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It appears that the tradition of the New Year’s Resolutions goes all the way back to 153 B.C. Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar. With two faces, Janus could look back on past events and forward to the future. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had. The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus, the god with two faces. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new.

Even though January 1 is just another day, it is helpful to have opportunities for evaluation and fresh starts.  More than half of Americans make New Year’s Resolutions even though, much less keep them!

Someone said, humorously, “A New Year’s resolution is something that goes in one Year and out the other.”  A resolution is usually not kept unless it is a realistic goal that is accompanied by a written action plan.

I’ve found over the years that I’m much more likely to follow through on goals if I:

1. Order Priorities

Think and pray about what is most important in life and what on that list needs to improve in my life.

2. Be Realistic

It is easy to get overly optimistic on January 1 and set yourself up for failure.  For example, “Get out of debt” is an excellent goal, but it might be an unrealistic goal if you are so far in debt that you really need a five year plan to accomplish it.  So, breaking it down to a doable objective is essential. Set goals for a few things you are committed to accomplishing, not for everything you wish you could do or become.

3. Create a Written Plan

Goals without plans are just wishful thinking!  Resolutions don’t get accomplished without “resolve.”  But resolve is not enough.  A written plan is a way to outline how to accomplish a goal—something that can be read, re-read, and evaluated along the way.

4. Put the Plan on the Calendar

How can I read the Bible through if I don’t budget time?  How can I get in shape if I don’t have specific times and days when I workout regularly?  How can I spend time with my wife if I don’t have a date night?

5. Tell Others

Accountability is one of the most important features of any plan for life change.  Very few of us have the personal self-discipline to make significant change without having someone we trust asking us how we are doing.

So in the spirit of telling others, here are mine:

1. Read the New Testament. Last year’s reading plan was pretty aggressive—to read the Old Testament once and New Testament twice.  I made it through the OT and NT once, but due to the heavy reading schedule I was not able to keep up with my goal to journal on a key verse in each section. This year’s plan is only one chapter a day, five days a week.  That gives two flex days.  I plan to restart journaling using SOAP (scripture, observation, application, prayer).
2. Implement “Life’s Healing Choices.” I plan to take seriously the study and application of Life’s Healing Choices (Jan-Feb @ Grace Place), do the homework assignments (individually and in small group), and continue working on the material throughout the year with the help of a monthly accountability partner.
3. Improve My Fitness Plan. Continue working out with partners at the gym at least three times per week, but began and maintain a new eating plan with one day off each week (instead of seven!).  I refuse to agree with Jay Leno when he says: “Now there are more overweight people in America than average-weight people. So overweight people are now average… which means, you have met your New Year’s resolution.”
4. Read More Widely. I do a lot of reading that is specific to sermon prep and church leadership, but I know my mind is more challenged and I am more balanced when I read widely.  The way I intend to do this is by using the Amazon KINDLE for reading this year and take advantage of the opportunity of downloading free chapters to expose myself to a wider variety of genres that I might select from.  I will also have to budget time for this, and at the same time put limits on TV and social media.
5. Finish Doctoral Degree. I know, I know, I have been working on it for a long time!  I’m about halfway done with the writing (80-100 pages so far with hundreds of footnotes).  But some of the research is dependent on what has been happening in the church, so I have been waiting to document and write up conclusions.  I plan to write up a progress plan for the year with my assistant, Mark Johnson, who will make a project plan and hold me accountable.

With realistic goals, a written plan, and accountability, New Year’s resolutions do not have to be just wishful good intentions.  They do not have to end up like Mark Twain’s assessment: “New Year’s Day… now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual.”

To my Grace Place family:

Happy New Year!  As we come to the end of 2009 there are so many blessings to be thankful for, regardless of the trials and struggles of the past year.  And as we began a new year, and a new decade there are amazing new opportunities awaiting us.

I’m really excited about the message this weekend: 20/10 Vision.  After months of prayer and reflection with various teams, I will be sharing with you for the first time our newly revised Grace Place Core Values.  I believe you will be energized to see the results of how God has been shaping us—especially in recent times.

Our Senior Leadership Team has decided to revise the Grace Place membership class around the newly stated Core Values. With that in mind, this weekend provides a unique opportunity for anyone who has not been through a membership class to have the option (if you choose) of signing up to be a member of Grace Place in the worship service without taking a separate class.  This chance doesn’t come around often…so take advantage of it if you’d like (especially if you are a leader or considering leading at Grace Place!).

We are back to regular worship times this weekend.  Berthoud: Thur. 6:45 PM; Sun. 8:30/10:30 AM; Loveland High School: Sun. 4:00 PM.  Yes, I know that Thursday is also New Year’s Eve, but what better way to finish the old year and bring in the new, then beginning the evening worshiping the Lord with others! We’ll be finished around 8:00 PM if you want to keep celebrating until midnight.

