Revolution

It’s that time when we make New Year resolutions. Not just the one, but a few, or even several. We need to change and we know it. We could do better, and we know it. We should be a nicer person, and we know it. A simple question: If we already know where we need to change for the better, why wait until now?

New Year is the time of new beginnings we tell ourselves, and we believe that when we make these life improving gestures now, they will mean more. In fact, we might even complete some of them? But for how long??

It doesn’t have the new year ring about it, but why don’t we do something about our shortcomings when we see them during the year, and not wait until there are a few at the end? Do we think they won’t be as meaningful? Hmm.. I’m not sure about that logic. After all, how often have you heard the words, “I’m making a few resolutions, but I know I won’t keep them”. We need something more than a wish to do things better.

Since God is the source of all creation, that must include us! So, next time you need some resolution wisdom, don’t look in the Christmas cracker, or the Chinese fortune cookie. Check out God’s Word and what He says about doing and being better, because it all begins with His wisdom, and it’s there for the asking. That, my friend, is a revolution and not just a resolution! How about this for a New Year starter then?

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. James1:5NIV

Another Chance

We stand at the door of another new year, and 2014 beckons encouragingly. Remember last year, when we did the same, and we decided to make resolutions to be a better person? Treat others patiently and with respect, go to church, read the bible and pray more, eat less or maybe more wisely, be an encourager, and give to good causes? These are all good resolutions, but I wonder how many we kept?

I am glad we have a God of the second chance, and how we need it. We mess up so easily and so often, it seems we never can get it right from one year to the next. So does it do any good to try? Of course it does, and we should never stop, as long as we realise that there are some things we cannot do on our own. Many of the things we resolve to do, come from the heart, and there is only one place we can make progress. That’s when we trust it with God, and don’t go back to do it by ourselves. Remember the failures from last year? Well how about trying a new approach this year by including Jesus in our plans for the coming year?

My guess is that if we are spared to stand at the gateway of 2015, we will be able to look back with a sense that we did the right thing by involving the great Creator in our plans. I think he would approve, so starting now, determine to have a Happy New Year 2015!!

Comin' or Goin'

There are times when our head spins and we don’t know if we are coming or going. That happens a lot, and to many people, so if you experience this birling sensation, you are not alone. Don’t worry, there is no cure, so don’t stress yourself by looking for one. The disease of ‘coming or going’ is incurable, at least for now.

We are in this state during the year, but never so much as at New Year time, and it’s the same every year. You know exactly what I mean, right? It seems that everything we decide to do has two sides. the good or bad, the better or best, the ‘what ifs’ of life hit us when we don’t go looking for them. It’s that time again. It’s getting closer to Hogmanay, and here we are doing it again, as if we didn’t learn from last year.

All those chances we had to do something better, or right, or just different than we muddled through last year, are here to haunt us again it seems. We go into another year with the same questions. Will we make a better fist of it this time? Can we succeed where we failed, or achieve that reconciliation that has eluded for so long, or maybe find that special prince(ss) among the low life that seem to live in the pond we inhabit? These are no small things, and we are right to want them put right, but are we willing to put in the time and effort to get the healing process started?

So, as we stand on the threshold of 2014, not knowing if we are comin’ or goin’, don’t just make a resolution in your head to make things better, have a change of heart instead, and without looking over your shoulder at what has happened last year, determine to make that wrong right, make the call of reconciliation, and find that Godly friend who might also be looking for you. Who knows where that might lead? Then we will know where we are going in 2014! Happy New Year!!

Pondering

Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. The shepherds returned... (Luke 2:19,20a).

The shepherds went back to work, and the stable was quiet. Mary and Joseph are left to themselves again. Have you ever wondered what was going through their minds? The clue is that Mary ‘pondered’, probably turning over in her mind the events of the past few months, culminating in the birth of her baby boy, and in her eyes, the most beautiful son in the world. She didn’t know all that lay ahead, and for any parent, that can be a blessing, but she was sure of her past. She had been visited by heaven itself, and was sure of His place in history.

It’s a good thing to ponder, and especially after the bustle of Christmas, and before the New Year. Your house may be quiet, and visiting family all gone home, so you have some time to think. This is a good time to ponder about anything and everything that affects you and your family. It’s not quite New Year, when we traditionally make those dreaded resolutions, but we can start to form our thoughts for what you want to happen next!

Mary pondered, and so should we. Mary was secure in her experience of God’s hand on her life, and we should be too. There is no better way to face the unknown, than with the certainty that God steps into the ‘fog’ with us, and has our hand. Mary’s life was never smooth, but she stayed secure in her conviction that her son was a very special visitor, and she was privileged to be His mum. She was there from the beginning, right to the end. She was the best example of a Mum we can have in this life, and worthy to be respected. And the world’s greatest story ever told, began when Mary pondered. So, while you can, as it is quiet, and with God’s help, get pondering!

(In memory of Godly mums past, and present, with thanks)

Happy New Year 2010

And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year:

"Give me a light, that I may tread safely into the unknown!"

And he replied:

"Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God.

That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way."

It seems to me that these old words are wise words. Like all New Years, they are just that, 'New' and therefore unknown. Little did we know as we stepped into last year, what lay ahead. We were each met with joy and sorrow, laughter and tears, but we made it to this time. Now we look ahead into 2010, unsure of ourselves, or our future, so what better way, or Guide, to lead us through the shadowy year which is in front of us all.


Resolutions are good, but not always dependable. We can be strong when we make them, but weak when it comes time to 'do' them. So, how about the simple solution and decide just to 'put your hand into the hand of God' as the poem advises, and let Him lead the way. After all, He already knows the path, and better still He knows our weaknesses.


...so to my readers, and all those we love and care about:
Here's to a brand new dawn. HAPPY NEW YEAR 2010! 

Christmas is Past!

So Christmas is over for another year! All the preparations, all the shopping, all the big dinners, eating too much, and all the family times together playing games with the children. Sometimes I wonder who the kids really are? Great as all these things are, they are soon over, and we are left with the cleaning up, and discarded wrapping paper to get to the recycling bin.


For many, Christ wasn't a part of their Christmas, and it would have been replaced with an 'Xmas' or another seasonal name. That is fine, and is a personal choice, but we are faced with another of those reminders now, of what we do with our lives in the coming year. New Year 2010 is a time to look back on the last year, and look ahead to the next. What will we make of that? A believer, or not, we usually find the better part inside us, and want to make the new year different, and hopefully our 'resolutions' will be kept! For our sakes, and for others.   
We are faced with another of those life's choices at a time like this. Do we try to be better people or just leave it all as it was last year? When we look back, we see things which we could have done differently, with the benefit of hindsight. Hindsight is a wonderful thing, but we don't get it until it is too late!

This year, let's take the opportunities when they come our way, learn from the past year, and don't make the same mistakes again. Sounds easy, but fraught with danger. Take care as you step into the new year, and if you have a faith, then hold tight. It might be quite a journey!