I AM RESOLVED

Did you know that at the start of each new year there is a dramatic increase in gym memberships, the purchase of dietary aides and enrollment in financial planning courses. This phenomenon is driven by our tradition of making New Year's Resolutions. This year I am going to lose those 10 lbs., or quit smoking, or start a savings program.

New Year's Resolutions can be a blessing to our life, if for no other reason than it causes us to reflect on areas that need improvement. Few of us succeed in meeting all of our goals for the new year, but we shouldn't get discouraged. If you are starting to consider some changes you want to make for 2008, here are a few suggestions designed to help.

1. Pray daily about your goals. "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above..." (James 1:17). David reminds us, "Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalms 37:4). What a difference it makes when we include God in the equation.

2. Set realistic, achievable goals. Rather than setting a goal of losing 25 lbs., set a goal to lose 2 lbs. a month. There is real power in small successes. Achieving a series of small goals gives you the confidence you need to take on bigger challenges. Jesus tells us that when we are faithful over few things, he will make us a master over many things (Matthew 25:14-30).

3. Find an accountability partner. Through the years I have been on again, off again in keeping a workout schedule at the gym. There was one year however when I consistently made it to they gym 3 to 4 times every week. That was the year I had a workout partner. If I decided to sleep in, or skip my workout, I knew that Alan would hold me accountable. The same is true of the two years I spent in a men's study. There were 11 other men holding me accountable for my bible study, memory work and my Christian walk.

I pray that God blesses you in your efforts in 2008. Always remember that "HE is able to do far more abundantly than all we ask or think, according to the power at work within us" (Ephesians 3:20).

God, help me to remember

Are you a list maker? You know, one of those people who writes everything down so you won't forget. I keep a running list on my fridge of the groceries I need to buy, a calendar on my computer to help me remember appointments and sometimes I even carry a small tape recorder in my car so I won't forget that brilliant idea that came to me while driving down the interstate.

God recognized that man needs help remembering. He instituted the feast of the Passover to remind his people of their deliverance from bondage and captivity and He had them set up 12 stones at Gilgal as they crossed over into Caanan. In the New Testament Jesus provided us the Lord's Supper as a memorial of his death, burial and resurrection, but even with all of this sometimes we still forget.

Sunday morning as I sat in worship I was reminded again concerning the grace of giving. In this simple act God has called us to be like Him "every good and perfect gift comes down from the father of lights". I have heard dozens of lessons on giving and even taught a few in my day, but it struck me just how quickly we forget.

Throughout this day I have thought and prayed, "God, help me to remember." I wasn't just referring to the grace of giving, but to the importance of all the important things that are often neglected in our christian walk. God, help me to remember . . .

To pray
To give
To treat others with love and respect
To surrender my selfish pride
To humble myself in service
To cast off every sin and the burdens that weigh me down

and the list goes on and on. There is so much to remember and so often I forget.

"Father, as I turn this new day over to you help me to remember and forgive me when I forget. Allow me to cast my cares upon you and to guard my heart from sin. Help me to make my heart a dwelling place for your Spirit and my life a spiritual worship unto you. So often I have forgotten, but for today God, help me to remember."

Love One Another

I will never forget driving up to the church one evening and William (not his real name), was sitting on the steps just waiting for someone to show up and let him in. Will grew up in the worst kind of social squaller. He was the product of a broken home and his mother would bring men into the house and engage in behavior that no child should ever have to see.

One day members of the local church were canvassing the neighborhood and signed Will up to ride the "Joy Bus." It was the day that changed his life forever. He only lived a few blocks away, so he rarely waited for the bus to show up at his house. More often than not he was at the church ready to ride along and help out where he could. He attended every service, never missed a youth event, and pretty soon was leading prayers and giving short Bible talks.

I left for college and often wondered what happend to Will, at least until that cool December morning in Plymouth, MI. I remember a tall strapping young man in uniform walked in with his wife at his side and small child in tow. Will was serving with distinction in the U.S. Army, had married a Christian girl and was active in the local church.

How does a young man from such a troubled background grow to become a pillar in the local church? It was the result of a loving family. No, not his biological family, but his spiritual family. I have often subscribed to the belief that we can make a lot of mistakes in life, as long as we love one another, for "love covers a multitude of sin."

A Touch of Wonder

Arthur C. Gordon wrote this inspiring litte book entitled, "A Touch of Wonder." It is simply a series of short stories and applications that he has drawn from his own experiences of life. I have read the book a number of times and given it as a gift more than once.

I think the reason I am drawn to Gordon's book is that it is relevant to everyone. As we read his stories we are reminded of the fenceposts we have passed in our own life.

Over the years I have compiled stories and illustrations from my own life; they relate the wonders and marvels God has worked on me and sometimes even through me. For the next week or two I am going to share some of those stories with you. Some are wonderful stories of hope and restoration, others reflect times of brokenness and healing.

I hope before we are through that they might bring a little wonder to your life as well.

My yoke is easy...

Sometimes we simply need a point of reference to remind us of how good God is. There have been days when I indulged in my own pity party, or complained because my Father was a little slow in bestowing His blessings. I marvel at how God continues to bless me through my murmuring and complaining. He simply waits for teachable moments to reveal himself to me.

This week has been a struggle at times. I have found myself impatient with others and with God. I want my prayers answered almost immediately and think how sweet life would be if all the obstacles were cleared from my path. I know that is not a very practical consideration, but it is my blog - so I am allowed to dream.

