Discipleship Network Forum

Ready For the Road Ahead

          Anyone can tell you that a goodrelationship is built on consistent communication.  Maybe you've experienced this yourself.  Communication does not always involve words,but words can certainly determine the emotional outcome of a conversation.  Proverbs 25:11 says that "words spokenin the right circumstance are like apples of gold in settings ofsilver".  Even the description ofwell-spoken words sounds appealing!

          Good communication also involveslistening.  In fact, listening is perhapsthe more important part of a conversation. I've often encouraged people through the years to develop the art oflistening when they've sought to improve a relationship with someone.  It's tempting to begin formulating a responseto someone before they've finished speaking. But a good listener will wait and then respond.

          Prayer is one of the most intimate wayswe can communicate with our Heavenly Father. A pitfall for many of us is that we tend to make it a laundry list ofrequests rather than the dialogue it is meant to be.  In Matthew 6, Jesus contrasted some of themore ritualistic forms of prayer practiced in His day with the type ofheartfelt prayer that Lord desires from His children.  The culmination of Jesus' teaching is theprayer we call "The Lord's Prayer", but it has been rightly suggestedthat this simple and beautiful prayer is "The Disciple's Prayer".  

          Think about your prayer life thisweek.  How often to you converse withGod?  How deeply?  Do you listen for His response?  Is your prayer life composed of a list ofrequests or do you include other aspects, such as praise and confession, intoyour prayers?  One of the beautifulthings about prayer is that it is profoundly individual.  There is no "one size fits all"formula that everyone must do in order for it to be done right.  I know people who have a quiet time everymorning and prayer for an hour straight. I also know others who pray while they commute, clean the house, or takea walk.  However, or wherever, you pray,take time this week to listen to God's response.  He hears and He answers.

AHL  1/2/2011

“ADONAI is good, and he is fair;

            This is why he teaches sinners the way to live,

            leads the humble to do what is right

            and teaches the humble to live His way.

            All ADONAI’s paths are grace and truth

            to those who keep His covenant and instructions.”

                                    -Psalms 25:8-10

            When we study the Torah of ADONAI and compare it with the laws of the neighboring kingdoms, we find that ADONAI is indeed good and fair.  For example, when the ox of your enemy falls on a ditch, the Canaanite laws do not prescribe any help from any of its citizens but the Torah commands that an Israelite should help his enemy to rescue the ox out of that predicament.   The law of Hammurabi stipulates that if a slave strikes his master, the slave shall be executed; however, the Torah treats the slave with mercy by first evaluating the circumstances of the case and then exacts due punishment. 

            Today, most of our laws were patterned from the just laws of GOD.  Logic dictates that righteous laws can only emanate from a just source.  Only ADONAI ELOHIM is just and righteous in all His ways and His work is
perfect (Deut 32:4).  Logic also dictates that the only perfect person who can teach His Law is GOD himself.  And GOD indeed promised that He will write His laws in our hearts and give us His SPIRIT to teach us His ways.  Even then, the HOLY SPIRIT will enable us by His operative grace and lead us to do what is right.  How great and merciful is our GOD!  His paths are full of grace and truth.

            Grace and truth came through YESHUA the Messiah!

מלאך

Hello to all on Discipleship Network,

I am now to blogging. I love the Lord and am always looking for new ways to help me grow as a Christian. I think this site will do just that.

I am the wife of a great man, we are going on 28 years this May. We have 3 grown daughters, 22, 21, and 16. We also have a son age 5. I homeschooled my daughters and am doing the same with our son. Our oldest daughter is married to a wonderful man also. He is in the Army and they are stationed at Fort Bliss, living in El Paso. They have given us a beautiful granddaughter and another grandbaby is on the way. They both attend Liberty University online. Our middle daughter is the owner/manager of her own restaurant. Our youngest daughter is still in High School and just got her drivers license. Our son is a joy to have at this age. (we are in our later 40's)

I am involved in a MOPS (mother of preschoolers) group at our church and it is a joy getting to know the young moms. I am a mentor mom due to having older children and a younger one. We love attending church as a family and our 2 daughters lead a tambourine/dance group in our church.

I am always looking to make new friends of like mind.

One of the spots in Israel that always moves me emotionally is a place on the shore of Galilee called "The Primacy of Peter." It's the spot that is traditionally held to be where Peter encountered the risen Lord and was given the chance to accept His forgiveness.

