Resolutions

S is for Stand

…Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

Reflect on Christ, not self

Stand! Stand firm, even! Seems like a contradiction to last week’s thought to navigate—to move forward toward the goal. Yet, we are called to stand and become immovable in our convictions.

In the beginning of this series, we talked about the renewing of our minds, getting a fresh outlook on our lives and how God wants us to live. We moved on to endurance, strength, and optimism, while implementing loyalty to ourselves and to our Lord with clearer understanding of our constitution. We discovered most permanent and worthwhile changes take time. The importance of our task motivated us to explore the options available, which help us navigate through the obstacles we encounter along the way.

I’m sure after three months of working on our resolutions, we have all encountered many obstacles. A close, well-meaning friend tells us we’re fine the way we are. A co-worker sneers and says we’ll never accomplish our goal. Our “inner voice” claims we don’t have what it takes to achieve.

That’s when we stand firm in our convictions and commitments to ourselves and to Jesus. He alone understands, comforts, and strengthens us. Through Him, we can do what we set out to do. Stand firm—not bending to the right or to the left—but walking with confidence in the One who accomplishes His will within us.

Let’s stand firm, then, on our convictions and commitments to make ourselves better, not in the sight of men, but in God’s eyes.

The last word in our acronym for RESOLUTIONS is stand—STAND FIRM!

How about you? What steps can you take to stand firm in your resolutions?

Next Week:

We’ll begin a new study on spiritual warfare. Prepare by reading and thinking about Ephesians 6:12.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

 

N is for Navigate

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way (Proverbs 4:15-16 NIV).

Eagles are Great Navigators

Each day marks a step in our journeys. Yesterday has taken us in one of two directions—closer to or farther from our goals.

Last week, we talked about keeping our options open. If Plan A fails, move to Plan B, C, or Z. But the key is to move FORWARD. We can set all the plans on paper. We can work out tentative schemes in our minds. We can talk the talk. But until we, yes, walk the walk, we are drifting farther from our desired resolutions. Sorry, we do NOT remain stationary for long, in reality, not even for twenty-four hours. The longer we linger in our bad habits or present situations, the more difficult it becomes to break free of them.

We need to learn to navigate our life vessels in the right direction, or the current will take us to a destination we don’t want to occupy.

It might be good to take motivational classes in the areas we want to improve, read books on the subject, and find a mentor. But all that does is accumulate knowledge. Helpful? Of course. We benefit from understanding the proper procedures to accomplish our goals. But real strides are NOT met by knowledge alone. Action has to accompany knowledge for it to be effectual.

I have read a ton of books and articles on healthy lifestyles. Diet and exercise do’s and don’ts always abound. Most say the same thing. I have obtained all the knowledge on the subject my mind can handle and more than enough to succeed in eating well and maintaining a fairly healthy body for my age. But it does me no good as long as I refuse to follow the instructions.

Same goes for my writing goals. Until I put the plan into motion and navigate through it, I’ll drift deeper into the waters of procrastination where the Monster of Slothfulness abides and consumes the mind of the trespasser.

In essence, we need to make each day, each step a purposeful one…one headed in the direction of our goals. Taking one step at a time, one day at a time puts the task into perspective. Yes, we may falter. We may even backslide temporarily. But we don’t have to allow that one day to be the end result. Take the helm again. Mark your course. Navigate.

How about you? Are you moving closer to or farther from your goals? What steps can you take to put your plan in action?

Next Week:

S is for Stand. Prepare by reading and thinking about Galatians 5:1.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

O is for Options

…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV).

How are you doing with your 2014 resolutions? Are you where you thought you’d be at the end of the first quart of the year? If so, congratulations. You’re well on your way to making those changes a permanent part of your life.

If you’re not where you hoped to be by now, why not? What’s going on that has diverted your plan? Often the best thought-out plans fail because of unexpected situations.

Personally, I resolved to (as always) eat healthier, exercise more, and make some kind of progress in writing and illustrating. I’m not where I thought I’d be by now on any of those resolutions. Looking back on the past three months, I can understand why I’m moving slower toward my goals than I’d hoped. My plan was good, but it failed because I haven’t stuck with it. Looking back also helps me to see what accomplishments I have made. Some were not planned, at least not on day one…by me. Now I have a choice to make: get back to the old plan or make a new one.

