Millions of Americans will usher in the New Year with celebrations and wishes of a Happy New Year. But for many the New Year will become more than wishes soon forgotten – they will enter the year of new beginnings. In the Bible the number eight represents new beginnings. God delights in and is passionate about new beginnings. All earthly parties pale in comparison to the celebrations of joy in heaven when one “sinner” repents and enters a life of new beginnings. (Luke 15)

When Joseph and Mary took the Christ child to the temple to be circumcised on the 8th day according to the law, the elderly prophets were waiting there for the “consolation of Israel” – the coming Messiah. (Luke 2:21-38)

Many years ago one of the leading citizens of Centralia, Dr. J. Carl Hall, donated a beautiful and treasured legacy. The land that was donated to the community has been added to and improved by other generous benefactors. This area became known as Foundation Park. The Centralia Foundation endeavors to keep the acres of rolling hills, meadows, woods, ponds, and bubbling streams as close to its natural setting as possible. It is a blessing to able to walk through the park enjoying the Creator and His creation.

By 1977, Kerry Livgren had achieved superstardom. His rock band, Kansas, had achieved international acclaim. Livgren had wealth, fame and a good marriage, yet he felt empty on the inside. Although confirmed in a church as a child, he had no relationship with Christ, only a knowledge of Christianity which he rejected as a religion for extremists. Livgren’s despair was summed up in his classic song, Dust in the Wind: “Same old song, just a drop of water in an endless sea/ All we do crumbles to the ground, but we refuse to see/Dust in the wind; all we are is dust in the wind; all we are is dust in the wind/ Don’t hang on; nothing lasts forever but the earth and sky/It slips away, and all your money won’t another minute buy/ Dust in the wind; all we are is dust in the wind.”

As I stood in line at the check-out counter, I listened to the cashier talk to a customer. Her accent sounded very familiar. When it was my turn to pay for my items, I asked her, “Are you by chance from Herrick, IL?” “Why yes,” she replied with a surprised look on her face. “How did you know?” “Your accent sounds like it,” I replied. A few days earlier I had talked to a relative of mine from Herrick who had the same distinct accent as the cashier.

I’ve always been fascinated by accents. The other day I happened to be in Sullivan, IL and had some time to spare, so I went into the public library.

People in some cultures live in terror of the “Evil Eye”. In 1946, magician Henri Gamache published the book Terrors of the Evil Eye Exposed. Gamache brought evil eye beliefs to the attention of American hoodoo practitioners. Those who believe in the “evil eye” curse have used a plethora of talismans, amulets, and cures for the “curse of the evil eye.

The evil eye has long been a part of folklore in many cultures. It is believed that envy of the good fortune of people, whether in the form of material possessions or possessing beauty, health, or children, may result in their misfortune or elicit someone cursing them with the “evil eye”.

I often noticed the battered pick-up as I’ve driven down the road. It would be interesting to know the driver. The other day I noticed the truck was in front of me again. What got my attention was the decal/sunshield that covered the back window. It read – COW-BOY UP. I think I needed that reminder at the time. Instead of giving in to sickness, self-pity, or depression, I needed to “cow-boy up”.

Cowboys are known for their toughness. I read about a rodeo cowboy who, over the years of competition, had broken his arm, wrist, and leg, had a ruptured spleen, and concussions. When cowboys get hurt they remind one another to cow-boy up – to be tough, suck it up, persevere, get back on the horse and keep going. If you have taken some hard knocks – don’t give up – cow-boy up.

We all face a daily cosmic battle with temptation and the tempter. The tempter knows the weakest link in our armor and usually aims his arrows at the Achilles heel of our humanity. It is not a sin to be tempted. After all, even the Son of Man, Jesus, was tempted by the tempter. Jesus knows what it feels like to be assailed by the tempter. But Jesus conquered temptation and boldly routed the tempter. That is why the Scriptures encourage us to look to Jesus. “For we do no have a priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore draw near with confidence, to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and may find grace to help in the time of need.” (Hebrews 4:15-16, NASB).

