I Only Have Eyes for You

Whisper of God -
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, hardly noticed—he only had eyes for God, whom he saw in all his glory with Jesus standing at his side.
(Acts 7:55 MsgB)

Observation -
Stephen had been chosen to serve as one of the deacons in the early church. He and the others were picked because they were all known to be full of the Holy Spirit.
We quickly find out just how much Stephen was filled with the Spirit as he is dragged out by and angry mob. The Spirit directs Stephen's words as he gives his defense. He recounts the history of the people of Israel and how God had worked among them. Yet the point of all this was to show how Israel had always rejected God. Whenever God would speak through one of the prophets the people would not listen. Instead they killed the prophets.
His words further outraged the mob. Rather than being convicted of their sin in their hearts, they did what their ancestors had done. The stoned Stephen to death.
As the stones began beating against Stephen his focus was not on the mob, their angry words or the pain he felt. Instead Stephen's focus was on God.

Real Life Application -
I am too easily distracted by trivial things. I need to be filled more and more with the Holy Spirit making so I too only have eyes for Jesus.

Day's Prayer -
Lord Jesus you know all the difficulties that challenge me. You know how easily I can become critical, how quickly I focus on the problem. Fill me with your Spirit afresh and anew today. May I only have eyes for you.

Buried Treasure

Whisper of God -
Next make tapestries of goat hair for a tent that will cover The Dwelling.
(Exodus 26:7 MsgB)

Observation -
God is giving Moses detailed instructions for the building of The Dwelling (better know to most of us as the Tabernacle). The Dwelling contained all the various things used to worship God - The Ark of the Covenant, the altar, the lamp stands, and more. Many of these things were covered with gold. The interior of The Dwelling was curtains of fine linen. But on the outside it was to be covered with goat skins.
From the outside The Dwelling looked no different than the many other tents in which the people lived. Yet within not only could earthly treasures be found, but more importantly God's presence would be there among His people.
I'm reminded of what Paul told the Corinthians. Like jars of clay we have a treasure within us of the limitless power of God (see 1 Corinthians 4:7). From the outside our appearance as believers is no different than anyone else. But on the inside is the life of Christ. We are The Dwelling of His Spirit!

Real Life Application -
The evidence of the treasure within is seen in how I live from day to day.

Day's Prayer -
Lord Jesus thank you for the treasure of Your Spirit that is living within in me. Empower me to not give in to the external pressures of life to fit in and be like everyone else. Empower me to talk differently, to act differently. May I daily live like You with an awareness of the treasure within.

Head in the Clouds

Whisper of God -
The people kept their distance while Moses approached the thick cloud where God was.
(Exodus 20:21 MsgB)

Observation -
To see that Moses approached God is not unusual. He is the leader of the people, but more than that, Moses spoke for God and performed miracles in the presence of the people. We recognize Moses as a holy man of God; no surprise that He approaches the thick cloud of God's presence.
What should surprise us in this passage is that God wanted all the people to come into His presence. In chapter 19 God established the limits around Mount Sinai. The people were to prepare themselves to meet with God, but were to stay off the mountain until the sounding of the trumpet otherwise they would die. Chapter 20 begins with God speaking to the people and giving them The Ten Commandments.
The people were terrified at the sound of God's voice and the sight of His awesome presence on the mountain. They were so afraid they told Moses to speak to them the words of God but to not have God speak directly to them. Yet right before this, and immediately after God spoke the 10 commandments the scripture describes God's presence on the mountain and the sound of the trumpet.
It seems to me that God was calling everyone to the mountain. He had told Moses that the people would be His treasured possession and a kingdom of priests. God sounded the trumpet to call them into His presence, but they resisted God. And so Moses went up the mountain alone into the cloud of God's glory.

Real Life Application -
I need to respond to the call of God to enter into the cloud of His presence so He can make me an individual who represents God before others (a priest).