Often reevaluating our plans, resetting goals, and redesigning our methods gives us a new perspective on the desired outcome. The process of reorganizing rejuvenates us and renews our zeal for the task. Keeping our options open eliminates anxiety caused by the fear of failure. If plan B doesn’t pan out, move on to plan C, D, or Z. We’ve got it covered. But never allow QUIT to be an option. Remember the old adage: Quitters never win and Winners never quit. Add to that, winners never quit, they just change their plans and/or methods.

Each day brings a set of challenges and choices. Keep you options open, but rely on God to help make the best decisions for the current situation. Only He knows the outcome. Rest in the assurance that He works out all things for your good.

How about you? Are you on track with your 2014 resolutions? Or are you on the brink of giving up? How can your revamp your program?

Next Week:

N is for Navigate. Prepare by reading and thinking about Proverbs 4:15 and 16.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

I is for Importance

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…(1 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV).

Prioritize

Those things which are most important to us, we are mindful of and do.

For real? We do what we want to do. But sometimes, we maintain a mixed-up set of priorities. For whatever reason, we put the trivial, pleasurable, even useless tasks ahead of the more important jobs we have to do.

Before I completed preparing my income tax return, I spent hours playing word games online. I did what I wanted to do, but definitely NOT what was important. I loathe doing tax returns. I like playing word games. My priorities always get twisted during tax season.

But it doesn’t end there. I love painting and writing. Those activities are important to me. I should do one or the other or both every day. I should…but I often wander from one menial task to another and never find time to do what I actually deem as important.

Oh to be like Paul. He continuously passed on to all whom he knew the utmost important message: Christ died for our sins. He held on to his priorities and didn’t let go for anything.

Of course, Paul didn’t have the distractions we have today—computer games, internet, movies, TV, sports, telephones. No, he dealt with persecution, imprisonment, life threats, poor eyesight, and parchment paper and feather pens. Yet, he managed to stay focused on the truly essential purpose of his life…of our lives.

Paul wasn’t always mindful of his purpose. In fact, he was on the complete opposite side at one time. The Scriptures first introduce us to him under the name of Saul of Tarsus. Then, he persecuted the Christians, even aided in the stoning of Stephen. Paul had a lot to learn about servicing the God whom he thought he was honoring. And learn he did. He had a horrific encounter with the Lord, which left Paul blind for three days. Paul “saw the Light” in a literal way. It changed his life and reorganized his priorities.

Recognizing we need to make changes in our lives is the first step in the process. Like Paul, we see things differently than we once saw them. As a result, we reorganize our priorities.

Is it more important to finish my tax return or play word games? Is it more important to eat a piece of chocolate cake or keep my cholesterol under control? Is it more important to take a nap or go for a brisk walk?

There are a myriad of choices we have to make every day. Sometimes, our priorities do get scrambled. For me, a priority list helps me stay on task.

How about you? Where are your priorities set? How do you stay on task?

Next Week:

O is for Options. Prepare by reading and thinking about Deuteronomy 30:19-20.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

T is for Time

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1Peter 5:6 NIV).

Time is of the essence. And the older we get the more painfully aware we become of the essence of time.

In my twenties, I drifted through life full of delight of early-motherhood. I had the hope of the years to come. In my thirties, I busied myself with my children and my in-house business. Age had no bearing on my decisions. In my forties, I embarked on a band-new venture—writing for publication. I took the time to learn the craft. As I stood on the fifty mark, I realized I was at the top looking down. And downhill always goes faster than the uphill climb.

Now stepping past the sixty flag, I wonder how much time is left for me to do what God has prepared for me. While the “sands of the hour glass” are falling at an incredibly fast pace, so much work remains undone. I don’t seem any closer to the goals He has bet before me than when I began. Yet, I am reassured by the words of 1 Peter 5:6: God will lift me up in due time. To me, He is saying, “Do not despair. I haven’t forgotten you or the task I have for you. Continue to write. I will bring it to My desired end when it is time.”

So I continue writing. But I’m inconsistent. And nothing demonstrates my inconsistency better than this blog on Time. I started it two weeks ago. Life got in the way…income tax preparation, a book reading/signing, a family emergency…but mostly procrastination. Which brings me to one of my resolutions carried over from last year—stop procrastinating.

If there’s anything I do well, it’s procrastinate. I can find all sorts of busy jobs to prevent me from doing what is really important. Procrastination is a nasty habit with an easy resolve. Just do it. But it takes a lot of effort to replace a bad habit with a good one. Let’s face it. It takes TIME.

All good things take time. But we’re in a fast-paced society with I-want-it-know mentality and instant-gratification mindset. We expect our new constitution to take effect the moment we declare it, or within an insanely short amount of time.

