The new year is about two weeks old, so how are you doing with those resolutions?
   According to CHEK TV less than 50% of us even make resolutions and 50% of those who do, break them, usually by the end of January.  Still, they are a staple of the new year, something about that clean calendar inspires goal setting.
   Generally, resolutions fall into the category of health (lose weight, get fit, laugh more,. . .) finances (better job, more money, more saving) self-improvement (take a course, manage anger, read more), and relationships.  
   Apparently, these ambitions are as old as Solomon.  So, if you're looking for inspiration for 2015, try these from the Book of Proverbs.  

On Work
Proverbs 10:5  A sensible man gathers the crops when they are ready:
                     it is a disgrace to sleep through the time of harvest.

           12:9  It is better to be an ordinary man working for a living
                    than to play the part of a great man but go hungry.

           12:11  A hard-working farmer has plenty to eat,
                      but it is  stupid to waste time on useless projects.
                     
        22:9   Show me a man who does a good job, and I will show  
                   you a man who is better than most and worthy of the  
                    company of kings.

On Wealth

  Proverbs 1:19  Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money; it robs them of life
                   3:9 Honour the Lord with your wealth,  with the first fruits of all your crops;

                16:8  Better a little with righteousness   than much gain with injustice

                 23:4  Don’t wear yourself out trying to get rich. Be wise enough to know when to quit.

                28:22  Greedy people try to get rich quick but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.
         

On health

   

     Proverbs 11:13 A gossip betrays a confidence,    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

                      12:25  Anxiety weighs down the heart,    but a kind word cheers it up

               14:30  A heart at peace gives life to the body,    but envy rots the bones  
                      16:31   Gray hair is a crown of splendour;    it is attained in the way of righteousness.
                      20:29 The glory of young men is their strength,    grey hair the splendour of the old.
                      27:19 As water reflects the face,    so one’s life reflects the heart.

On Knowlege

  Proverbs 14:15 The simple believe anything,    but the prudent give thought to their steps.

               16:28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,  and discerning if they hold their                             tongues.

                20:1 Wine is a mocker and beer a brawler;    whoever is led astray by them is not wise.

On Relationships

Proverbs 15:1  A gentle answer turns away wrath,    but a harsh word stirs up anger.
           16:24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
                17:14  Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;    so drop the matter before a dispute                                   breaks out
                22:1  A good name is more desirable than great riches;  to be esteemed is better than

                         silver or gold.

       This little epigram isn't from Proverbs, but it made me smile so I'm sharing it with you.  "Some people cause joy by arriving and others by leaving."

      Good luck with the resolutions and remember, God is our help, an ever-present comforter.  He teaches, encourages, guides, and, when we fail, He will forgive.

        

What's in Your New Year

   

  Something about January inspires us to look back, look ahead and make resolutions. Perhaps it's all those clean, blank pages on the calendar that inspire us.  Or, to paraphrase Anne Shirley of Green Gables fame, "it's a whole new year with no mistakes in it," that motivates us to examine how we live.
      There is an abundance of books and poems and songs offering advice for a New Year.   Many focus on the "happy" of Happy New Year.  I've just read a blog post where someone had decided her next twelve months would be guided by the mantra, "I will chose to be happy." 
    In January, book stores can count on big sales of Chicken Soup books, some general, others dedicated to grandmothers,  golfers, nurses, cat lovers, dog lovers, teenagers, hockey players, et al.... all filled with stories to make us happy, whatever our walk of life.
    Remember when Simple Abundance by Sarah Ban Breathnach was all the rage?  Here we have 528 pages of advice for finding happiness.  Among her suggestions for January are: organize your desk, discard as much as possible, hang new calendars, lay in a supply of good chocolate and whipping cream to get you through the dark days of winter.  (Note to self: visit chocolate shop!)
     A friend of mine, looking for peace of mind in the new year,  has taken a mantra from Julian of Norwich, "All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.”

    The Gate of the Year, by Minnie Haskins and famously quoted by King George VI on the eve of World War II gives us a lesson in faith.
"Put your hand into the hand of God/That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way!"  Good advice as we begin a new year.

   There is a tradition among some Presbyterians to read Psalm 90 as the old year turns into the new.  This psalm reminds us that the Lord has been our dwelling place for generations, that He existed before time, and that our days are like the grass in God's sight.  At the end, the psalmist prays for God's favour and blessing on our work.  
   So, do you make resolutions in January?  Do you keep them?  Why not resolve to read and memorize Psalm 90.  Or will you resolve to put your hand into the hand of God and tread safely into the darkness?  Perhaps you'll resolve to sing more often,

to give more freely or to begin and end each day with prayer.
   Whatever your rituals, I wish you a Happy New Year and a blessed and productive year in God's service.