Do you make New Year’s resolutions? Do you promise yourself every year that “this is the year I will work out at least three days a week”, or my personal favorite “this will be the year that I will finally get my closet organized!” Whatever the resolution may sound like in your life, do you actually stick to them? It seems to me that the best laid plans on December 31st are often long forgotten by August 31st.
So this year, why not make some easy resolutions that you can actually stick to? Here are a few suggestions…
1. In 2010 I resolve to improve my health by either eating more dark chocolate (good for the heart) or drinking a cup coffee every day (good for the brain).
2. In 2010 I resolve to be a happier person by watching a re-run of Seinfeld or Friends once a week.
3. In 2010 I resolve to help the economy by shopping at my favorite store once a month (or if you’re like me and your favorite store is Target, maybe it’s more like once a week).
Okay, seriously. Would you like an easy resolution that you can actually stick to that would not only help improve your mental health and make you a happier person, it will also probably change your life? Well… here it is…
Each time you attend Church at the Bay there are “Next Steps” on the back of the bulletin. If you could take action on one of those “next steps” each week… or even once a month, it could change the way you live your life in 2010. There are usually at least two options listed, and they don’t take much time to complete, but this resolution could lead to a revolution in your life.
If this doesn’t sound like your “cup of tea,” I encourage you to find some other very simple, applicable resolution that will improve your spiritual walk this coming year. It can be as easy as subscribing to a daily email devotional or simply attending church on a regular basis. Wherever you are in your current walk with God, find something that will challenge you, but not overwhelm you.
So just remember when making that resolution to work out every week in 2010 that in 1 Timothy 4:8 it says, “For physical training is of some value, but spiritual training is useful and of value in everything and in every way for it holds promise for the present life and also for the life which is to come.”
Make a resolution that will change your life… not just in 2010, but for eternity. Happy New Year everyone!
...a place for ladies to connect and be encouraged.
Guest Devotional - April McCullohs
So, if you haven’t noticed already, we’re smack dab in the middle of the holidays. Our wallets are under attack and our emotions are being pulled in every which way!
It’s hard to be consistent with anything right now.
Personal time with God seems to get shoved to the bottom of the priority list during this season. While we need to continue to seek Him, carving out those quiet moments in prayer and study, let’s also appreciate the opportunity to experience God in another way: Worshipping with others.
Think about it. We’re already going to spend the time together with other Christ-followers, whether it’s during the Christmas Eve service at Church at the Bay, or at a Christmas party with friends, or simply while gathering for Christmas breakfast with your family.
Jesus promises to be with us when two or more are gathered in His name. If we can muster up the focus to be fully present in those moments (not worried about how the breakfast ring will turn out, or if your outfit is trendy enough, or what the in-laws will say next),
He may be surprise us with His Presence.
It may look something like this: While singing the traditional and not-so-traditional Christmas songs at church, what about really meditating on the lyrics? What if we approached those words as if we were singing a prayer, aloud and together?
Or maybe you’d want to start a tradition of reading Luke, chapter 2, with your family before presents on Christmas morning. If we were to offer that time to Him as worship, we may be blessed with a much-needed perspective change, or just an extra reminder of God’s amazing love.
With the business of the season, we’re faced with some real challenges to keep a regular quiet time. Let’s work through the challenges, but also embrace the privilege to worship Him with others.
It’s hard to be consistent with anything right now.
Personal time with God seems to get shoved to the bottom of the priority list during this season. While we need to continue to seek Him, carving out those quiet moments in prayer and study, let’s also appreciate the opportunity to experience God in another way: Worshipping with others.
Think about it. We’re already going to spend the time together with other Christ-followers, whether it’s during the Christmas Eve service at Church at the Bay, or at a Christmas party with friends, or simply while gathering for Christmas breakfast with your family.
Jesus promises to be with us when two or more are gathered in His name. If we can muster up the focus to be fully present in those moments (not worried about how the breakfast ring will turn out, or if your outfit is trendy enough, or what the in-laws will say next),
He may be surprise us with His Presence.
It may look something like this: While singing the traditional and not-so-traditional Christmas songs at church, what about really meditating on the lyrics? What if we approached those words as if we were singing a prayer, aloud and together?
Or maybe you’d want to start a tradition of reading Luke, chapter 2, with your family before presents on Christmas morning. If we were to offer that time to Him as worship, we may be blessed with a much-needed perspective change, or just an extra reminder of God’s amazing love.
With the business of the season, we’re faced with some real challenges to keep a regular quiet time. Let’s work through the challenges, but also embrace the privilege to worship Him with others.
Guest Devotional - Connie Smith
In the last few years, I have made a conscious effort each morning to start the day by offering up my day to the Lord. And to be quite honest, some days are better than others. As the saying goes, my day runs smoothly until I get out of bed!
Questions, and sometimes doubts, run through my head – Am I being a good wife to my husband? Am I good role model for my children? Will my grandchildren have happy memories of me? Do people see God in me and the way I live?
When the weight of life starts closing in on me, I recite the verses that help to remind me of where to find my answers. Psalm 121:1-2 - “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Knowing that God is there with the answers gives me great comfort.
Every day I thank the Lord for the blessings He has given to me, for giving me another chance to be a better person and the opportunity to make a fresh start.
He does watch over us and has a plan for our lives if we turn control over to Him and let him “take the wheel” on our road in life. You can feel the relief from letting go of the worries and the uncertainties of life with the comfort in knowing someone all powerful and holy is in control.
Psalm 121:6-7 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
As we approach the holiday season, take the time to offer up your day to the Lord. You will be amazed at how well He will take care of you if you just let Him.