In just a few short weeks we will be observing Valentine’s Day – a day we express love to our sweethearts with candy, cards, and flowers. A favorite icon for the day is Cupid’s heart with an arrow through it. But what kind of heart does the greatest lover in the universe look for? What kind of heart pleases God? Is your heart pierced by God?

One of the greatest love stories in all of literature is the story of David. The life of David is a great character study of a heart that pleases God. (I and II Samuel) David was called a man after God’s own heart. What a great distinction to be known for.

My grandson’s response brought back memories of my childhood. Maybe that happens more often the older you get. My wife and I like to have some of our grandchildren’s favorite cereals on hand when they spend the night. When Elijah was asked what kind he wanted, he answered, “Cheerios, but the honey-nut kind.” He got his honey-nut cheerios. But I remembered how that was my favorite cereal when I was his age. Cheerios have been around a long time. I never did think much about the name until now. I just remembered how the advertising promoted the formation of muscles and strength for those who ate iron fortified Cheerios. Elijah is right though, now I also like Honey-nut Cheerios the best.

“Are you living and breathing?” the doctor jokingly asked as he checked my vital signs. We may be breathing, but are we really living? When those trained in C.P.R. encounter someone in distress they immediately check their vital signs. As important as it is to check our physical well-being, it is even more vital to check our spiritual well-being.

Many people spend much time and energy in keeping physically fit, but neglect the vital spiritual dimension. God’s Word points out that, “Bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come” (I Timothy 4:8). Check your vitals. Are you pursuing God or the gods of this world? Are you filled with pride or peace? Are you motivated by lust or love? Are you serving self or the Savior?

My wife’s assessment is correct in many respects. “You don’t like change,” she told me. Why change if you like what you have? Why change cars, cereal, or clothing when you like the one you have? I don’t always enjoy change, but I realize that change is inevitable. It’s necessary for growth and development. Our attitude often determines the benefits that change may bring about in our lives.

Change is a part of life. Someone said that they don’t always like living life, but it sure beats the alternative.

Have you seen the quirky television commercials sponsored by a wireless company? A young man walks through the swamp, over mountains, and rides a burro through a far flung, arid Mexican region with a cell phone in hand and up to his ear, he is in constant touch with the home office and repeatedly asks, “Can you hear me now?” “Can you hear me now?” I suppose the message is that this company works hard so that you can stay in touch wherever you go.

Multitudes of Americans ushered in the New Year with celebrations of joy. Times Square in New York City has become known for its grand party on New Year’s Eve. We welcomed in the New Year 2008 with joy and anticipation. Eight is the number of new beginnings. God delights in new beginnings. He is the God of new beginnings. The Father is passionate about new beginnings. All earthly parties pale in comparison to the celebration of joy in heaven when one sinner repents and returns to the Father.

The old west owes much to the horse and the cowboys who rode them. Before the west was tamed man learned how to tame and use the horse. The horse was so essential to a man on the range that horse thieves were summarily hung. When we lived out west it was amazing to see many children ride horses with ease and expertise. What enabled them to have so much control over a horse which outweighed them by hundreds of pounds? They learned how to use the bridle and bit to direct the horse.

What does the word big bring to your mind? As a child I thought my hometown was big. I now marvel at how small it seems. I thought my dad was big, but I soon became taller than he was. A baby sitter once told me that I was “too big for my britches”. It was only later that I realized that her statement was not a compliment. Sometimes big is a matter of perspective.

Each Sunday at the Murray Center church service we sing a favorite children’s chorus “He’s Got the Whole World in His Hands”. God is so big that He holds the whole world in His hands. (See Psalm 89, 93, and 95.) Yet so big in love and mercy that He comes to live in our hearts. (See Revelation 3:20.)

The splendor and splash of autumn leaves and the golden hue of harvest signal that the fall season is upon us. For some people, fall is a time for Halloween Jack-O-Lanterns, ghost, goblins, and witches. Several years ago a popular television series “Bewitched” portrayed a fun loving, harmless witch named Samantha. But witchcraft is not fun and games nor is it harmless. Satan’s aim is sinister and deadly. (John 10:10)

It is interesting that Paul uses the word “bewitched” when writing to the Galatian Christians. “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” (Galatians 3:1)

It was a cold snowy day when Ben jumped down into the pit and killed the lion. Visibility was poor. His feet slipped in the snow. It was either him or the lion. Ben was a valiant man, one of David’s mighty men. The scriptures give us a brief snapshot of this great feat of courage, “He also went down and killed a lion inside a pit on a snowy day” (I Chronicles 11:22-25). The lion was not a circus lion nor was it like a lion in the zoo. This was a wild, ferocious lion. Even today in certain parts of the world people are mauled and killed by wild beasts.

