Coming into 2015

Just a few days before the New Year there are many thoughts of reflection on 2014. I have some questions about why the year was so tough for so many of our friends.  You know the drill, "Why do bad things happen to good people" seems to be a pretty popular discussion. What if we expand this, "Why do bad things happen to all people, because who decides who is good and bad, Santa?" 

Its way deeper than anything so trivial because our nature is where the conflict begins. So many times I don't want to look in the mirror and face the side of me which is dark. If you saw the movie LUTHER which I highly recommend you see the anguish brilliantly portrayed by Martin Luther regarding his own humanity and darkness. Films have a way of telling a story without text and the visual language of the sub text truly takes over.

My question is why don't I allow the sub text of my life to be more real because we know the sub conscious does not lie, it does not have the capacity, yet it somehow rules us at times.  I had a dear friend who used to call his personal struggles "demons" and these dark figures were all the addictions, the things wrong and the "Murphy's Law" happenstances that happened to come his way.  If we stay in touch with our own nature, even when it is not on the right path, we have the ability to confess our faults to the very Creator.

Ok, so its time for New Year's Resolutions and isn't it awesome to think a New Year can bring new beginnings in our lives? Its true, so much of our lives is ruled by our choices so I am praying for each of you to begin a new this year. Here is what I believe is a great way to start this coming year. 

First, stop and recognize that God alone has been waiting to talk with you, to whisper into your ears and if you begin a new kind of dialogue and relationship with Him, your life CAN change.

Secondly, if you will purpose to invest a certain amount of time with Him every day, I believe your life CAN change, so begin with ten minutes. Take ten minutes when you wake up to get alone with God. Spend five minutes sharing with Him and spend five minutes listening. Just meditate and listen closely to see if there is a whisper in your heart because there is a promise from God found in Psalms, "He will whisper in  your ears", so take a deep breath and listen for His voice.

Thirdly, create a prayer calendar for every single day of the week. By category focus on different people, different kinds of groups, church groups, church staff, spiritual leaders, work related doors, colleagues, dreams, personal petitions, children, family, god children, missions, orphans, widows, etc. Don't try to do it ALL every single day, unless you are retired and you have the time. Then, as you go throughout the day, as the Lord reminds you of others, remember them out loud in short prayers. 

One more thing...  Read the Bible this coming year with us! Use the One Year Bible, consider using the YOU VERSION Bible Application and they have a new Kids Version too! This is when God can speak to you through His word!  

Lets make the New Year different. Lets change together and realize we have value, we are loved by Him and we are loved by others. Why do you think in First Corinthians the thirteenth chapter the word of God said, "Of faith, hope and love, the greatest of these...is love." I believe its because we need more love, love conquers a multitude of sins and love is where the ultimate gift was given from God's son, Jesus Christ. Love is powerful, so share love today.

For those of you who don't say it a lot, I learned something from a friend of mine who died in a plane crash years ago because at the end of every phone call, every time I saw him, he would say, "I love you". After he was gone, I wanted to pick up his mantle and tell people, "I love you" more. It doesn't have to be "out of place, adulterated or even cavalier" when you say it and mean it to others. 

Happy New Year friends, I love you.