Thank you for the Christmas gift you gave me on Sunday and thank you for all of your cards, cookies and special Christmas cakes.   You have made me feel at home here at Central Christian Church and you continue to make me feel special.  Thank you for allowing me to be your minister.
   Over the past weeks, lyrics from a Sandi Patti song stuck in my heart and they gave me hope for a new Year:  "There is a child, born in a manger, whose love can reach the smallest heart. 
                    From kings and shepherds, to every one of us, whose dreams have torn apart."
   In 2005, may the love of Jesus Christ give you hope and mend your broken heart.  Also in 2005, claim the promises from Psalm 118 and give thanks to the Lord for your blessings:

       "The LORD is with me; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?
       The LORD is with me; he is my helper.  I will look in triumph on my enemies.
       The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation.
       This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
       Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever."

   The following thoughts come from an article by Shawn McMullen in the December 26, 2004 issue of the Lookout.  Many of us will make New Year's resolutions like:
I will exercise more and I will eat less.
I will slow down and enjoy life and spend more time with my family. 
I will read my Bible daily and I will not skip church.
These are worthy resolutions, but they all begin with the same word - "I."   In 2005, try making resolutions that take others into consideration.  Examples include: 
Visiting residents in an assisted living/nursing home on a regularly scheduled basis.
Volunteering at Our Daily Bread or another charitable organization
Teaching Sunday school or hosting a small group in your home
   There are wonderful benefits for you and your family when, together, you help the less fortunate.  Families become closer and adults and children develop a deeper appreciation for their own blessings.   In 2005, resolve to do something that is other-focused rather than self-focused.  Call the church and we will help you with these types of resolutions. 
   On a lighter note, last year I went on the Atkins Diet, because I had gained three pounds a year for the past 14 years.  (Yes, I had gained over 40 pounds.)    The good news was that I lost 25 pounds. The bad news was that I gained 6 pounds back.  So in 2005, I am going on another diet.  But this will be based on sensible eating and more exercise. Please pray for my having more self-control with my eating habits (not an easy thing to do here at Central) and having more success in daily exercise.  Ask me about my progress in losing weight.  Also ask me about my resolutions to do something for others.
      Don Johnson