Are we safer now than before 9/11/01? That is the question politicians and people are asking. We live in a world where terror and tragedy can happen at any moment. Many people are gripped by anxiety and fear. Devastating weather, war, criminals, crazy people, disease, death, fascists, famine, the devil, and hordes of demons seem to be unleashed in escalating intensity. Can we be safe from the “noonday destruction”? (Psalm 91:6)

Although we are not immune from the troubles that plague the human race, there is a safe place for those who will abide in the shadow of the Almighty and under His wings. (Psalm 91) There is a supernatural peace available even in the midst of the storms that rage.

The 2002 Winter Olympic Games opened in Salt Lake City with breathtaking pageantry, patriotism, and promise of world-class competition on snow and ice. Of the hundreds competitors only a select few will win a metal. But all of the Olympians who compete are winners.

God has created and called all of us to be winners. Just as there are certain qualities found in athletes that become winners, so in God’s kingdom there are certain qualities that determine whether one wins or loses in the race of life. What are some of those qualities that all winners have in common?

I’m spending a lot more time at playgrounds lately. My grandchildren are coniseurs of playgrounds. When they come to visit, I usually ask them what they want to do. Invariably, they excitedly sing out, “Let’s go to the park!” Park to them means a playground. They can’t conceive of a park without a playground.

I’ve learned some valuable lessons at the playground. On our last trip to a playground, two of my grandchildren came along. They had just put clean clothes on and it had rained during the night. So I was a little apprehensive about the puddles of water on the playground.

A few weeks ago someone posed the question “Are we having fun yet?” to me. Many people don’t enjoy life. God wants us to celebrate and enjoy the journey of life. You may gasp at the thought, but God wants us to have fun. I believe God had fun creating the world. After each creation event in the book of beginnings, Genesis, we read, “And God saw that it was good”. Many Christians are on their way to heaven but few seem to be enjoying the trip. Jesus said, “The thief comes only in order to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they might have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance (to the full, till it overflows)” (John 10:10 Amplified Bible).

The group of giggling kids posed the question as they boarded the bus for their ride home, “Are you an alien?” After a moments thought I replied in the affirmative. “Yes, I guess I am an alien. I’m sure many have thought that.” A few months ago a teenage, who is into science fiction, shared his theory with me. “There are aliens among us!” he said. “They have invaded the earth and have taken on human form. Who knows, the person next to you may really be an alien disguised as a human.”

For Ron McMann (not his real name) this particular day would go down as a “Red Letter Day”. Sales and stock for his company had never been higher. His employees were productive and prospering. He had peace and hope for the first time in months – perhaps years. But this red-letter day was not due to his business or financial success. But it was due to the fact that for the first time in months, or actually years, he looked forward to getting home to be with his wife.

Many senior citizens feel forsaken and forgotten by family and friends. Seniors struggle with poor health and age related issues. Our neighborhoods and nursing homes are full of seniors who face a sense of loneliness and abandonment. But the Psalmist gives us hope and comfort from God’s Word. “O Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you from childhood. Yes, you have been with me from birth; from my mother’s womb you have cared for me. No wonder I am always praising you! My life is an example to many because you have been my strength and protection . . . I declare your glory all day long. And now in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing” (Psalm 71:5-9 NLT). (Psalm 73:23-26)

Former Beatle George Harrison said in an interview, “There is nothing more important than finding out what is after death. What happens to us after we die?” A million years from now, where will you be? What about 150 years from now, where will you be? Believers in Christ know what happens to them after they die. II Corinthians 5:8 says, “We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.” When a believer dies, their soul and spirit goes directly into the presence of the Lord to await the resurrection. (I Corinthians 15)