Entering a Year With Questions
Another Day Along the Way
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Another day,
Another year ends. A year of war, debt, conflict, confusion, election, debate, and death. A year of worry and wonder. A year of tears and laughter. A year of uncertainty.
Another year begins. A year of questions. Today - instead of letting the common questions arise and guide our thoughts - let's ask ourselves questions we often fail to address. Picking our own questions and responding with honest answers gives us a chance to live a new year as we should. No matter what happens in the job market, housing market, or financial market, we can choose to live better lives this year. Allow the questions to lure us toward an adventure of wonder in 2009.
What dreams have you kept hidden for too long?
What is stopping you from pursuing and fulfilling those dreams?
What can you bring to the table of life than no one else can bring?
How can you bring it to the table in a way that others are likely to receive it?
What bad habits have lived long enough?
What good habits should come alive?
Who do you need to forgive?
Who needs to hear an apology from you?
Who is learning from you?
What are they learning?
What spiritual disciplines have you neglected for too long?
How can you be more honest with God this year?
What doors should you close?
What doors should you open?
What giant should you throw a rock toward to bring death?
What sea should you cross to enter a new land of promise?
What death should you experience so new life will come?
Questions, questions, questions. Ask them. Answer them honestly. And take action. If we do, and if we receive the help of our Holy Guide, the world should beware. Things will never be the same because we are choosing to no longer be the same.
Let the new year truly be that. New.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Take a walk through God's gallery with your eyes and heart wide open. Let your journey lead you toward worshipping the Artist behind it all.
(Wonderlust: A Spiritual Travelogue for the Adventurous Soul, Vicki Kuyper)
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Another day,
Another year ends. A year of war, debt, conflict, confusion, election, debate, and death. A year of worry and wonder. A year of tears and laughter. A year of uncertainty.
Another year begins. A year of questions. Today - instead of letting the common questions arise and guide our thoughts - let's ask ourselves questions we often fail to address. Picking our own questions and responding with honest answers gives us a chance to live a new year as we should. No matter what happens in the job market, housing market, or financial market, we can choose to live better lives this year. Allow the questions to lure us toward an adventure of wonder in 2009.
What dreams have you kept hidden for too long?
What is stopping you from pursuing and fulfilling those dreams?
What can you bring to the table of life than no one else can bring?
How can you bring it to the table in a way that others are likely to receive it?
What bad habits have lived long enough?
What good habits should come alive?
Who do you need to forgive?
Who needs to hear an apology from you?
Who is learning from you?
What are they learning?
What spiritual disciplines have you neglected for too long?
How can you be more honest with God this year?
What doors should you close?
What doors should you open?
What giant should you throw a rock toward to bring death?
What sea should you cross to enter a new land of promise?
What death should you experience so new life will come?
Questions, questions, questions. Ask them. Answer them honestly. And take action. If we do, and if we receive the help of our Holy Guide, the world should beware. Things will never be the same because we are choosing to no longer be the same.
Let the new year truly be that. New.
Along the way,
Chris Maxwell
Powerful Statement: Take a walk through God's gallery with your eyes and heart wide open. Let your journey lead you toward worshipping the Artist behind it all.
(Wonderlust: A Spiritual Travelogue for the Adventurous Soul, Vicki Kuyper)
19 Comments:
miss u max.....
miss u max...
Chris,
Your posts always evoke two reactions. The first is, "That's something I really need to think about." The second is, "I wish I'd thought of that."
You always inspire me.
Hi C, There is something about uncertainty that propels us into the arms of the only certainty - a living, loving God. What can I do differently? Maybe something that I try again and again, but fail as the days go by. To stay focused on the positive and refrain from the negative - negative thoughts, negative comments, negative feelings. Thankfully, we are not judged by the number of times we fall but rather by our willingness to pick ourselves us by His grace. May your 2009 be blessed as you have blessed the last several years of our lives by your constant prayers and encouragement.
Asking those kinda questions scares me. I will try to ask them and I might try to answer them. Thanks. I miss you.
Hey, thanks. I need to start asking more questions like those
Thanks for those thought-provoking questions, Chris! Will have to spend time with the Lord before I answer all of them. Hope you and Debbie have a great New Year, one where all your heart's desires will be met.
I don't like your questions...they make me uncomfortable. But then, that's what you wanted to do, isn't it!
Man, I pray "they" are learning from me how to really life this life of faith. Thanks Pastor C.
TD
Chris, Thankyou I sometime get so into My situation I only think and feel from My place.And most of the time I need a jolt to get back to My Faith and trusting in The Lord.Not to be sure about things are something The Devil uses to get Me thinking elsewhere.Thankyou for the jolt to get Me looking back toward The Lord.May You have a Blessed, Healthy and Happy New Year,God Bless You, and All of Us.
Great list of questions! I hope all your readers take them to heart. I know I will. Blessings to you!
Chris I have been thinking about The Maxwells up there.I wanted to wish You All a Healthy, Blessed and Happy New Year.Oh Your Questions were the right timing for Me. I was in one of those times when I was looking around, and not Focused on The Lord. Thanks and Have a Blessed New Year, Scott Peterson
"What spiritual disciplines have you neglected for too long?" I am still trying to do what you taught me in Orlando from that book on spiritual disciplines by Foster. Pray is still hard for me.
Chris,
Excellent piece of writing!
I forwarded it to many of my friends in my address
book. Great soul searching before the new year.
I printed it out this morning and will try to answer
most of the questions. May God continue to bless
you and others through your writing.
Alice
Good thoughts. Everyone should ask those questions, search their hearts, and answer honestly.
Then pray for help to do the right thing. That's what I will do.
Hi Chris, thank you again for reminding me of what I need to do. :) I really appreciate your thought provoking comments. I miss you guys. I pray that God richly blesses your family this year!
Whew! Here I am thinking about eating better, exercising more and living a more healthy lifestyle and you throw those questions at me. AGH! Too deep, too difficult. But that is what you always do. I think you do it on purpose or more likely with His purpose in mind. I will try to answer some and then ask you to help me find the answers. You are always so good at that. I miss you so much.
great questions. i'm glad we travel through life with a God who meets us where we are, gently (and not so gently)guiding us through the answers.
Thanks for that thought provoking and uplifting message! God bless you.
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