Keep your New Years Resolution? Here's how!

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39 NIV)

Every year the hot topic between Christmas and New Years is "New Years Resolutions". I'm not a great fan, although I have made some resolutions. I always debate wether I should make a resolution. Just as popular as making resolutions is breaking them. I think most people have great intentions, but our weaknesses keep us from following through. Weight loss is the most popular New Years resolution. The next nine in the top ten are: quit smoking, learn something new, eat a healthier diet, get out of debt, spend more time with family, travel to new places, be less stressed, volunteer, and drink less. This is a noble list and most of us could comit to them. But, by the time February rolls around, they are all forgotten.

So, how do you keep a resolution? The American Psychological Association recommends three tips at keeping your resolutions:

1) tackle one behavior at a time

2) tell everyone about your resolutions

3) don't beat yourself up if you falter along the way

Good advice! Now let's try it on this resolution:

"Love The Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind!"

If you take the advice, this should be a doable New Years resolution. Start simply by praying to God each day.  Do a daily bible study? It doesn't need to take a lot of time. Electronically you can have it sent do your phone! Share your new resolutions with everyone you know, but pick out someone to keep you accountable. Lastly, if you miss a day, don't panic, pick it right up and keep the resolution going. I really recommend to send yourself reminders often! 

After time goes by, the time with God will be a key part of your day. Loving The Lord means spending time with him and getting to know him. It's up to you! Love The Lord you God!

Preach it Grandpa!

Revelation 14 (The Message)

 ^6-7I saw another Angel soaring in Middle-Heaven. He had an Eternal Message to preach to all who were still on earth, every nation and tribe, every tongue and people. He preached in a loud voice, "Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment has come! Worship the Maker of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!"

MY Grandfather Lawrence Lewis was a Church of God preacher. He was a great preacher.  I love my pastors I have now. I loved to hear my Dad preach. Each preacher I've heard has had a special, individual way  to present the message of God. For some reason, I thought of my Grandpa Lewis when i read this passage from Revelation. The best memories I have of my Grandpa Lewis preaching was from Smithfield CHurch of God. For those of you who haven't been to Smithfield, and not many have, it's a little stop sign near Muncie, Indiana. Smithfield also is the home of Wapahani High School. My Grandfather had such a powerful presence in the pulpit. He was a rather tall man and he had such a confidence in his preaching. When we visited Grandpa, we attended church on Sunday Morning, Sunday Night, Wednesday night and Thursday night, and on many other occasions. Even when i was tired and napped in the church Pew, Grandpa's preaching had an impact. I don't remember one of his sermons, but I remember the message he always spoke:  "Fear God and give him glory! His hour of judgment has come! Worship the Maker of Heaven and earth, salt sea and fresh water!" He could have been a Biblical writer. His message was always straight from the Bible. 

Even though I don't remember a specific sermon, I remember his most important sermon. I remember the sermon he lived every day of his life. He was a true servant of God. He never had a lot of wealth and I'm not sure he ever owned a home. But, he was rich and he was filled with the spirit of God. He was a preacher by trade and a true disciple with his life. I hope to continue that tradition with my family. We should all be the same type of servant he was. Thanks Grandpa for your example and love of God!