New New Year's Resolution

Just as a young man's fancy turns to love in the spring, it's January of a new year and people's fancy turns to New Year resolutions.  People resolve to change - loose weight, make more money, exercise more, eat healthier, save more money, etc.  People resolve to do, or not to do, things that will improve their lives and give themselves a year to make the change.  Resolutions are good and people are sincere in making these yearly resolutions.  But statistics show that by the end of February, most people have forgotten their resolutions only to remember them again in December when it's time to make New Year resolutions again.  This is not good.  I propose a new New Year's Resolution: instead of only treating the beginning of a new year as a time to make resolutions, treat the beginning of a new day as a time to make resolutions.

Reading4Champions Book Club: Never Give Up

Happy New Year Champions!

In December, in "Failing Forward" by John C. Maxwell, we learned a powerful championship lesson: failing is okay, normal and to be embraced.  

The book for January is "Never Give Up!" by Joyce Meyer.  Ms. Meyer is one of the world's leading Bible teachers.  She has written numerous inspirational books and is a #1 New York Times bestselling author.  Her ministry, Enjoying Everyday Life®, is enjoyed by two-thirds of the planet daily over radio and television.  I selected this book as our next read because it reinforces what we learned in "Failing Forward"- circumstances are always ideal, but we should learn something from the and never give up.  Also, it's the first month of a new year, a time when you are making resolutions to change.  What better time to change your mindset so that you will not abandon your resolutions by February, but actually accomplish them?

In the introduction, Ms. Meyer says:

Think of this book as a manual to use as you pursue the best in every area of your life.  It will give you the inspiration you need to keep putting one foot in front of the other when you grow weary on your journey and remind you over and over again, in a variety of ways: you can do it if never give up. 

This is the second time I am reading this book and I am excited!  Already, I have highlighted ideas and concepts that I did not pick up on during my first read.  Read pages 15-28 and tell me what you think in the comments section.

Question for Comment: Did you learn how to fail from reading last month's book?  Do you have a book you would like to suggest for reading and why?

Thanking and Giving

Each year, between November 1st and December 31, people focus on thanking and giving...... just in time for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons.  Thinking of others is good, but thanking and giving are not relegated to a season. Thanking and giving are for everyday. 

The Bible says:
  
    "[i]n everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you." 1Thessalonians 5:18

Think you have no one to thank or no reason to thank everyday?  Well, for a moment, sit back and see yourself standing on a street corner with nothing but the clothes you have on right now.  Imagine you have no home, no possessions, no job, no money, no family and no friends.  Also imagine no one sees you and no one acknowledges you.