God Comes Through

As many of you are aware, we have a struggling new company that has been trying to grow during the tough economic times.  No banks will loan money for purchase orders and we have had to rely on friends and Factors.  Factors charge an enormous rate of interest on the money but it is the only money available in today's climate. 

Banks will loan money but want to you have the same amount you are borrowing in liquid assets.  If I had the money in liquid assets, I wouldn't be asking for a line of credit to get purchase orders and inventory in place.

So during the past five years we have developed a faith in the Lord that I never had to have in all my life.  We learned first hand that the Lord is never early, never late, but always a last minute God to the rescue in building our faith. 

Now I could tell you I am smart enough to figure things out for myself, but we all know that is not the case.  So time after time, the Lord shows up in our lives and other people's lives to give us just enough to continue moving forward.

Our case in point this week has been that we have new orders from Wal-Mart for Identa-Label to be in all stores beginning June 1st.  But they also require that we have replacement material sitting in the warehouse for weekly pickups.  We still are looking to the Lord to deliver the funds for that inventory, but now let me tell you about how the Lord continues to come through.

A requirement of Wal-Mart is that they will have a tractor trailer at our dock every week and we have to quickly load orders. This requires a forklift for the job. We do not have the money to spend on a forklift at this time. But guess what? 

On March 2nd we had a tornado come through our property and the only thing it destroyed besides 63 trees was our cargo trailer which I had used to carry a display.  (I no longer carry the display)  Well the trailer was tossed upon a fence post, then lifted again and rolled three times stopping on another fence post. 

What we got from the insurance is within $55.00 of the cost of our new forklift. 

Out of something tragic, comes a blessing that we had been praying for to survive in our business. 

Time and time again we have done, "GOD COMES THROUGH AGAIN!"

Each of us should have "God Comes Through" times in our lives, but if not, how's your faith?  Are you relying on yourself or the creator of the Universe who is passionately in love with you and wants to bless you? 

Is it not time to walk by faith and not by site in your life?    Faith as seen in the Bible

Five Reasons Church Leaders Have Affairs

I have had too many friends in the ministry who have left their passion because of giving in to sexual temptation.  Here is an article that really makes sense.  Do you know any friend or pastor who is heading down this road?  Have the Courage to speak to them in love.  You may not only save their marriage, but their ministry.


Written by Jeff Fisher

Let me start off by saying, no one is immune to sexual temptation. It doesn’t matter what your job is, how old you are, or how much time you spend with Jesus each day. We all have the potential to fall sexually.
Even ministers… and maybe, especially ministers.
Ministers have jobs that automatically put them in a pressure cooker. It’s not unusual to have a stressful job, but there are five unique aspects of a ministry position that make him more vulnerable to opening the door to sexual temptation.

1. A pastorate is a place of power – Whether the minister is using it or not, he has great influence over others. The pastor is an authority, he is looked up to, he is on stage, and is usually highly regarded. Broken people with damaged lives come regularly to talk with the minister, many of them desperate for a word or attention. It is not hard for a minister to sway others with their words or personality. The minister probably doesn’t realize the power he has over others.

2. Ministers are often isolated and unaccountable for their actions – Ministers spend large amounts of time alone. Many don’t have a set schedule or a structured day. They don’t have to clock in and out of work, and don’t usually have church leaders asking them accountability questions. This is especially true for small church minister who is often the only staff member. Isolation and lack of accountability are seedbeds for disaster.

3. Protection and policies around ministers can be lax – Churches rarely have policies requiring accountability software on their computer or mobile phone. Few or no precautions are taken when the minister is counseling someone of the opposite sex. And ministers often go on visitation to homes by themselves. Policies don’t cure bad behavior or a wayward congregant, but they provide an extra boundary that may be a difference maker in a tempting situation.

4. Ministers have few people they can share their deepest struggles with - It’s hard for a minister to be transparent. His closest relationships are usually church people, and he doesn’t want to share his deeply with parishoners. Neither does he share his personal or sexual struggles or sexual struggles with other ministers, for fear he might lose his job.

5. Ministers frequently feed off the approval of others - Ministers can be approval addicts. Their identities can revolve around the attention and comments of others. A minister’s well-being, if it is unhealthy, rises and falls with every “Good sermon” or “Sister Jones is mad at you.” Not only are broken church members looking for attention, but so are broken ministers. Sexual tension in a minister / parishioner relationship is powerful and deadly. It pushes the button of an approval addict and the needy church member and can quickly lead to disaster.

