Tag Archives: New Year’s resolution

December 29
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“I have much to write you, but I do not want to do so with pen and ink.  I hope to see you soon, and we will talk face to face.”  (3 John 1:13-14, NIV)

John’s affection for his people (or as he refers to them: his “children”) is obvious in each of his three letters.  As a practical matter, John wrote when he must, but he wanted to visit — “face to face” — when he could.

Since the days of John, we’ve added option upon option to our communications menu: Snail mail, telegraph, telephone, e-mail, Skype/Facetime, text.  But, as John noted in today’s scripture, there is no substitute for physically “being there.”

In the coming New Year, consider who you need to visit, face to face.  Make the plan, and commit the time and the money for its success.  – Luther

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January 1
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New Year’s Day 2015

“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, KJV)

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution: Enthusiasm for worship with others?

A lot of things conspire to dampen our enthusiasm for worship with others: The sermon doesn’t engage us; the hymns seem random; and — truth be told — the other folks at worship don’t seem to keen to be there, either.

No matter. Perhaps a clue to David’s enthusiasm for approaching the place of corporate worship is found in the preceding psalm (Psalm 121:2): “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

For all of God’s gifts to us, gratitude and praise is the only appropriate response. In the words of an old song of the church, “count your many blessings; count them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Resolve to fill every day of 2015 with gratitude and praise, and look forward to worship with others!  Happy New Year!  – Luther

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January 3
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“I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the LORD.” (Psalm 122:1, KJV)

How’s this for a New Year’s resolution: Enthusiasm for worship with others?

A lot of things conspire to dampen our enthusiasm for worship with others: The sermon doesn’t engage us; the hymns seem random; and — truth be told — the other folks at worship don’t seem to keen to be there, either.

No matter. Perhaps a clue to David’s enthusiasm for approaching the place of corporate worship is found in the preceding psalm (Psalm 121:2): “My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”

For all of God’s gifts to us, gratitude and praise is the only appropriate response. In the words of an old song of the church, “count your many blessings; count them one by one.  Count your many blessings, see what God has done!”

Resolve to fill every day of 2015 with gratitude and praise, and look forward to worship with others!  Happy New Year!  – Luther

NY

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