Questions, and sometimes doubts, run through my head – Am I being a good wife to my husband? Am I good role model for my children? Will my grandchildren have happy memories of me? Do people see God in me and the way I live?
When the weight of life starts closing in on me, I recite the verses that help to remind me of where to find my answers. Psalm 121:1-2 - “I lift up my eyes to the hills- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Knowing that God is there with the answers gives me great comfort.
Every day I thank the Lord for the blessings He has given to me, for giving me another chance to be a better person and the opportunity to make a fresh start.
He does watch over us and has a plan for our lives if we turn control over to Him and let him “take the wheel” on our road in life. You can feel the relief from letting go of the worries and the uncertainties of life with the comfort in knowing someone all powerful and holy is in control.
Psalm 121:6-7 – “The Lord will keep you from all harm – He will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.”
As we approach the holiday season, take the time to offer up your day to the Lord. You will be amazed at how well He will take care of you if you just let Him.
Guest Devotional - Cherie Pacheco
"In EVERYTHING give thanks for this is the will of God concerning you." 1Thessalonians 5:18
Wait a minute God, do you really mean that I am to be thankful for the flattire? I am supposed to be thankful for the lost job and a mortgage payment that does not get paid? Thankful for a sick child? No, He says, you are to be thankful IN those circumstances. Being thankful is His will. He did not cause the circumstance, but He is definitely here to walk through it with you. Watch, you will see His will unfold. Be thankful and experience Him.
Wait a minute God, do you really mean that I am to be thankful for the flattire? I am supposed to be thankful for the lost job and a mortgage payment that does not get paid? Thankful for a sick child? No, He says, you are to be thankful IN those circumstances. Being thankful is His will. He did not cause the circumstance, but He is definitely here to walk through it with you. Watch, you will see His will unfold. Be thankful and experience Him.
I Thessalonians 5:18 is my Father's life verse. I heard this verse - read this verse - watched this verse - and have learned to live it. Yes, watched it. I watched my Father and Mother both live their lives with the knowledge that God was sovereign. That God loves and in that loving sovereignty, there was nothing that could not be faced without a heart of gratitude.
I watched when times were hard and they struggled. Their heavy hearts still had an attitude of gratitude. Our God, the one they knew so personal, was real. God was faithful and they grew in their faith. That faith was contagious. Let your faith be contagious!
Please do not mistake this to say they - you - or I face every pain with a big smile on our face and say "yippee!" and all the pain goes away. But know that we can face every pain, every obstacle, every circumstance with a sense of adventure resting in the peace that God knows best.
God did not tell us to be happy in everything, He said be thankful in everything. It is easy to be grateful when we get what we want and life is going smooth. We should be. Be careful though, when things are going our way, it can be easy to take the credit ourselves and just go along patting ourselves on the back for doing such a great job and not be thankful.
We need to see God's hand and thank Him for every blessing - every joy - every pain - every hurt - every disappointment-ummmm... like He said - in everything! We can be grateful for everything because we KNOW that God's will is being worked out. We can be grateful for the opportunity to experience God's love- God's grace - God's forgiveness - God's joy - God's peace. Before long, I pray you will see everything in life as an opportunity to praise God and to grow in Him. Life with God is a Great Adventure!! Join me - catch the adventure...... In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God concerning You!
Guest Devotional - Cheryl Holmes
Last Christmas, as I was preparing my home with decorations and talking with my children about Christmas, I felt a desire to make it a month-long event rather than a one-day event. As I was looking for ways to expand our Christmas season I came across a book written by several well-known Christian authors that describes the season of Advent.
Wikipedia defines Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") as a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah, as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ.
This was exactly what I was looking for; a way to celebrate Jesus and make Christmas about Him and not what we are getting for Christmas. We still gave gifts and enjoyed them, but I felt that I had really celebrated with my family the real meaning of Christmas. What about you? How will you make this Advent season about what Jesus did for you? How will you show Him how much you love Him?
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…
Wikipedia defines Advent (from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming") as a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. Latin adventus is the translation of the Greek word parousia, commonly used in reference to the Second Coming. Christians believe that the season of Advent serves as a reminder both of the original waiting that was done by the Hebrews for the birth of their Messiah, as well as the waiting of Christians for the second coming of Christ.
This was exactly what I was looking for; a way to celebrate Jesus and make Christmas about Him and not what we are getting for Christmas. We still gave gifts and enjoyed them, but I felt that I had really celebrated with my family the real meaning of Christmas. What about you? How will you make this Advent season about what Jesus did for you? How will you show Him how much you love Him?
Isaiah 9:6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given…
Cookies, Cocoa & Christmas PJ's Event
Hello ladies,
We're excited to invite you to our 1st annual Cookies, Cocoa & Christmas PJ's event!
What: Wear your favorite pair of Christmas PJ's and bring a plate of cookies to swap with others. Enjoy some warm cocoa and lots of fun with your friends.
When: This Saturday, December 5th at 6 p.m.
Where: Cari Caraway's Home, 15819 Trackside Drive, Odessa, FL 33556
RSVP: Email April McCullohs at: amccullohs@gmail.com
Look forward to seeing you there!
We're excited to invite you to our 1st annual Cookies, Cocoa & Christmas PJ's event!
What: Wear your favorite pair of Christmas PJ's and bring a plate of cookies to swap with others. Enjoy some warm cocoa and lots of fun with your friends.
When: This Saturday, December 5th at 6 p.m.
Where: Cari Caraway's Home, 15819 Trackside Drive, Odessa, FL 33556
RSVP: Email April McCullohs at: amccullohs@gmail.com
Look forward to seeing you there!
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