START THE CONVERSATION, HAVE COURAGEUnfortunately, we must initiate these conversations with our staff and church leaders. It’s doubtful a lay leader or denominational leader will get the ball rolling, until there is a moral failure. It takes courage to talk about potential holes in our ministry. It takes a higher motivation for integrity and sexual purity to draw boundaries, write policies, and set up accountability.
These are points of vulnerability. They have been fault lines for many ministers before us who have fallen sexually. We ministers have a high responsibility and are accountable for the souls of many. We mustn’t be lax in dealing with areas of sexual vulnerability or questioning our staff about them.

C & E Effect

Well Easter is gone and we are heading towards another vacation season.  With the gas prices continuing to rise, many people are looking at stay-cations this year.  Yet the summer slump in churches will be in full effect. 

Yet the impact of the C & E Effect was felt everywhere this past Sunday.  On Easter most churches set record attendances for the day.  Our church experienced 7700 in attendance with many decisions for the Lord.  A new campus was opened with 1208 at its first services.

Then the C & E Effect took over which resulted in a 45% drop in attendance for this past Sunday.  Why?  The Christmas (C) and Easter (E) attenders seem to not be looking for a relationship with the creator of the Universe, but to "punch their card" for a service.  Some people come to please a family member or just because they feel guilty and think the one service will make them feel better.

I am thrilled that they came to praise the Lord and hear the Word but so many missed the best part of having a relationship with the Lord.  One message misses the need for a daily relationship with the Lord.  Yes we are all hypocrites in the eyes of the C & E people because they look at the people in the church and not at the reason for celebrating Easter or having that one on one relationship.

If you are a C & E Effect person don't be mad, try this.  Go again on a non high energy weekend.  Talk to at least five people.  Find out what the church believes and does for others.    If you are not comfortable with a given church, "kick the tires" on another church until you find one that reaches out to others rather than is just content with where they are today.

I'd love to see some of the 45% this next weekend!  Just so they can feel welcome to have a great relationship with the Creator.

Tired of: "Forward this to five people"

Each week I get emails from friends who have forwarded me a great thought or emotional plea but at the bottom of the page is always something like, "Send this to 5 -20 friends and you will have a prayer come true or something great will happen to you". 

I have never heard of a prayer to the Lord being answered because you sent this email to other people's "inbox".  Yes the Lord does have an INBOX but it has been around since the beginning of time with Adam and Eve.  His Inbox is never full and he will give you one of three answers.  "Yes"- I want to bless you right now; "No"- because it is not good for you at this time; and "Wait"- Now is not the right time for this blessing but keep coming back to learn when the time is right.

Lifting your prayers to the Lord is just one of the communication links available to everyone.  The Lord wants a one on one relationship and the blessings from that relationship may not be money, cars, a new house or other expensive desires, but a peace in knowing that the Lord WILL take care of you. 

The next time you get a great story that you want to share with others just take the part off at the bottom where you HAVE to send it forward in order to get a reward.  Your reward is that you have friends in which to share insights and compassion. Think about it YOU have firends!   Period. 

Never foward  because of some potential great gain that you will get because you hit the SEND button.

Just my thought on the matter!

Church Hoppers

I have seen this event so much over the years known as 'Church Hopping".  It is not a sporting event but maybe to some it is.  Here's a scenario:  The change the paint in the church and you decide that you need a new church or you just have not gone to church today since your were in high school and grandma is hounding you that your family needs to be in church.

You go to one church and are giving the church and it's people the third degree review.  The people are nice so you go there until:

1. They ask for your time or money - you're off and hop to the next church
2. The pastor does not speak to you one Sunday - your're off and hop to the next church
3. The message steps on your toes - your're off and hop to the next church
4. They do not meet in a large church building or anything that looks like a church building - your're off and hop to the next church
5. You want a classroom painted your favorite color and give money for that project and they use the money for a mission project - your're off and hop to the next church
6. The music is too loud -  your're off and hop to the next church
7. The music is too soft - your're off and hop to the next church
8. They don't sing the old hymns - your're off and hop to the next church
9. Why are they sending money overseas as we need it locally - your're off and hop to the next church
10. The pastor himself does not make hospital calls - your're off and hop to the next church
11. The sermons are boring - your're off and hop to the next church

This list goes on and on but the point is that Church is Not about You!  Surprise!  We grow from teaching and reading and listening.  As one person said that is why God gave us two ears, two eyes, and one mouth.  We should listen and read twice as much as we talk. 

