Dear Sibs, HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! It's 2007!!! Each year around this time, people reflect of the pass 12 months and plan the next. Things they would do differently and new ventures they would like to embark on. All in the name of personal/spiritual growth and development.   There's been much talk about this year being the 'Year of Perfection' and the expectations that lie ahead. I have come to realise that as each year begins many people's hopes for the new year is that ultimately, it will be better than the last. It also dawned on me from talking to friends, that the main areas that are focused on tend to be the not-so-good things that happened. Like the breakdown of relationships; the frustrating/dead-end job; the children; marital problems; financial depression etc. We tend to always think that it is the negavtive areas that require more focus and address. That may be true to some extent but we should not forget the things that went well. You see, in reflecting, we should encompass everything. There is much that can be learnt from the things that had a positive outcome/result. It's part of the reviewing process. If we could do xyz again what would we change in order to be more efficient. For example, successfully meeting a deadline. In a similiar situation you may approach it differently so you could finish ahead of schedule. There is always room for improvement, after all, man's not perfect. Until next month Chantal       New Year Resolutions - Christian thing to do or not?     It's that time of year again - a new year, a new start, a new beginning! For some reason, it is the time of year where the largest number of people decide to make resolutions. They will either start or stop a practice in order to better themselves, improve theirlifestyle or embark on new challenges. In reality, there is no difference between December 31st and January 1st and the Bible does not specifically say anything for or against making New Year resolutions. So how come millions of people (and I'm guessing that number cos I have not done a count) are making them? Not only are they making them at the start of each year, they have also broken them by Spring and end up making them again by the following year. The practice of making resolutions dates back to the ancient Babylonians, over 3000 years ago, whereby the most common resolution was to return borrowed farming equipment. Today, examples of resolutions may include loosing weight, improving relationships with friends and family or exercising more and eating more healthier. These are all very good resolutions. However, the Bible says in 1 Timothy 4:8, "For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come." From what I am seeing and hearing, the vast majority of people, including Christians, me included, tend to make a lot of resolutions in relation to physical things. As Christians, we also add resolutions such as praying more, reading the Bible more or even helping out at church. When making resolutions we should first and foremost consider why we are making them. For example, why do we want to read our Bible more or why do we want to loose weight? Is it because it is the in thing to do or is it to honour God? Philippians 4:13 tells us, “I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.” John 15:5 declares, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” If God is the center of your New Year’s Resolution, it has a chance for success – depending on your commitment to it. If it is God’s will for something to be fulfilled, He will enable you to fulfill it. If a resolution is not God honoring and/or is not in agreement with God’s Word – we will not receive God’s help in fulfilling the resolution. So my question once again is New Year Resolutions - Christian thing to do or not?   Peace & Love Chantal