While setting deadlines and goals benefit us in many ways, let’s be careful to set reasonable schedules. We can’t change a lifetime of bad habits in a month. It took time for us to develop into what we are; and it’ll take time to acquire the characteristics and attitudes God wants us to have.

Yes, time is of the essence. But God controls all things even time.

How about you? How are you doing with your New Years’ resolutions? Have you given up already? Maybe it’s time to reset your goals and deadlines.

Next Week:

I is for Importance. Prepare by reading and thinking about 1 Corinthians 1:3-4

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

U is for Understanding

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you (Psalm 32:9 NIV).

Don’t be like a horse… Psalm 32:9

Hind-sight is always better than foresight, so the saying goes. Unfortunately that little cliché carries a lot of truth. We learn more through experience than through advice from other people. Our personal encounters with different situations activate a deeper understanding.

Case in point:

Experiences Drives a Deeper Understanding

When I was learning to drive (many years ago) I was told by my father, mother, older siblings, and drivers-ed teacher not to go around sharp turns too fast. If you do, pump your breaks to slow down. Never slam on the breaks. You’ll lock them up and lose control of the car. I heard them and acknowledged their wisdom. But when I actually experienced the effect myself, I had firsthand understanding. Every time I go around that bend, I still remember the fear that had surged through my veins. I slid sideways and prayed a lot until I regained my composure and the control of the car. God only knows how I avoided crashing. Now with the understanding of the consequences, I take sharp turns slower and pump my breaks.

Don’t we react to all areas of life in much the same way?

Our mothers told us never walk away from the stove while cooking. A few scourged meals later, we realized she knew what she was talking about.

The doctor tells us to eat healthier and get more exercise. Yeah, we hear and acknowledge the value of the advice. But it takes a heart attack, diabetes, or some other health issue to sear understanding deep enough into our minds to make us want to make the necessary changes.

Understanding is imperative to achievement. The better we perceive our circumstances and benefits of change, the harder we will strife to accomplish our goals…it’s as simple and as complex as that.

How about you? What experiences have seared a deep understanding into your mind to make you want to make changes?

Next Week:

T is for Time. Prepare by reading and thinking about 1 Peter 5:6-11

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

L is for Loyalty

…be submissive… be pleasing and give satisfaction in every way. [be careful] not to talk back or contradict…to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout, so that in everything they may be an ornament and do credit to the teaching [which is] from and about God our Savior (Titus 2:9-10 AMP).

Paul wrote the above verse to Titus concerning the appropriate attitude and service of slaves…Christian slaves.

Many of us shrug off verses that apply to slaves. What could such passages have to do with those of us who are free? Some may say that these verses apply to the workplace, which in a sense they can and should be implemented there. But is it possible that God has a much deeper meaning for them—one that applies to ALL of us?

Peter said, “people are slaves to whatever has mastered them” (2 Peter 2:19).  Paul’s discourse in Romans chapter 6 reminds us that we are all either slaves to sin or slaves to righteousness. We are slaves to Satan or slaves to Jesus Christ.

If we’re still denying that we are slaves, let’s look at the resolutions we made six weeks ago. Many of us want to lose weight. I’m among them. When I console myself with a brownie, I place chocolate in God’s place. Yes in essence, I’ve made chocolate my master, and therefore, I serve a substance instead of the One whom I call my Lord and Savior.

I’m not saying eating a brownie or a chocolate bar is a sin. But when we use substance such as food, drugs, alcohol, or anything else for comfort or stress relievers, we are making that substance our God. We become dependent on it. It has mastered us, and we have become slaves. Look at what people have done to obtain drugs, alcohol, fame, and fortune. Misplaced submission and loyalty can take us down paths we shouldn’t travel.

But we have chosen a new path. We have turned our backs on our old masters and have chosen a new one…one to whom we must be loyal above all else. When we put God back in the throne of our lives, our resolutions to eat healthier, to repair relationships, to improve in our work, to live better become doable—not only doable, but a sure thing.

All we have to do is be loyal to ourselves. More importantly, be loyal to God.

How about you? How can you turn your loyalty back to God this week?

Next Week:

U is for Understanding. Prepare by reading and thinking about Psalm 32.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

O is for Optimism

And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. (1 Peter 5:10 NIV)

Consider the Lilies

Renewing the mind requires endurance. Endurance inevitably produces strength. All are necessary for reaching our goals. However the road to true life change is long and rough. Pitfalls along the way take their tool, and we become weary and lose hope. When we lose hope we run the risk of giving up. Remember the old adage: Winners never quit, and quitters never win? We can bank on it. But how do you maintain optimism during the long dreary days of “temporary defeat?”

