resolutions for a new year

Happy New Year! It is 2011 and we have (a little less than) a full year ahead of us. I love the excitement of the new year- thinking about all that is ahead... feeling like you can start with a clean slate. And the new beginning- New Year's resolutions.

There are always resolutions to be made... I know I have made my fair share over the years. Every year since middle school I make the New Year's resolution that I will stop biting my nails once and for all. I have never ever succeeded with this. I resolve to work out more, eat better, love people better, do my job better, give more, serve God better, keep in touch with long distance friends more... the list goes on. This year I thought I would share a list of "resolutions" with you that come completely from scripture. Simple commands from our Lord- many of which I let slip through the cracks or just plain fail to do well. So, here is my list of resolutions. Maybe you will join me in this list...

In 2011 I want to...
-"pray continually." 1 Thessalonians 5:17

-"trust in the Lord with all my heart, and lean not on my own understanding" Proverbs 3:5

-Love others even when it is hard, and "lend to them without expecting to get anything back." Luke 6:35

-"Share with God's people who are in need. Practice Hospitality" Romans 12:13

-Care for orphans and widows. James 1:27

-"Let no corrupting talk come out of my mouth but only such... that it may give grace to those that hear." Ephesians 4:29

-"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another as God in Christ forgave me." Ephesians 4:32

-Honor everyone. 1 Peter 2:17

-Put on "a compassionate heart, kindness, humility, meekness and patience." Colossians 3:12

-Read the Bible more. "faith comes from hearing, hearing through the word of Christ." Romans 10:17

-Be cheerful whenever I give to others. 2 Corinthians 9:7

-"Give thanks in all circumstances." 1 Thessalonians 5:18


posted by: Tara

of thanks giving.

Next week it's Thanksgiving. My husband always makes fun of me because I tend to put the emphasis on the first part of Thanksgiving. Like, thanksgiving instead of thanksgiving. You know. But, I always reply with "it's because the thanks is the most important part." Don't read into that too much- there isn't a lot of deep thought put into that- I think giving could be equally important in that word. Anyway...

My point of telling you all of that is simply, I think it is good to give thanks. Why?
Because Psalm 100 starts by saying this: "Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before him with joyful songs. Know that the Lord is God. It is he who made us, and we are his..."

And Psalm 107 says this: "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever."

And 1 Chronicles 29:11-13 says: "Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the majesty and the splendor, for everything in heaven and earth is yours. Yours, O Lord, is the kingdom; you are exalted as head over all. Wealth and honor come from you; you are the ruler of all things. In your hands are strength and power to exalt and give strength to all. Now, our God, we give you thanks, and praise your glorious name." 

And Philippians 4:6 says: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God"

"Thanks" can mean grateful, gratitude, praise, recognition, acknowledgment, bless, appreciate, oblige, overwhelmed, content, pleased, satisfied...

And we have much to give thanks for! If I think back to my family's Thanksgiving meals, we would often reflect on what we were thankful for. Even in elementary school I remember art projects and journal entries around this time of year showcasing what we were thankful for-- and I always came up with something. Lots to be thankful for. God is good and I praise him- his love endures forever!

But truthfully, it sometimes feels hard to give thanks. Even at Thanksgiving. Sometimes it feels difficult to be thankful when you look around the turkey and cranberry on the table and see a dear family member is missing. In recent years I have watched friends mourn the death of a husband, a mom, a dad, a friend. I know friends who won't sit around a big table with all of their children this Thanksgiving but instead by a hospital bedside to be with their child. It was one Thanksgiving many years ago that I lost my mom. It's hard. Giving thanks feels really hard sometimes. 
So what is there to be thankful for, really? We do have reason to give thanks: 

Matthew 11:28-30 Then Jesus said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”

Philippians 4:19 "And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus."  


Sometimes, I admit, I have felt like there was no way up. The sadness/stress/tragedy/difficulty was just too much to bear. But I believe in the promises of God. And I have seen him meet my needs. I have felt him (though sometimes it feels like it takes a while) lift the heavy, awful burdens I've carried. When I've lost loved ones I have felt his love so so strongly through friends and family in my life and seen his grace upon me through others. 

And so, there is thanksgiving.



posted by: Tara