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Today is December 31, 2007.  The last day of this year.  Tomorrow we will wake up to a new year - 2008.  Wow.  As goofy as it seems, there is a part of me that still gets excited about the year turning over.  Not because the year was so horrible, and I want to get it over with.  No.  It is because it feels fresh.  New.  I love new.  I love the smell of a new car, I love the smell of a new baby’s head and breath.  I love newness.  

I know I am not alone here.  People everywhere seem to prepare to celebrate the turning of the new year.  It is a time to celebrate the opportunity of a fresh start.  New.

New Year’s resolutions - people will be making tons of them.  The trouble with New Year’s resolutions is that they are often stated to set us up for failure.  For example, ” I am going to quit smoking,” or “I will lose weight this year and join a gym.”  These are super great ideas, but those statements, without a real plan sets us up for failure and discouragement.  What do we do when we get discouraged?  We tend to give up.  So, I have a suggestion.  Stay with me here.

 In the New Year, it is my hope and prayer for all of us that:

1.  We put God first.  We live our lives with God as out center.  Let God be the master and CEO of your life.  Let Him be in control of your life.

2. Make realistic resolutions.  Quitting smoking is necessary, and being fit and healthy are necessary. We just need to make a plan in order to be successful.  Don’t diet on  January 1 when you haven’t been to the grocery store and shopped for healthy choices.  Don’t quit smoking cold turkey, just to find the addiction is too great, and fall back and give up. 

3. Make a real plan for success.  Plan, plan, and plan some more.  The more prepared you are, the better your chances are for succeeding.

4. Take care of yourself.  Know that YOU are worth it.  You deserve to be healthy and happy.  

5.  Reprogram your thinking.  Enjoy all of the blessings around you.  The blessings are everywhere.  The fact that you are alive is a blessing.  The fact that you can breathe is a blessing.   You see, if we simplify and enjoy all we have, and all we are and stop waiting for the “big blessings”, you will see all the ones right in front of you.

6.  Don’t give up.  If you set a resolution, there was a reason why you did it.  Go for it.  Don’t give up.  If you make a mistake one day, it is okay.  A really cool thing that happens at 12:01 AM, EVERDAY, is you get a NEW day.  A New opportunity to do your best.  

 Finally - remember that you will never be perfect and that is okay.  Doing your best is all that you can ask for.  Only YOU know if YOU are doing YOUR best. (Well, God knows too.  He is is your biggest fan.)

Happy New start!  Happy New YOU.  Happy New Year!

Last week, I had the privilege of officiating at my Aunt’s memorial service.  (I will get back to that part later.) It is really funny how life works.  I used to believe life was full of coincidences.  I used to believe that stuff just happend out of the blue, but then I learned something more.

God works.  His master plan is so much bigger than anyone can fathom.  We all try, but will always fall short.  We are clearly not God, even though we like to play Him from time to time.  Sometimes things that happen hurt our feelings so badly, and we reach out to God in anger and confusion, questioning why.  Sometimes, though, through suffering and pain, and questioning, answers follow.  Are they always the answers that you want - clearly no-, but answers will come.

You see, about 6 years ago, I decided to live my life for God.  Not because I was hitting bottom and feeling hopeless, and not because I had done horrible things and felt totally lost, but because I wanted to know Him.  I had a desire.  My husband and I had begun reading the bible.  We were searching.  We church hopped.   On Christmas Eve, 6 years ago, we found Him. Actually, God found us.   Together at that moment, God found us and we both knew it.  It was amazing.  We decided to live for God and let Him lead our lives.  Now, you see, that surely is easier said than done.  As much as I let Him lead, I still hold the reins and sometimes pull toward the left and right, instead of just holding on.  Just holding on and trusting is not easy. 

For the last 5 years, we have been serving at a church.   Each year, for the Christmas services, I, along with many others, have been able to serve for the services.  This year, I was not part of services.  I struggled with trying to figure out why I wasn’t, and I struggled with that until about 5 days before Christmas.  Then my answer came.

My aunt died, December 18.  She had cancer and now she is free.  She, along with her kids, did not belong to a church.  They didn’t know any ministers, and they didn’t want it done in a funeral home.  They wanted a simple service held in her home.  So, at dinner on the 19th, while we were discussing plans, I opened my big mouth and said, “I will officiate the memorial service.”  Now bear in mind that I have never done anything like this, and up until about 5 years ago, had a huge fear of public speaking.  But, I volunteered.   Why did I volunteer?  Because I could and I felt God leading me.

 So, I went to work.  I figured it out.  I stayed up each night until about 2 AM, reading, writing, and creating a program that would be special, simple, beautiful and joyful.  So, on Friday, December 21, 2007, I officiated my aunts memorial service.  It was fantastic.  We shared, sang, prayed, and grew closer.  It was all it was to be. 

Here is the coolest thing.  You know how I mentioned, about coincidence in the beginning, check this out.  On December 12, 2007, I became an ordained minister.   And you know how I mentioned that every year for the last 5 years, I served at the Christmas services for my church which usually began the Wednesday before and went on through Christmas Eve?  Okay.  Now I will  tie all of this together.