Day's Prayer -
Lord, you have made us a royal priesthood. You have given us the right to come boldly into your presence through Jesus. Yet it is so easy for us - for me - to be distracted by the day to day things of life. In those times I fail to hear you calling me into your presence. Forgive me. Cleanse my ears to clearly hear your call that I might daily enter into your presence. Only then will people see Jesus in me as you desire.

Promises

God's Word for today:
Whisper of God -
I am sending what my Father promised to you, so stay here in the city until he arrives, until you're equipped with power from on high.
Luke 24:49 MsgB

Observation -
The word promised stands out to me. God planned in advance to use ordinary men and women to build His church. But bing a witness to tell others about Jesus was not something they could do in their own strength; they would need the power that only God could give them through His Holy Spirit. Therefore God made a promise, an unbreakable covenant, that in the last days He would pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. The time was now at hand for God to fulfill this promise.
All too often I'm a lot like Peter. I act without thinking. Yet on this occasion Peter did what Jesus said. He did not get ahead of God with His own ideas about how to build the church. After all Jesus had previously given them the keys of the kingdom, and had told Peter that upon his profession, "Jesus is the Messiah" God would build His church. Still Peter waited for the promise of the Father to be fulfilled just as Jesus said it would be.

Real Life Application -
It is time to stop doing church in my own strength; instead I need to hold onto God's promises confident that He will bring it into being.

Day's Prayer -
Lord, you have filled me with your Holy Spirit. I thank you that you have given me the same power that was given to Peter and the early church, the same power that raised Jesus from the dead. This was your promise. And through your power you will build your church. You will work salvation, healing, deliverance unto your glory in your church through your people by the power of your Spirit within them.
The promises you have made concerning your church you will keep. I don't have to try to make it happen. Instead I can rest in you and step out in obedience as you direct with your power. Forgive me for trying to do it myself. Forgive me for doubting you. Help me to wait upon you and your timing as you fulfill your promises today in your church.

Pregnant?

God's W-O-R-D for today
Whisper of God -
Look at that guy! 
      He had sex with sin, 
      he's pregnant with evil. 
   Oh, look! He's having 
      the baby—a Lie-Baby!
(Psalm 7:14 MsgB)

Observation - 
This is one of David's honest prayers. He knows his enemies (that is King Saul) are out to get him, and if they catch him they will destroy him. Yet David's confidence is in God; he actually prays, "God if I'm guilty then let them catch me."
Yet David also knows that God is just. It is God who will ultimately judge the wicked. So David points out those who have been made themselves one with sin. They have become pregnant with evil and their offspring is deceit and disillusionment.
Sin is enjoyable for awhile, but in the end you are never satisfied.

Real Life Application -
I must be united with Christ wholeheartedly so that I am expectant with those things that last forever.

Day's Prayer - 
Lord Jesus, forgive me for having a divided heart, for loving You yet still holding on to the desires of this world. Give me a heart that burns for You. Holy Spirit fill me with a desire that only You can satisfy. Then and only then will I know real joy.
Blessed are the pure in heart because they will see God!

Hopeless?

Hopeless?
Whisper of God -
Jacob blessed Pharaoh.
(Genesis 47:7 MsgB)

Observation -
Because of the famine Jacob moved to Egypt from Canaan with his family. To his surprise he was reunited with his son Joseph whom he thought was dead. Joseph now second in command in Egypt introduces his father to Pharaoh.
Jacob then does something significant; he blesses Pharaoh. Again as Jacob departs he blesses Pharaoh a second time.
Blessings were significant (as they should be today). As I understand it a blessing was to give of one's self for the benefit of the other, or to speak prophetically with favor about the future. Yet when you think about it, Jacob was powerless to bless Pharaoh. Jacob had nothing to offer a man who ruled all of Egypt. Pharaoh was the one with all the power and wealth. Nevertheless Jacob, called Israel by God because he had wrestled with God to receive a blessing, Jacob now blessed Pharaoh, a pagan king who worshiped false gods.

Real Life Application -
I am too quick to judge people as being hopeless, yet these are the people God desires to bless through me.