On my last trip to Israel, back in 2006, one in our group had felt that God could no longer use him in ministry. I don't know what caused him to feel that way. But he stood on the shore in that place, felt God's forgiveness, and prayed, "Lord, if You can still use me, and if You still want me, I'm ready." God responded with a resounding, "Yes!" And his life was changed, and redirected, when he accepted God's love and forgiveness.

While I don't know what caused this young man to feel that way, I do know what caused the apostle Peter to feel that way. In spite of all his bragging about how much he loved Jesus, he had caved in to fear when he had a chance to speak for Jesus at Caiphas' palace. I can only imagine the agony Peter must have felt. On the other hand, John 21 provides a beautiful picture of Peter leaping off a boat, rushing to shore to meet his Lord, the minute he saw Jesus on that shore after the resurrection.

There are a lot of reasons that this place could be found special. For me, the place is special for one reason:

Because I'm too much like Peter.

Sometimes I'm proud. Sometimes I'm humble. Sometimes, I'm strong in my faith and I stand up proudly for my Lord. Sometimes, I give in to fear and I cower in the background.

Sometimes, I'm way to quick to speak and way to slow to listen. Sometimes, I'm impulsive and impatient. Sometimes, I forget that Jesus called me to demonstrate His love to others.

Sometimes, I deny my Lord . . . either through my actions or my words.

Sometimes, I need another chance to get it right, to be the person God has called me to be as a follower and a disciple of Christ.

I'm glad Jesus showed Peter that he had another chance to get it right. Because in so doing, He showed me the same thing.

I heard a devotion today at that spot in which the speaker declared that Peter's Primacy was in the area of His example to us. I like that, because I can definitely relate to it. 

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

“A king gives stability to a country by justice,

                   But one who overtaxes it brings it to ruin.”  (Prov. 29:4)

          The primary duty of a ruler whether he is a president, a prime minister or a king, is to deliver justice to hispeople.  However, justice is the veryarea where most leaders are wanting.  TheScriptures tell us what the LORD wants, “He has told you, O man, what is good, and whatthe LORD really wants from you: Hewants you to promote justice, to be faithful, and to live obediently beforeyour God” (Mic 6:8).  Today, we hear ofso many complaints against human rights both from oppressive regimes anddemocratic countries.  We are notsurprised about the atrocities in oppressive regimes but oftentimes we wonderwhy justice is still denied in liberal societies. 

          What is justice according to the Scriptures?  Justice is a primarycharacteristic of ADONAI.  Only ADONAI isperfectly just and upright.  He isequitable in all His judgments.  Justiceis GOD’s idea, hence all interpretations of ‘justice’ must emanate from ADONAIand His Torah. All other human laws are imperfect and already corrupted andwill eventually result in a breakdown of the order of creation.

          I believe there are three areas that the godly must observe to walk justly before ADONAI.  These are:

·         Giving GOD his due – “Hear O Israel, the LORD isour GOD, the LORD is one!  You shall loveyour GOD with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might”(Deut 6:6).  To GOD belong our spirits,souls, body and all our resources.  Weowe Him everything!  To walk justlybefore GOD is to walk in surrender to His sovereign will.

·         Give your neighbor his due – St. Paul exhorted usto owe no man nothing except to love, for love fulfills all the requirements ofthe Torah.  To follow the golden rule isto do everything that we are capable to do good and fast from everything thatis wrong according to the Law of GOD.  Towalk justly with our neighbor is to share GOD’s blessings in our lives.

·         Give yourself your due – GOD has provided thegodly with everything pertaining to life and godliness through His exceedinglygreat promises.  Do not deprive yourselffrom all the benefits of your inheritance in CHRIST.  To avail of all of GOD’s promises will ensurethat we are enabled to walk obediently in CHRIST.  GOD bestowed His abundant blessings upon usnot just to share with others but also to enjoy it ourselves.  If GOD wants us to enjoy according to Hiswill, it is a sin to deprive ourselves of that very joy!

          To infringe on the liberty of another is to be unjust.  To act contrary to theTorah of GOD is to be unjust.  But tolove is to absolutely fulfill the just requirements of the Torah.  Any act, therefore, that is not a directresult of one’s trust on ADONAI through His revelation in Scriptures is a sin.

