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Jan '24
Something Don’d on Me! new year
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Jan '24
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:9
So, did you stay up to watch the “Ball Drop” in New York City?? I must confess…I did not. I preferred to ring in the new year with friends across the Pond! (Transparency: I did not GO to England or France…I just celebrated the new year when they did…about 8:00pm our time!) I’m not much of a “Night Owl” these days and Midnight just seems so far away!
I did however watch a news story on the famous gathering at Times Square in New York. Did you know that people start lining up at LEAST 24 hours before so they can have the front row when the countdown begins? And here’s a fun fact: You are not allowed to bring chairs, food, or blankets to mark out territory! That means you have to STAND up for all that time!! PLUS, you can’t bring food, so you have to have someone go get it, so you don’t lose your place…and where are the bathrooms for 250,000 people?? I’ve never really wanted to see that event…but after that news story, I have ZERO desire to go!
Why has this nonevent turned into a huge, money-making holiday? Most other holidays celebrate a reputable person, famous birthdays, document signings, or a noted event. But New Year’s Eve only celebrates the passage of time—something that most of us would rather not recognize. We make a huge deal out of it because it signals the end of an old era and the start of a new one. The old year’s problems, heartaches, and struggles seem to vanish and become a faded memory when we think of getting the chance of a new year and a new start. We make plans to head to the gym, to diet better, to read more, to fold that pile of laundry that never seems to get done!
I wonder if the Israelites had any similar feelings when they stood with Joshua looking forward to a new era ahead of them. They had wandered for 40 years in the desert, and finally they could see land flowing with milk and honey ahead. Better yet, they had God’s promise that He would never leave or forsake them. Did they make “resolutions”? They had PLENTY of problems and heartaches to leave behind…DID THEY? They had an opportunity to see the GREATNESS that was ahead of them…DID THEY?
As you stand with your back to the old year and look forward to the new one, you can have hope in the promises of God. But here’s the real question: WILL YOU? Now that the Ball has dropped, the Calendar has turned and it’s time to get on with the business of 2024, will you walk in the PROMISES of GOD?
We are starting a new season at Central with a theme: ANOTHERING! We are going to look at the “One Another” passages in the Bible (there’s 59 of them!!) and how they APPLY to the work of the Church in His Kingdom! Will you look into the “Land of Enchantment” with us and how we can see God’s Promises at Work??
Andy Stanley wrote, “The primary activity of the Church was one-anothering one another!” Let that be our mantra as we step into 2024! May we care SO MUCH for the neighbors around us that they HAVE to see God and glorify Him! May we “encourage one another daily” (Hebrews 10:24), may we “Carry each other’s burdens” (Galatians 6:2), may we “Live in harmony with one another” (I Peter 3:8), and may we truly “love one another” (I John 3:11)!
And may 2024 bring us a great awareness of EACH OTHER and how powerful the work of “Anothering” can be! “The Lord our God will be with us wherever we go!” (Joshua 1:9)
May Peace Be Upon Your Home and Your Heart in 2024 – Shalom Alachiem
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Jan '24
Let Me Be Frank – anothering
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Jan '24
24 Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works.
Hebrews 10:24
“I’m with you.” No matter where we end up, no matter what comes next, I’m with you. How comforting would that be to hear? To know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that you will not have to face today (or tomorrow) alone.
There are two sides to anothering. One side is serving others. No longer on the sidelines, we are called to volunteer, to encourage, to make meals, to ring bells, to work KidZone, and to use our talents and gifts to benefit the Body and glorify God in the process. Serving is essential for anothering.
Side two is the journey. Think of the term “doing life” with one another. The Early Christians were an excellent example of this. Sharing what they had, eating meals together, text threads… wait, how did that get in there? You get the idea.
“I’m with you” is a great way to think of “doing life” with someone. Where you go, I’ll go. Need to talk? I’m here. Power tools? I’ve got them. Why are you upset? Sit down and tell me.
I pray you are challenged by this series and the choices you make that bring you closer to or further away from others. I pray that God will send someone to speak into your life in a powerful way, whether by example, relationship, or words. I pray that Holy Spirit will move in your heart and illuminate opportunities for connection.
I worked with Alan Dodd for several years at PJHS. I reconnected with him while Marea and I were at Victory Life. I had the honor of playing at his wife’s funeral last year. He was there with his newsie cap and bright smile, but there was a line of people that wanted to talk to him. I left after playing… and had the honor of playing at his funeral this past Saturday.
I should have made time to see him that day. If I knew he would pass a couple months later, I would have. As humans we don’t have that luxury. Anothering is more that getting in the game, it’s listening. Who is Holy Spirit telling you to reach out to? Haven’t heard from _________ in a while? They haven’t heard from you either. Send a text.
The old me would internalize guilt and wish for yesterday. Nowadays, I’m trying something new. I prayed for his family as I played piano. I played all his favorite hymns, not as an attempt to make amends, but as a way to honor his well-lived life. Life is too short for condemnation.
God is with you. He is for you in every way imaginable. He wants you to get where He wants you to go MORE than you want to get where He wants you to go! How can you another? What is God saying to you today? Are you listening? Every day is an opportunity and we’re in this together!
May we be aware of His Presence.
Soli Deo Gloria!
F –