Resolutions, Goals and a Bucket List

Ready for the New Year? I always appreciate those who help us forget those things that are behind and push forward to greater things. Marcia Ramsland is one of those people, and I asked her to share this special New Year's UPGRADE.

"January 1 is the day to write a resolution or two," Marcia says. "If you’re not living the life you love or at least enjoying each day, then perhaps it’s because you don’t know what you want, you know what it is but haven’t worked to get it, or you’ve let life get in your way."

Last year, I [Dawn] picked a special word that motivated me all year long, but I have to admit, my office fell apart last year. Picking one motivating word has nothing to do with organizing your life (unless, perhaps, the word is "organization!") So I'm looking for tips from people like Marcia to help me get back on track!

Marcia continues . . .

Here are three ways to change that while you are poised at the beginning of the new year. Pick One Style for a New Year, New You!

1. A Resolution

A New Year's resolution is a January 1 personal commitment for the coming year to change a habit or lifestyle for the better, such as the two most popular ones, to lose weight and get organized!

2. A Goal

A goal is a dream with a plan attached, and is best achieved if there is a positive emotional response to its success, such as moving to a warm climate, redecorating at home, or doubling your income. Jot them on your new monthly calendar.

3. A Bucket List

A Bucket List is a wish list of things you’d like to do in your lifetime that captures your imagination–such as climbing Mt. Everest, running a marathon or writing a book. Fill your bucket list with 5-10 things you’ve only dreamed about.

What would it take for a “New Year, New You” lifestyle makeover?

Here is a list of 15 ideas to stimulate your thinking. Write your own list of eight to ten goals you would like to have or do in the coming new year. Think big!

• Prioritize my life and say “no” with confidence.
• Find a regular exercise program I like.
• Eat healthier every meal.
• Get to bed by 10:30 p.m.
• Reorganize and upgrade my office.
• Create a budget and save for my dream car.
• Plan one enjoyable activity per 52 weekends.
• Trade childcare for more personal time.
• Get together monthly with a good friend.
• Become team manager for your son’s sports team.
• Go on my bucket list dream vacation.
• Call parents/grandparents once a week.
• Send out birthday cards (or birthday emails) on time.
• Join a new business group.
• Wrap up leadership responsibility in current organization.
• Complete a degree over the next three years.

I know this setting goals works for two reasons:

1) Proverbs 13:4 says, “The sluggard (sluggish) craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.”

Practically, that means if we steadily work toward a goal, we will get there. Also, if we just set the goal, we won’t get there.

2) I coach women via Face Time, email, and photos to achieve anything from writing a book, or organizing their paperwork, closet, garage or office–in 30 days or less! Things they never thought they could do!

When they know I do three-month, six-month, and one-year checkups, they achieve their new, organized lifestyle–and maintain it. It works and you can see the “Before and After” photos yourself here. 

What works best for you: resolutions, goals, a bucket list or something else? What motivates you?

NOTE: This post is an adapted excerpt from Marcia's book, Simplify Your Holiday Season.

Marcia Ramsland is well known as the "Organizing Pro,” a national speaker, and author of over 100,000 books sold in her Simplify Your Life series. Marcia personally coaches individuals and organizations to be highly productive in managing their time, space, and life. Hundreds of clients and audiences from New York to California agree with her belief that anyone can become more organized - even YOU! Contact her at http://www.OrganizingPro.com.

New Year Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of noppasinw at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

New Hope for the New Year

Pamela Christian writes about the victorious life and living with confident hope. In this pre-New Year's UPGRADE, she encourages us to stretch our "hope," just as we would stretch our faith.

"I don't know of anyone who would refuse a miracle that made their life better," Pamela said. "Do you?"

Not me. I (Dawn) am open to God working in my life in any way He wants! I know God gives good gifts to His children (Matthew 7:11). The question is, are we ready to receive? 

Pamela continues . . .

When you come up against hardships that reveal the full extent of your human limitations, don’t you secretly wish that some way, somehow, you could get the help you need?

Would you refuse a miracle if it remedied your situation, even if you don’t believe in miracles? 

I doubt it.

Maybe it’s this innate, universal desire we humans share—that there is help beyond us—that inspired the adage Hope springs eternal.