Day's Prayer
Lord, forgive me for being judgmental and hard of heart. Give me a heart like Yours; yes, break my hear with what breaks Yours. Help me to not see people as hopeless, but like You Jesus to see them as harassed and helpless. I have nothing to give them; I am powerless to change their lives. So like Jacob, empower me to bless them with hope, with life that only You can give.

Passion

God's Word for today:
Whisper of God -
Every morning you'll hear me at it again.
Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar...(Psalm 5:3 MsgB)

Observation -David pours his heart out to God. He holds nothing back crying out to God for help. He recognizes the place of the wicked, and is amazed that God welcomes him into His presence.

Real Life Application -
I need to be more consistent in pouring out my heart to God everyday; to overflow with praise, confidence that He knows my need and will provide.

Day's Prayer -
Lord not a day goes by that Susie and I don't talk with each other about our day and renew our love for each other. God give me a greater passion for you that not a day goes by without me being in an open dialog with you.

When "Life Sucks"

God's W-O-R-D for today:

Whisper of God - 

With her last breath, for she was now dying, she named him Ben-oni (Son-of-My-Pain), but his father named him Ben-jamin (Son-of-Good-Fortune).

(Genesis 35:18 MsgB)

Observation -

Some might wonder, "How cold hearted can Jacob be; his wife just died giving birth and he called his new son 'Good Fortune?'" Jacob felt the pain and sorrow of his wife's death, but even in the mist of his loss he maintained a perspective that only God could give.

God had just visited again with Jacob in a place that he called "Bethel" (God's House). It was here that God reaffirmed the promise given to Jacob's forefathers, Abraham and Isaac. God would be with Jacob, now called Israel by God (which meant God-wrestler). For all of his faults Jacob had done what God told him to do. He left his father-in-law Laban and was on his way back home to his father Isaac in the land of Canaan - the Promised Land. God assured Jacob that his descendants would become a great nation, kings would be among his descendants, and they would possess the land.

This is why Jacob could look past the momentary pain and look to the future with hope. His son would be Benjamin (Son of good fortune) and not Ben-oni (Son of pain).

Real Life Application -

I need to be careful to have a God-given perspective and not become short-sighted by the trials of today.

Day's Prayer -

Lord, I put on reading glasses to change my perspective to see clearly what is right in front of me. Sometimes I confess that even without my glasses all I can see what is within arm's reach. Holy Spirit, give me an eternal perspective. Enable me to look beyond myself and the circumstances I face from day to day. On those days when "life sucks" I want to have faith to look beyond my pain knowing that You will not leave one of Your promises unkept.

What Was I Thinking?

God's W-O-R-D for today . . .

Whisper of God -
A bystander said, "Master, will only a few be saved?"
He said, "Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!
(Luke 13: 23, 24 MsgB)

Observation -
Luke connects Jesus' short dialog about being careful to watch one's personal relationship with God to two short stories Jesus told about the Kingdom of God. In the first the Kingdom is compared to a mustard seed that grows into a large tree where birds can nest. In the second the Kingdom is likened to yeast that works within the dough causing it to rise. The point of these stories seems to be that from small beginnings the Kingdom of God will continue to expand and grow.
Then comes the question, "How many people will be saved?" Another way of asking the same question would be, "How big will God's kingdom be?"
Jesus' answer is simple. Look after yourself. Don't worry about others, but first be certain that you are personally welcomed into God's kingdom.
I think Luke connected these these events because people have always been looking for a loophole. What about the outsiders, those who have never heard about Jesus will they be saved?
It is not that we are not to have a heart for the lost, but rather we must first look to our own heart. If I examine my personal relationship with God, then the Spirit will transform my heart so that God's Kingdom continues to expand through me.

Real Life Application -
Before I look at others, I must first examine my own heart to be certain that I am included in God's Kingdom.

