Dear Friends in Christ,

 Happy New Year.

Hard to believe it’s time to set those New Year’s resolutions, isn’t it?  Some people say: “Why bother, I’ll just break them anyway.”  I’ve always found resolutions hopeful, helpful, and therapeutic.  The key is setting realistic goals for ourselves.

Whatever goal you set should be measurable.  For instance getting rich is a hard thing to measure.  But if you set an amount of money you want to save for the year, then you will be able to measure whether or not you’ve achieved your goal.  Your goal should also be realistic.  What is actually doable.  Try to set a goal that can be reached by performing a series of simple steps.  Ask yourself what changes you will need to go through to achieve your goal.  Ask yourself how much time it will require of you each day.  Breaking a goal down into small actions that you can take will almost guarantee your success.  Don’t put it off til tomorrow.  A year from now you will wish you had started today.  Take life as it comes one day at a time.  As Ralph Waldo Emerson said: “Write it on your heart that every day is the best day of the year.”

And when you’ve set the goals you want to achieve in the upcoming year, don’t forget to set one really outrageous one that doesn’t seem doable.  As a church we should always have a goal too big for us to accomplish alone.  This will remind us always to trust God for what we need.

Some suggestions might be: To read through the entire Bible in 2012.  To increase worship attendance by intentionally coming one more Sunday than you come now.  Volunteer to serve on a committee or be a part of some ministry in the church.  Sharing more of our money with God by giving to the church.  Praying daily.  Join a Bible Study or Sunday School class.

Good Luck with those resolutions.

In Christ, Rick Calhoun

 Thank You All

Rick and Edith Calhoun would like to thank our church family for sharing with us during the holiday season.  Thanks for all the cards, food, gifts, and kind words.  We enjoy being with you and look forward to a wonderful new year together.