Each week we should grow more in our faith.  Find a body of believers you can "do Life" with listen and learn how to grow your faith in the Lord and in others without hopping to another church.

A Duck Out of Water

Last week I had business in Little Rock Arkansas and after work one day I was looking to find a Wal-Mart to get a couple of things.  It was pouring down rain (the week of their floods)  as I headed down Interstate 35. When I came to a large intersection I turned right and soon saw it was an industrial area so I kept driving.  Once again I came to a larger intersection and turned right again.

Then the scenery changed because I found myself in a run down area of Little Rock with windows broken out of many buildings and writing on many walls.  I found a store to get the things I needed and thought I'd head back to the Interstate and on to my hotel.  But the road I came from was now flooded and so I had to take a left and a new adventure.

Soon I came upon a shopping area and found a KFC so I thought, I'd get some dinner.  I never thought anything about it until I got out of the truck and walked into the KFC.  I was the only white person there and got stares from every direction. 

The clerk behind the counter greeted me with a smile, "I'll bet you stopped here for some good Kentucky Fried Chicken.  I did a little more than a nod in a guarded state.  He could tell I was a little nervous and said,  "We make the best chicken in Little Rock.  That's why you see all the other folks here." 

There was someone at the drive thru and he started talking back to them like he had known them all his life.  I said, "Is that a friend of yours?"  He comment was, "Never saw him in my life but  no one gets a civil break here".  That eased my mind a little and I placed my order.

When it came, he said, "Whittie, I know your lost but we are sure glad you are here."  Then laughed really big as I sat down for my meal.  He came over and asked me where I was headed and I said "Back to the Airport".  He gave me directions and once again laughed and said, "Glad you stopped in.  You gave some class to this place."

I thought, I was a duck out of water and he made me feel at ease.  I now know how a black person feels in an all white crowd.  I was totally out of my element, but this man helped me feel at ease.

I recall another time when I was at the Ohio Governor's mansion where I was attending a cocktail party and felt the same way.  The only difference was no one except the Governor and his daughter made me feel at ease.  Color has nothing to with it as much as being outside your comfortable environment.

As you go through your day is there someone who needs to be put at ease in the environment they find themselves in?  Be the catalyst to helping someone feel at ease.  You will make their day!

He Really Didn't

Well, as we come toward Easter I recall a Christian man in our church talking to me and saying,  "Jesus didn't really have the sins of the world on Him when He was crucified.  It was like so many other things in the Bible, just symbolism."

My response was to use logic the man could understand.  "Do you believe that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are one?"  His response was, "Yes because that was perfectly clear in the Bible and spelled out in John 1:1". 

"Was God perfect and could not be a part of sin", was my next question.

"Yes as that was pointed our many times in the Old Testament", he replied.

"So why do you think Jesus cried out on the cross, MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAVE YOU FORSAKEN ME?", was my response. 

I continued, "Since God will never be a part of sin and can not have sin anywhere near him. 

Since Jesus was one third of the Trinity, God separated himself from Jesus at that moment just before Jesus cried out because he literally took on sin for the past, present, and the future. 

It was that moment that God had to turn his back on His son and Jesus was truly alone for the first time in Eternity.  It was at that moment that Jesus really DID have the sins of the world on Him.  Then he carried those sins and our sins into his death. 

This is why Easter is so important.  He left those sins in the grave and was reunited with God and the Holy Spirit.  So it is through Jesus that we have forgiveness of our sins and can have a personal relationship with God.  Jesus never set up a religion through His sacrifice but built a one on one relationship with you through the Heavenly father."

"Knowing that Jesus literally took on the sins of the world will make me that more thankful for Easter", was my friend's reply, "because he DID leave my sins in the grave for eternity."

How about you?  Did you know that you need to have that relationship with Jesus and know that your wrong doings throughout your life are gone because they were on the physical being of Jesus over 1977 years ago.

It relationship time!

Strange Quotes

I have seen people quote scriptures to highlight their own desires, but today I saw one of the strangest quotes I've ever seen. 

Here's the scripture on the back of the T shirt on a man I saw today at a gas station.  “All the horns of the wicked I will also cut off,  But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted.”  Psalms 75:10

The picture just above the quote was a bull with the two horns detached just below where the horns should be.  On the front was the word "AGGIES DE-HORN BEVO.