I really want to appeal to some of you who were attending the Loveland campus at Thompson Valley High School to try out the new time and location at Loveland High School.  I know some have concluded that the afternoon/evening time doesn’t work for them.  But some have come to that conclusion without really giving it a chance.  Four o’clock is a very popular time for movies and it is working well for many churches around the nation as well. It just takes some adjusting to get a new rhythm.  It took awhile for Thursday nights too catch on, but it is now a strong service.  If you insist on worshiping in the morning, come to Berthoud.  But if you live in Loveland and want to be a part of some new and exciting outreach opportunities in the new year, now is the time to join the core group who is serious about reaching out to their friends and neighbors, as well as the community around Loveland High School.

Thursday, Dec. 31 is the last day to make a donation and have it count on your 2009 tax return.  If you can’t make the service that night and still want to give, it still counts if you mail it and is postmarked on that date.  We met budget in November and exceeded in December.  We could still use a strong finish to this year if the Lord lays it on your heart to something extra.  An annual report will be sent out early in the new year to show how we ended the year.  We are grateful to the Lord for seeing us through a tough year economically and look forward to what he will do in our midst in 2010!

I’m so appreciative of our committed staff team who have servant hearts and who have stayed positive through some cutbacks this year. This will be the second year that they will not be receiving raises or cost of living adjustments.  God has blessed us with a dedicated team.

Selene and I love you and count it a privilege to serve you!

Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume. But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected, “Why wasn’t this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year’s wages.” (John 12:3-5)

Mary’s gift was very expensive.  Imagine spending the equivalent of your annual salary in one act of unselfish thanksgiving.  Her gift represented great sacrifice.  She may have spent her life savings – every penny.

She didn’t buy her gift on the bargain table at K-Mart during a blue light special!  She went to Neiman Marcus and asked for the very best.

I like to imagine the scene happening something like this.  Mary asks the owner of the most elite store in Jerusalem to show her the very best fragrance he has.  Seeing in her only a poor peasant, he suggests a cheap cologne.

“Have you nothing better?” she asks.

“Yes, I have better, but it will cost you 50 denarri – can you afford that?” he asks doubtfully.

“I’m prepared to spend my life savings… so show me the best,” she demands.

“And how much is your life savings?” the increasingly interested shopkeeper queries.

“Just show me what you have,” Mary responds.

The shopkeeper studies Mary for a moment.  He’s convinced that she means business.  He walks over to a locked box and inserts a key.  He gently lifts out a flask, wrapped in silk.

“This ointment is purchased only by the richest families in Jerusalem.” (He begins to drop names of famous celebrities who wear this perfume).

“It comes from the Nile,” he continues.  “We import it from Egypt.  I’m sure you can’t afford this.  It costs 150 denarii.”

“But is this the very best you have,” Mary presses.

“Are you saying this isn’t good enough?” asks the shocked merchant.

“I’m just asking if this is the best,” persists Mary.

The shopkeeper lets out a low whistle.  He goes to the door and looks both ways.  He closes the door, locks it and pulls the shade.

“Wait here,” he whispers, as he disappears into the back room.  Moments later he reappears.  Cradled in his hands is a beautifully and intricately carved alabaster flask.

“This is the finest ointment money can buy.  It’s imported from India.  I ordered it for the King of Morocco who is coming this summer.  I suppose there is still time to get another pint shipped if you have 300 denarii.  But, ma’am, this ointment is only for a king!”

“Then let me have it,” Mary replies with conviction, “IT’S FOR A KING!”

Jesus gave extravagantly when he gave his life on the cross.  When you truly are captivated by the love of God revealed for you at Calvary, then you long to give back to the One who has given so much for you.  You long to serve your Savior.  No sacrifice is too great.  You don’t ask “what is the least I can do for him,” but “what how much more can I do and give for him who gave his all for me?”

• 4000 BC: Adam and Eve receive the prophecy that the Messiah (Jesus) would be born of a woman.
  • Promise: Genesis 3:15 – “’I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel.’”
  • Fulfillment: Galatians 4:4 – “But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law . . .”
• 700 BC: Isaiah prophesies that Jesus’ mother would be a virgin who conceived by a miracle and that Jesus would be God who became a man.
  • Promise: Isaiah 7:14 – “’Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel.’”
  • Fulfillment: Matthew 1:18–23 – “Now the birth of Jesus Christ took place in this way. When his mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit. And her husband Joseph, being a just man and unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly. But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.’ All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet: ‘Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel’ (which means, God with us).”
• 700 BC: Micah prophesies that Jesus would be born in the town of Bethlehem.
  • Promise: Micah 5:2 – “But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose origin is from of old, from ancient days [eternity].”
  • Fulfillment: Luke 2:1–7 – “In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. . . . And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in swaddling cloths and laid him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.”
• 400 BC: Malachi prophesies that Jesus would enter the temple, which was destroyed in 70 AD, meaning the Messiah had to come before then.
  • Promise: Malachi 3:1 – “’Behold, I send my messenger and he will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord whom you seek will come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the Lord of hosts.’”
  • Fulfillment: Luke 2:25–27 – “Now there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon, and this man was righteous and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. And he came in the Spirit into the temple, and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him according to the custom of the Law . . .”

