Small Groups Help with New Year’s Resolutions: Especially When it Feels Like You Are Scaling a Wall

People have a love hate relationship with resolutions. It’s easy to write down how you’ll accomplish those goals. The most popular resolutions are. . . Lose weight. . . Spend more time with family and friends. . . Get financially fit. . . Learn something new. Christians would add incorporate more Biblical practices into daily life.

The hard part is starting and then sticking to the resolution long enough to make a difference. Often the climb to succesful finishes feels scary, impossible, and full of roadblocks. At times the next step seems out of reach.

One answer is small groups! Being surrounded by supportive people learning the same thing helps us finish what we started. These folks give us verbal encouragement, offer practical help, show us it can be done by their own example, and love on us when we misstep.

CNC can’t help you with the first resolution (lose weight), but can help with the others. Join a small group today in order to spend more time with family and friends, learn something new and see how you can incorporate more Biblical practices into your daily life.

Your Turn . . .

  1. What small group do you belong to?
  2. How have you benefitted by belonging to a small group?
  3. What  has been your best small group experience?
  4. Will you join or continue with a small group this year? Why or why not?
  5. What advice do you have for getting the most out of small groups?

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  • Small Groups Help with New Year’s Resolutions: Especially When it Feels Like You Are Scaling a Wall

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    Getting Financially Fit Will Happen This February-March: Attend This CNC Small Group

    Getting Financially Fit: Sunday, February 14 – Sunday, March 14, 9:30 am, CNC – room TBD

    Sydney Cooley, CNC’s bookkeeper, is leading a small group on Taming the Money Monster and The Treasure Principle .

    The 5 objectives for this class include the following:

    1. Why we get into debt and how to avoid more.
    2. How to get out of debt.
    3. How to use credit.
    4. Biblical perspective on credit and debt.
    5. How to be practical.

    Contact Sydney today: (635-5992, Sydney@cnchurch.org) with your RSVP. She wants  to order enough books in time for you to read the first chapter before February 14th. The book, Taming the Money Monster by Ron Blue, is about $8.00, depending on the sale Sydney finds.

    There is homework for the first class. First, read chapter one from Taming the Money Monster. Secondly, Read The Treasure Principle by Randy Alcorn. This small book is given (free) to all who attend The Pastor’s Class. If you don’t have a book, contact Sydney today for your free copy.

    Your Turn  . . .

    1. What is your best tip for getting financially fit?
    2. Have you attended one of Sydney’s groups before? If yes, what is the best thing you got from the group?
    3. Have you read either of these books? If yes, what is the best advice you read? Why?
    4. What are your top financial struggles?
    5. Do you have a plan to cancel your financial struggles? Care to share it?
    6. What financial information/help are you most wanting/needing to know?

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    The Power of a Praying Woman to Impact Small Group of Women

    Looking for a small group where you can connect and learn with other women?
     
    Sunday (January 10, 2010) we will be starting The Power of a Praying Women by Stormie Omartian, 11 am at CNC. The room is TBD. This 10 week class will guide women through the basics of prayer via video, discussion, daily homework, and of course prayer.
     
    The workbook is $10.17 from Amazon (normally $14.95). Let me know by (January 6) and I will order a book for you. Make the check out to CNC and put “women’s Sunday study” in the memo line.
    • The video curriculum workbook will be a valuable resource for learning about the topic before the class because each week has five day’s worth of interaction with that week’s message, Scripture and prayer.
    • The first five lessons will cover the following: Praying to become all God made me to be . . . Praying for a life-transforming walk with God. . . Praying to be free of the past . . Praying to put my life in right order . . . Praying to surrender control of my life to God.        
    • However, it is not necessary to have the workbook in order to attend the class or gain from the information presented. Just be sure to bring paper if you are a note-taker.
     8 women have already signed up for this 10 week class.
     
    Please join us as we learn more about prayer and practice what we learn as a group and on our own.
      
    Your Turn . . .
    1. If you’ve already done this video study or read the book, what is the gem that you still remember? Still practice?
    2. What would you like to learn about regarding prayer?
     