Had I been part of the Christmas services, and had I not answered God’s call and become ordained, I would not have been able serve my family this way.  They needed me more.  Coincidence?  No way. God knew it.  His plan is so much bigger than mine.

There is nothing wrong with questioning things.  We just need too be open to the answers.  Your plan may not look anything like God’s plan, but trust me, God’s plan is way bigger and better!! 

Do you hear it?  Do you hear the joy around you?   Do you hear the joy of the coming celebration of Christ’s birth?  Are you sharing the joy?

My husband and I went shopping together this past weekend.  We had some gifts that we still needed to get.  Of course we are still not done, but we always seem to manage to get it all done so I no longer fret about it. 

Once again, as we were going up and down the isles, we people watched.  It is amazing.  Joyful music is being piped into the sound system, but people’s faces reflect that of a funeral.  The stress and strain of this season brings so much sorrow to people and I am so sad about that.  We can call it secular humbugness.

Secular Humbugness.  I think that is a good phrase.  It is the stuff that zaps all of our energy and joy this time of year.

Why do we celebrate Christmas?  Why do you?  Santa Claus or Jesus? 

There is NOTHING wrong with the Santa thing.  It is fun, and magical.  However, it is when we focus only on Santa, and not at all, or only a small focus on Jesus that I feel, creates the great struggle.  We don’t want to disappoint our kids, our families, our friends and other loved ones that we kill ourselves to find the perfect gifts. 

I too don’t want to disappoint my loved ones.  I do, however,  try to hold onto the Jesus focus.  If God hadn’t loved me so much to send Jesus for me, I would be killing lambs on an alter seeking forgiveness.  I would still be waiting.  But I don’t have to wait.  I don’t have to kill animals as a sacrifice or an offering.  I just have to love God, and make that my main focus.  It is when I remember to focus on God, that I am the most at peace.

Be peaceful and joyful.  Focus on God and the joyful birth of His son.  He sent Jesus to us.  The perfect gift!!!! 

My way or the highway.  This is a familiar statement I am sure most of us are familiar with.  It seems that this is a common statement among people especially when God is not the master, and CEO of their lives.   I need to tell you about a song performed by many, but I think was performed first by Frank Sinatra.  If you have to ask, who?,  then I encourage you to look him up in www.Wikipedia.org or some other resource.  Anyhow, the song is called “My Way.”

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, I’ll say it clear,
I’ll state my case, of which I’m certain.I’ve lived a life thats full.
I’ve traveled each and evry highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way. Yes, there were times, I’m sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I’ve loved, I’ve laughed and cried.
I’ve had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a man, what has he got?
If not himself, then he has naught.
To say the things he truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

 I share these words with you because we all do life our own way.   Generally, we can do whatever we want to do.  Some things have negative consequences, some things are okay.  I fear though, this selfish way of living may in part may be a reason why our world is the way that it is.  Our world has the “what about me”? attitude.  The “I am entitled” attitude. 

 Wouldn’t it be so great if we started a trend?  A kindness trend.  An unselfish trend.   Ways to live your life your way that reaches out and helps others.  What if you are the person that let’s people in on the highway.  What if you are the person who helps the elderly lady or man reach something at the grocery store?  What if you took the time to show people that you really did care when asked “how are you?”  What if you did life the way God intended ~ Do unto others as you would have done to you. 

What would the world look like if we didn’t do life “my way”, but instead we did life “our way”?  What if we ALL became servants?  What would the world look like if we chose to follow God’s plan and served each other?  

Things that make you go hmmmmm..

My neighbor died on Sunday.   I saw a few police cars and a fire rescue truck in front of his home, but I didn’t want to impose.   For the last few days,  I checked to see if I could see people outside of his home to ask what happened, but I never saw anyone and, again, I didn’t want to impose.  I went to his wake tonight.  It was a nice service.  I got to meet some of his kids that I had never met.  I didn’t know much about him.  He was  a nice old man that we would see every now and again out and about, and on Halloween, and around Christmas when we would bring him Christmas cookies.  That is it.  That is all I knew about a man I lived 2 doors down from  for the last 7 years.  I find that sad.

Gone are the days when you left your front screen door open to say hello to passer bys.  Gone are the days when children could play safely in their own yard.  Gone are the days when neighbors hung out. 

Today is the day of gadgets that “keep you connected” but, do you really know anyone?  Emails, blogs, and text messages are fantastic but they shouldn’t replace the old fashioned get togethers with the personal touch.  

We need to remember that people and relationships are more important than stuff.  People bring blessings, stuff doesn’t.  People bring joy.  Stuff and gadgets fill your time, but relationships fulfill your life.

What can you do tomorrow to reach out to someone and bring them the joy of you?  Can you make them cookies, or a card, or just simply a smile and a hello?  You will give them a huge lift, and it will bring you joy too.  Try it. 

