Resolutions and Changes - Beware This Is Longer Than Usual

I don't really take resolutions terribly seriously beyond Day 2, but thought I'd go ahead and do a few anyway. Because these are resolutions near and dear to me, so I MUST do them!

1) Show more kindness and compassion for my immediate family when they do something I don't like. And all the time.

2) This goes with #1, but it's on a playing field all on its own: aside from God, my family's needs need to come before all others in my life. I'm terrible at letting them down and I know I can do better.

3) Lose the dang muffin top! I went from mini muffin to an Otis Spunkmeyer muffin and I'm not okay with that. I've already begun the process, but I resolve to see it through this year.

4) Get outside much more than I do.

5) Think of others more than I do--it's not that I don't love my friends, I do. I'm terrible at saying 'how are you?' and 'Happy Birthday!' and all the other things normal people do. I feel I'm living in a fog most days and I just don't do what I need to do!

Okay that's good enough for now! I'd put read my One Year Bible because I'm on Day 3 and intend to finish it, but I've tried this three times now and failed. I could use a little prayer and support with this. Anyone?

This week has been very difficult for my family--we have lost our church home and I am torn up about it. It's a very long story, but things came to a head last week (we weren't even there, but we heard the 'sermon' online) and the church has had a little implosion from within. John and I are not able to resolve our differences in setting doctrine aside and reading books rather than the Bible. There is only one book we will find our hope from and The Shack among others is not one of them. So.....with great sadness, we have made our decision. Last night was our last Small Group Friday--and I felt like I left my family behind forever when we walked out the door. Many families have left along with us, but it doesn't give me much comfort. I will always be grateful for the fellowship I had at our church--they were family to me when I needed them.

Where will we go? Well...not sure. We will be attending the first service in a start-up church a dear friend from our church is having next Sunday evening. We will pray God's voice is clear to us and we will certainly be part of this church (where the Bible will be read each week) if that's where we are called. John and I are prayerful we can make this transition without any of the 'drama' that sometimes goes along with church divisions such as this.

I have to say, though, at risk of offending anyone from my church who might read this: research emergent churches--arm yourself with that knowledge. And take action if you find your church is moving that direction. This is very scary--we've been moving this way for quite awhile and I had no idea! Your church may even say that's not where they're going; but if you feel something is amiss, that may be God tugging at you. If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, it's a duck. A big yellow duck with mud all over his little wings.