January 2015 newsletter
A New Beginning
Resolutions:
Be it resolved, this is the year for perfection. As I strive this year to be the perfect husband and father, the model of fitness and health, all while perfectly managing my finances. The images of what perfection looks like surround us with a world selling the message, “If only you have this—then you will find perfection,” only leading to greater disappointment and a diminished self esteem. If only leads to feeling inadequate and not good enough.
For this year’s resolution, I would like to challenge us to consider trying a different messenger. Not the messenger that is flooding our airwaves trying to sell us something, but a messenger that we just experienced new again this Christmas season. One who enters our lives to say that you are already good enough as you are, made in the image of God. As we will explore again soon this upcoming Lenten season, good enough even to die (and rise) for. This messenger comes to us through the Word. Rather than self-help, may we turn to God and one another through community seeking an improved life through transformation in Christ.
I declare 2015 as our Year of the Bible. For those that wish to join, we will be reading through all 66 books over the next year. This will be a chronological reading that includes each day a reading from the Old Testament, New Testament, Psalm, and Proverb. The goal is to read this and share together. Just as we make new resolutions for working out, or weight loss, I encourage grace if you happen to miss a day of reading. This is okay. Do not try to make up missed readings or the challenge can be overwhelming. Just as you wouldn’t run double if you missed a day working out, pick it back up with a new day based on that day’s readings.
If you want to join in, but the four readings seem too much in our busy lives, consider following along with the Old Testament, or New Testament, and make this a two year plan. We will begin a new blog on our website for the year 2015 that shares a reflection based upon each day. I look forward to joining you on this journey for a new year. Happy New Year and happy reading.
Shalom,
Pastor Rob
