One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.

I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Paul, Ephesians 3.13,14

Happy New Year!

What will this year hold for you? There will be smiles, struggles, sin, satisfaction--the stuff our lives are made up of. While nothing magical happens when we turn the calendar page to 2009, it is representative of the passing of time. . . something we can sigh at, something we can contemplate. I'm not really so big on New Year's resolutions because too often they seem to land in the scrap pile, however, I am partial to introspection, and goal setting. As the apostle Paul indicates we must not let the past cripple us or hold us back, and yet we go into the future mindful of it. I love the imagery of the runner straining for the finish line, chest pushed forward so as to be the first to break the tape at the finish line. Paul is referring to the finish line of life--and he never takes his eye off the forever of Heaven, and the temporari-ness of life; his goal is the reward of Heaven. So whether there are smiles or struggles, we are mindful that this world is not our final destination.

Where would you like to GO GROW in 2009? Next December 31, when you look back at the 364 days you logged, what would you like to see?

Where to start? Well, since we are body, soul, and mind--let's start there. . .

How will you feed your soul, your spirit? Paul said, 'Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ' (1 Corinthians 11.1), so studying the life of Christ, and the disciplines of Christ are invaluable. Disciplines, (spiritual and otherwise), learned and practiced, free us to become who we are meant to become. Discipline involves training, whether for physical or spiritual growth~ 'Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.' (The Corinthian people were very familiar with the Olympian games, including foot races where the prize was a perishable wreath) 'So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. ' 1 Corinthians 9.24ff, NLT

If you could envision yourself on December 31, 2009, what would you like your body to look/feel like? VISION is imperative to achieving our goals.

Strides in our physical condition can only be made through training ourselves--

>taking a good look at our diet--do we fuel our bodies with the food and drink we consume, or something else? After all, you wouldn't

attempt to run your car on chocolate, beer, potato chips, coffee (ouch)--

>taking a look at exercising the fine-tuned piece of machinery we inhabit for 70+ years--are we training our hearts, lungs,

muscles to be strong?

>taking a look at rest--do you give your body enough sleep, or expect it to continue to run on a quarter of a tank all the time?

~Do you need to take a little better care of the one and only body you've been given? How so? ______________________________

~What will be your plan to make it happen?____________________________________________________________________

How about your VISION for spiritual growth?

Strides in our spiritual condition can also be made through training ourselves--

>in the reading and study of Scripture, getting to know our Maker and His plans for us*

>in prayer, communing with the Father, talking with Him like you do a friend, and seeking His direction*

***could we do these daily?

>in worship of God--including observing the Sabbath, my friends!!

>in service and giving. . .

Would you like to grow in any of these areas this year? How so? ____________________________________________________

What will be your plan to make it happen?_____________________________________________________________________

Without a vision, the people perish. . . so live your life on purpose. Let's do some think and pray and determine how we want to finish this new year we have been given. Go ahead--enVISION yourself crossing the finish line, with your chest pressed out, breaking the tape--!

Let's make it a Blessed New Year,

Christine