I have pursued hope and discovered that it is real and it is certain. Hope is most definitely something every person can attain, if they so desire.  

There is no circumstance, no situation beyond hope.

• Biblical hope is not wishful thinking.
• Biblical hope has no measure of uncertainty.
• Biblical hope is found in God.
• Biblical hope is blessed assurance based upon the revealed character, will and intentions of God.
• Biblical hope is beyond us.

I learned long time ago that God’s love is unconditional, but His promises aren’t.

God loves all human beings without condition. There is nothing we can do to earn, increase or decrease God’s love for us. It’s a given.

However, to receive God’s gifts, blessings, or promises, requires that we first believe. We must believe in the character, will and intentions of God.

Hebrews 11:6 states,

“And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (ESV).

It brings the Father pleasure to give good things to us. But if we willfully or passively reject the prospect of Him giving us anything, then we impose upon the Father’s pleasure—we superimpose upon His inclination.

Matthew 13:57-58 reveals that Jesus did not perform many miracles in His own home town, because of the unbelief of the people. It wasn’t that their unbelief overpowered Jesus’ ability. Rather their unbelief superimposed upon His inclination.

In the same way that we don’t want to do nice things or give good gifts to people who reject them, neither does God.

As we enter into a new year, it’s my desire for you to enter into a new and profound hope—a greater measure of hope than you’ve ever known . . . in a hope that is able to produce the greatest results you have ever experienced! You can, providing your hope is in Christ.

Openly believe God for His Word—all of His promises concerning you beginning with the first miracle of redemption by faith—and eagerly expect Him to act consistent with His character, will and intentions in your best interest in every aspect of your life.

What are you hopeful God does for you in your life? Scriptures teach that we receive according to what we believe. Will you believe?

Pamela Christian is a speaker, author, and media personality who devotes her ministry life to helping others discover and live in same life-giving truth she’s been blessed to find. Her newest book in her Faith to Live By series is, Renew Your Hope! Remedy for Personal Breakthroughs. Learn more at www.pamelachristianministries.com

Upgrade Your Holiness in 2015

Dawn Wilson writes about agreat opportunity to UPGRADE your walk with God in 2015. It's called New Start 15.

You can learn more about it here, at the Heart Choices Today website. Kathy Howard, the originator of New Start 15, shares her heart about the campaign, which includes:

• a month-long Bible Reading plan,
• more than a dozen bloggers, and
• great resources.

There is also a special Facebook page.

Anyone can pursue something powerful for one month, and this will be a life-changer for those who don't just "sign on" but embrace what God wants to teach us.

Upgrade Your Holiness in 2015. Can  you think of a better goal? Better than a list of New Year's resolutions!

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Ministries, is the creator of three blogs: Heart Choices Today, LOL with God (with Pam Farrel), and Upgrade with Dawn. She is the President of the San Diego chapter of Network of Evangelical Women in MInistry (NEWIM San Diego). Dawn is the co-author of LOL with God and contributed "The Blessing Basket" in It's a God Thing. She and her husband Bob have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

A Gift Too Wonderful for Words

Although the gift of Jesus is "too wonderful for words," take some time today to try to express your gratitude.

Imagine where you might be—now and in eternity—without our wonderful Savior.

To start your praises, why not pray with me: Thank you, Father, for your unspeakable, indescribable gift: Jesus!

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Ministries, is the creator of Upgrade with Dawn. She is grateful for the wonderful women God has brought to the UPGRADE website, encouraging all of us to walk in faith and obedience, and become more like Jesus.

Graphic adapted, Image courtesy of sritangphoto at FreeDigitalPhotos.net.

Jesus Came 'in the Fullness of Time'

It's almost Christmas ... a special day. The day we celebrate the birth of Christ. In this special holiday UPGRADE, Dawn Wilson focuses on God's faithfulness in fulfilling His promises to us!

It's disputed, the date of Jesus' birth. The Bible doesn't offer many clues—not even the time of year!

Traditionally, Christians celebrate Jesus' birthday on December 25th. But it wasn't always so.

Michael McGowan, President of Melbourne's Trinity College, in an article at Bible History Daily (the Biblical Archaelogy Society), suggests Jesus' birth was more likely in the "spring lambing season," because the shepherds were tending their flocks in the fields (Luke 2:8) rather than corraling them (which would be normal in December).

