Recently one of church's most beloved elders passed away unexpectedly. We all were in a state of sadness and shock and wanted something to help remember Grace. When her daughter and I met at Grace's house to plan her memorial service we found the following list of resolutions that had been part of one of our Sunday bulletins stuck on her refrigerator with a magnet. Each time she opened the door she remembered the kind of person she wanted to be in Christ.
Recently one of church's most beloved elders passed away unexpectedly. We all were in a state of sadness and shock and wanted something to help remember Grace. When her daughter and I met at Grace's house to plan her memorial service we found the following list of resolutions that had been part of one of our Sunday bulletins stuck on her refrigerator with a magnet. Each time she opened the door she remembered the kind of person she wanted to be in Christ. We printed them on the last page of her memorial service with the suggestion that by trying to live by them we could honor Grace with our lives as well as with our words. They are worth sharing as all of us try to resolve how we will live in 2007 and ask God to help us determine what kind of a church family we will be. Prayer of Resolution "7-Ups For The New Year"* by Walter Schoedel, Wheat Ridge Ministries, Itasca, Ill. Wake-up Begin each new day with the Lord. It is God's day. Rejoice in it. Dress-up Put on a smile. It improves your looks. It says a lot about your faith and attitude. Shut-up Watch your tongue. Do not gossip. Say nice things if you say anything. Learn to listen. Stand-up Take a stand for what you believe. Resist evil. Do good. Look-up Open your eyes to the Lord. After all, God loves you and forgives you. Reach-up Spend time in prayer and adoration, confession, thanksgiving, and supplication to God. Lift-up Be available to those in need: resolve to be serving, supporting, and sharing. *Thanks to the editor of The Joyful Noiseletter, Cal Samra, for permission to reprint. The purpose of the publication is to recapture the spirit of joy, humor, unity and healing power of the early Christians (www.JoyfulNoiseletter.com ). Wheatridge Ministry (www.wheatridge.org ) seeks to improve the health of people who are at-risk in urban centers and rural communities by addressing issues such as poverty, education, housing and community development. Earl S. Johnson Jr. is the pastor of First Church, Johnstown, N.Y., and adjunct professor of religious studies at Siena College.
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