I absolutely love the New Year! I hope all of you had a fun New Year’s Eve. I did. I was reading in bed when the new year was rung in by millions the world over…it was perfect! Of course, if you read my post from yesterday, you know that I had a root canal done on the last day of 2007. I thought it was great. I am sore today though, but I’m not complaining! :o)
I want to share with you some of my goals for 2008. Do you set goals or make resolutions? I should set up a poll asking that question. I love doing that every year. Even when I don’t come close to achieving my goals, I feel better because I tried!
This is the month that fitness clubs, Weight Watchers, Slim-Fast and the like push to get people to join and/or buy their weight loss products. Their motto is usually “A New Year, A New You!” or something along those lines. Now, I was made a “new creature” when I was saved on June 12, 1993. I will not be really “new” until I get to Heaven and get my glorified body. If you are not sure of your salvation, then start 2008 as a child of God. Here’s the four step plan:
1. Realize that all are sinners. Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2. Realize that your sin demands a price. Romans 6:23a For the wages of sin is death;
3. Realize that Jesus paid that price for YOU!! Romans 6:23b but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
4. Realize that you must receive Him. Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
If you believe what the Bible says, and believe that Jesus truly did die to save you, then you can call upon Him today and He will save you. And it’s not just a salvation for today, it’s for eternity. Remember, it isn’t works plus Jesus, or being good plus Jesus, it’s all Jesus! Won’t you trust in Him alone to save you today? It will be the best decision you make all year.

Even though I’ll never be truly “new” on this earth, I do strive to start fresh and new every year. I set goals for the year, and then I set goals for the month and smaller goals for the week, and so forth. I love making lists and checking them off!! I’ll list my resolutions here and, Lord willing, I can let you know on December 31st, 2008 (If I’m not getting another root canal!) how I did on reaching my goals.

1. Read and study my Bible more this year than ever before.
2. Read at least 10 books.
3. Exercise at least 3 times a week. (Maybe even lose 10 lbs.!)
4. Lead at least one person to the Lord, but as many as God will allow me to. Be more faithful at my soul winning efforts.
5. Be more long-suffering with my children. (This is a sugar coated way of saying “CONTROL MY TEMPER!”)
6. Work at being creative at home, with school and with Super Church.
7. Go to God for my needs or desires, before concocting my own plan to achieve them.
8. Take my worries to Christ, instead of my husband.
9. Find ways to ease my husband’s ministry or work load. Be a better help- meet to him.
10. Be a more loving wife, mother, daughter, daughter-in-law, sister, aunt, niece, teacher and friend. I want to find unique ways to show my love for the above relationships.

Whether or not you make resoultions, you have been given another year. You made it through 2007! Praise the Lord! 2008 stretches out before us, fresh and empty. How will we fill the pages of this year’s calendar? Will we waste soul winning opportunities? Will we fight and bicker with our loved ones? Will we let another year go without really seeing any change in our walk with God? (and no one has arrived in this area!) Let’s not let 2008 go by without giving it our all!

I wish you all a happy and productive 2008!!