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January, 2004 Here's My Heart... There's just something about a "new beginning", you know, "starting over". I suppose that is one reason we call it a "New Year". It seems to offer us the opportunity for a fresh start, to build on the good things we started and/or accomplished in the past year, and to try to lay aside those not-so-good decisions we made last year. Most of us call them "New Year's Resolutions". Are you going to make any new resolutions this year? If so, let me offer some simple suggestions. 1. Spend more time in the daily reading and studying of God's Word. Develop a systematic plan for reading the Bible. Find a good devotion book, or a simple Bible study you can walk through this year. 2. Spend more time in prayer and meditation. God wants to hear from us. He really cares about what is on our hearts and minds, our burdens and needs, our victories and joys. Set aside a time (or, if necessary, make time) each day to pray this year. 3. Make a new commitment to attendance in Bible Study and Worship this year. It will become "food for your soul", and an opportunity to fellowship with other believers. 4. Get involved in church activities this year. Join a G.R.O.W. team, join the Sanctuary Choir, volunteer to help with the nursery, or preschoolers, or children, or youth, young adults, median adults, and/or senior adults. Become a substitute teacher, go on a mission trip, or just say, "I'm available; call on me." 5. Be an encourager. We all need to be encouraged from time to time, but I'm not sure that the GREATER blessing doesn't come from being the "encourager", rather than being "encouraged". New Year's resolutions are easy to make. But remember, they can only be kept with God's help. So, what will you "resolve" in 2004? God bless you. Jim Clayton |