Grace Place Congregation:

Happy Thanksgiving!

We’re already listening to Christmas music at our house (thanks to my Christmas-fanatic wife).  I look forward to Christmas too, but Thanksgiving is one of my favorite holidays because it is way less commercial and intended to be all about giving credit and gratitude to the One to whom we owe everything.  I encourage you to take some time on Thursday to thank God for the many blessings of this year.

The past several months at Grace Place have been a time of spiritual renewal and new energy—not the kind we can produce ourselves, but the kind that comes from the presence and blessing of the Lord in our midst.  I want to thank those of you who have agreed with me and other leaders to pray regularly, seriously, expectantly, and persistently for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in our hearts, homes, and church!

Here are a number of important things I want to bring to your attention as we approach the end of the year:

Interview with Astronaut Joe Tanner

This Sunday, November 29, I’m looking forward to interviewing Joe Tanner, who flew on four space shuttle missions and spacewalked seven times!  The message is title, “To God be the Glory,” and you will be fascinated with video, pictures, stories, and a unique perspective on faith and the Creator of the universe. (There will be a potluck at 5:00 PM in Loveland before the 6:00 PM service).

Festival of Trees/Christmas in Berthoud

Grace Place teams up with the town of Berthoud this year again on Dec. 4-5 to Celebrate Christmas as a community and raise funds for local families who are struggling financially.  Be sure to bid on a tree or wreath at our Berthoud campus or in many of the local businesses in the town.  Also there are many other activities to participate in, including the women’s ministry brunch and Steve Desmond Christmas concert.  Volunteers are needed in a number of serving roles. Contact the office for details or go to www.christmasinberthoud.org.

December Teaching Series

I can’t wait for you to hear about some of the incredible miracle stories that have been happening in our congregation.  The December teaching series is called, “The Unexpected: Miracles Still Happen.”  We’ll be examining miracle stories in the book of Luke and hearing testimonies from Grace Place members who have experienced the power of God’s healing touch—physically, mentally, and spiritually.

New Loveland Campus Worship Time

Starting December 13, we are moving the worship time at Loveland High School two hours earlier to 4:00 PM.  After listening to the congregation for some time now, it seems that this time may work better for people’s rhythm of meal times and getting smaller children to bed in time to get their sleep for school in the morning on Monday.  There were several important reasons for moving our Loveland location from TVHS to LHS and going to an afternoon/evening time for this season.  I really appreciate those of you who have been willing to try something different and be flexible for the sake of the mission.  Remember, the reason for a gospel outpost in Loveland is not just for convenience or another option for the already convinced, but to take our worship gatherings closer to friends and neighbors further north who need Jesus!

Christmas Eve

This year we are returning to Thompson Valley High School again for one Christmas Eve service at 4:30 PM, December 24. This one hour service is designed to inspire believers and challenge seekers.  My message is entitled: “Nothing is Impossible with God” (as the angel told Mary when it was announced that she would give birth to the Son of God although she was a virgin).  Bring your friends and family!  An offering will be taken at the doors as you leave—100% of which will be given away to help those who are struggling financially, both inside and outside our church family.

Life’s Healing Choices

Please be praying about your involvement during the Life’s Healing Choices spiritual adventure coming in January-February.  Based on the eight beatitudes of Jesus (Matthew 5:3-10), we are going to learn helpful tools for finding deep personal healing and freedom from hurts, habits, and hang-ups.  The basic outline for this study was developed by Rick Warren, pastor and author of the book, The Purpose Driven Life. The material, when applied personally, has helped many thousands find greater freedom and victory in their lives.  It is the basis for the Celebrate Recovery program, but presented in such a way that every person will find rewarding benefits.  Please pray about whether you will host a small group in your home for eight weeks.  All of our hosts will be supplied with a DVD of Rick Warren teaching for 25-30 minutes, and booklet with discussion questions for each lesson.  Your Grace Place pastors and leaders believe that this is a unique opportunity for us to cooperate with the Lord in going deeper in our spiritual walk with God and each other than ever before.  Join in!

