Setting Goals for the New Year

Instead of beginning another New Year with Resolutions and self proclaiming promises why not try creating Solutions and solid goals for your future. Here are a few goals to work with going into 2010.

Goal Setting


According to various studies, somewhere between 40 and 80 percent of American adults make New Year’s resolutions. Some resolve to eat healthier, exercise more, make more money, spend more time with family, do more to help others, find a better job, quit smoking or another bad habit, find “the one,” and go back to school.
Despite all the best intentions, few people achieve their lofty goals. In fact, some studies suggest that fewer than 30 percent of New Year’s resolutions are kept! Most goal setting experts believe this is due to ignorance concerning how to set goals properly. So what can you do to minimize your chances of failure and maximize your chances of success to achieve your resolutions for 2010?
Here are some ideas:

1. Don’t set goals on the spur of the moment. Spend time reflecting on the past year’s mistakes and missed opportunities, as well as the life you would like to create for yourself in the coming year. Don’t be impulsive. If you see someone playing the saxophone in a park on December 29 and decide to make learning to play the sax one of your resolutions, you probably will not make it too far.

2. Make a list of your goals and think them through, weighing their importance. Examine your reasons for wanting to achieve the things on your list. If it is something that is not important to you, cross it off the list.

3. After making the list, narrow it down. Choose three or four important goals to focus on and prioritize. Don’t overwhelm yourself by setting more goals than you can realistically accomplish.

4. Set goals that challenge you, but are easily attainable with a good amount of hard work and dedication. If you must set a huge goal for yourself, break the resolution into mini-resolutions and tackle those one at a time. Be realistic about the obstacles you will encounter as well. Envision the hurdles you will have to face and overcome, and form an action plan for how you will respond to those problems as they arise.

5. Be specific. For example, rather than setting a goal to lose 20 pounds, write down that you will lose 20 pounds over the course of six months at the rate of one pound a week by eating three healthy meals and two healthy snacks a day, eliminating sodas and fast food, and taking an hour-long speed walk before dinner five days a week.

6. Set measurable goals. For example, don’t say that you are going to work on spending more quality time with your children. Instead, describe how you will spend the time. Some examples: I will read a short bedtime story to my children every night; one night a week will be family movie night; I will spend at least three hours playing with my children outside every weekend; and one Saturday a month I will take my children on a fun family outing, such as a trip to the museum, zoo, or a picnic at the park.

7. Ask for help. Tell supportive members of your family and friends about your goals, and ask them to help you by offering you encouragement, advice, or assistance in meeting your objectives.

8. Be positive. Believe in your ability to accomplish great things! Always exude optimism and confidence when you are talking about your resolutions. Even if you have your doubts, fake it ‘til you make it—psych yourself up to believe that you will absolutely accomplish your goals this year.

9. Set deadlines for goal progress and completion. Evaluate your progress at regular intervals. When you approach things in this manner, you can recognize and identify the things that are not working and come up with a Plan B while it is still early in the year. Also, put yourself on a deadline to accomplish certain things. Be sure to reward yourself for meeting your goals. For example, if your goal was to cut down your cigarette smoking a little bit at a time until you quit, come up with a day of the week in which you will reduce the cigarettes you are allowed to smoke. Every week that you successfully cut back, spend the money you have saved on a special treat, such as a movie rental or a magazine that you enjoy.

10. Be resilient. If you fall off every now and then, do not become so discouraged that you just give up all together. Try to look at every setback and failure as an opportunity for you to learn something constructive. Analyze the situation and form a new plan if necessary, but get back on the horse and try again! If all else fails, grit your teeth and tough it out! Remember, the experts say that it takes 21 days of faithfully putting into practice and living a new behavior before it becomes habit, and six months of doing so before it becomes so ingrained into your behavior that it becomes almost effortless. So if you find yourself discouraged and feel as if you just can’t go on, commit to doing it for just 21 more days, come hell or high water, and stick to it! If you are feeling particularly ambitious, circle July 1 on your calendar and commit to yourself that you will absolutely not abandon your pursuit of realizing your goals prior to that date. Remember this: a little bit of hard work and determination never killed anybody. Go the distance; you will be glad you did.