But other than that, there aren't any references to a birthday celebration. And there isn't much extrabiblical evidence from the first or second century either. Scripture focuses more on the death and resurrection of Christ than His birth.

In about 200 CE (AD), McGowan said, "... a Christian teacher in Egypt makes reference to the date Jesus was born. According to Clement of Alexandria, several different days had been proposed by various Christian groups. Surprising as it may seem, Clement doesn’t mention December 25 at all."

Clement did say, "There are those who have determined not only the year of our Lord’s birth, but also the day; and they say that it took place in the 28th year of Augustus, and in the 25th day of [the Egyptian month] Pachon [May 20 in our calendar] ... others say that He was born on the 24th or 25th of Pharmuthi [April 20 or 21].” 

By the fourth century, McGowan said, "... we find references to two dates that were widely recognized—and now also celebrated—as Jesus’ birthday: December 25 in the western Roman Empire and January 6 in the East (especially in Egypt and Asia Minor)." Some date Jesus' conception  to the dating of His death at Passover. Others connect the birth date to pagan festivals, reasoning, "If Christmas looked like a pagan holiday, more pagans would be open to both the holiday and the God whose birth it celebrated," McGowan said.

He shares a lot more about this, but I want to focus on a verse of scripture rather than a dispute over a birthday.

The Bible says,

"But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons" (Galatians 4:4-5).

The fullness of time had come. What does that mean?

God prepared the way for Jesus' birth in Bethlehem, prophecied long before the Savior's coming. History and nations lined up to accomplish the sovereign Father's plan.

The faithful, promise-keeping God (Isaiah 55:11) prepared the world to see the fulfillment of His promise ... Jesus.

Although many people skip over Jesus' geneologies, they give a clue to the "fullness of time." In Matthew 1:1-16, His genealogy divides Israel's history into three distinct periods (Abraham to David, David to the Jewish exile, and from the exile to Jesus' birth).

God's promises to Abraham and David were not yet fulfilled, but in the fullness of time, they were! Jesus, the Son of Abraham and Son of David, fulfilled God's covenant promises.

God told Abraham he would bless the earth through Him (Genesis 12:1-3). David also received a promise (2 Samuel 7:11-16). His kingdom would endure forever. As a descendant of King David, Jesus became the Shepherd-King of Israel (Micah 5:2; Matthew 2:6) and His throne will last forever.

• In the fullness of time, God prepared a young woman to bear His Son. Jesus was conceived in her by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:18, 20).
• In the fullness of time, God prepared His people's hearts. Jews were anticipating the Messiah's coming. Roman rule, and false idols and pagan philosophies made them hungry for it, just as believers today are hungry for Jesus' return.
• In the fullness of time, our Father is prepared to fulfill all His promises to us, His children, too.

One of my favorite promises is the truth that I will become a partaker of His divine nature because of Jesus' work on my behalf (2 Peter 1:4). Another promise: Jesus is bringing His "reward" with Him when He returns, to give to faithful Christ-followers (Revelation 22:12).

The date of Jesus' birth isn't as important as the fact. Jesus came. And in His coming, He fulfilled at least ten specific, detailed prophecies.

Jesus came in the Father's will, at just the right time. He put on humanity and, again, when the time was right, He dealt with our sin and alienation from God. He redeemed sinners, condemned by the law, "so that we might receive adoption as sons."

Today, Jesus is still seeking hearts prepared to receive Him.

How does the truth that Jesus came to fulfill the Father's promises give you confidence that we can trust our Redeemer to come again, just as HE promised (John 14:2-3)?

Dawn Wilson, founder and President of Heart Choices Ministries, is the creator of three blogs: Heart Choices Today, LOL with God (with Pam Farrel), and Upgrade with Dawn. She is the President of the San Diego chapter of Network of Evangelical Women in MInistry (NEWIM San Diego). Dawn is the co-author of LOL with God and contributed "The Blessing Basket" in It's a God Thing. She and her husband Bob have two grown, married sons, three granddaughters and a rascally maltipoo, Roscoe.

Graphic, "Christmas Nativity," Adapted, wallpho.com, #47201