           According to wise Solomon, the surest way for a king or a president to ruin his country is to overtax it.  The questionis, what is the right rate of income tax?  According to the Torah, the tithe to ADONAI is ten percent.  He owns everything, even our very lives andHe only asks for ten percent.  Is anyonemore worthy of our all than ADONAI?  Mypersonal opinion, therefore, is that anything more than ten percent isexcessive taxation and will ultimately result in a depressed economy.  Why?  Firstly, excessive taxation squeezes the disposable income of citizenswhose spending, savings and investments would be greatly affected.  Secondly, excessive taxation squeezes theexpense budget of businesses, especially small business; and would discourageinvestors in expanding business and hiring more workers.  Thirdly, less spending for goods ultimatelymeans less manufacturing and distribution which greatly affects hiring.  Fourthly, excessive taxation encouragesdependence on government subsidy and welfare which is a disincentive toproductivity among citizens.  There issomething wrong when government becomes one of the biggest employers and notprivate enterprise.  It means there aretoo many politicians and politicians do not produce anything but spend thehard-earned money of citizens.

          When citizens depend on government to support them, the government loses its foremost duty which is to serve ADONAIthrough service to its citizens.  Thegreatest service that a government can do for its people is to encourage themto walk excellently in trust before their GOD.  When the citizens trust GOD and obey His Torah, they become a governmentunto themselves and do not need a policeman to watch over them.  Even civil servants would not need anyombudsman or corruption watchdog, when they view their work as a service ofworship towards ADONAI.  First andforemost, they are citizens of heaven and are complete in YESHUA.  It is YESHUA who holds them together as onetowards one goal.  The foundation ofgovernment then is not the people but ADONAI.  In fact, if ADONAI is the center of every activity, every citizen wouldhave internal governance and the Torah of GOD is written on their hearts.

מלאך

That night GOD appeared to Solomon and said to him, “Tell me what I should give you.”  “…give me wisdom and knowledge; so that I will be able to lead this people.  For who is equal to judging this great people of yours?” (2 Chron 1:7,10)

            If there is any qualification absent from many of the leaders today, it is wisdom.  Wisdom is rare in the halls of government, in the halls of justice, and even in corporate establishments everywhere.  When we observe how companies and governments are mismanaged and some even ran down to bankruptcy, you would wonder how these hotshot CEOs and presidents were chosen.  Most have excellent academic qualifications and when one examines the history of their accomplishments, one cannot help but question the series of events that led to failure.

            There are two crucial must-have qualities that a leader must possess.  Firstly, the anointing of ADONAI ELOHIM.  Solomon knew that he was mere dust and he is certainly not the captain of his soul and master of his
destiny.  To govern, he needed the wisdom of GOD and knowledge that he cannot learn from any University even if he went to Greece to learn from the master philosophers.  Today, no degree from any of the leading
business schools can equip you with real wisdom that enables you to discern between the right thing and the wrong thing to do at the right time with the right people mix and allocate the right resources.  In GOD’s kingdom, the HOLY SPIRIT leads His leader to the right way and creates order in circumstances to favor the godly; drawing the right people together as a team, providing abundant resources to
complete the task.  Nobody acts alone because not one man, no matter how wise, has it all.  Solomon humbly confessed his inadequacy to GOD and was rewarded with unequalled wisdom and wealth to boot. 

          Secondly, the leader must possess real wisdom from GOD and the will to apply it according to GOD’s plan.  A wise man knows that he has limits and the only way he is going to journey beyond those limits is with the
HOLY SPIRIT.  King Nebuchadnezzar had a company of magicians, conjurers, sorcerers and astronomers to advice him especially on crucial decisions involving the future.  The future is a blank, so kings usually depended on sorcerers and mediums to tell them about the omens of their intended
plans.  Today, investors have financial planners and consultants who apply mathematical models to predict movements of stocks based on graphical trends.  They have sophisticated formula using computers to accurately forecast economic trends.  But the problem is, the future is not a slave to the whims and caprices of any leader or investor.  The recent global economic crisis is proof that no amount of historical graphical analysis or mathematical computation by any supercomputer can predict the future. 
There were very clear signs of an impending crisis and collapse but these were largely ignored because of greed.

            Solomon had several very wise advisers in his court (2 Chron 10:6).  Yes, Solomon was the wisest man in every field of learning but he knew that he had to have a great team of wise men to assist him.  Men who were not afraid to tell the truth.  Godly men who will only give godly advice.  Men who were not mere theorists but men who walked the talk.  Men who were skilled in different fields such as the military, diplomacy, trade,  justice, education, agriculture, engineering, ship-building, navigation, arts and even etiquette.  In his Proverbs, Solomon said there is wisdom and victory in much planning with the counsel of many wise men (Prov 11:14,24:6).

