More New Year Thoughts

Chuckle: "If absence makes the heart grow fonder," said a minister, "a lot of folks must really love our church."

Quote: "No one is in charge of your happiness, except you." --Regina Brett

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (Ephesians 4:32). "First, go and be reconciled to your brother/sister; then come and give your gift" (Matthew 5:24).

Avoid Holding Grudges: "God would have us learn to forgive and forget. A person is not only what he remembers, but also what he forgets. A wise old man once said: "There ain't no burden so heavy as carrying a grudge." Anger and bitterness are poisons like strychnine. They build up slowly in you until they eventually destroy you emotionally and spiritually. If Jesus could forgive those who crucified him, surely his Spirit in us will give us the strength to forgive and put all grudges aside. Don't drag into the new year your resentments, hard feelings, hates, frustrations, disappointments, or regrets. If you want this to be a great year, forgive and forget.

Face Adversity with Courage: Adversity is a part of life. Although unpleasant, it can make us stronger and wiser in our faith. Jesus made this promise to us: "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33 NIV). There's no escaping adversity. We all must go through it. But, we can do so with the strength and courage that comes from our deep faith and commitment to our Lord.

Keep a Sense of Humor: We don't have to go through life moaning and groaning. We can look on the bright side - we can be positive and optimistic. It's a choice. Abraham Lincoln said: "Most folks are about as happy as they make up their minds to be." We especially need to learn to laugh at ourselves. Often we take ourselves much to seriously. "A happy heart makes the face cheerful" (Proverbs 15:13 NIV). So, we would do well to cultivate a cheerful disposition to be happy this year. It will also make life much more pleasant for those around us.

Put Your Life in God's Hands: We cannot know the future, and make a mistake by presuming tomorrow. Today is all we have with certainty. "What is your life? you are like a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes" (James 3:14b NIV). Jesus said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light" (Matthew 11:28-30 NIV). Take your hand of faith and put it in his hand of grace, and as you do, remember: You can spend your life any way you like. But you can only spend it once!

Gate of the Year (This was called to my attention by a friend from college days)

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.”          So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night.                                                                                                    And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.”                                                  --Minnie Louise Haskins

Will you approach this new year with an attitude of excitement and a new commitment to our Lord? If you follow these suggestions, I believe it will be the best year of your life. (1) Live one day at a time. (2) Live as if it is the last year of your life. (3) Live and let happiness surprise you. (4) Live without holding grudges. (5) Face adversity with courage. (6) Keep a sense of humor. (7) Put your life in God's hands.

Love, Jerry & Dotse