For those who are not football fans, and Aggie is the mascot  dog for Texas A&M.  Bevo is the mascot bull for Texas University.  So the excitement of the front is very spirited, but the back is using scripture to promote their thoughts of what they want to accomplish in a football game.

How many times do we quote scripture for our own benefit to prove a point or desire to direct God's word for our own satisfaction or gain.  Understand that we need to have scripture in our hearts to help us grow and to increase our relationship with the Lord.

But how many times have you thought of a scripture to justify a feeling or a direction you want the Lord to move in your favor?  When the scripture says to "Call on the Name of the Lord" it is for salvation and not to get even.  Acts 2:21.

As for me, I can think of better slogans to use on T shirts that are funnier and will get the point of my loyalty to my favorite team. 

How about you?

Thinking of Easter in 60 Seconds

JESUS DEATH - 60 SECONDS ~~~ For the next 60 seconds, set aside whatever You're doing and take this opportunity! Let's see if Satan can stop this... THE (SCIENTIFIC) DEATH OF JESUS At the  age of 33, Jesus was condemned to the death penalty.  At the  time crucifixion was the "worst" death. Only the worst criminals condemned to be crucified. Yet it was Even more dreadful for Jesus, for unlike other criminals condemned to death by crucifixion Jesus was nailed to the cross by His hands and feet, rather than tied... Each  nail Was 6 to 8 inches long.  The  nails Were driven into His wrist.  Not Into His palms  as is commonly Portrayed. There's a tendon in the wrist that  Extends to the shoulder.  The Roman guards knew That when the nails were being hammered into the Wrist, that tendon would tear and Break, forcing Jesus to use His back Muscles to support himself, so that He could breathe.    Both of His feet Were nailed together. Thus He was forced to  Support Himself on the single nail that Impaled His feet to the cross.  Jesus could Not support himself with His legs for long because of the pain, so He was forced to alternate between arching His Back and using his legs just to continue to  Breath.  Imagine the struggle, the pain, the Suffering, the courage.  Jesus endured this Reality for over 3 hours.  Yes,  Over 3 hours! Can you imagine this kind of Suffering? A few minutes before He died, Jesus stopped bleeding. He was simply pouring water From his wounds.  From  common images we see wounds to His hands and feet and even the spear wound to His side...  But do we remember the many wounds  Made to his body.  A hammer Driving large nails through the wrists, the feet overlapped And a nail hammered through the arches, then a Roman guard piercing  His side with a spear. And... Before the nails and the spear, Jesus was whipped and Beaten.  The whipping was so severe that it tore the Flesh from His body. The beating so horrific that His Face was torn and his beard ripped from His face. The Crown of thorns (two to three inch thorns) cut deeply into His scalp. Most men Would not have survived this torture.   "  He had no more blood To bleed out, only water poured from His Wounds. The  Human adult body contains about 5 liters (just over a  gallon) of blood.  Jesus  poured all 5 liters of his blood; He had three nails hammered into His Body; a crown of thorns on His head and, beyond That, a Roman soldier who stabbed a spear into His  Chest..  All  these without Mentioning the humiliation He passed after carrying His own Cross for almost 2 kilometers, while the crowd  spat in his Face and threw stones (the cross beam was almost 30 kg of weight, to which His hands were nailed).  Jesus had to endure this experience, So that you may have free access to God.  So that your sins can be "washed" away. All of them, with no exception! Don't ignore this. JESUS  CHRIST DIED...FOR YOU! For you, who now read this e-mail. Do not believe that He only died for others (those who go to church or for pastors, bishops, etc).  He died for you! It is easy to e-mail jokes or silly photos, But when it comes to God, Sometimes we feel ashamed to forward a message about Him on To others. We are worried of what they “may think.”  Accept  the reality, the truth, that JESUS IS THE ONLY SALVATION FOR THE WORLD.  God has special plans for YOU! Share this with all your friends... About what He went through to save you. Really think about it! May God bless you!  For the next 60 seconds, Set aside what you're doing and take This opportunity! Let's see if Satan can stop this.  All you  have to do Is: 1.. Pray for the person who sent this message to you.  2. Take a moment to appreciate the power of God in your life, as you do what pleases Him. If you are not ashamed to do this, please, follow Jesus' instructions.  He said (Matthew 10:32 & 33): "Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge  before My Father in heaven; but whosoever denies Me before  others,  I also will deny before My Father in  heaven".  Yes, I love God. He is my source of life and my Savior. He keeps me alive and safe, both day and night.  Without Him, I am nothing, but with Him "I can do all things through Christ  who strengthens me". Philippians 4:13.“But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6, KJV.

