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2010

[ 0 ] December 31, 2009 |

2010           I am writing this as we all prepare for a new year, 2010.  I am hoping Navy beats Missouri though at this point the jury is still out.  We hear a great deal about new year’s resolutions;  some believe in them, some don’t.   But believing in positive change is a core belief for followers of  Jesus Christ.  In my life as a believer in Christ, and many years as a Pastor, I have discovered, personally, 4 things that keep my life in place, on track, and open a door to a positive future, even in those days I might find myself in a difficult season.  What are these 4 things; Prayer, Bible study and reflection, giving, and worshiping with a Church family.  There are many other things as well, but everything else rises from these four corners of how I live out my faith.  My marraige, family, ministry, hobbies, service, everything is balanced in a healthy way when I balance these 4 corners of my basic commitment as a Christian.

I have discovered, typically, that when people get in trouble, ususally one or more of these basic disciplines of following Christ has been neglected and opened the door for that trouble.  We don’t pray and therefore let our relationship with God slip,  we don’t study the Bible and find we are more shaped by a selfcentered culture than a Christ centered Bible, we don’t give and our priorities all get out of whack, we let Church attendance slip and no longer find ourselves accountable to the loving voice of pastors, Christian friends, and Church family.

In the new year, pray every day (try the psalms and the Lord’s prayer), study and reflect on the Bible (Join us in the new GPS at the beginning of lent),  give (Tithe or begin to step up to the tithe) join me in Church this weekend and every weekend and see  (Our new message series  “IT”  what is IT?).

Navy just scored!

a God blessed and Happy new year

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About miker: I am the Senior pastor of the First United Methodist Church of Mansfield where I have led the Church for more than 15 years. Our mission statement is "Making disciples of Jesus Christ who will love God, love others, and serve the world. This has been taken so to heart by this Church family that First Mansfield has become one of the top 50 attended Methodist Churches in nation impacting not only our local area, but our denomination and world. View author profile.

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