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    13 Benefits of Reading

    Books can be dangerous. The best ones should be labeled “This could change your life.”  ~Helen Exley

    Reading is obviously useful for day-to-day life. I.e. We need to read in order to . . .

    • File our taxes
    • Fill out a library card application
    • Understand the employee handbook
    • Check out the sports stats for our favorite hockey team
    • Choose an appropriate birthday card or the correct type of oil for the car, and
    • Buy the beans, meat and tortillas we need for dinner.

    But reading can bring more than ease to daily living or increase our competency at work.

    Below are a 13 reasons I’ve found reading to be beneficial. Reading . . .

    1. Helps us develop better vocabulary and grammar
    2. Exposes us to novel ideas, actions, geography and people so that we become more culturally & historically aware
    3. Energizes us for action or de-stresses us after an action-packed day
    4. Improves our general knowledge and imagination
    5. Clarifies difficult topics (If there is a children’s book on the topic, I always read that first so I can get a simple overview.)
    6. Gives us the opportunity to learn from the mistakes and wisdom of others
    7. Encourages us to be the best we can be
    8. Is a fun way to spend our time and/or learn
    9. Enhances our creativity and concentration
    10. Shows us how we can do life, work, health, relationships, etc.  better, easier, faster, cheaper
    11. Increases family bonding when the reading is done out loud
    12. Alleviates loneliness
    13. Nourishes our soul and intellect

    What would you add to this list? How is reading beneficial to you?

    Related Posts

    Brad Isaac at Persistance Unlimited has two good articles on reading. (1) Click here to read “The 26 Major Advantages to Reading More Books and Why 3 in 4 People Are Being Shut Out of Success.”  (2) Go here to read “5 Sneaky and Underhanded Methods To Add 30% More Time To Your Daily Reading Schedule.

    8 comments .

    If Books Are Like a Personality Test, What Do My New Year’s Choices Reveal?

    • I usually read one book at a time. But this month, I couldn’t restrain myself. There are six that I am dabbling in at the moment.

    Less Clutter , Less Noise: Beyond Bulletins, Brochures and Bake Sales by Kem Meyer. I picked this book because I am always looking for ways to make my ministries relevant. This title suggests the opposite of what I’ve known and done. Go here to read Kem’s blog. Here are some posts to get you started . . . Want to change people’s behavior? Make it fun. . . . Don’t talk about money…. . .  Top 5 places to start reading in the Bible… . . . What I’ve learned in 20 years as a parent…

    Sanctification: An Alliance Distinctive by Samuel J Stoesz. This book is required reading for consecration. “This book documents the scriptural understanding of the experience of sanctification and the historical antecedents of the teaching as it concerns The Christian and Missionary Alliance.”

    The Prayer That Changes Everything: The Hidden Power of Praising God by Stormie OMartian. Last year I made prayer a primary focus of my time and efforts. That study is continuing. Plus this books talks about praise; that sounds a lot like gratitude. Gratitude is something else I’ve been focusing on.  Combining the two sounds like an awesome and powerful combination.

    The Shack by William P. Young. Everybody has read this book. My former roommate Janelle, Theresa, Pastor Mike, one of my seminary profs, Gerry Breshears (here and here), and CNC’s reading club. Time I read it for myself.

    Words of Gratitude: For Mind, Body, and Soul by Robert A. Emmans & Joanna Hill. I am continuing on my quest to learn more about gratitude. I want my life to be led by gratitude especially gratitude to God.

    How to Make a Journal of Your Life by D. Price. This sounds fun. These 2 books also sound fun: Making Journals by Hand: 20 Creative Projects for Keeping Your Thoughts and How to Be an Explorer of the World.

    What do my choices reveal about me?

    • I’m interested in improving my ministry and work.
    • I want to keep tabs on the culture around me.
    • Prayer and gratitude are still very important to me and still need more work and attention in my life.
    • I want to have fun.

    Your Turn

    • What are you reading and why?
    • What does your choice reveal about you?
    • What book(s) do you recommend?

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    Blessings

    Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the wedding was so delightful.

    Jaclyn and Joe married today (12.12.09). Jaclyn is the  daughter of a long time friend, Ann, whom I met in the college-career group at Sunrise Baptist Church in the early 80’s.