Send me a comment and let me know what happens.  I can’t wait to hear how you blessed someone else.

What do you do when you fall?  You get back up, right?  What happens though when you feel the weight of the world laying on top of you, and lifting yourself up seems impossible?

I have a friend who is struggling.  She is a Christian, however her faith is being tested in a big way.  Last year a very close uncle died of cancer.  This year her father died of cancer. Her brother has been given the family trouble for the last several years,  her cousin (but more like sister) has had some health issues, and she herself has had some serious health issues.

The thing is here, she feels so much pain.  More pain than she can bear and now she wonders why she has bothered at all. What is the point in believing in God, when all this crap happens anyway.  Perhaps it is all bunk.

There is much to say about this.  Questioning your faith is a great thing.  It affords you the ability to seek answers to your questions and more often than not, you come out stronger than ever in your faith.  

I urge anyone to seek the counsel of a more seasoned christian, a pastor, a christian counselor, one who is not involved emotionally,  in order to help you through  your dark time.  The really cool thing here is that once you get back to the light, you will be able to bring blessing back to others.  You will be able to share your story with others and as they hear how you have triumphed, they will be encouraged and blessed by your life!

You can do it.  God is always there.  Sometimes you just have to open up to see Him again. You are Never Alone.

Pray for each other. Someone is always hurting. We can remember to be bring joy to others and bring blessings to people simply by being careful and thoughtful.  Sometimes someone needs help up after they have fallen.  Be the blessing. Take a minute and lift them up.

“Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree, how lovely are your branches.”    We got our Christmas tree yesterday.  We get a real tree each year.  We always go to the same place as it is usually the best price.  Spending days and hours in the past going from place to place, we decided to find and  stick with a “regular” place.  We did get a tree, but it is puny!!!  My husband and 2 of our kids went together this year to pick it out.  I was so sad that my husband felt he needed to give me a disclaimer before I saw it.  He said, “yes we got one, but it isn’t as full and big as usual.”   You know what?  He is right. It is smaller than usual, less full, less magnificent.  But the reason we get the tree prevails. 

I love Christmas.  I love this time of year.  Not the whole Santa thing although that is a fun thing.  But I love Christmas because it is the time of year that Jesus was born.  I love the celebrating.  I love the carols.  I love the special cards we share with people that we don’t talk to all year.  We get to “catch up.”  I love the joy that rings all around.  It is wonderful. 

I love seeing and hearing about the miracles that happen this time of year ~ Families who are blessed by others this time of year. 

I love it when people make cookies for neighbors they never talk to. 

I love it when people  share a Merry Christmas, or Happy New Year greeting.

I love it when we all take the time to bless someone else.   We can make this world better.  Just take the time and bring joy and blessing to others.

What makes this time of year special for you?

We are always striving for freedom.  When we are babies, we are so dependent.  But we grow.   It is when we become a crawler, that our desire for freedom is known.  We want to check things out. We want to explore. It is natural.  When a baby reaches something that the baby wants but cannot get, what does the baby do?  Cries.  Screams.  This is only the beginning.  We all want freedom.  No matter how young or old we are, we want to be free.  We want to be in charge.  We want to make the rules.  What happens when an obstacle is in our path?  That obstacle could be Mom and Dad, a boss, a spouse, a friend. What do we do?   We get angry. Scream. Cry.  Why?  Because our “Freedom” is being tested. 

I am thinking of someone I know.  She is smart, beautiful, vibrant.   Her desire for freedom is a huge struggle.  Her parents love her, of course.  They are trying so hard to do the right thing.   She however, wants out.  To be out on her own where she gets to make the rules.  She wants to call the shots, not them.   Her parents want to keep her under their umbrella of protection, at least until she turns 18.  They want her to be self sufficient.  They want her to have a fulfilling life and they are afraid if they aren’t protective now, that she will not become all that God has created her to be. 

You see, the parental umbrella is for our protection.  The mother of an infant will hold the baby close to keep the baby safe.  The parents of teenagers try to hold them close for the same reason.  Protection.

God wants the same for us.  He desires to protect us to.  If we stay under God’s umbrella, He will protect us.  For example, marriage.  When you stay under God’s umbrella, you stay faithful to your spouse.  You are protected.  No unwanted pregnancy’s.  No diseases, no broken hearts, no broken families.   But outside of the umbrella, where you may feel freer, realize, it will end.  From that momentary freedom will come pain, depression, loneliness, perhaps unwanted pregnancy, or divorce.

Freedom.  We all desire it, but there is always a price when it is abused.   Freedom is important, but must be understood.  We must never abuse our freedom.  We must never assume that it will always be there. We must honor our freedom, and realize that it is a blessing, and should be treasured. 

When our parents create rules, we need to remember it is because they love us and only want the best for us.  God made rules too.  God loves us and only wants the best for us too. Treasure what you have now.  The grass isn’t greener on the other side.  Find joy and peace, right now, where you are - under the umbrella of those who love you.