Day's Prayer -Lord, it is so easy for me to look at others and think that as a Christian they are not going to make it. Or I mistakenly think that some people are too far gone and have no hope of being saved. Forgive me for not looking first to my own heart to enter through the narrow door and daily find the way to life-to God. Jesus do a work in me that only you can do. Expand Your Kingdom in me so that it will likewise grow through me.

Mission Possible

Whisper of God - 
"Heal anyone who is sick, and tell them, 'God's kingdom is right on your doorstep!'" (Luke 10:9 MsgB)

Observation -
Talk about Mission Impossible! I can just imagine what those Jesus sent out were thinking, "You want us to do what? Heal the sick?"
Jesus sent out the 70 in pairs to the cities and villages through out Judea to put into practice what they had seen Him do. Their instructions were simple. Preach one message, "The Kingdom of God has come to you." The proof was in the proverbial pudding; the sick were to be healed. That what Jesus told them to do.
This was not something any of them could do in their own ability or strength; they had to depend upon God - totally. They went and did this very thing. As a result they came back rejoicing that even demons were put in their place through their preaching. Jesus told them not to be glad about what they accomplish for God, but rejoice instead "in God's authority over you and presence with you" (vs. 20 MsgB)

Real Life Application - 
I need to let God's Kingdom and His authority rule completely over my life to the point that I dare to take the risk of faith letting God prove Himself through me.

Day's Prayer - 
Lord forgive me for playing it safe as a preacher. It's a safe thing for me to stand on a Sunday morning and deliver a sermon to those who have come expecting to hear one. Holy Spirit empower me to preach the simple message that God's Kingdom has come to intersect within the lives of people even in the marketplace. And give me faith to believe that you will confirm Your word with signs and wonders. Help me to believe that if I am going to see miracles happen the I must first be willing to say, "Be healed." As I simply follow your instructions Mission Impossible becomes Mission Possible!

Little Things

W-O-R-D for today

Whisper of God - 
Sarah lied. She said, "I didn't laugh," because she was afraid.
But he said, "Yes you did; you laughed."            (Genesis 18:15 MsgB)

Observation-
God visited Abraham again. This time God did not just talk about His promise. Instead he told them that the promise would be fulfilled; Sarah would give birth to the child God had promised them by the time God visited with them again the next year.
The thought of having a baby as an old woman, barren her whole life, made Sarah laugh within her heart. Yet when questioned by God about such a little thing she lied. Hardly a significant event, but nevertheless it is included in the story. God took notice of what we so easily overlook: the words we speak - even to ourselves.

Real Life-
I must be careful to make my words be true; not just when people are listening, but even when only God is listening.

Day's Prayer-
Holy Spirit You have helped me to put on the belt of truth; I'm not who I once was. I'm careful with the things I say thanks to You. Yet I need your continued help. Sometimes it's the little things, my self talk that is not pleasing to You. If I am not careful to guard my thoughts, then it is only a matter of time before they are spoken to others. Forgive me and help me to be attentive to the little things.

Deep Water

Whisper of God
"Push out into deep water and let your nets out for a catch." (Luke 5:4 MsgB)

Observation -
Peter and the others had a tough night fishing with nothing to who for it. As the mended nets Jesus taught the crowd. Then Jesus asked them to do the unexpected, "Push out to the deep water for a catch." Tired as Peter was he nevertheless did what Jesus asked. The result? A great catch of fish.
When I think of deep water it bring to mind being in over your head, or being in trouble yet it was from the deep water at an unexpected time for a seasoned fisherman that a great catch of fish came about.

Real Life
I must be willing to simply obey the direction of Jesus, even when He leads me into places that I may not expect.

Day's Prayer
Lord, I'm a lot like Peter. I think I know what is best. Your ways are not my ways. Help me to be willing to follow Your leading, even into those unexpected places. Help me to believe that where You lead You will provide...abundantly.

Seeing Heaven

W-O-R-D
Whisper of God - "At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne." (Revelation 4:2)

Observation - John says it happened "at once." In the preceding verse he says that it was "after these things." How often do we want to be caught up "in the Spirit" like John? We want to be mature and spiritual, and if you will, look into heaven itself. Catching a glimpse of heaven; now that's beyond my wildest imagination.