      The day was a blur of activity.  But time was just right when the wedding vows were shared. Their love was evident.  

    I pray for God’s love, grace and mercy to surround, guide and protect these two.

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    40 More Ways to Cultivate Gratitude

    “The longer I live, the more that I recognize that cultivating an attitude of gratitude is the key to living from an open heart, that is, living in a spirit of joyful expectation.”  M.J. Ryan, Attitudes of Gratitude: How to Give & Receive Joy Everyday of Your Life

    So, how does one cultivate an attitude of gratitude? A life full of gratitude comes by doing and thinking gratitude enhancing actions. I compiled a list of 21 ways here. Go here for 13 Ways to Get Your Gratitude On. Below are 40 more ideas on how to express and cultivate gratitude.

    1. Choose to be grateful.
    2. Keep a gratitude journal noting specific others and specific events.
    3. Say gratitude prayers at meal time and bedtime.
    4. Keep a journal of answered prayers.
    5. Create a gratitude paper chain that counts down to a holiday or birthday.
    6. Look around the world and notice how good you have it.
    7. Reflect on how much God loves and accepts you.
    8. Meditate on/memorize gratitude verses.
    9. Begin the day by listing 3 blessings.
    10. Sing your gratitude – I.e.  Base your song on These Are a Few of My Favorite Things.  Do a Powerpoint or your own slide show to this song
    11. Make a gratitude poster.
    12. Seek out and spend time with grateful people.
    13. Don’t complain or listen to complaints.
    14. Don’t watch or at least limit exposure to advertising.
    15. Write out your ABC’s of Gratitude.
    16. Determine and write down your gratitude strategy.
    17. Don’t gossip or listen to gossips.
    18. Practice gratitude everyday. Rabbi Ephraim Buchwald, founder of the National Jewish Outreach Program (NJOP), says we should be grateful everyday, but gratitude is especially underscored during the holidays. Rabbi Buchwald suggests a few Jewish customs to help families remember to be thankful on a daily basis. One custom is putting a few coins in a charity box each day. The small amount of change will add up to help someone less fortunate. Another custom is to leave a morsel on your plate at every meal to remember those who are without food
    19. Write a gratitude letter to your children now and then every year.
    20. Share your gratitude list with the world via the internet – Go to this link to post your list.
    21. Create an “I Spy” Gratitude quilt.
    22. Celebrate other people – not just on birthdays and at the holidays.
    23. Create a gratitude crossword puzzle.
    24. Make a gratitude wreath with a wire wreath form and clothespins. On each pin write words that finish this sentence, “I am grateful for . . . “
    25. Walk through the rooms of your house noting what you are grateful for in each room. Post that list in each room.
    26. Listen to a praise song and then verbally or in writing tell God what you are grateful for
    27. Collect gratitude stories.
    28. Establish a Gratitude Book at Thanksgiving.
    29. Study God’s attributes.
    30. Play Gratitude  ”I Spy.”
    31. Host or join a gratitude blog carnival.
    32. Gratitude on the hour – every time the clock chimes, recite something you are grateful for.
    33. Watch what you call yourself – internal self-talk can make you feel good or bad about yourself. When you feel badly about yourself, it is harder to be grateful.
    34. Find gratitude in every situation.
    35. Simplify  your  schedule, possessions and relationships. It’s harder to be grateful if you are overwhelmed  in any one of these areas.
    36. Don’t deny yourself the basics – sleep, healthy food, exercise, solitude, simplified schedule, etc.
    37. Wear silky underwear – or least something that makes me feel special. When you feel good it is easier to be grateful.
    38. Practice The 4 Secrets to Contentment.
    39. Ditch the clothes horse mentality. Be content with fewer, but good quality clothes.
    40. Say “Thank You” every time it is appropriate. ”If the only prayer you ever say in your life is thank you, that would suffice.” Mystic Meister Eckhart

    5 comments .

    November 30 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

    I am grateful for the hope that is within me.

    I have hope in . . .