Valentine's Day and a Broken Heart

 Psalm 34:18 (NLT) says, "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

It was this past Sunday that I was talking to a single lady who had lost her Dad this past Christmas season and she is not in a relationship.  When I talked with her, she began to tear and I knew it was time to stop talking and give her a hug.  She hugged tightly and then said, "You made my Valentine's Day!  When she saw the pause in my gaze at her, she said that she makes sure her daughter has a great Valentine's Day but she then told me that single people find Valentine's Day is the saddest day for those who are experiencing a broken heart. Just a hug was what she needed.

Then she smiled and noted, "but I know God takes care of the broken hearted and I will rely on that for Valentine's Day."

Broken hearts can be hard to mend. But to God, a broken heart is good. God loves broken hearts for this is the time when people reach out to Him for His love. In return God bestows His love to those suffering from a broken heart.   But where is your compassion for the brokenhearted.

It is easy to see someone who has had surgery or a broken bone because they outwardly show evidence of their wounds.  Yet the broken hearted  people, most of time, will mask their feelings when in the public.  But many others just do not get around people when they are experiencing a broken heart. Particularly on Valentine's Day.

Be sensitive to people around you  to those who  may have broken hearts which can come from divorce, death of a loved one, and loss of dreams or goals, or just being alone.  Is there someone today who just needs a hug? 

Learn to be sensitive to others and have compassion on their needs for communication and to know that the Lord loves them as they look for love.  As today's scripture says, "He rescues those whose spirits are crushed."

Grace vs. Entitlement

It's been a few days since, I posted but that has not stopped my dreams.

Some of our dreams make no sense at all but once in a while you get an "AAHAA" moment as you awake out of sleep.  As my mind wondered during sleep, I recall one dream that stands out and that I shared with one gentlman in our church.

I was working at my office and a high school person came in and said that I had to give them a job.   When I asked them to fill out an application, they said they did not have to because I owed them a job because I owned a business and had work that needed to be completed.  Instead of dismissing the person immediately, I said, "Why do I owe you a job?"  The person said that it was their right to have a good paying job and that I had to give it to them.

I said I will hire you for one day only and see how things worked out.  Within ten minutes of them going on the clock, I took a look and saw them sitting on a stool.  I said,"Why are you not working?"  Their response took me by surprise.  "I clocked in and thought it was time for a break."

As I told the person to clock out immediately, they seemed puzzled and said, "I will get paid for the entire day?" "Why?" I responded. They said, "I am entitled to geting money and I do not have to do anything for it.  That's what the government tells me."  My response was,"What are you going to do when there is no more money avaialble by the government?" 

The person laughed and said, "That will never happen because my parents have ben on welfare and food stamps most of their lives so I can get on that bandwagon.  In fact the Bible teaches about getting something for nothing.  It's called Grace."

As in many dreams, the scene immediately changed and all I saw was a blank light area and heard, "Teach them to fish" .  Then as I sunk back into sleep, I saw a church group of men who initated a summer work program. But this program was different in that they took time to teach work habits and train the basics of getting a job and knowing what is required by an employer.  High school students were lining up to take the training and get a summer job.

The rules were simple, businesses and people in the church would list a job and the men's group would connect them to the student.  One person would agree to go with the student to make sure they understand the needs of the job and the student would know that they would get $10.00- $12.00 an hour if they worked the hour.  If they did not then there were consequences to their playing around or trying to extend the time so they could get more pay by not getting the full hour of pay.

Goals were established but I saw the only goal was to teach that "If you give them a fish (money) they will party for a day.  If  you teach them to fish (work for money) they will live well for a lifetime." 

As I watch this unfold in my dreams, I see how the training ties seving and giving to others by learning to have great work ethics.  These ethics were now seen in a mission trip by students. 

Grace is a spiritual gift to last a lifetime but one of the best gifts people in the church can give to our youth is to teach our young people how to fish.  It will last them no matter what our govenrment does. 