Yet for all of our hyped up spirituality, do we take the time to notice what preceeded John's "at once?" Chapters 2 and 3 are the letters to the Seven Churches. The dominate theme of these letters are the words of Jesus, "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches." If there is just one word Jesus wants these churches to hear it is to REPENT. That's a word many Christians don't want to hear. Yet if I want to see heaven, then I must first humble myself and hear the loving rebuke of my Savior.

Real Life - I need to be aware of the times I "turn left" when the Spirit has not told me to go that way, and hear His call to repent and get back on the right path.

Day's Prayer - Lord forgive me for being hard of hearing and going off in my own direction. Help me to have an ear to hear, and then to see what You would reveal by Your Spirit as I have responded in obedience to Your voice."

The Contender

I thought of "Rocky" this morning training to fight Apollo Creed. When that first fight was over both fighters could hardly stand up. Yes, Rock does eventually go on to win the championship, but even then he is beat up pretty good. Why? Boxers have to fight in his own strength and take all the punches.

Jude encourages us to be contenders too. Out of necessity he urges us, "to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (vs.3).

Jude does not pull any punches. He tells us plainly this is not just another sparing match. We are contenders, like Rocky, underdogs engaged in the fight of our lives! Our adversary the devil is strong, so strong that even the archangel Michael did not go into the ring against him alone but relied completely upon the Lord.

Who will we have in our corner? Will we rely upon our own strength and wisdom, or will we have the God standing with us? Jude encourages us to not go it alone. He says if we want to be a real contender, then constantly be "building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God" (vs. 20-21).

Here's the best part. If we follow Jude's advice and have The Lord in our corner we can't lose! Jesus will "keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy" (vs. 24)!

The fight is on, but Jesus is in my corner taking me from contender to champion without a scratch!

Thanksgiving from A to Z

I will praise God's name in song and glorify Him with thanksgiving.
Psalm 69:30 NIV

Thanksgiving is not just a day, but a lifestyle impacting what I do and say. An old song encourages us to count our blessings, to name them one by one. Induldge me as I experss thanks today from A to Z.

A - Abba Father, Daddy God who loves me for me.
B - My Bride Susie who holds the key to my heart.
C - Children, Chrysta, Gracie, Greg, Pearl and Mike; forever and always my Ebie fab five.
D - Denny who lovingly holds Chrysta's hand.
E - Ebie heritage; the faith of my dad is living in me and my children.
F - Fresh starts knowing that I'm forgiven.
G - Going Crazy and enjoying being with those who love me most.
H - Half-centuries; with 50 on the horizon the best is yet to come!
I - Imagination dreaming the dream I dream about you.
J - Jesus; enough said.
K - Kimble - ah yes, gran-dogs hold the hope of grandbabies!
L - Love which always multiplies and never divides.
M - Musical melodies filling our house and hearts.
N - Nothing, having nothing to fear because God is with us.
O - Ovens with the fresh warm smell of good things to share.
P - Pictures that hold yesterday's smiles.
Q - Quiet times holding Susie's hand.
R - Riches that no one and nothing can take from me.
S - Stuff-Mart and other Veggie reminders that happiness cannot be bought at a store.
T - Tattoos thoughtfully marking an unshakable faith.
U - Unity that remains our unbroken promise.
V - Voices and laughter to fill our home.
W - Whispers of love.
X - X-ray vision to see each other's loving hearts.
Y - Your love that grows deeper.
Z - Zillions the inumerable reasons I have to give thanks today and always.