So as the new year approaches and we start formulating what our goals for 2010 are going to be, don't forget the human side of business. Simple goals such as smiling when you meet people, remembering names, and treating people with dignity and respect will not just make you a better human being, it will also impact your bottom line in the coming year.

Subject: Encouragement for Today
Date: Thu, 24 Dec 2009 01:46:01 -0800

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A wonderful article by Glynnis Whitwer reflecting upon our relationship with Jesus during the Christmas Season.

Thursday, December 24, 2009  Email    Facebook Twitter    Print

December 24, 2009   Planning for the Presence of Jesus Glynnis Whitwer    "But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made." Luke 10:40 (NIV)           Devotion: I tend to consider myself a "Martha" type personality.  And I don't mean Martha Stewart.  That Martha was ready for Christmas in October, I'm sure.    No, I'm nothing like Martha Stewart.  In fact, a few years ago I didn't even manage to decorate the tree.  It had lights on it ONLY because it was a pre-lit tree! I managed to put a few gifts under it before Christmas because my dear children kept looking at me with big hopeful eyes, asking when I was going to wrap SOMETHING.  But that was it. No cards.  No Christmas concerts or caroling.  No trip to see lights.  Just a busy life made even busier.  For those who know the Luke 10 story of Martha and her sister Mary, that's the Martha I'm talking about.  That Martha had the privilege of hosting Jesus in her home.  But instead of sitting at His feet, like her sister Mary did, Martha worked and complained to Jesus that Mary wasn't helping her.    Let's put ourselves in that scene for a moment.  Jesus has come to YOUR house.  To visit YOU.  And not only are you too busy to spend some time with Him, but the time you do have you spend complaining.  You complain about "someone" not doing her job, and how you have to do all this work, and if only "someone" would help you then you could actually sit down and enjoy some time with Jesus and blah, blah, blah...   Martha wasted an amazing opportunity.  And many times, so do I.  She let the demands of every day overshadow the call of the divine.  In fact, Jesus gently chided Martha, and affirmed Mary's choice to sit and spend time with Him in the middle of all the work that had to be done.   In verse 42 we read that Jesus told Martha her sister did what was "needed."  So in Jesus' mind, whatever Martha was doing wasn't needed at that moment...whether it was to impress, pamper or comfort Him.  Jesus just wanted Martha to sit down and spend time with Him.   Imagine if you had travelled far to visit the home of a friend.  And in her desire to serve you, she never spends time with you.  Do you know anyone like that?  Don't you want to say, "Sit down. Relax.  All this stuff doesn't matter.  I came to spend time with you."   That's just what Jesus was saying to Martha.  In other words,   Martha, thank you for caring about my needs.  But, you don't have to worry so much.  There's only one thing I want right now, and that's to spend time with you.  Mary gets it.  Come sit down next to your sister.  The dishes will wait.   But you won't have this time with Me very much longer.    Martha probably wasn't given much notice of Jesus' arrival, hence her rushing around.  We, however, have been.  Just as you would prepare for the arrival of a special guest to your home, I invite you to prepare for the presence of Jesus this Christmas.   Have you ever let the demands of the everyday pull you away from the divine?  Have you ever chosen a good thing over the best thing?   You're not alone.  Today, I invite you to set aside all the preparations and distractions and sit in the presence of Jesus.    We don't have to do anything special to enjoy Jesus' company.  We just have to quiet ourselves from the busyness of the day, take a deep breath, and allow Jesus to fill our hearts with His joy and peace.  It can be sitting outside looking at the stars, listening to carols, or sipping a cup of coffee in front of a fire.  Just sit down with nothing else to do and invite Jesus to join you.    When I think back about the scene recorded in Luke 10, between Martha and Mary, I can tell which sister had more peace in her life.  And it wasn't Martha.  This Christmas I definitely want to plan for the presence of Jesus - that's really all I need.   Dear Lord, thank You for the gift of Your son Jesus.  As I go through this Christmas and the upcoming year, please help me set priorities that are pleasing to You.  Help me remember to plan to enjoy the presence of Jesus more than I plan for the details.  In Jesus' Name, Amen.   Related Resources: Dear Jesus: Seeking His Light in Your Life by Sarah Young   Visit Glynnis' blog where she shares tips for simplifying your holidays   Pursuing the Christ: 31 Morning and Evening Devotions for Christmastime by Jennifer Kennedy Dean   For more encouragement on intentionally focusing on Christ during busy seasons, click here   Application Steps:  Spend some time in prayer, asking God to show you His priorities for you this day and over the next year.  Write down one or two things God brings to mind.   Reflections:  In holiday seasons past, when have you experienced the presence of Jesus most?  Be specific.   How does time alone with Jesus change you?   Power Verses: Luke 10:41-42, "'Martha, Martha,' the Lord answered, 'you are worried and upset about many things, but only one thing is needed. Mary has chosen what is better, and it will not be taken away from her.'" (NIV) Philippians 4:7, "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (NIV)     © 2009 by Glynnis Whitwer. All rights reserved.   Proverbs 31 Ministries 616-G Matthews-Mint Hill Road Matthews, NC 28105 www.proverbs31.org

