they should just forgo the whole thing. Because Christmas is to celebrate Jesus Christ, not to see how high the retailers' sales reach.  As Christian parents, we should make sure our children know exactly why Christmas is celebrated. It is the time to reflect on the indescrible gift God gave us through Christ His Son.  A Pastor named S. M. Lockridge wrote a sermon that I believe describes who Jesus is and why we should celebrate His birth the best that we can as humans.  Following is his sermon.

 
"The Bible says…He is the king of the Jews, He’s the King of Israel, He’s the king of righteousness, He’s the king of the ages.  He’s the king of heaven, He’s the king of glory, He’s the king of kings and He’s the Lord of Lords!  Do you know Him?
He is a sovereign king, No means of measure can define His limitless love. He’s enduringly strong.  He’s entirely sincere. He’s eternally steadfast.  He’s immortally graceful.  He’s infinitely powerful and He’s impartially merciful.
He’s the greatest phenomenon that has ever crossed the horizon of this world. He’s God’s son. He’s the sinner’s savior.  He the centerpiece of civilization. He stands in the solitude of Himself.  He’s honest and unique. He’s unparalleled. He’s unprecedented.
He’s the loftiest idea in literature.  He’s the highest personality in philosophy.  He’s the supreme problem in higher criticism.  He’s the fundamental doctrine of true theology.  He’s the core, the necessity for spiritual religion.  He’s the miracle of the ages.  He’s the superlative of everything good that you choose to call Him.  He’s the only one qualified to be our all-sufficiency.
He supplies strength for the weak . He’s available for the tempted and tried.  He sympathizes and He saves.  He strengthens and sustains. He guard and he guides.  He heals the sick.  He cleanses the leaper.  He forgives the sinner.  He discharges debtors.  He delivers the captive.  He defends the feeble.  He blesses the young.  He serves the unfortunate.  He regards the aged. He rewards the diligent.  He beautifies the meek.  Do you know Him?
He’s the key to knowledge.  He’s the wellspring of wisdom.  He’s the doorway to deliverance.  He’s the pathway to peace.  He’s the roadway to righteousness.  He’s the highway to holiness.  He’s the gateway to glory.
His office is manifold.  His promise is sure.  His life is matchless.  His goodness is limitless.  His mercy is everlasting.  His love never changes.  His work is enough.  His grace is sufficient.   His reign is righteous.  His yolk is easy and His burden is light.  I wish I could describe Him.
He’s indescribable.  He’s incomprehensible.  He’s invincible.  He’s irresistible.  You can’t get Him out of your mind.  You can’t outlive Him and you can’t live without Him.  The Pharisees couldn’t stand Him, but they found they couldn’t stop Him.  Pilate couldn’t find any fault in Him.  Herod couldn’t kill Him Death couldn’t handle Him and the grave couldn’t hold him." S. M. Lockridge 

I wish all of you a Merry CHRISTmas. I pray that you are taking the time this year to celebrate Jesus and are not just falingl into the hustle and bustle of Christmas cards and gift buying.  
God bless you!

 
3:13 pm cst 


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