Happily Ever After

     Where has the past year gone? The days have flown by and we are are three days from Thanksgiving and 37 short days until the start of a new year.  2012 will begin all too quickly.
     As I sit around the dinner table to give thanks with family and fiends, I will have much to be thankful for. The past year has had more than its share of challenges, but God has been faithful. He has supplied for every need. He has provided peace in the midst of life's storms, and strength to carry on.
     As I think about the coming of a new year one thing is certain. We cannot end this year by saying, "And they all lived happily ever after." Real life is not like a fairy tale. Challenges and obstacles occur in all of our lives . . . sometimes daily. Unexpected tragedy comes suddenly. Happiness can be turned to sorrow as quickly as turning the corner.
     Yes our day to day ordinary lives are sometimes anything but ordinary. That's why I'm glad to know our God is extra-ordinary. Solomon prayed, "There is no God like you in the skies above or on the earth below" (1 Kings 8:23 MsgB). God is more than able to provide exactly what is needed as we face the uncertain realities of life. And we have this promise:

• We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. (Romans 8:28-30 NIV)

     Everything in life may not be good or "happily ever after," but no matter what may come tomorrow God is still working His good purpose in our lives. I'm glad He loves me enough to use the difficulties of life to shape me in the image of His Son, Jesus. 
     And as His children we can look forward to the day when our "big brother Jesus" will come to take us to be with Him forever. That's a happily ever after worth waiting for!

Friend Pain

The old saying goes “No pain, no gain.” I’m in my second week of working out at the gym. Over the last few days I have been using muscles that once sat comfortably on the couch. Today as I have gone about my normal work routine it is with a new friend: Pain.

Please don’t misunderstand; I’m not looking for pity. If I wanted people to feel sorry for me then I would not have bothered going to the gym this morning. Most of us run from pain and seek comfort at any cost. I have chosen to embrace pain as a welcomed visitor, a new friend who will help me become a better me.

What is true for my physical body is also true for the real me. Will my spirit choose to satisfy the yearning of my flesh to eat drink and be happy at any cost, or will I obey God’s plan and purpose for me as His child to live each day just like Jesus?

• We do not enjoy being disciplined. It is painful . . . You have become weak, so make yourselves strong again.

Hebrews 12:11-12 NCV

Let’s be honest: we all like being “spiritual couch potatoes.” We make the mistake of thinking we can live on autopilot, but our spiritual life is just going through the motions. Spiritually our arms become feeble and our knees weak. Obedience to God’s word becomes the sin of complacency and compromise.

God awakens us from our spiritual slumber through the pain of discipline. God wants us to enjoy a “harvest of righteousness and peace,”* but it cannot be found through our pursuit of happiness. Lasting joy is found only as we embrace the pain making it our friend. Running from the pain won’t make it go away. Instead the pain will only intensify showing us our weakness - our sin.

I’m glad God does not want to leave me in my sin. I pray that the Lord will not let me sleep comfortably on the couch. Instead may I hear His call to “Wake up! Strengthen what remains”* As I wake up in the morning to make my way back to the gym may it be a reminder to also let pain be my friend spiritually. With God’s help I can live each day just like Jesus.

*Hebrews 12:11; Revelation 3:2 NIV

Maturity

It has taken me a lifetime to get into the shape I’m in. Round is a shape, and getting rounder is so easy; in fact it is effortless. My wife Susie and I knew it was time for each of us to take some action to improve our shape (literally it was time to start moving and stop being a couch potato). Thus we have joined a local heath club to start getting some exercise.  

But was it really necessary to get a family membership? My teenage kids hardly need to workout; I mean you could not describe their lifetime shape as “round.” After just two days of going to the gym I’m glad I did.

The first day at the gym I went by myself. I think I could keep myself motivated for awhile, but I know it wouldn’t be long until I’d give up on the whole thing. I’m sure that Susie would keep me motivated even longer, but let’s be honest: neither of us have ever been the “workout type.” Today I went to the gym with my daughter. My attitude was completely different. Not only did I enjoy her company, but watching her run and her encouraging words inspired me to do more than I had done the day before. 

It occurred to me that’s how it is supposed to be.

Until we're all moving rhythmically and easily with each other . . . fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ. 

