2010 is here and we’re all still being called to serve God in helping to live God’s kingdom on earth…being a witness.

I know…this is a time we start new resolutions…I’m no different than you; I have made a few too. One is to lose a pound a week…then I’d be down to my healthy body weight by Christmas next year, I want to have a healthy vessel for God’s ministry. One is to read the Bible through in one year…our new morning devotion will help that happen…I want to examine how many times God’s scriptures talk about angels and the roles they play in God’s kingdom. One is to exercise daily…to keep the body having good mobility – unfortunately that one is not easy with below zero temperatures, even when the sun is shining…I’ll have to get that treadmill out and going – no excuses. And the last is to send those final Seminary papers off in time so I can complete the required courses and put going to school to a final end this summer. Just an FYI – I thought this was going to happen when I completed my BS in 1977, got my NHA License in 1987, and completed my MS in 1995. God must just smile when I make these kinds of resolution statements.

So here’s my serious, pastoral kind of challenge to those who took the time to read this part of the newsletter all the way through…Let’s make a resolution for this church (body of believers) to live a healthy, Christian witness to all who are watching and wanting to know if God really makes a difference in our lives. That means walking the talk in all the things we do…each of us. I think that would be a resolution that God would be willing to help us attain. The best way to make this happen is to practice the Spiritual Disciplines that help us stay in love with God: Daily prayer; fasting once a week; attendance in worship with other believers weekly (where ever we are for any given Sunday); giving our tithes to God’s work; reading scripture daily; & sharing our gifts in ministry work for God’s glory. I didn’t make them up; they were modeled by the early Christians as they formed churches all around the Mediterranean Sea (recorded in the book of Acts). John Wesley put these disciplines into words and personal action. He challenged all Methodists to use them as a way to grow in faith. Now these disciplines are found in many contemporary, religious, spiritual books. If you want to take the challenge – help hold me accountable and I’ll do likewise.

I’m eagerly looking forward to how 2010 will enfold for this church and for our lives individually…New beginnings give us renewed hope for the day.

My verse this year will be: “It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in humankind.” — Psalm 118:8