Tag: resolutions

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End of Month One

It’s the end of the first month of the year.  Just 30 days ago many of you made resolutions to change yourself this year.  How is it going?

I picked Stretch as my word for the year, and that has helped me focus on change. Personally, my muscle flexibility has increased tremendously, I’ve cleaned up the basement a little bit ( not as much as I had planned), I’ve lost a few pounds, ( not as much as I had planned), I’ve gone the whole month without a carbonated beverage and we’ve eaten at home most of the month according to the plan.  (Applause, Applause!)

It’s been a pretty good month for transformation in our home.  Now, there are several other transformations that are faltering – organizing the office, keeping focused on exercise, letting the spirit lead, and always being peace in the storm.  But they are moving along little by little.

How about you? If you change has been gentle or overwhelming, don’t quit.  The first month is over, and it’s done – take stock, and move on.  Keep changing a little bit each and everyday.

Oh and keep that one word that you picked for the year right out of you each day.

 16Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.2 Corinthians 4:16 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

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The Month of Love

It’s the first of February.  Wow, where is the time going?  It seems just yesterday we were gathering around the tree opening presents and then one week later making all those resolutions. So it’s been one month into the new year – how are you doing with those resolutions?

If  you resolved something about strengthening your marriage or your relationships and you live in the Chattanooga area, then maybe you check our First Things FlowerFest.  I can’t imagine an easier way to support a great organization and bring home flowers.  If you live outside of Chattanooga, sorry, you’re on your own!

So with it being the Month of Love ( I guess), its interesting to see that February is also “Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month”, “Beans Month”, “Marijuana Awareness Month” and “Pull You Sofa Off The Wall Month”.  Needless to say there is a lot (of wackiness) going on!

But back to those resolutions.  We are a month into the year, and some of you have given up or not even started on making whatever changes you wanted to make.  Don’t give up, there’s not better day then today to renew yourself and get started on transformation.

28 Do you not know?
Have you not heard?
The LORD is the everlasting God,
the Creator of the ends of the earth.
He will not grow tired or weary,
and his understanding no one can fathom.
29 He gives strength to the weary
and increases the power of the weak.
30 Even youths grow tired and weary,
and young men stumble and fall;
31 but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.  Isaiah 40:28-31 (New International Version, ©2011)

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Resolutions Twenty-Ten

So, how is it going to be said?  Twenty-ten? Two Thousand and Ten? Two Thousand Ten? Two-Oh-Ten?  However you say it its here-  2010! With the start of the year comes the yearly lets get in shape, get organized and do more resolutions.  I have heard several people over the last few days say they are recycling last years resolutions, or maybe even 2007’s resolutions.  Myself, I can’t stand for that.  My resolutions may be in the same theme as last years, but I think we must move forward.  I think our problem with resolutions is that we expect a “magic overnight transformation”.  Transformation can happen, and when it comes to our spiritual lives it must happen.  However, its not going to happen overnight.

I was checking for some lists of other’s resolutions and found this list:  Ben Franklin’s 13 Personal Goals.  ( I found it at flamebright.com via lifehacker.com, a rather interesting site full of all sorts of tidbits).  Anyway, the interesting thing about Franklin’s list – besides being a pretty practical way as addressing personal change –  is that it admittedly took him years to transform the the personal he felt he needed to be.

So as you look for change in your life and set up your plan for Twenty-Ten, expect transformation, but don’t expect it over night.  You can be renewed and grow, day by day.

I resolve for twenty ten to become obsessed and to start each day fresh and new, in the knowledge of the perfection of my salvation and with a eye to the transforming power of Christ in my spirit.

8 Brothers and sisters, think about the things that are good and worthy of praise. Think about the things that are true and honorable and right and pure and beautiful and respected. (Philippians 4:8, New Century Version)

How about you?