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This is a great article by a great man, Pastor Creflo Dollar.

Facing Life's Storms

Creflo Dollar

Have you ever been so consumed with your problems and personal concerns that it seemed there was no immediate relief in sight? For example, Sandra is a faithful member of her local church who has a loving relationship with her family and friends and is successful in almost everything she does. Recently, however, things have taken a negative turn financially, and because the pressures of the challenge seem so great, the usually positive and proactive Sandra is struggling with bouts of depression and stress. She has tried to involve friends to help her resolve her issues, only to find that few have the time or desire to listen to her problems.
While it may be hard to believe that a person can go from being a 'got it all together Christian' to feeling down in the dumps, it does happen. All of us have experienced this at some point in our walk with God; but instead of worrying or tracking down someone to join what could easily become a "pity party," use the Source you know will never fail—God.
Everyone should understand the value of being prepared mentally and spiritually for attacks on our lives because they will come. In John 16:33, Jesus said, "…In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." God has equipped you to handle the storms of life by trusting in Jesus.
Similar to Job in the Bible, there are times when challenges hit us on all sides and we don't always feel like responding with the Word of God; but rest assured that God's Word is the solution to any problem. When you allow your responses and decisions to be founded on God's Word, you open the door for God to come in and turn your situation around.
Job was a man who faced some terrible situations. His children were killed, his livestock were destroyed and he was struck with painful boils on his entire body. Job had lost everything and I'm sure he was tempted to completely give up and turn his back on God. Even his wife told him to just curse God and die because he was in such a pitiful state. But Job didn't do that. While he did go through a time of complaining and questioning, he never gave up on God. As a result, God restored everything he lost.
When the storms of life hit you, what will you do? Will you become overwhelmed and lose heart in the midst of worrying, obsessing and attempting to fix every problem yourself? Or will you pass the trust test and employ His help by calling on Him first? There is no challenge too great for Him to handle. He can cause all things to work out for your good when you pray and seek Him. What you find difficult to do, God can perform sweatlessly.  
In the midst of trusting God, know that He may not use your preferred method to solve your issues. God has numerous ways to get things done and He will change situations in order to fulfill His purposes and promises.
You must be willing to get out of God's way in order for Him to work. That means refraining from worrying, complaining and trying to fix things in your own natural ability. When you worry, you hinder God's promises from being able to work in your life. Instead, meditate on the Scriptures, seek understanding and believe in what the Word will do for you. Everything you need to survive the storms of life is in your Bible; so put it to use during the times you need it most.
Don't forget that God is a prayer away. No, there is no quick fix for every obstacle you will face in life, but if you are a Believer, you have the very thing that will bring peace in times of trouble (John 14:27). Pray to God and He will answer. He promised to never leave or abandon you.
Develop a closer relationship with God by finding out more about Him and His promises. Visit our online bookstore and Bible Study Center and get equipped and prepared for the storms of life!
 

Scripture References:

• John 16:33
• John 14:27

Bah Humbug Mr. Scrooge

YOUR CHOICE! LIVE LIFE BY THE ANTHEM THE WORLD IS THROWING AT YOU OR CHOOSE A ROAD LESS TRAVELED WHERE BAH HUMBUG HAS NO POWER.