Ephesians 4:13 MsgB

The goal of our faith in Christ is maturity, to live like Jesus. One thing I’ve learned, both in day to day life and as a believer, getting older does not necessarily make you mature. Jesus call us to “make disciples” not converts (see Matthew 28:19-20). Years have passed since I first accepted Christ as my savior, but maturity did not come by the passing of time. Maturity came by being a “doer of the work;” and with “perseverance” (see James 1:2-4 NIV, 25 KJV). Ultimately, however, I did not learn these things on my own. I grew with the help of the mature.

When it comes to fitness my teenage kids are more mature than I am. My kids will keep me going when I want to quit my morning workouts. Likewise you and I are called to encourage others, and especially new believers, to not give up but keep pressing on to maturity.

A New Beginning

Believe it or not a new year has begun. No matter how quickly you or others have felt like the last few months have flown by, the fact remains that we all have to get used to writing “2011” on our checks (it could be March before I get that right). Yet with a new year we all look forward to a new beginning.

What is it about the change of the calendar from December to January that gives us the sense of having a fresh start? Perhaps it is the thought that our mistakes and failures of the previous year really are in the past. We can leave the past and move into the coming days with a clean slate. The possibilities of the new year are before us. Seize the day!

Perhaps that’s why each new year so many of us make resolutions. We want to lose weight, get in better shape, or stop smoking. Relationally we plan to be a better husband or wife, a better friend. As Christians we resolve to pray more, to read through the Bible. Yet whatever our resolutions many are broken and abandon before Valentines Day.

I have some goals and desires that I would like to accomplish in the 365 days we call 2011, and with God’s help I will look back at the coming year, not with regret or amazement at how quickly time flies. Instead I intend to be thankful for what God has helped me accomplish.

• Delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psalm 37:4 NIV

Ultimately each of my goals for the new year boil down to this one thing. The more I purpose to keep God first in my life, the more I will see my desires being fulfilled. Not that God will simply give me everything I want. Better than that, God will fill my heart with His desires. God wants to transform me in to the person He knows I can be. Losing weight and exercising more is part of taking care of the Holy Spirit’s temple. That’s why I’ve joined a health club and got up early this morning when I would have liked another hour of sleep.

You can call these new year resolutions if you want. I choose to see each day as a new beginning in which God fills my heart with desire, not for a new year, but for this moment to live and breath and be the person He is making me to be.

The End

The last day of the year and I find myself standing beside an open casket. For the hundred or so family and friends of "Uncle Rich"* attending his funeral service was the last place they thought that they would spend the day on New Year's Eve. Just a few days before "Uncle Rich" sat around the table playing Apples to Apples. He was bright and witty; laughter filled the air. The next day he died suddenly of a massive stroke. No prologed illness, no warning signs. At 84 he was full of life one day and the next his life suddenly came to the end.

New Year's Eve marks the end of a year with the celebration of the new. When you think about it, the timing of our New Year is random at best. The seasons mark off the passing of one year and the coming of a new, but our New Year's Eve is situated between the winter and spring solstices. Personally, it makes more scense to mark a new year with the spring solstice as life renews itself (but the coming of spring in the north marks falls arrival in the southern hemisphere - hardly a new beginning).

Nevertheless New Year's Eve and the dawn of a New Year mark our calendar each year. "Uncle Rich" like you and me have no such date circled on a calendar to plan for "The End;" it comes whether we are ready or not.

• It is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment.

Hebrews 9:27 ESV

"The End" is a day set for each of us by God. And when that day comes we will each be judged by God. "Uncle Rich" was read to stand before the Lord. His faith in Jesus and life of generosity made him rich toward God. Imagine "Uncle Rich celebrated his Savior's birth and when the end came he was literally born into heaven.

And so this New Year's Eve celebration takes on a special meaning. As we celebrate the end of one year and the beginning of a new, I can also celbrate our faith in Christ. Death is not the end. For all who are ready for that day death is only the beginning.

*"Uncle Rich" was not his real name.