            One thing is sure, no wisdom,  discernment or counsel, succeeds against ADONAI! (Prov 21:30)

מלאך

We visited Dan and Caesarea Philippi today, two sites that had seemed unconnected to me until today. But there’s a mighty word from Godthat can be heard in both sites.

Dan is the site of the Canaanite town with the city gate still standing that Abraham would have walked through. As one person in our group announced, "That is crazy good." Dan isalso the site of one of the two temples that Jeroboam built to keep his peoplefrom going to the temple in Jerusalem. The ruins of the temple are still there.However, it’s not a holy site. Not only did Jeroboam build a temple, he createda golden calf for worship (see 1 Kings 12:25-33). Jeroboam tried to take on therole of God by creating his own temples, altars, and even his own worshipfeasts. Those worship feasts, including the dates they were celebrated, hadbeen dictated by God. In response, God allowed the Assyrians to capture the tentribes in northern Israel, including Dan. God tolerates no one trying to assumeHis role.

Caesarea Philippi was a city also in northern Israel that was the headquarters of Philip and a major pagan worship center. Fourteendifferent gods were worshipped there, including the Greek god Pan for which thecity was originally named. It wasn’t even a Jewish city. Today the site has theruins of temples and the remains of what was once a bottomless pit that wasused for pagan sacrifices. The worship of pagan gods by non-Jews could not havebeen more obvious. But it’s at this site that Jesus intentionally used toidentify Himself as the messiah (see Matthew 17:13-20). Interesting that Jesuschose a pagan site to reveal God’s plan, a plan that included Jews andgentiles, you and me.

What a reminder that God is God and will not accept our trying to take His place.

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

It’s been four years since I’ve been in Israel. I’ve been amazed at the changes . . . the amount of archaeological work that’s beencompleted at Megiddo and Caesarea Maritime, and the amount of new building incities like Nazareth and Tel Aviv. Israel shows signs of activity and growthand prosperity.

However, the Sea of Galilee has been a shock to me. The water level is greatly reduced. There’s extended shore in areas that really hadno access to the lake before. The days are short here, and we start early andgo late. Even in the dark, the shrinkage is surprising.

The sea is a lake really. It’s only about thirteen miles long and seven miles wide, and you can see across it in all directions. I thinkthat was the first impression I had of the lake and it hasn’t changed. It’slike a perfectly built stage on a world theater in which God showed the worldHis plan. At night, you can see the lights from all the towns and cities aroundthe lake illuminated (can’t hide the city on the hill). During the day, you cansee the movement of life around the lake.

Before I saw the lake in person, I always wondered how five thousand men plus women and children were even able to know where Jesus was. Inperson, it all makes sense because of the way you can see from one side toanother.

I wonder about what wasn’t recorded in the scriptures. The private moments with Jesus and His disciples at night, sitting around thecampfire. I can hear imagine the laughter of companions, and the serious topicslate at night that were so personal to the disciples that none of them wantedto share them. I hear their voices here and rejoice in a Savior who can be sopersonal, so intimate, so transparent.

This is a special place . . . a holy place . . . a place God chose to present the fulfillment of His plan to us.

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

On New Year's Day of 2010, I began a new practice that I'm continuing next year. I had read John Eldridge's New Year's Eve post about his annual practice of asking God for a theme for the coming year. Last year, I heard God say the word more. Since 2009 had been a very difficult year, that word really scared me at first. I did not think I could take more of the same. But then I heard God complete the theme: more Jesus. See my 2010 New Year's Day blog here to read more.

The past year has still been a tough year. It wasn't more of the same from 2009, but there were definitely lots of challenges. I got through 2010 because of God's fulfilled promise of more Jesus.

I spent more time with Jesus on a regular basis this past year, and those times have been rich and rewarding. But more than just time spent with him, I have sensed more of his presence and power in my life than ever. Like monster truck rallies, I felt MORE POWER! I'm hoping for even more of that in 2011.

