Years ago, my brother-in-law invited me to go skiing with him and his preteen-children. For some reason, I was to be in charge of the kids on a particular run. As I rounded a turn, I observed them disappearing over a precipice that had a warning sign, “Black Diamond Trail.” This identified the most dangerous trail on the mountain. As I arrived at the top and came to a standstill, I could see the three of them looking up at me from the bottom, with anticipation on their faces. They wanted to see their uncle make a fool of himself trying to navigate that cliff. They weren’t disappointed, for shortly in my descent, skis, poles, arms and legs were flying in all directions.

Leadership doesn’t work when you’re bringing up the rear. You must, out of necessity, be ahead of the pack, watching for danger and protecting your charges. 

Acts 20:28

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.

I lived, and a good time was had by all by the grace of God.

Give it some thought.

Gary

A little boy asked his father what his New Year’s resolution was. His dad responded, “I’m going to do everything possible in this new year to make your mother very happy.”

The little boy then asked his mother the same question. She replied, “I’m going to do everything possible to make sure your father keeps his resolution.”

Nothing like having some help when the task is great and the past is littered with failure. The Bible offers help in this endeavor.

Isaiah 41:10 

Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. 

Psalm 54:4 

Behold, God is my helper; the Lord is the upholder of my life.

Give it some thought and tackle that thing together.

Gary

A woman walked into her bathroom at home. As she did, she saw her husband weighing himself on the bathroom scales, while sucking in his stomach.

The woman thought to herself, “He thinks that he will weigh less by sucking in his stomach.” So, the woman rather sarcastically said to her husband, “That’s not going to help.”

Her husband responded, “Sure it will. It’s the only way I can see the numbers.”

Can’t see the numbers?  Now is the time to do something about it. My specialized diet involves burning fewer calories than I take in. (Not that I follow it, but it has been my diet.)  Not seeing the numbers is very telling about last year’s consumption.

That is also true spiritually. People looking on can tell what you’re consuming from the Word.

John 6:35

Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.

1 Peter 2:2

Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—

 Look down at yourself. Think about it. Isn’t it time?

Gary

The cartoon character Calvin from Calvin and Hobbes once said, “God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now, I’m so far behind I’ll never die.”

For you as a Christian there are a certain number of things you must accomplish. Remember Jonah who had to go to Nineveh?  There were only two ways this could be accomplished. The easy way and the hard way. He chose the hard way. Read the account.

Now, as for you as a Christian, there are two ways to live your life. The easy way and the hard way. Which one will you choose in the new year?

Proverbs 3:11-12 

My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of His reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom He loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

Revelation 3:19 

Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline, so be zealous and repent.

Give it some thought and don’t mess with God’s will.

Gary

A boy asked his father, “Dad, if three frogs were sitting on a limb that hung over a pool, and one frog decided to jump off into the pool, how many frogs would be left on the limb?” 

The dad replied, “Two.” 

“No,” the son continued. “There are three frogs and one decides to jump, how many are left?” 

The dad said, “Oh, I get it. If one decides to jump, the others would too. So, there are none left.” 

The boy said, “No, Dad, the answer is three. The frog only DECIDED to jump.” 

Does that sound like last year’s resolution? Great inspiration and great resolutions, but often times we only decide, and months later we are still on the same limb of do-nothing.

–       Author unknown

If you can’t make a decision, then there is no need to make a resolution for the new year. However, if you are in the mood for real change, read this:

Romans 2:4 

Or do you presume on the riches of his kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that God’s kindness is meant to lead you to repentance?

Revelation 2:5 

Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place, unless you repent.

Give it some thought and then jump.

Gary

Pete, at a New Year’s party, turns to his friend, Ken, and asks for a cigarette.  

“I thought you made a New Year’s resolution to quit smoking,” Ken responds.

“I’m in the process of quitting,” replies Pete with a grin. “Right now, I am in the middle of phase one.”

“Phase one?” 

“Yeah,” laughs Pete, “I’ve quit buying.”

Not much of a plan to rid oneself of a bad habit, is it?  Do you think this year will be the same as the last for Pete? The Bible has the only solution that really works and it’s called repentance.

2 Peter 3:9 

The Lord is not slow to fulfill His promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

Matthew 3:8 

Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.

If you desire 2023 to be different, I would suggest repentance.

Give it some thought.

Gary

Dear Santa,

There are three little boys who live at our house. There is Jeffrey; he is two. There is David; he is four. And there is Norman; he is seven. Jeffrey is good some of the time. David is good some of the time. But Norman is good all of the time.

I am Norman.

How easy it is to judge others and not see the flaws in ourselves.

Luke 6:37
Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven;

James 1:26
If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is worthless.

Give it some thought.

Gary