New Year, New Me

New Year, new me… I’m going to lose ten pounds, I’m going to save more money, I’m going to do better in school, I’m going to read through the Bible, I’m going to be a better person…

What is it about a new year that has people making promises they will in all likelihood not keep? When I was younger every year I made several New Year’s resolutions. Unfortunately, by the time January was finished so was my commitment to my resolutions. Finally, after many years of failing to keep my resolutions I came to the realization that there was nothing magical about a New Year that would make me stick to them. I still had to follow through.

Do you see a need to make changes in your life in this year? Ask yourself, “what do I need to change and how do I go about it?” Then, just do it. If you fail at first, don’t give up. Just get back on track and keep going.

When you make a change in your life there may be people around you who won’t accept the new you. If you were the student who was always giving the teachers a hard time and you decide to become a model student their eyes may be on you waiting for you to go back to your old disruptive behavior. If you suddenly begin getting A’s and B’s after getting C’s and D’s there may be those who try to discount your hard work by saying you cheated. If you had a bad reputation there may be those who constantly remind you about it. They may say you can’t keep it up and watch you every moment waiting for you to show signs of the old you.

However, if you see a genuine need for a positive change in your life, don’t worry about what others think. You have to know within yourself that it’s not about them and what they think it’s about how you think about yourself.

Also, remember that the most important change you can make in your life is to allow God to take control and mold you into the type of person he wants you to be.

Girl Talk Magazine

"Is that the new issue of Girl Talk?"
"Can I have one?"

I distribute Girl Talk to the teen girls in my church before I give to anyone else and they're always excited to see a new issue. In fact I think everyone loves getting one, teens, preteens and adults.
















These preteens didn't even notice me with my camera, they were so interested in what they were reading.
















Hmmm, a boy reading Girl Talk? I wonder if he's trying to find secrets that will help him understand girls better.
Girls, are any of you missing a magazine?



Stay tuned, I'll be posting articles from the new issue of GT, which the young man happens to be holding over the next few days.

Actions

Actions speak
louder than words
Is a saying that is
most often heard.


They speak of things
You would never say
And express your
Values in every way.


They bring to light
things hidden within
Exposing the deepest,
darkest of sins


They tell the world
Who you are inside
More effectively
Than a single word

The Roar of Silence

Does the presence of God in your life speak so loudly and so strong in your lifestyle that it isn't necessary to utter the words I am a Christian out loud?

I began thinking strongly about this after reading Charles Swindoll's book, Esther, A Woman of Strength and Dignity. He drew attention to the fact that the word God never once appeared in the entire book of Esther.

I've read the book of Esther many times and I'm sure subconsciously I noticed that there was no mention of God. However it never really registered in my mind as an important factor to remember. The reason for this is the fact that God's presence throughout the book of Esther was so strong, vibrant and visible that it overshadowed the fact that his name was never once mentioned.

It got me to thinking, "How is my life like the book of Esther?". If complete strangers were to observe me unnoticed for a period of time would they be able to see the evidence of my savior in my life without me saying a word? I certainly hope so!

One of my goals in this new year is to let God's presence in my life speak more loudly than mere words.

The Beauty of Solitude

Times of Refreshing

Maybe it stems from being number eight in a brood of eight. Maybe it’s because growing up in a large family I’ve always had to “fight” for time alone. Maybe it’s because at times I just enjoy my own company. Whatever the reason, from the time I was a child until this very moment I have always craved, seek and fought for my moments of solitude.

I enjoy being able to be alone to reflect, to meditate on the word of God, to curl up and visit old friends through the pages of a good book, listen to music, sing dance or just sit and enjoy the silence and the peacefulness of my self-imposed solitude.

I find that the times of solitude is a necessity in my life. It gives me time to rejuvenate when I’ve given all I can for a time. It helps me to reflect on some of the blessings in my life, family, friends, possessions, peace of mind, health strength… It also renews me for when it’s all over.

I’ve also found out that one of the most beautiful thing about solitude is knowing that when I want it to end all I have to do is take a walk outside or simply pick up the phone and dial a number. That’s the beauty of solitude; knowing that it isn’t forever. Friends, family, company are only a phone call away.


For more thoughts on the Beauty of Solitude visit Keziah this week's hostess of the Carnival of Beauty at A Woman Who Fears the Lord

Merry Christmas One and All

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Isaiah 9:6 (KJV)

Christmas at my House

Christmas at my house... hmmm. Just saying it brings back memories of waking up Christmas morning to wonderful aromas, hearing my mother moving around in the kitchen preparing the Christmas meal, listening to her scold my dad for getting in the way, which by the way still happens.

There was never a lot of gifts at my house when I was growing up, sometimes we got books and pencils, other necessities or prehaps a toy, because in a family of eight children there often wasn't enough money for extravagant gifts. However, looking back I don't think of how deprived I was because, the gifts would have been long gone. I think of how blessed I was. My house was always filled with laughter, love, good cheer and lots and lots of food.

Present day in my house is not much different from 20+ years ago, except the family is much, much larger. We still don't concentrate so much on the gifts, although don't get me wrong it's always nice to get gifts. But, Christmas at my house is still about the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, family, friends and food :)

We go strictly traditional at my house at Christmas. My dad, my five brothers and older nephews usually grab all of the seats at the table and my mom, sisters and sisters-in-law are usually serving the food. You notice I didn't mention myself, well being the youngest I can still make myself scarce without being missed to quickly. (If I miss the serving I usually get stuck with kitchen duty afterwards though)

My favorite part of Christmas at my house is when we gather as a family, while Mommy prays for the entire family. Her prayer always sets the tone for the entire day. Along with that treasured tradition is the annual, can't do without, back to the past trip. This is where we all just sit around, usually after Christmas dinner, and reminisce about when we were younger, how different things were back then, tricks we played on each other (like when my brother Enoch talked me into let him give my doll a haircut. He convinced me that it would grow back.) We still call those days, "da good ol' days".

That's Christmas at my house. I wouldn't miss it for the world.

Written December 2005



Things have changed in my family since Christmas last year. My mother is no longer with us. So Christmas 2005 will forever be in my memory.