More, Less, or Different

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One way you can approach new year’s resolutions is by taking stock of the previous year and considering what you’d like more of, less of, or something of a different quality. Consider the joys and successes of the year and how you might have more of those things. More evening walks, more board games, more vegetables. There may be other things you’d like less of. Less junk food, less criticizing. Some elements may exist in the right amount, but they need a new approach. We love having people over, but I’d like to start delegating more of the preparation and cleanup to my family. I’ve been exercising regularly, but I could change up the routine and try new things.

Having, Doing, Being, and Believing

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As we begin a new year with new plans, I keep returning to the model of Having, Doing, and Being, popularized by Stephen Covey. It is a way of thinking about goals by considering not only what we want to have as an end result, but also what we need to do and who we need to be to get those things. It was a helpful model, particularly in 2020. I doubt any of us could do the things we’d planned, but we could choose to be as we intended. 

While reflecting on the old year and considering the new one, I’m adding a dimension. In addition to Having, Doing, and Being, I have been considering what I will choose to Believe. Like the other categories, this is an aspirational list, not beliefs that I already hold fast to. And, like the others, the list of beliefs must align with what I want to have, do, and be. If I want to have deep relationships with my friends, I need to plan (do) time for connecting and be present and available. Underlying all of that, though, is the need to believe that I am worthy of friendship. All of our actions are ultimately underpinned by our beliefs. By examining our beliefs with intentionality and alignment, we can open up new possibilities.

Resolutions in 2021

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A friend asked me whether I would make New Year’s Resolutions this year. After all, so many of the things I set out to do last year came to a halt after March. It turned out to be a hard year to launch a business facilitating retreats or do much of anything with the kids’ schools closed for the spring and quarantining off and on through the fall semester. So much of last year didn’t go as planned. I was reminded over and over that on a grand scale, I am not in charge of this world. I was alternately frustrated and blessed by the realization.

Still, I will make resolutions. I will make lists of goals, hopes, and plans. In fact, I’m being more intentional about them than ever. This year, I’ll be considering what’s really meaningful to do with my time. I’ll think, not only in terms of things to accomplish, but also the ways that I can bring light to dark places in ways that are less bound by circumstances. I’ll think about how I can use my gifts and tangible resources to strengthen the people around me so that they can accomplish their goals. I will resolve to make the most of the next year I’m given.

 

Advent 2020 Week Four

We’ll begin this week with a reading of Luke 2:8-14. My kids are very familiar with this scripture because of the Slugs and Bugs Sing the Bible Family Christmas album as well as the Charlie Brown Christmas special, so we’ll invite them to say the angel’s words with us.

 The ultimate good news, the reason we celebrate Christmas is that Jesus is the Lord! He is sovereign of all, now and forever! This is what the angel was telling the shepherds, and they were so excited, they hurried away to see for themselves and to spread the good news!

 We’ll read Psalm 33 one more time while looking back over our paintings, box of How long? Questions, and He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands pictures.

 Finally, to close out our fourth Sunday of Advent, we’ll use cookie cutters to create angel, shepherd, and sheep-shaped cookies to decorate and retell the story of Luke 2.

Advent 2020 Week Three

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Once again we’ll begin with a reading of Psalm 33. 

For the third week of Advent, we’ll use the stories of the past weeks (the Israelite’s exodus from Egypt, David’s anointing, and the Babylonian captivity) to learn about God’s sovereignty over nations and rulers. It will be important (especially for our ten-year old) to make it clear that this doesn’t mean God will always do what we want or even that he’ll always make the path easy for us.

He gave the Israelites judges but other nations had kings and the Israelites wanted to be like everyone else. God gave them what they asked for, even when he knew it wasn’t a good idea. They wanted the biggest, strongest man with the biggest sword to conquer other nations. God chose the shepherd, David, because he had the right heart. Eventually, the Israelite’s disregard for God’s law resulted in their exile to Babylon. When the people start looking for a savior, again they expected a mighty warrior, but Jesus came in the form of a tiny baby. 

God is sovereign over the nations. There is nothing happening on earth that he is unaware of, and the Bible says he hears our cries. The hard lesson for us is that his sovereignty might not look the way we expect.

 We’ll close our time with a simple craft. The kids will glue a color print-out of the earth into the center of a paper then put (washable paint) handprints over it. We’ll sing He’s Got the Whole World in his Hands and include verses for our current and former hometowns/states, our local and national leaders, and the Philippines (home of our Compassion kids).