I Can Relate

This last week we had a "substitute" speaker at church. Dale Henry is an outstanding speaker and motivator for corporations like Cisco, IBM, Procter and Gamble, Johnson and Johnson, and the list goes on.

But his message was different as he spoke of Job and about us having JOY even in trials. So Dale spoke of kidney stones and when he asked who has experienced them, my hand went up high. I have had three bouts with kidney stones and they all were about as bad as any pain could be. What starts out as a small pain in the lower back soon becomes a pain that had no end.

For me the pain was such that I vomited uncontrollably when there was nothing to vomit. So when I got to the emergency room they immediately gave me a shot and within minutes the pain became manageable. The problem was that I was in Atlanta for training at Home Depot and it was 3:30 in the morning. When I said that I wanted to go to have surgery in Knoxville, the physician said, we cannot release you to go home until the medication wears off. I said but won't the pain come back and the doctor said yes because the stone is nine millimeters in diameter and quite sharp. My thought while under drugs was, "9 millimeters is not much" only to find out later that it was over 1/3 inch in diameter.

I headed up I-75 to get me home. I made it about 20 miles and had to pull over.  After vomiting and resting for the pain to go down, I’d drive another 20 miles and experience the cycle all over again.  It took me five hours to get home which normally takes 2 ½ hours.  We went straight to the hospital and the surgery was welcome relief. 

Where is the joy in kidney stones?  I could find no joy in any of the three expereinces except for understanding when someone tells of having a kidney stone.  Job had lost everything and was in constant pain from his sores. Yet his best words are simply, “Human life is a struggle, isn’t it?”  Job 7:1 (The Message)

Of all the frustration and hurt and loss, it boils down to the idea that Life is a Struggle! 

In whatever happens to you that you consider miserable, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds . . . ”. (James 1:2)   Understand that the creator of the Universe is in love with you and he can give you a testimony from those pains and trials.  Read the last of Job (Job 42) and see the joy that was seen from just trusting the Lord in trails.

 What God did then, He’ll do today.  Just believe and have JOY!  My joy was knowing that the Lord allowed me to drive home without the stone cutting me up inside.  See there is something to be happen about in any situation.

Trouble Making a New Year's Resolution?

If you have not made your New Year's resolutions and having trouble with that.  Check out Johnathan Edwards 70 resolutions in which he kept all year long.  It's a long read but makes any resolutions I think of pale in comparison.  The only thing in these resolutions was that they were written in 1723.  Anything you can glean from his thoughts?  I know I can! 

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Overall Life Mission

1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.”

Good Works

11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. .

Time Management

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking. .
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better.
50.Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. .
51.Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. .
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. .
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. .
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc.

Relationships

14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects.
34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Suffering

9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin.

Character

8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peaceable, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Spiritual Life

Assurance

25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.

The Scriptures

28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.

Prayer

29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness.

The Lord’s Day

38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day.

Vivification of Righteousness

30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion.

Mortification of Sin and Self Examination

23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.

Communion with God

53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance.

New Day - New Year

There are times in our lives when we want a "do-over".  Do-overs are easy if you are playing putt-putt golf and no one is behind you.  Whether you call an erred golf shot a mulligan  of any other phrase you use which gives you a chance to start over.

Do-overs allow you to get it right or get a better score without it counting against you.  There are so many things this year that may have not gone the way you want it but beginning tomorrow, you get a "do-over". 

What is in the past is past and at this hour there is nothing you can do to change it even though you may want to.  Instead look at tomorrow as a "do--over year.

Make it a do-over for your business, your personal life, your family, your marriage, old and new relationships, and particularly your relationship with the Creator of the Universe.  Trust me I look forward to do-overs and improving the life I have left on this world.

One year ago exactly, I began a journey that was inspired by our pastor who wrote the book I mentioned yesterday.  "The Plan of your Life"  encourages you to each day write a journal or other way to portray what is on your mind.  I am a terrible writer so I incorporated one of the ideas of "The Plan" in this blog.  As of today, I have executed 200 blogs this year. 

Not all were encouragements but raw reflections of what I was feeling and my thoughts lifted up to the Lord. 

Try to put your thoughts in writing this nexgt year and make your do-over count.  In looking back since last January, I see my highs and lows and the growth I have expereinced.  Just be consitent and not make it a New year's Resolution that will only last a few days or weeks.

It's a new day and new year.  Think about it and have a:

Blessed New Year!