Year End

We all know that this has been a rough year economically for many.  We continue to pray for those who have lost jobs and are struggling.  The church has also been impacted by the downturn in the economy which has forced us to make some cutbacks in ministry and staffing.  Our staff and ministry leaders are being very frugal and careful about expenditures.  For the second year in a row the staff will not be receiving pay raises in January or Christmas bonuses.  As we seek to be careful stewards of the resources God entrusts us with, at the same time, we see many new opportunities for serving others and reaching out with God’s love both locally and beyond.  A strong offering in December is needed to rebuild reserves and fuel ministry and outreach as we start the new year.  God does not call us all to give the same amount, but to give according to how his has blessed us. “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what he does not have” (2 Corinthians 8:12). Please pray about whether you may be able to give an extra year-end Christmas gift—above and beyond your regular, percentage-based tithes and offerings. Partnership with God pays rich dividends!

Selene and I count it a privilege to serve you, as do our all our pastors and staff.  Thanks for responding to the challenge to seek the Lord with new eagerness and intensity.  Good things are in store.  We love you!

In a New York Times magazine article (“Facebook in a Crowd,” 10-26-08), Hal Niedzviecki reflected on social media sites—specifically, Facebook. Soon after starting a Facebook account, Niedzviecki had accumulated about 700 on-line “friends.” In his own words, he was “absurdly proud of how many cyberpals, connections, acquaintances, and even strangers I’d managed to sign up.” But he went on to point out that due to a 2-year-old at home, his “workaholic irritability,” even his love of being left alone, he had fewer in-the-flesh friends to hang out with than he’d ever had before. So he decided to have a Facebook party to push his virtual friends into actual friends.

Niedzviecki invited all 700 of his “friends” to a local bar for a party. People could respond to one of three options: “Attending,” “Maybe Attending” and “Not Attending.” Fifteen said they would be there, and sixty said they might be there. He guessed somewhere around 20 would show up.

He writes about what happened next: “On the evening in question I took a shower. I shaved. I splashed on my tingly man perfume. I put on new pants and a favorite shirt. Brimming with optimism, I headed over to the neighborhood watering hole and waited. And waited. And waited. Eventually, one person showed up.”

And the one woman who showed up to meet Niedzviecki? He didn’t know her. She was a friend of a friend. They ended up making small talk and then she left.

Hal waited till midnight but no one else showed up. So, he ordered a beer and sulked. He concludes his article with these words: “Seven hundred friends, and I was drinking alone.”  (via hal@brokenpencil.com)

Here’s my take on this story: Niedzviecki NEEDS A CHURCH FAMILY!  The people I see who are connected and church and on Facebook are truly connected.  Sure, not all your “friends” on Facebook are truly “friends.”  And sure, not everyone you know at church is truly “family.”  But those who choose to really participate in a healthy local church develop a true family that shows up!

“Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood” (Acts 20:28).

This verse, a part of Paul’s parting exhortation to the pastors in Ephesus, contains valuable words for every pastor. Notice four points:

First, we must keep watch over ourselves before we can keep watch over the flock. John Stott writes of pastors: “For they cannot care adequately for others if they neglect the care and culture of their own souls” (The Message of Acts, 326).  Are you keeping watch over yourself?

Second, we must keep watch over the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made us overseers.  The words “elders” (v.17), “overseers” (v. 28), and “shepherds” (v. 28) are all used interchangeably as different words to describe the pastors (as in 1 Peter 5:1-2).  Shepherds are to lead, feed, guard, and care for the sheep.  How are we doing on each of these?

Third, we are shepherds of “the church of God.”  It is not our church.  It is not the member’s church.  It is God’s church.  Jesus is the head/senior/lead pastor.  It is to him that we will give an account for how we shepherd under him.  “And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away” 1 Peter 5:4.

Fourth, the flock we shepherd was “bought by his own blood.”  That’s how God looks at his flock.  We are not to view our sheep like literal sheep: dumb, smelly, and wayward.  We are to view them as God views them: precious, valuable, blood-bought!

Richard Baxter, writing in the language of 1656, drives this point home:

“Oh then, let us hear these arguments of Christ, whenever we feel ourselves grow dull and careless: ‘Did I die for them, and wilt not thou look after them?  Were they worth my blood and are they not worth thy labour? Did I come down from heaven to earth, to seek and to save that which was lost; and wilt thou not go to the next door or street or village to seek them? How small is thy labour and condescension as to mine?  I debased myself to this, but it is thy honour to be so employed.  Have I to make thee co-worker with me, and wilt thou refuse that little that lieth upon thy hands?’” (The Reformed Pastor, 121-122 quoted by Stott).

Some thoughts to encourage and challenge fellow pastors.