Over the last several weeks, I've been asking God for a theme word or phrase for next year. What I believe I'm hearing is relationships. This is a key word for me right now. I desire for God to strengthen my relationships on every level:

1. Continue to grow in my relationship with my Father. That's where it all starts! If I have a strong relationship with him, I believe he will strengthen my other relationships as well (see Matthew 6:33).
2. Continue growing in my relationship with my wife, Heidi. Next to my Father, this is my most vital relationship. I still have a lot to learn here!
3. Continue to invest into my relationship with my kids, Jordan, Dru, Sarah, and Annie. I want to be a good steward of what God has entrusted to me, and, next to Heidi, they are the best gifts and responsibilities he has given me.
4. Invest into my relationships with our small group leadership team and leaders. I tend towards the task-oriented/achiever side of leadership. Like many other small group pastors I know, I love vision and implementing it through strategies. (Alan Danielson wrote a great six-part series of blogs titled "The Problem with Small Group Pastors." Start here to read this series. See his Triple-Threat Leadership graphic here.) I desire to be a more relational leader, and it takes effort and Christ's power to move in that direction. This year, I'm going to be very intentional about this.

I believe I needed more Jesus before I could successfully strengthen and build my relationships. God is at work, and I can't wait to see what he does in 2011.

How about you? What theme is God giving you for 2011?

We were in Nazareth today. Not really in, but overlooking the city. I did some research before I came about the city that was Jesus' hometown as a boy. Here's what I discovered:

1.  There were probably only about 120 or 150 people living there, and probably about 20 homes. Everybody there knew everything about everybody else. It was a small town.

2.  The town was located in the base of the basin and was considered one of the most beautiful places in all of Galilee. From the bottom of the basin, the town was serene and isolated.

3.  From the top of the hill above the town, you could see 30 miles in several directions. From there, you could see the plain of Megiddo (or Armageddon), Mount Carmel, twenty battlefields–sites of both victories like those of Barak and Gideon, and defeats like those of kings Saul and Josiah. 

All that's great, but what does that teach us about Jesus. First, He was raised in a typical Jewish family and a large extended family. Everyone in town knew His business.

Second, it must have been a "normal" Jewish childhood. He learned a skill from His father Joseph and He learned about His heavenly father from Joseph as well. He visited Jerusalem for feasts and times of worship. He worshipped weekly at the temple. It was a typical Jewish childhood.

Third, he experienced human relationships in Nazareth - both joys, and frustrations, and even humiliations.

How can we know this? Read Mark 6:1-4. Jesus' childhood was so normal that the people in his hometown that knew Him the best couldn't understand how He had learned so much about God. They knew Him only as the boy who belonged to Jospeh and Mary. And, they had never forgotten about His background. Otherwise, they would never have described Him as the son of Mary. They knew only His humanity and couldn't accept His divinity.

From Nazareth, Jesus left and went to the Judean desert to begin His ministry. Nazareth was the place of preparation, or growth, of beginning.

Today, Nazareth is a huge sprawling city with well over 100,000 residents. It's shared by Christians, Jews, and Muslims. How many still cannot recognize Jesus as who He is?

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

The Hats of Discipleship

The Captain

The captain takes charge, has solutions and creates order where there is chaos. He always has a plan and leans heavily on discipline to keep ships running on course. He safely helps others navigate the storms of life by giving them tried and true policies and rules. Expect a lot of cleaning disciplines like soaking prayer.

Best of all, he is always willing to go down with the ship if you sink yours.

The Wrangler

The wrangler knows that others are going to buck and fight. That’s alright because he can too. Tougher than an axe handle, he knows you can take all the tough love he can dish out. You will be lassoed and tied down in your evasions and branded with a new heart. He may yell a lot, but that is just to get you going in the right direction.

Best of all, he will sing campfire songs to you late at night.

The Commander

The commander is much like the captain. He relies on discipline, but he pushes other’s preparedness for war. Make no mistake, it’s war out there! He will equip you for the spiritual fight and help you practice your offensive and defensive moves. Drills are the name of the game for the commander as well as constant scenarios that point out threats to your faith.

Best of all, he really wants you to survive.

The Coach

The coach is a little less disciplined than the captain or the commander. He is after the win. Every situation has a winner and loser, right? The coach will always be willing to give you the plays to score in life. He will condition you through training, and he will practice Bible drills until someone throws up. No other person wants to see you win as much as he does, since it is a reflection of himself.

Good news is that when you do win, he will be your biggest cheerleader (until the next practice).

The Counselor

The counselor cares most about how you feel about your life and your progress. He will ask lots of questions and give others freedom to vent and cry. Progress is not required unless you are ready to act on what you feel. The counselor is patient and always willing to wait for the person’s light to come on.

Best of all, your heart will be safe at every meeting.

