2010 A New Year, A New Outlook

I always enjoy the new year.  It's a chance to get a fresh start with new goals and resolutions.  I'm not an anti-resolution kind of person, in fact I think having some concrete goals in place are a wonderful thing.  As for me one of my goals is to be a good Christian this year.  I know it sounds simplistic, but think about it... if I am a good Christian then I'll be a good father, brother, son, daddy, husband, pastor, friend, disciple, etc.  So don't be fooled by the simplicity of the statement. I also have some concrete goals and action plans for the church I pastor.  If you want to hear those then come to MCSS over the next two weeks as I share my vision for MSCC for 2010.  All I can say is, "You better fasten your seatbelts!" You will also notice a fresh look of the evotional format here as I like to keep things fresh and mixed up a bit.  For me, the color green represents life, new growth and new beginnings.  I'll turn 48 during this month and I believe the best is yet to come in every area of my life!  You will also notice the title change to "Good TGIM Morning."  I will continue to write these evotionals but I only be writing once a week as I want to focus my creative energy toward MSCC as we grow into 2010.  I will also continue to post this evotional to Facebook and my blog on a weekly basis, however you will see less of me on Facebook this year. It's January 1, 2010 and as I sit in my home office looking out at a clear and sunny morning I'm grateful for 2009.  In many ways 2009 was a very difficult year.  The financial bust of our nation did indeed affect our church and many organizations in a negative way.  However, I tend to look for the silver lining in all situations and ask of the Lord, "What can I learn from this?"  As for me, I'm continuing to learn what it means to simplify and stay focused.  Another way to say it is I want to do less but better.  I actually walked in to my office this morning and cleaned off the top of my desk to start may new year with this simple first step. Have a great New Year's weekend and join me in my resolution to be a better Christian this year.  Look for "Good TGIM Morning" in your inbox on Monday! Much Love, Pastor Jimmy Phil 3:10