Internet Speed
If there was only one thing I had to say I honestly miss about living in Chattanooga, it’s the INTERNET SPEED!
On the other hand, our internet speeds in this part of the state of Georgia are dreadfully slow compared to what I’ve been used to:
- “First, fastest, least expensive internet access in US.” — New York Times
- 50 times the US average internet speed
To refresh, that’s a GIGABIT, as opposed to a max of 25MB per second here in Warthen!
Hey, Governor Kemp! The Kaolin Belt needs fiber optics!
Resolution Sermon
But the point of this post is not internet speeds – it’s about New Year resolutions and a sermon I preached this last Sunday morning … of which I only managed to record 1 second of the audio!
So, what I did was go to my office, today, and record a “recap” of the sermon, thereby replacing the lost sermon for my archives.
You can watch the video (only 11 minutes) or look at the outline, or both. Regardless, here are some “Questions to Ask When Making a New Year’s Resolution.”
Questions to Ask When Making a New Year’s Resolution
(Isaiah 50:7; Luke 9:51, 12:50; Acts 20:24)
1. Do I NEED to make any resolutions?
“There is nothing so fatal to character as half-finished tasks.” – David Lloyd George
2. What has God called me to do? (John 6:38)
“Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.” – John 4:34
3. Where will I be at this time next year if nothing changes?
“You don’t drown by falling into water. You only drown if you stay there.” – Zig Ziglar
4. Will I be willing to be held accountable? (Ecc. 4:9-12)
- It is in our nature to NOT want accountability
- James 5:15 “confess your faults one to another”
- Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpeneth another”
5. Will my determination be visible?
Samuel Adams – “We have proclaimed to the world our determination ‘to die freemen, rather than to live slaves.’ We have appealed to Heaven for the justice of our cause, and in Heaven we have placed our trust.”
6. Will I rely on my own strength?
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble – Psalm 46:1
7. To WHOM will the glory go when I succeed?
“And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.” – Col. 3:23
8. Is the JOY worth the PAIN?
“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:2 KJV
Will Rogers – “Pain is such an uncomfortable feeling that even a tiny amount of it is enough to ruin every enjoyment.”
William Penn – “No pain, no palm; no thorns, no throne; no gall, no glory; no cross, no crown.”
The Recovering Legalist 
Good morning. Was thinking of the new year myself. I don’t know if I will continue the new site I started. I didn’t get the go ahead by God which is strange to me.
But I do know this, Matthew 25 says we wont go to heaven unless we a person that helps the poor and needy. The Born again heart doesn’t do works to save themselves but does works because they are saved and by their fruits you will know them.
Some may start charities for pride to be seen, but I think we should be known by our love, not our bumper stickers.
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last night, I went to a salvation army new years eve dinner. It finished 9:30 PM. The church sectioned off a larger portion of their recreation hall so the food bank and family services could have more room.
So the banquet hall was smaller. In the corner there was a mountain of food hampers. On shelves outside the food bank was food stacked up. It looks like people are caring. They understand the need and are giving the basics.
I don’t see this in many churches. It turns out only one person is paid to organize this whole thing and the many others involved volunteer for the good of others. Within a few weeks the glut of food will start to come down, and hopefully those in need will find better employment etc.
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In Canada over the last 10 years house prices have gone through the roof. A good size house is 700k, and you cant get anything under 300K. Minimum wage is $15hr and You cant get a good breakfast for under $9. Burger king on whopper Wednesdays is almost $7 for some perspective and McD’s coffee is $2.
A newer rental unit 1 Bedroom is $1400 per month But that varies some are paying that for a 3 bedroom that is rough.
Gas is $1.19 per litre. ($4.80 a gallon) Lots of people are on the edge. I don’t know how people are getting by.
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I was sick for a month or so and still have some cold issues, and wow, its like the money just went out the window. I just don’t know how people are making it. Since I got rid of the guy staying in my house I have lost $500 per month.
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I don’t know about you, but I think we all need to circle the wagons and see what we can do to help people survive. Help them move, help them eat, help them if they have lost health and loved ones and help them regroup.
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Not only do others need help we do too. And as Jesus said, in Matthew early on, He will be saying I never knew you. I was hungry and you did not feed me. I was thirsty and you gave me not a drink.
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The last pastor of our church where I used to attend was sour. Wow I couldn’t believe how the board let him stay. And they eventually got rid of him. And I tried to befriend him but wow the guy was to broken to fix. And wow did he cause a lot of harm.
I think we should have helped him if we could have but not as a pastor but as someone who would attend. We needed someone much better. And it seems they have that now. It was so unfortunate that people couldn’t just make choices and fix things.
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I know you cant move a clock without getting permission, but one would hope in the next year as the spirit leads the church in general will grasp
Matthew 5-7 (7:21-22) Matthew 25:40-41 and 1 Corinthians 13:3 and 1 John 4:7-8
I think I saw at the salvation army something that was both inside and outside. Not that I could tell the difference between the wheat and the tares, but it sure looked like there was some wheat growing.
It gives me pause to ask if I am a Tare.
(of course I think I live an examined life, that I have examined my heart and my life has acts of charity done because of my heart and not for selfish gain and pride. But it doesn’t hurt to look under the hood. )
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Those are my thoughts I hope your new year will be full of hope and love and the Blessings of God as you communicate the gospel and spur people on to love and good deeds!
God bless you, my brother. Although I never respond with a comment equal to your volume ;, I do appreciate what you write. It’s always a blessing, even if I don’t always respond. Thank you, and have a happy new year!