It's that time of year again when we make resolutions. We look over the past year and see some things that we would like to now accomplish or some things that need to be changed. So we decide to give these some effort, some priority by voicing a resolution. By resolving, we put forth a purposeful effort on our part to make something happen. We give this effort first place above other happenings. It becomes our focus. This focus is necessary to accomplish or change what we see needs done because life has too much in it that demands our attention. If we don't make a special effort, these things will never come to pass. We will go numbly on through life, never giving them much more consideration.

Many people make exercise a resolve for the year. In a recently read novel the author tells the story of a convict in Victorian England who was tortured in prison by the dreaded treadmill. We can believe easily that this devise had that effect! During the winter months our exercise consists mainly of walking on this devise. The activity is only tolerated by watching a video for distraction. And then only 20 minutes with this distraction is possible. What monotony!

Another resolve that is common is the effort to lose weight. The convict in the novel lost weight easily due to the restricted prison diet. This diet along with the extra treadmill exercise caused the poor man in the story to become emaciated. He began to feel hopeless. Life lost its meaning. If not for his faith, he would have lost all hope.

And isn't that what New Year's resolutions are all about? Hope. We hope that we will be able to accomplish or make changes that we have resolved. Resolutions give us a chance, or maybe even a second chance at making life what we want. Sure they are easy to break. But they are also a hopeful way to improve our lives and give us purpose.

So go ahead, resolve. And have a Happy New Year!

Million Dollar Fudge

You can smell fudge making at our house. This is a standard Christmas gift that we give to our neighbors, pastors, mailmen, paper deliverers, garbage man, office help, and anyone who we would like to thank for their help during the past year. Though we really shouldn't indulge, just the smell of making the fudge satisfies that craving. And of course licking the emptied bowl is also a treat! No calories there!

The recipe comes from Bess Truman. During the war she started women making fudge to sell in helping the war effort. This fudge was called "Million Dollar Fudge" because through their efforts over a million dollars was contributed to the war effort. Imagine what good could come if this effort was put forth for peace. Just a thought.

It's an easy recipe, already memorized. Put 2 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips in a heat proof bowl. Add 1 cup marshmallow fluff or creme and stir together. In a medium sauce pan combine 2 cups sugar, 2/3 cup evaporated milk and 2 tablespoons butter. Heat on medium heat until it starts to come to a rolling boil, stirring constantly. Take a pastry brush and some cold water and clean the sides of the pan. Let the mixture boil for 5 minutes, keep stirring without touching the sides of the pan. Pour this into the chips and marshmallow fluff mixture, and stir some more. After it has combined somewhat add 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1/8 teaspoon salt, then stir until it is smooth. Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts and combine by stirring again. Pour this into a pan (or containers to give away.) It makes over 2 pounds of some of the most delicious fudge you will ever taste!

Enjoy!

This evening, as we began to prepare our Christmas cards for giving, it was almost sad to realize that some loved ones that were on our list last year are no longer with us this year. Some new friends and family have been added now to our list and that cheered us. We also noted that this past year seemed to just fly by. Is time really going faster? Is that possible?

Since we no longer have TV connections we thought that the passing of time would slow. However, we have discovered that, if anything, the passing of time has sped up even more.

We both do really enjoy reading good books. Our latest discovery is the author Charlene Ann Baumbich and her Dear Dorothy series. It is possible to start on one of her books and hours pass before you think about setting the book down. Perhaps that is why time flies.

We can recall one of our father's saying that it seemed to him that as he got older time seemed to speed up also. The older we get the more we can understand the idea that God has no beginning and no ending. For Him a thousand years is like a day. Sometimes we need to wait for an answer to prayer. We think that it is taking an awfully long time for God to answer. His time table is unfathomable. So we must wait. That just might slow us down a little!

Last evening our Transitional Transparency Meeting was divided into three parts. First, we looked at a family story that was really a history of our church. Next, we read through a time line of the events leading to our having a woman as associate pastor. And finally, we went over some of the points of how to resolve the problem of the disconnect between our leadership and the people in the pews. Then we broke into small groups and discussed and prioritized these points.

While these meetings are rather interesting, we are starting to question their effectiveness. It seems like we are not really addressing the problems that may help stop the downward turn in our attendance. Supposedly looking back, as well as dealing with some of the current problems, will get us all headed in the right direction to address the future and how we can grow. If nothing else, it is helping us as a congregation to better understand each other and perhaps also understand God's calling for us as a group trying to serve him.

You may have noticed that we have not updated our blog of late. It has been a very busy time here. Not just because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Much of our time lately has been spent in doctor's care and waiting rooms. And it's not over yet, as another test is scheduled for this week.

At times like these it is tempting to ask "Why me?" But a recent book about the life of Corrie Ten Boom suggests that the question better suited at these times it "How?" Asking God why seems like a lack of faith for us. Instead of wondering why, we want to ask His help in how to handle these situations.

Hard times are not always prevented from entering our lives. But the Lord has promised to always be there to help us get through the hard times.

The only time life can break us is when we choose not to come to the Lord for help.

And then there is the act of giving thanks. We ask how can we be thankful during hard times. It's always easy to be thankful for good times and an easy life. True faith is giving thanks even in the difficult moments and trials of life. It's not easy but it is simple. So we are thankful even in the midst of testing. And we are asking God to show us how to get through these rough times. We know He will!

We highly recommend that you watch the DVD entitled Miss Potter. This heartwarming story is based on the life of Beatrix Potter, author of the classic children books "The Tale of Peter Rabbit" and others.

Hollywood surprised us with this non-offensive movie, though rated PG. There was no bad language or other offensive material. We were somewhat puzzled at the rating...though probably it might be due to some of the subject matter. Be warned, it is a tear jerker, especially the last 20 minutes. But it does end on a good note. And speaking of notes the music for this is fantastic. You go away humming.

We are thrilled to encourage you to view this one. It is rare for us to be able to tout anything out of Hollywood!

In our last transitional transparency meeting our congregation concluded that sharing during morning worship should continue, with some direction from pastor/worship leader. The ground rules will be:

Sharing will be encouraged to take place in Sunday school and small groups.

Pastor/worship leader will express concerns after the sermon.

Then persons will be invited to share briefly in one of three specific ways:

Concerns about themselves, their family, or others known to everyone.
How they have seen God at work recently.
Response to sermon.

Guidelines are as follows:

No advocacy for any congregational, theological or political issue.
Pastor/worship leader will limit or extend sharing on length and appropriateness.

This sharing time will be concluded with a closing prayer.

After this issue was decided we went on to discuss in small groups our next issue, namely the perceived disconnect between leadership and the person in the pew.
Each group reported back their points of discussion.

The two hours were up, so results of this issue will be addressed at our next meeting in a month's time.

Overall we would say that these meetings are a good thing. Many people who had doubts about this process are reporting a change of heart as to its merit. We see this whole experience as a good thing, and we would recommend it to others.