Only 70% of New Year's resolutions are kept - not a very good track record.
Yet we start out with good intentions, hoping we can keep those promises to ourselves. We want to be healthier, smarter and happier each new year; but by February 1st, the cold winter has deflated our plans.
How do we stay in hope when we can't even stay the course ?
It helps to have an accountability partner, someone who will keep you honest.
It also helps to exchange one habit you want to change with something else.
Another idea is to put a Post-it note on your mirror - to remind you of the resolution every morning.
And, of course, pray.
Ask God to guide you in the making and keeping of resolutions;especially the ones that draw you closer to him. That's the best resolution of all: "In 2010, I want to be closer to God."
Happy 2010 and God bless !
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Christmas 2009
H - Hark the Herald Angels Sing; Glory to the Newborn King
O - Oh, how He Loves You and Me
P - Peace I Give to You; Peace I Leave with You
E - Even so, come Lord Jesus
Our eternal hope and our hope for this day -
The baby in the manger
The savior on the cross -
Jesus !
O - Oh, how He Loves You and Me
P - Peace I Give to You; Peace I Leave with You
E - Even so, come Lord Jesus
Our eternal hope and our hope for this day -
The baby in the manger
The savior on the cross -
Jesus !
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Note to Self
Writing about hope is one thing - living in it is another. This week, I found out my job will be ending January 1st. 8 working days to find another job - no severance, no unemployment, just the bleak economy.
I've lived through downsizing before, but that was when I had a few more resources and my son had health insurance. Now, that's not happening - at least not yet.
What I keep coming back to is the foundation of hope - my faith in God's love for me and my son. God reminded me of that love in Psalm 27:13, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
God is good - always! Even when we're downsized out of a job. Even when we have no health insurance. Even when the economy seems bleak. The focus is on God's goodness - not the current circumstances.
So note to self - stay in hope. Keep looking for that goodness. Focus on God's love.
I've lived through downsizing before, but that was when I had a few more resources and my son had health insurance. Now, that's not happening - at least not yet.
What I keep coming back to is the foundation of hope - my faith in God's love for me and my son. God reminded me of that love in Psalm 27:13, "I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living."
God is good - always! Even when we're downsized out of a job. Even when we have no health insurance. Even when the economy seems bleak. The focus is on God's goodness - not the current circumstances.
So note to self - stay in hope. Keep looking for that goodness. Focus on God's love.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Enough
Several years ago, I taught English to a beautiful Saudi Arabian woman. Her children often clustered around us, providing a distraction from the grammar practice. They were beautiful kids, but after a while - when their mom had had enough of the wailing and whining, she firmly stated, "Halas!"
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"Enough. It means enough."
Some day, life as we know it will cease. Jesus will come back and set up his kingdom on earth. Every knee will bow and every tongue shout that he is King of kings and Lord of lords. God's voice will echo throughout the earth:
"Enough!"
"No more tormenting of my children."
"No more cancer, Alzheimers or starvation."
"No more suicides, terrorism or war."
"No more pain or stress."
"No more sin and temptation."
"It is finished. It is over. Halas."
Even so, Lord Jesus - come quickly.
"What does that mean?" I asked.
"Enough. It means enough."
Some day, life as we know it will cease. Jesus will come back and set up his kingdom on earth. Every knee will bow and every tongue shout that he is King of kings and Lord of lords. God's voice will echo throughout the earth:
"Enough!"
"No more tormenting of my children."
"No more cancer, Alzheimers or starvation."
"No more suicides, terrorism or war."
"No more pain or stress."
"No more sin and temptation."
"It is finished. It is over. Halas."
Even so, Lord Jesus - come quickly.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Coming on Christmas
In the movie, “You’ve Got Mail,” Meg Ryan’s character states, “It’s coming on Christmas, and I’m missing my mother so much – I can’t breathe.”
Some of us dread flipping the calendar to December. But Christmas doesn’t have to be the loneliest day of the year. Instead, it can be a day to reach out to meet the needs of others and use our solitude for service. How can we move beyond our own loneliness and find a reason to hope?
