Reflections

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I choose to be aware of evil but concentrate on the good I see. “For the rest, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever modest, whatsoever just, whatsoever holy, whatsoever lovely, whatsoever of good fame, if there be any virtue, if any praise of discipline, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8.

 

It amazes me that our all powerful God humbled himself to become one of us, the Creator subjected to his creation. He is so far above us and yet he chose not only to come as a helpless babe, dependent on human parents, but he also died for us, taking our place, burdened by our sins. It’s hard to understand, but I’m thankful all the same.

 

As for prayer, I read an interesting concept. Whatever we are praying for, would Jesus pray for the same thing? If the answer is no, then God’s answer will be the same. Our prayers must be in alignment with God’s will for our life. In essence, everything we do, everything we ask for, should be to glorify God, not to satisfy our desires or insist on our own will. “Not my will, but yours be done. In Jesus’ name I ask. Amen.” The more I pray, the more my thoughts and desires align with God’s plan for my life.

 

“And he turned the storm into a breeze: and its waves were still… He hath turned a wilderness into pools of water, and a dry land into water springs.” Psalm 107:29, 35. He has carried me through every difficult moment of my life, even sending a few miracles, as long as I held onto my faith, trusting him and not my circumstances. 

 

“All things have their season, and in their times all things pass under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3:1. God uses each season to complete his work in us, for his glory and our good. Amen.

 

 

It's That Time of Year Again

This is sunrise from my office window, dawning a new day, a new month, and a new year. Was it a good year? Did I do what I had hoped, what I had planned?

I have to say it was a good year in terms of memorable events. Two more grand babies were born, one in June and one in September. Then in August the biggest life change, retirement.

Who Started All This New Year's Resolution Stuff?

With New Year's upon us, everyone is reflecting on things past, hoping for things to come, and making resolutions to improve the things they can. Why? Who started this tradition at the first of every year? Curious, I did a little research.

The first to celebrate the beginning of a new year was the Babylonians on the Vernal Equinox, March 20th (or 21st in some years), at around 2000 B.C.  Besides being the first day of spring, this date has astrological significance. At exactly 7:21 pm EDT the sun crosses over the Earth's equator. Both day and night are of equal length, thus the name, Equinox - equal night. 

It wasn't until the adoption of the solar based Julian Calendar by Rome in 46 B.C. that January 1 was designated as the first day of the new year. It remained until the Council of Taurs abolished the practice in the year 567. The counsel claimed the celebration was pagan and unchristian, and they set the new year on either December 25th, Christmas, March 1, the Annunciation, or on March 25, Easter.

In 1582 the Catholic Church adopted the Gregorian calendar and January 1st was reinstated as the beginning of the new year. The Protestants were slower to adopt the calender, holding out until 1752 when the British finally accepted it. Prior to that, Brittan, and its American colonies, celebrated the New Year in March.

As far as New Year's resolutions, it is the Babylonians we can blame for that tradition, then later, Christians implemented the year end practice of reflection on past mistakes and new year vows to improve.

The song, Auld Lang Syne, was first published by Robert Burns in 1796 after Burns heard the song in his Scottish hometown. The song was popularized by band leader Guy Lombardo and His Royal Canadians in 1929 after playing it at midnight on New Year's Eve during a party at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.

The words, auld lang syne mean "old long since", or "times gone by." The song asks if old friends and times will be forgotten, and promises to remember people of the past with fondness. Very appropriate sentiments as the old year wanes and the new begins.


Following the ancient tradition of reflection, I think back this New Year's Eve to special moments with my friends and family, accept the hallmark changes, and look forward to things yet to come. Although there are still some unresolved issues (and there will always be), I feel I am at a far better position than at any other moment in my life.  I have learned to have more faith and trust in God, my Father, and life is no longer one crises after another.

My only resolution this year: to continue to deepen my relationship with Him, and all the rest will magically fall in place.

Happy New Year!