The Pimp

The pimp isn’t actually someone who does discipleship, but you wouldn’t know that from watching. He always has a new idea or book and is willing to get others to do a couple of tricks for him. It will feel like progress with the pimp, but it is actually just a way of keeping people busy while he gets off on watching you follow him.

Worst of all, you might never know if you are one or have been led by one.

Reading John Piper's FUTURE GRACE. Wonderful read and lots of good thoughts on both faith and grace.

While the classic definition of faith is the one from Hebrews 11, I was wondering...what is your favorite definition of faith?

At last ,faith becomes sight. In prayer, praise God for  each step of your pilgrimage thank Him for His provision along the way and raise the eyes of  faith to your heavenly destination.

Let your heart cry out with joy, Even so, come ,Lord Jesus

Peace & Love  for the New Year

There are 117 different names for Jesus Christ in the Bible, each one a description of who he is, and what he desires to be in our lives.

The Prophet Isaiah said he would be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” When the Angel spoke to Joseph he said, “You shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins. The name Jesus means “God is salvation.” And, contrary to some popular belief, Christ is not Jesus’ last name. It is a title that means “The One come from God.”And in John chapter one Jesus is “The Word,” which, in the original language, means “The expression of God to us.”

When Jesus was baptized, the Father spoke from heaven in Mathew 3:17 saying “This is my Beloved Son.” And when John the Baptist saw Jesus coming toward him he said in John 1:29 “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!”

Jesus’ most powerful display of who he really is came in just two English words. In John 8:58 he said simply “I AM.” Then Jesus went on to expand this all encompassing name throughout the book of John. He said “I am the Bread of life,” “I am the Light of the World,”“I am the Door,” “I am the Good Shepherd,” “I am the Resurrection,” I am the Way, the truth, and the life,” and finally “I am the True Vine.”

And then, there are the most personal names; In Hebrews 12:2 Jesus is “The author and finisher of our faith.” In 1Timothy 2:5 he is our “Mediator.” In 1John 2:1 he is our “Advocate.” In Isaiah 59:20, as the one who paid the full price to set us free, he is our “Redeemer.” And 24 times in the New Testament Jesus is called “Savior,” which means “One providing salvation.”

It took 117 names in the Bible to try to describe all of who Jesus Christ is. But the one that leads to eternal life is “My personal Savior.” I pray that is who he is to you. - - Pastor Dave

Have you personally ever taught all of Christ's commands to another person?

If not, have you ever truly made a disciple?

I'm the world's worst at New Year's Resolutions. When I make them at all (which after years of guilt-filled feelings of disappointment for my inability to keep my resolutions) which isn't often, I tend to look at the things in my life that I don't like and try to fix them . . . weight gain, lack of exercise . . . Sound familiar?

This year, I met two adorable children on a senior adult trip to see the Christmas lights north of Atlanta. The children serenaded me all the way back after the light display with a variety of Christmas songs. My favorite was their personalized rendition of "We Wish You a Merry Christmas." They ended the song with "We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New YOU." That grabbed my attention and I've continued to think about it since this. I mean, really, can we create "happiness"? What is "happiness" anyway? A fleeting emotion? The ability to laugh and giggle? Or is it "learning to be content in all circumstances"? (Phil. 4:11) 

Our family had a really tough year in 2009. As my husband told someone, "We wrecked two cars and sunk our boat, and that was just the beginning." We were so happy to see 2009 end. Then, 2010 turned out to be even worse and included the death of Bob's dad. I've talked to so many people who have experienced a tough couple of years. That helps me understand "a Happy New YOU". I cannot control what the New Year will be like, but I can control how I respond to it. 

So this year, I'm going to make New Year's Resolutions that are keeping with the things that matter most to me:

(1)  I pray for contentment this year, not happiness, as I seek to depend upon the peace of Christ in my life to see me through whatever 2011 has to offer.

(2) I pray for wisdom this year, not knowledge, as I seek to demonstrate the impact of Christ's peace on those whose lives I touch.

(3) I pray for patience this year, not endurance, as I seek to distinguish the opportunities that come from God from the frustrations of life.

May the new year bring you the peace and job that comes from Christ!

Margie Williamson

Community Manager

Meny people will look back  over the  past  year with a sense of accomplishment and hope . Others may have regrets and wish they had tackled life differently.Learning to set goals for your  life is an excellent way to  build encouragement into your daily routine, especially when you set  reasonable goals that you can  achieve without  fear of failure.Always begin the  goal setting process with  preyer.

Peace & Love

Sydney