When you think of “refreshing and rare,” who comes to your mind? What character qualities define this person? I’m guessing they are courageous, personable, persevering. Further, I imagine they are kind and gentle, as well as strong and honest. Most of all, the person who comes to your mind probably lives with hope.

As you enter this next year, you need hope, too. The next 12 months provide opportunity to manage, enjoy, and problem-solve in your life. Thankfully, God provides refreshing and rare hope for every day.

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Happy New Year! May it be a good one for you! Now, to set the tone, here’s a quote from C.S. Lewis – “There are far better things ahead than any we leave behind.” With this insightful observation, let’s explore 10 points to start this year well.

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This week, I get to say – HAPPY NEW YEAR – to you! Of course, it’s also an opportunity for a fresh new start. So, let’s look at some action points for a great start with strong traction this next year.

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I remember one Christmas years ago – I almost missed Christmas! That experience was a “wake-up call.” In my busy life, filling roles and carrying out responsibilities – all the Christmas preparations pulled me off track. I asked God to show me what happened and how to avoid it in the future. That’s when I learned how to pause at Christmastime.

And it works! Now, I use a “pause” all through the year.

Do you need to pause a bit more this Christmas?

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During a season filled with peace and joy, it’s painful to experience grieving at Christmastime. But that’s what many people do. They celebrate. Simultaneously, they grieve.

There are always losses in life. Sometimes, these losses almost consume the space meant to be filled with peace and joy. Strategically, there are ways to keep these spaces free for healthy processes – even at Christmastime.

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Many cherished Christmas carols talk about joy. Consider Joy To The World – “Joy to the world, the Lord has come.” Or While By My Sheep – “Joy, joy, joy! (echo) joy, joy, joy.” If you are looking for joy at Christmastime, you are joined by millions of people.

Interestingly, Paul starts every single letter he wrote in the New Testament with wishes of grace and JOY to his readers.

So, how’s your joy as Christmas approaches?

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Many cherished Christmas carols talk about peace. Consider Silent Night – “sleep in heavenly peace.” Or, Hark The Herald Angels – “peace on earth, goodwill toward men.” Yes, for centuries people have yearned for peace. Particularly, peace at Christmastime.

Let’s face it. This world really needs peace. Interestingly, peace starts in each individual heart. Equally, lasting peace only comes from the “Prince of Peace” – Jesus Christ.

So, peace at Christmastime . . .

Every Christmas – don’t you wish for peace? Specifically, peace in your own personal life – but also peace for the whole world. Peace at Christmastime starts in you – and then ripples out to others around you . . . even into the world.

So, how is your peace doing as we approach Christmas? Further, are you sharing peace with others?

God gives His peace to you. Naturally, as you accept it by faith, His peace becomes your own personal peace.

Incidentally, receiving peace is similar to receiving a gift:

1. Pick it up.
2. Unwrap it.
3. Eagerly peek inside.
4. Take out the contents.
5. Identify what’s inside.
6. Reflect on why the gift is special by remembering the Giver.
7. Say, “thank you!”

Your hand is always with you. But is peace always with you? Maybe – maybe not. Did you know your hand can remind you of peace? Let’s explore The Peace Hand.

Peace Hand

Do you remember nursery rhymes and songs you learned as a child? One little song I remember names every finger to teach small children about their fingers and hand. It follows this format.

First, a question is posed. Then, the answer is given in response. It starts with your thumb. Hide it behind your back with all your fingers until the question is asked.

QUESTION: “Tom Thumb, Tom Thumb. Where are you?”

Then, as you answer that question, you pull your hand out from behind your back. And the “featured finger takes a bow.”

ANSWER: “Here I am. Here I am. How do you do?”

Then the song takes you through all your fingers in the sa...

It’s Thanksgiving! Time for a “self-check” on gratitude. A mindset of gratitude makes a huge difference, even when things are difficult or painful.

So, if you had a Gratitude Scale that measured how thankful you are, where would you score on a scale 1-10?

Let’s explore “mindset of gratitude.” But first – let’s have some fun with that Gratitude Scale we mentioned.

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