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Christmas is now behind us and with a few days of 2016 left, we can’t help but think of what resolutions we want to make for 2017. There is something purifying and regenerating about having the fresh start of a new year. Many people emphasize that they want to change their eating, exercise, and spending habits. These types of resolutions are great, positive changes to make in your life but they relate to solely physical things and this should not be the only types of resolutions you make. Spiritual resolutions are just as important for your mental and physical well-being.
Resolutions to pray more and attend church more often have great intentions. But, just like many resolutions, they fall short of genuine commitment. Do you want to pray and attend church more because you think it’s a good thing to do, or because you want to honor God? A great way to make sure you stick to your faith-based resolutions is to stop thinking of them as resolutions and thinking of them as commitments to God instead. It’s also important to remember that these commitments to our faith need to be a part of our everyday lives. A good way to attend church more is by getting involved with your church and offering your talents to your faith community. Offering your time and talents to your church will be a great way to stay aligned with your commitment while feeling useful and connected with others in your church. Get creative with different ways to incorporate prayer every day. Write a prayer down daily on a dry eraser board or notepad at home. You can also recite prayers out loud on your way to and from work. You can even use the PrayerMate app to help with daily prayer. By setting routines like this, you’ll make prayer just as important as brushing your teeth each day. Something else to remember, especially when life gets a little hectic, is that you are not in this alone! God is always by your side. Happy New Year, everyone! Christmas is now behind us and with a few days of 2016 left, we can’t help but think of what resolutions we want to make for 2017. There is something purifying and regenerating about having the fresh start of a new year. Many people emphasize that they want to change their eating, exercise, and spending habits. These types of resolutions are great, positive changes to make in your life but they relate to solely physical things and this should not be the only types of resolutions you make. Spiritual resolutions are just as important for your mental and physical well-being. Resolutions to pray more and attend church more often have great intentions. But, just like many resolutions, they fall short of genuine commitment. Do you want to pray and attend church more because you think it’s a good thing to do, or because you want to honor God? A great way to make sure you stick to your faith-based resolutions is to stop thinking of them as resolutions and thinking of them as commitments to God instead. It’s also important to remember that these commitments to our faith need to be a part of our everyday lives. A good way to attend church more is by getting involved with your church and offering your talents to your faith community. Offering your time and talents to your church will be a great way to stay aligned with your commitment while feeling useful and connected with others in your church. Get creative with different ways to incorporate prayer every day. Write a prayer down daily on a dry eraser board or notepad at home. You can also recite prayers out loud on your way to and from work. You can even use the PrayerMate app to help with daily prayer. By setting routines like this, you’ll make prayer just as important as brushing your teeth each day. Something else to remember, especially when life gets a little hectic, is that you are not in this alone! God is always by your side. Happy New Year, everyone!
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It’s easy to see how Christmas has become a holiday focused heavily on consumerism and marketing over the years and it can be easy to dwell on this and feel an absence of Christ during his holiday. I’ve found that the best way to keep Christ in Christmas is by not being disappointed about the hustle and bustle of the season, but rather being our best selves and remembering to stop and reflect on if we are doing and listening to what Christ has told us to do. These moments of reflection will help to focus our hearts and minds on the person Christ became so that we can continue to bring goodness, kindness, justice and love into our lives and the lives of others as well. The teachings of Christ are meant to be incorporated in our daily lives and we need to stop and recognize that life happens and sometimes we become too busy and overwhelmed and forget that we are students of the Lord. It’s important that as his students we incorporate and share his love and light always, especially at Christmas. As our daughters get older, we want them to be aware that as Christians we need to carry out God’s work for the poor, the hungry and the oppressed. We want our girls to understand the fulfillment and love of giving to the needy. Teaching them the importance of charity at a young age will influence how they decide to give back to those in need for the rest of their lives. Remembering to do and listen to what Christ tells us to do will help us bring some much needed light and love into the world during Christmas. We live in a diverse city and need to remember that not everyone shares the same religious beliefs, but realize that keeping Christ in Christmas has nothing to do with what others do and believe, but everything with who we choose to be. That is the best way for us to remember that Jesus is the reason for the season.  |
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AuthorsAntonio Daniels Archives
August 2018
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