• Let others know you are feeling lonely and need companionship. Keeping your feelings private just digs a deeper hole. Plead with others to stay with you, be with you, help you through the holidays.
• Consider where you are in life. Current circumstances may have thrown you into the loneliness mode. Circumstances do change; you just have to make it through this season. Winter eventually becomes spring.
• Get involved in community service. Volunteer at a clinic for the uninsured. Serve food to the homeless. Fold bulletins at your church. Get out of the house and into someone else’s heart.
• Focus on the blessings of life. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food in the fridge? Double blessing! Life is good if you have shelter and food.
• Immerse yourself in inspirational music. Check out the church programs that involve music. Listening to the “Messiah” by Handel or a chorus of Christmas carols will lift your soul.
• Work on a positive attitude. Look in the mirror and practice these words, “Hi, Cutie. This is going to be a great day.” Then keep that attitude all day.
• Admit your loneliness to God. “Out of the depths I call to You, Lord…listen to my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my cry for help” (Psalm 130:1, 2). God understands your lonely heart.
It’s coming on Christmas, and the holidays are filled with joy. Whether we’re alone or surrounded by people, we can celebrate the simple fact that we’re alive for another December. Then we take a deep breath, step out of loneliness and reach for hope.
Some of us dread flipping the calendar to December. But Christmas doesn’t have to be the loneliest day of the year. Instead, it can be a day to reach out to meet the needs of others and use our solitude for service. How can we move beyond our own loneliness and find a reason to hope?
• Let others know you are feeling lonely and need companionship. Keeping your feelings private just digs a deeper hole. Plead with others to stay with you, be with you, help you through the holidays.
• Consider where you are in life. Current circumstances may have thrown you into the loneliness mode. Circumstances do change; you just have to make it through this season. Winter eventually becomes spring.
• Get involved in community service. Volunteer at a clinic for the uninsured. Serve food to the homeless. Fold bulletins at your church. Get out of the house and into someone else’s heart.
• Focus on the blessings of life. Do you have a roof over your head? Do you have food in the fridge? Double blessing! Life is good if you have shelter and food.
• Immerse yourself in inspirational music. Check out the church programs that involve music. Listening to the “Messiah” by Handel or a chorus of Christmas carols will lift your soul.
• Work on a positive attitude. Look in the mirror and practice these words, “Hi, Cutie. This is going to be a great day.” Then keep that attitude all day.
• Admit your loneliness to God. “Out of the depths I call to You, Lord…listen to my voice; let Your ears be attentive to my cry for help” (Psalm 130:1, 2). God understands your lonely heart.
It’s coming on Christmas, and the holidays are filled with joy. Whether we’re alone or surrounded by people, we can celebrate the simple fact that we’re alive for another December. Then we take a deep breath, step out of loneliness and reach for hope.
Monday, November 23, 2009
During this Thanksgiving season, I've been thinking about gratitude. Using the word, HOPE, I've decided to use each letter to describe something I'm thankful for:
H - hair color. Some people look great in gray. I don't. So I'm grateful for henna.
O - otters. Aren't they just the cutest little critters?
P - pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice candles
E - electricity. It's so great to just switch on a light.
Even a tiny light dispels the darkness.
Even a tiny nugget of hope destroys the gloom.
Stay in hope !
H - hair color. Some people look great in gray. I don't. So I'm grateful for henna.
O - otters. Aren't they just the cutest little critters?
P - pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin spice candles
E - electricity. It's so great to just switch on a light.
Even a tiny light dispels the darkness.
Even a tiny nugget of hope destroys the gloom.
Stay in hope !
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Welcome to my blog ...
This is a blog for you - to help you find hope and encouragement during these difficult days. It's tough to know what to believe in, when so much of our stability and security has been taken away.
But these are times when we can help each other, by sharing hope and encouragement. Hope is the one value we all need. We can't live without it. So wherever you are out there in cyberspace, know this one important fact: God loves you and hope is possible.
Stay in hope,
Rebecca
But these are times when we can help each other, by sharing hope and encouragement. Hope is the one value we all need. We can't live without it. So wherever you are out there in cyberspace, know this one important fact: God loves you and hope is possible.
Stay in hope,
Rebecca
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