I know that God works on us in during our times of need and dependence. He challenges us with trails that we can only overcome with His help. He rebukes the son that He loves (Hebrews 12:6)! Sometimes I simply wish he didn't love me so much (no, not really).

So what about this point of clarity? How do we come to accept the challenges and heartaches that creep into our lives? I can only offer two simple strategies that work for me.

1. Claim the promises of God. Today I claim the words that Jesus spoke, "Come to me all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. My yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30)

2. Stop and take a good hard look at the world. I don't ever want to be like the Pharisee in Luke 18:11, "I thank you that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican." That kind of self-righteousness smacks in the face of God's desire for us. However, when I look around and see the tragedy in the world; the starvation in Africa, the earthquakes in Peru, or the plight of our inner cities I realize how truly blessed I am.

No, life isn't always easy and sometimes our knees buckle under the burdens and weight we carry. Those are challenging times, but if we are faithful, they can also be extremely liberating. It may be in those dark days, straining under the weight and sin that we better understand a couple of other promises God has given us:

"Cast your cares on him: for he cares for you" (I Peter 5:7).

"Lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily besets us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us" (Hebrews 12:1)

I don't know about you, but I am tired of collapsing under the burdens and weight of this life. I am ready to throw off the yoke of despair and heartache. I am ready to cast my cares on my Lord and Savior. I am tired of standing on the sidelines watching - I am ready to run the race.

Gatlinburg Retreat

This weekend was the 11th Annual Christian Singles retreat in Gatlinburg, TN. There were about 60 in attendance at the Stiener Bell Lodge tucked way in the beautiful Smokey Mountains.

I was blessed this year to be able to facilitate the retreat and we all had an amazing weekend together. The theme this year was "Living a Fulfilled Single Life," and the group took full advantage of experiencing the fulfilled life as well as studying about it. We had games, devotionals, hikes and my personal favorite - shopping in Gatlinburg (I hope you can sense the satire).

There were two keys to the success of this year's program. First, everyone came with a spirit of love, acceptance and compassion. It was really exciting to see how quickly this group connected and the support and encouragement they all provided for one another. The second key was their spirit of participation. During the educational periods, the group discussion was dynamic and compelling.

Of course the best part of any good singles workshop is spending it with other great singles. I was blessed to be able to make so many new friends, but I enjoyed the added pleasure of enjoying the beauty of God's creation with someone very special.

Tough Love

A few weeks ago I wrote a blog about the God of second chances. It is comforting to know that God longs for the prodigals return and embraces the humble in His protective care. Sadly, there is a side to many who abuse God's grace and mercy. They anchor in His safe harbor when the storms of life are raging, but forget his goodness and mercy when the seas are calm and the sun fills the sky.

Jesus had to cope with these same people in his time. There were those who followed him only for the loaves and fishes and others who responded to His healing and restoration with an ungrateful heart. James refers to this individual as "a double minded man who is unstable in all his ways" or a man "who beholds his face in a mirror and then forgets what manner of man he is" (James 1:8; 23-24).

There have been times in my life that God has brought me to my knees as a reminder that He is Soveriegn and Lord, whether I acknowledge that or not. Those were always unpleasant and stressful times, but the result was a greater dependence upon God and a better understanding of his divine will in my life.

There are times I offer intercessory prayers on behalf of others, I typically ask God to heal them, bless them, or give them strength in difficult times. Rarely have I prayed, "Lord, bring them to their knees so they will know you are God and that your dominion is everlasting." Maybe I just need to ask God to heal them with a little tough love!

A Time to Laugh

Tonight I was reminded of what a blessing laughter is in our lives. Both the ability to laugh at ourselves and to share the gift of laughter with another. Here are some other's thoughts on laughter.

"Laughter is the closest distance between two people." Victor Borge

"To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose under heaven.... a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance." (Ecclesiastes 3:1-4)

"You can't deny laughter; when it comes, it plops down in your favorite chair and stays as long as it wants." Stephen King

"And in the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter and the sharing of pleasures. For in the dew of little things the heart finds its morning and is refreshed." Kahlil Gibran

Someone once gave me some really sage advice. They told me that if you realize that you have done something foolish enough to laugh about later, then you might as well laugh about it now. Learn to find the humor in the embarrasments of the moment. Solomon was right, "A merry heart is good like medicine."

The Road Less Traveled

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other as just as fair
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear
Though as for that, the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet, knowing how way leads onto way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence
Two roads diverged in a wood
And I took the one less traveled by
And that has made all the difference.
Robert Frost

Morning Already?

So the alarm goes off at 5:00 am and the coffee hasn't started to brew. I glance that clock, slide over the side of the bed and mumble those words we all share in common, "Is it morning already?"

Each day is a little different, but I realize that how we face the day depends to a large degree on our attitude as we roll out of bed. Today, I am feeling just a little overwhelmed by all that needs to get done, so there is that underlying tension that comes from such a burden. On other days however, I wake before the alarm goes off eager and ready to start the day. It may be the result of a road trip I have scheduled, or a tennis match that I have been eagerly awaiting. The result is the same, because I look forward to those events, I can't wait for morning to arrive.

What a difference it would make if we simply woke up with a zeal and enthusiasm for each and every day. Imagine how our productivity might improve if we attacked each task with a fire in our belly and a desire to turn the mundane into an epic adventure.

So how do you plan to start your day? "Is it morning already", or "this is the day that he Lord hath made, I will rejoice and be glad in it."