    • God’s word (Psalm 119:114). He is my refuge and my shield.
    • God’s love (Psalm 147:11). His love is unfailing.
    • A future (Proverbs 23:18). This future is positive and it will happen.
    • Renewed strength (Isaiah 40:31). Teach me, Lord, to wait on you.
    • Eternal life (Titus 1:2). God has promised this to us before the beginning of time.

    “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In His great mercy He has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 1 Peter 1:3-5

    Now, that’s something on which to base our hope and gratitude!____________________________________________________

     Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

    Other Related Posts:

    P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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    November 29 – Photo of the Day = Gratitude

    Time is a mixed blessing.

    • Time Flies and it is slow as molasses.
    • You can buy time and you can lose it.
    • There’s crunch time and all the time in the world.
    • You can have no time or time on your hands.
    • High time, time machine, lambing time and time warp are available.
    • Peak time, prisoners of time and peace time are all possibilities. 
    • You can have a time-out and spare time.
    • You can be a small time criminal or your works can stand the test of time.
    • Your snatches of time can be smashing & splendid.
    • Or your time can be wasted.

    “Whether it’s the best of times or the worst of times, it’s the only time we’ve got” (Art Buchwald).

    And even though contradictory, I am grateful for time. I am grateful because my time on earth is not a cosmic accident.  ”Time began at creation and becomes the agency through which God continues to unveil his divine purpose for it” (W. A. Elwell). God has a plan for my time and has equipped me to spend it well.

    How do you spend your time? Please share why you are grateful for time.

    “Time is the coin of your life. It is the only coin you have, and only you can determine how it will be spent. Be careful lest you let other “people spend it for you.” Carl Sandburg

    Previous Photos from November’s Photo-a Day.

    Other Related Posts:

    P.S. Ann Tatum is hosting 30 Days of Thanksgiving. She encourages us to daily share our gratitude. Click here and be sure to scroll to the bottom of the post and click on Mister Linky. Then you’ll be able  to read other participants on this thankful journey.

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    How Do You Spend Your Time?

    Our time is ours to spend as we choose, wisely or poorly. 

    To know how it is spent, it is a good idea to take a time inventory every once in a while. I recently did that at work.

    For 2 months I charted how I spent my hours at work. 

    I wrote down the amount of time I spent in doing the following: administration, study, pastoral care, women’s ministry, children’s ministry, and small groups. I went over the numbers with my boss. Turns out I’ve been spending my time well.

    Dr. C. C. Albertson calculated that the average person spends their life in the following ways:

    “There are 168 hours in each week.

    • 56  of these we spend in sleep.
    • Of the remaining 112 hours, we devote 48 to labor.
    • This leaves 64 hours, of which let us assign 12 hours for our daily meals. This allows 30 minutes for each meal, and 1½ hours extra to promote good digestion.
    • We have left 52 hours, net, of conscious active life to devote to any purpose to which we are inclined. Is it too much to say that God requires a tithe of this free time?

    One tenth of 52 hours is 5.2 hours. How much of this tithe of time do we devote to strictly religious uses?

    • If we attend church twice on Sunday, that will take 1 hour.
    • If we attend prayer meeting, another hour.
    • We have two-tenths of an hour left, our little margin—shall we not stay for the Morning Watch?

    But when we review our lives, how few of us attend religious worship thus regularly!” Encyclopedia of 7700 illustrations : A treasury of illustrations, anecdotes, facts and quotations for pastors, teachers and Christian workers. Garland TX: Bible Communications

    I’d like to do a time inventory of my personal time as well. I wonder how well it will match up with Dr. Albertson’s calculations? I have a feeling my free time is not balanced. Go to this link to see a chart of possible categories. Just looking at the possibilities makes me fret. I feel like I don’t have time to do it all. I think I don’t have enough time left in my life to do anything else well.

    But Edward H. Griggs says, “Fifteen minutes a day devoted to one definite study will make one a master in a dozen years.”  I can do 15 minutes a day. I will most likely live 12 more years.

    Question is, what shall I spend those 15 minutes on? I need to remember that my times are not in my hands. God has a plan for my time. So it would be wise to ask for His input.

    How will you spend your 15 minutes a day for the next 12 years?

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