Jan 1, 2010
I admit 2009 may not have been the banner year for me in terms of my relationship with God, but I am determined to draw closer to Him in 2010. I acknowledge that one of the main reasons why 2009 was so difficult for me was because I spent most of it really relying on myself instead of Him. Any Christian with a steady relationship with God knows that kind of lifestyle is going to fall short because we are not very good sources of strength. We gotta remain plugged into the source.
When God is the source, everything else falls into place naturally. This year, I am making God the source of:
1) Focus for my personal growth and direction. I’m really going to build my relationship with God in 2010. I’m going to devote more time to Him in prayer, make it a regular thing, look forward to it more than anything else. There’s no other recourse for it; when I’m not plugged in, I’m all headless chicken! For instance, in 2009, I thought I was heading somewhere, then it turns out I wasn’t. Or am I? In 2010, I’m going to really sit down and listen to what He has to say. No more second-guessing. It’s going to be clear where God is going to take me.
2) Direction for my marriage. In 2010, my wife and I are going to draw closer by uniting our decisions in Him and really aligning our decisions with His will.
3) Joy for my kids. I’m going to believe God for healing for my kids and their own personal growth. I really believe Nathan may grow up to become a prayer warrior. Last night, for instance, Cathy and I were stuck in bed, nursing colds. (Yeah, terrific way to start the new year.) He prayed for his mother and me, completely without being told, out of his own personal volition. My heart just melted out of gratitude to God for blessing me with such a faithful son. When a six-year-old prays for your healing, how can you not believe?
4) Strength for my weight loss program. Psalm 65:11 tells us, “You crown the year with your bounty, & your carts overflow with abundance,” but the King James version of Psalms 65:11 reads, “Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness.” 2010 is going to be my year because my paths will drip fatness… literally! I’m going to jumpstart my fitness program!
5) Inspiration for my personal ministry. I’m believing God will renew my worship ministry this year. Whether it will be at Greenhills or at Fort, I’m believing God will jump-start my songwriting skills and inspire new songs that will glorify His Name and bring people closer to Him or stir a desire to know Him and His attributes more.
What are you believing God for this year?
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Happy new year Ganns!
Just a reminder, wait for the colds to get better before you start your fitness program.
Like you, I’d like to take charge of my health too. I got going in 2009 but stopped when I sustained a fracture. I hope that this year nothing comes in between me and a healthy lifestyle.
Hi Doc Ems,
Thank you for your advice. Yes, I’m really not going to start while I’m not feeling well. I hope all goes well for you too this 2010! Superblessings!
nice!
happy 2010, best friend!
see you soon
Very soon! Let’s make it a regular thing.
Dear Gannon,
Hey Coz! Happy New Year. Yes, the whole southwest of the states is always late when celebrating New Year. The five goals you’ve listed to kick start your year are great. It would be the journey of achieving these goals that I see would be a little bit of a pain, particularly the 4th. I’ve got that problem too. I think it runs in our blood. Alas, woe is us. A chinese proverb though keeps me going — “a journey of a thousand miles, starts with a single step”.
Listening and trusting God are the hardest acts of prayer any human being on this earth willing to do. One concrete example would be Mother Teresa. She was not at all happy doing her work in the harshest poverty stricken areas of India. She was lost, despite constant prayer and contemplative silence as she communicated with God. It was found out via her spiritual director that she was “looking” at Christ’s face on the cross. All the torment, pain, mutiliation, scourging, and eventual death of Christ; that was her vision. The only person who has experienced this phenomena was St. John of the Cross.
On your decision to take out the politics section — I respectfully will not comment, for it is your personal decision. Just remember, among all of us in our clan, you have the most brilliant, catchy analysis of any social topic as you feverishly pound the keypad to put it in writing. You could untie any complicated socially perturbed issue and clear these with true statements… just like Hemingway. Hmmm… instead of politics, can you change it to say…reflections from history? I know you’re a history buff and maybe Filipinos won’t forget as to where they are now. It could also be any point in history and not necessarily years from the Philippines.
Its just a suggestion couz… there are not many writers out there who are prolific as you. Give my regards to Kat and Nathan. Hope to see you soon.
—Dax—
Hello, cousin! Happy New Year!
Thank you for your comments on my five goals. It’s never easy to try to change for the better, but the joy is in the journey. Thank you for sharing that Chinese proverb; I’ve got one for you, from the Exorcist: “The power of Christ compels you!” lol
I’m currently reading a book titled “Listening Prayer” by Mary Ruth Swope. It’s the first book I’m reading for 2010, and I know it’ll help me understand the process of silencing ourselves – true silence – and learning to listen – true listening – to what God has to tell us. I’m telling you, 2010 is gonna be our year!
Regarding politics, there are many, many brilliant political writers out there, including Manuel Quezon III and Tonyo Cruz. I’ve found that it just distracts from the overall focus of my blog. I’m glad you respect my personal decision. I personally can’t wait for you to start up your own blog; you, too, are a brilliant writer, and I see no reason why the weight of maintaining the “family pride” insofar as quality literature is concerned has to fall solely on my shoulders. You and Mike Orendain should step up. ;)
Blessings for you in 2010, cousin. We hope to see you soon.