1. Listen to success stories from others
2. Record your own success stories and read them frequently
3. Memorize encouraging Scripture passages such as the one above
4. Ask a trusted friend to share with you something positive they’ve noticed about you—there’s nothing wrong with seeking a “pat on the back” when you can’t see the good you’re doing
5. Make a list of compliments you get, whether solicited or not, and read them often
6. Ask a few trusted friends to cover you in prayer
7. Remind yourself that you are making life changes to improve yourself, your appearance, your relationships with people and with God—they are all worthwhile
8. Give yourself some grace—failure happens, but you have risen above it before and you can again
9. Feed you mind with positive thoughts and with hope for the future
10. Look for the brighter side of your situation
11. Expect success, and it will come.

Keeping a positive attitude isn’t easy when making life changes. Our old habits die hard, and we struggle as we replace them with better ways. Hang on to an optimistic viewpoint and know God is there to help. All we have to do is ask and fully rely on Him.

Optimism doesn’t blossom from the lack of failure, nor does it grow out of success. We cultivate it through our disappointments and setbacks. When we refuse to give into a pessimistic attitude, optimism flourishes.

How about you? How do you cultivate optimism?

Next week:

L is for Loyalty. In preparation, read and meditate on Titus 2.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

S is for Strength

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:7 NIV).

Renewing the mind brings repentance—a deliberate desire to change, to turn from our old ways and embrace a better way. Repentance demands endurance or there can be no true transformation.

With endurance comes strength. What was difficult in the beginning becomes easier with time. Our efforts to exercise strengthen our bodies.

At age seven, my grandson, Zach, determined to swing, one wrung at a time, to the other on the monkey bars at the playground. I lifted him so he could grab hold of the first bar. And walked with him to catch him if he fell. It took many tries. He got weary and almost gave up. But he pushed himself toward his goal. And he did it…without my help! He dropped to the ground and, amazed at his own strength, flexed his muscles. Squeezing his right bicep with his left hand, he squealed, “Look, Bee! I have muscles.”

At age thirteen, he has to bend his knees to keep his feet off the ground on those bars. And swinging across them is effortless for him. His body has grown and strengthened with typical boy play.

When we commit ourselves to make life changes, we start out like the seven-year-old Zach—full of spunk and determination. We grow weary and feel like giving up. However, with the aide of those around us and our Heaven Father, we push ourselves toward our goals in spite of our failures.

Although we struggle with different aspects of a healthier, more meaningful lifestyle today, those very things will become effortless as we continue the routine. Our bodies and minds will strengthen. In time, these exercises will become second nature to us, and eventually, we will be strong enough to help others accomplish their goals.

Regardless if we resolve to exercise our physical bodies or our spirits, strength comes from repetitive action. However, true strength resides in our relationship with the Lord.

How about you? Are you dangling with one hand, ready to give up? How can you grasp God’s hand and trust Him to strengthen you for the task?

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

E is for Endurance

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:11-12 NIV).

Run the Race

Writing a blog seems to be a test of my endurance. I’ve been at it for a long time. My first attempt was way back before the easy pre-formatted type websites designed specifically for reader-writer interaction came along. View the Bible studies at Two Small Fish.

Through the years, I made plenty of mistakes…still do. I trip over typos and misused words. I sit on the “curb” and watch the sun shine. I…Oh look! There’s a seagull flying over Central Pennsylvania in the middle of January with icicles dangling from his wings…let my mind wonder. In short, I face problems in the writing. My thoughts get stuck somewhere between my mind and my fingertips…when I manage to conjure up some thoughts worth typing that is.

Although I have failed miserably at times, I haven’t given up! I’ve made a commitment to God and to you, my readers. Thanks to those of you who have taken a moment to comment and to encourage me, I haven’t stopped trying.

That’s the bottom line after all, is it not? Whatever course, whatever promise, whatever resolution we choose, we will meet our goals as long as we endure…persevere…keep on task.

Paul compares our spiritual/life quests to a race. “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize” (1 Corinthians 9:24).

The end results for which we strife by making resolutions are our prizes. Joining healthy eating programs and gyms reward us in stronger bodies and nicer appearances. Managing money gives freedom from financial worry. More earnest Bible study and prayer time strengthen our spirits. We all know the results of the changes we have determined to undergo this year. But the only way we will realize those awards, hold them in our hands, and keep them is through endurance.

Endurance will not only enable us to grasp the prize before us but will enable us to maintain our reward for life.

