Guidance from Overlooked Men and Women of the Bible

Author: Dave Dishman (Page 415 of 475)

Try This Goal for 2019

Do you keep track of goals for each new year? I’ll admit, I’m a goal-maker and list-keeper. Some of my goals will look like most everyone’s, like, “lose some weight,” or “eat more salads.” I’m not sure how committed I’ll be to those goals. But there is one goal that I will work to meet and I encourage you to join me in trying.

One of my goals this year will be to read the Bible front to back. You might like to join me in making that a goal for you, or you might like to set a goal of reading half the Bible this year, or to read the New Testament this year, or maybe simply read a few minutes daily.

You might prefer to listen to the Bible. Many people I know would rather listen than read, so why not apply that to the Scriptures? If you have a commute as part of your life, that’s a great place to listen to the Bible being read to you. And maybe you’ll yell less at your fellow commuters when they annoy you in traffic.

So, regular goal-setter or not, I encourage you in joining me in making more room for reading, listening and understanding the Bible in 2019.

Innovate in 2019!

I posted this picture a year ago, and I’ll post it again. I love the way this young man is experimenting, even though we know things won’t turn out well. Why not try something new this year, even if you’re not sure of the outcome?

The world is waiting for your good, and not so good, ideas.

The Nativity

The Nativity by Federico Barocci, 1590
Copyright ©Museo Nacional del Prado

Mary, following days of arduous travel while carrying an unborn child, then giving birth in a barn, and then hosting a crowd of awe-struck shepherds, still held to her focus on her son. Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart. Maybe only a new mother can maintain such devotion?

Today, with all that swirls around us, take a few moments to treasure the birth of our Savior and ponder the reality of God becoming man. Understand this is reality, not a fairy tale. Such truth is worthy to remember and to let guide our enjoyment of this Christmas day and the year to come.

A Dicken’s Christmas Thought

No one is useless in this world who lightens the burden of another.

– Charles Dickens

We always remember Charles Dickens at this time of year for his story called A Christmas Carol,  with Tiny Tim and Scrooge and all the ghosts of Christmas. There is not a better ending to a story than when Scrooge awakes from his dreams and realizes that he has not missed Christmas morning! As Scrooge begins to make things right after many years of disregard for his fellow man, we see the good one person can do for another.

In Dickens’ mind our faith should move us to aid those around us, and his writing reflects this idea. The selfishness of Scrooge and Marley and their love of money dooms them to an eternity chained to their money box. How much better an eternity formed from generosity and love toward our fellow men and women? This is a simple story with profound meaning, one that continues to resonate though time. Personally, I prefer the movie version starring George C. Scott as Scrooge.

Jesus takes us to a similar place when he encourages us to “do unto others as you would have them do to you,” and to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Generosity knows no season, it never fades nor wears out. Lighten the burden of another this holiday season and you’ll be putting the words of Dickens, and Jesus, into good practice.

 

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