Many of us use this time to start some new habits in our lives that we hope will make us better people.
Here’s the top ten most common resolutions we American’s make:
• quitting smoking
• stop drinking
• lose weight/diet
• start exercising
• get out of debt
• heathly eating
• spend time with family
• take a class/ go back to school
• get organized/be on time
Any of your resolutions on this list? Maybe you’d like to add:
• repair/fix up home/car
• start/improve your garden
Or perhaps something more personal…
• improve a relationship
• deal with bitterness/anger
• heal a painful memory
• make new friends
• have a better attitude
Whatever resolution you make it’s like to fail unless you build it on a successful foundation.
Here are some hints;
First…
- Pick only one (three at most)
- Write them down / post prominently
- Be specific
- Make them attainable
- Don’t rely on a windfall of money.
Then…
-Share with a friend and/or small group.
- Celebrate the victories.
And perhaps most important of all…
- Surround them with prayer / let God help you.
All too often we commit the classic mistake of thinking we can do this alone.
Of course, that makes it easier to ignore our failures. But in so doing we lose the great power that comes from our community of caring friends.
To really succeed in our changes we need a “higher power” and a small group of people around us to hold us accountable to our commitments.
This year, we have a number of ways to add power to your resolutions and help them be successful.
Starting off with Sunday, Jan. 9, we’ll experience a “Baptism Renewal Sunday.”
It’s a time for all of us together to remember God’s power in our lives and the new life of forgiveness and hope that Christ gives us.
It’s a time to remember that Jesus is really on our side and wants us to succeed in all the right things.
January also kicks off a number of small groups and classes that will help you learn as well as keep your resolutions.
And finally, our sermon series for the following four weeks will be on PRAYER: “How to Re-Boot Your Prayer life.”
2011 can be a year of significant change for all of us, and God has given us the power to make it happen.
Let’s do it together! Let’s be successful in our resolutions and our desire to be more the way God intends us to be.
Join in with our Lancaster UMC community that’s working to make a difference in the world and in our lives.
What scripture has stayed with you this week?
What have others learned about Jesus Christ because of you?
How goes it with your soul?
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Terry
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