How about you? What motivates you to continue toward you goal?

Next week:

S is for Strength. Read and mediate on Psalm 28:6-9

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

R is for Renewing 

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV)

A matter of mind over matter, is that all there is to renewing the mind?

I’m a habitual procrastinator. There I said, or rather, and more incriminatingly, I wrote it. I know putting urgent and even not-so-urgent chores off leads to problems. I have made New Year resolutions year after year to correct my nasty habit. And every year, I end with a list of tasks I should have done months before the holidays.

We all have bad habits which compel us to make New Year’s Resolutions year after year. And year after year, we fail to overcome those bad habits. Why?

Beyond Mind over Matter

Knowledge coupled with sheer determination seldom establishes the long term results for which we’re hoping. We need to reprogram our thought process. And that involves more than mind over matter.

Paul wrote a reminder that renewing of the mind is an ongoing process to the Colossians, “you have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (vs 9-10).. The apostle also wrote to Titus, “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit” (vs 5). According to Paul, it is not us who renew our minds, but the Holy Spirit in us.

So why do we believers continue to struggle with old habits?

Perhaps, it’s because we don’t allow the Holy Spirit complete control over us. We hold tight to our habits like children who refuse to give their security blankets to their mothers for washing.

What we need is a completely new mindset, like deleting an obsolete program on our computers, installing a better version, and then keeping updates current.

I’m going to give the Holy Spirit permission every day to renew my mind in the areas that I struggle to change. I know it won’t be easy, but change seldom is. Nevertheless, I’m sure giving in to the Holy Spirit’s renewal system will be much easier than trying to do it myself.

How about you? To what are you holding tight, that the Holy Spirit wants to renew?

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

Resolutions–Introduction

Winter’s Dream

As we begin a new year and make promises to ourselves for life improvements, it helps to get a clear idea of what our plans consist. Over the course of the next eleven weeks, we will be looking at each of these aspects more closely. Today’s acronym serves as an introduction.

R—renewing. The nice thing about a new year…a new day is we can start over. But starting over doesn’t work unless we first renew our minds.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2 NIV).

E—endurance. Without endurance, we cannot succeed in any endeavor. Let’s determine from the beginning to stick to the task until we accomplish it.

…being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and giving joyful thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of his holy people in the kingdom of light (Colossians 1:11-12 NIV).

S—strength.   Regardless if we resolve to exercise our physical bodies or our spirits, strength comes from repetitive action. However, true strength resides in our relationship with the Lord.

The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:7 NIV).

O—optimistic. Expect success, and it will come. Keeping a positive attitude isn’t easy when making life changes. Our old habits die hard, and we struggle as we replace them with better ways. Hang on to an optimistic viewpoint and know God is there to help. All we have to do is ask and fully rely on Him.

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:7 NIV).

L—loyal.        In times of self-improvement, we face well-intending people who offer little comfort. Never mind what they say. Be loyal to yourself. More importantly, be loyal to God.

…be submissive… be pleasing and give satisfaction in every way. [be careful] not to talk back or contradict…to prove themselves truly loyal and entirely reliable and faithful throughout, so that in everything they may be an ornament and do credit to the teaching [which is] from and about God our Savior (Titus 2:9-10 AMP).

U—understanding. Understanding is imperative to achievement. The better we perceive our circumstances and benefits of change, the harder we will strife to accomplish our goals…it’s as simple as that.

 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you (Psalm 32:9 NIV).

T—time.        While setting deadlines and goals benefit us in many ways, let’s be careful to set reasonable schedules. We can’t change a lifetime of bad habits in a month.

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. (1Peter 5:6 NIV).

I—importance. A priority list helps keep us on task. Those things which are most important to us, we are mindful of and do.

For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures…(1 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV).

O—options.    Each day brings a set of challenges and choices. Keep you options open, but rely on God to help make the best decisions for the current situation. Only He knows the outcome. Rest in the assurance that He works out all things for our good.

…I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV).

N—navigate.   To get from point A to point B, we must move. Forward, backward, sideways, up, or down, movement depends on navigation. Mark your course and stick to it.

Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way (Proverbs 4:15-16 NIV).

S—stand.        Let’s stand on our convictions and commitments to make ourselves better, not in the sight of men, but in God’s eyes.

…Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1 NIV).

How about you? What resolutions have you made for the year?

Next week, we’ll look closer at the process of renewing our minds. Reread Romans 12:2. Pray about it throughout the week and memorize the verse.

See you in a twinkling,

Brenda K. Hendricks

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