Bah Humbug! A phrase coined years ago in the great Charles Dickens novel "A Christmas Carol" by the one and only Eboneezer Scrooge. This wonderful story is presented to us every year during the holiday season and usually I dont pay much attention to it. But this year with all the negativity in the world I find myself drawn to its core message. I think many out there have been living the mentality of humbuggery for most of the year and now is the time to reflect and reavaluate our thinking and our priorities. Look at Scrooge, he basically had it all, or what we consider having it all; money, power, a large home and great wealth. But as the story unfolds we find these things of monetary value have not brought this man happiness, love or peace. He is alone and miserable for his warped mind has convinced him that the almighty dollar is the road to his salvation. Fortunately for Mr. Scrooge he was cured of his humbuggery by ghosts who scared him into jolliness. Seeing how life was or could have been, and is yet to come enabled this man to reavaluate his life and start anew with mankind and charity as his main priority. Self and whats in it for me would no longer be his mantra. So maybe Scrooge is just like our own humbuggery ... within us all we are filled with goodwill and joy but this year for whatever reason we have been unwilling to express these qualities in the very season which epitomizes them. Don't let this Christmas season and year end galla end with a Bah Humbug! Instead challenge yourself to do better, think more about others than self and reaffirm to the world that good cheer and peace on earth is, and always will be the true road to happiness.

God Bless us All!

Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah!

Let the Lord bring you home.

"The Lord is kind and shows mercy.
He does not become angry quickly but is
full of love. The Lord is good to everyone."

Where are you in the Journey of life? Is the world and all its opinions and intellectual messages convincing you that they are right and that God is not? Have you become persuaded by mans ideology that you now believe in his teaching? If so where has that left you? Lifes challenges can mislead you and as we move through life we begin hanging our hopes and dreams on this world and that is where we fall short. Man is not perfect and if we concentrate our energy and belief that man will bring daily peace into our lives we our setting ourselves up for failure and disappointment. The truth is that God knows everything about you and within this realization you must bring to the forefront your soul and let it be your guiding light. Its time to overcome the hurts, the pain , the emotional abuses that have consumed your life. Your hatred and anger has consumed you and focused you on bitterness, animosity, lies and jealousy. This state of living drains the good energy from you driving you further and further from the oneness of God. Change your life today and live beyond yourself by loving and caring for others. If you want to experience life fully then live by blessing and giving to others....express your heart by reaching deep into your soul. Do not allow the mind to interfere. Life is found by connecting with the deepest debts of your soul ....underneath our rational thoughts..beneath the mask of the world where your senses align with the oneness of you and the holy spirit. You can start today, a new beginning, and let the Lord bring you home.

FW: Words of LIFE: Drunk, But Not On Wine

James Robison, founder of Life Today, illustrates how many of us are drunk, not with alcohol but by the bondage of worldly traps such as sexual sin, deception, lies, and misguided thinking.  A lesson to be learned in todays society is that of Tiger Woods, a man who we believe has everything but still could not avoid the trials of inner confusion and temptation.  When your life is built upon happiness from material possessions and wealth you are basically building a foundation on sand and that my friends will never withstand the storms of life. 

Drunk, But Not On Wine by James Robison We live in a day when people are not only out of control, but under the control of powerful adversarial influences. God spoke clearly through the prophet Isaiah these words: "Blind yourselves and be blind. They become drunk, but not with wine, they stagger, but not with strong drink."1 God, through the prophet, asserts that there are powerful, controlling forces in the realm of the spirit which influenced the nation of Israel – His chosen people. Isaiah used the physical analogy of those who stagger and stumble under the debilitating influence of alcohol to illustrate the control that spiritual forces can have over people. The Old Testament story of Israel is the revelation of people set free from Egyptian bondage, which represents bondage to the world's mentality, and led toward freedom in the Promised Land. Though they were physically liberated, their minds were hindered by fear and unbelief. Consequently, they wandered in circles for 40 years, then finally the faithful few who believed the truth entered the Promised Land and defeated their enemies through the supernatural power of God. Years later, the same chosen ones of God became prisoners again, even in the Promised Land.2 This is an accurate description of much of the church family. Too many believers live in as much bondage as they experienced prior to their deliverance from the world. There is an enemy in the spiritual realm referred to by Paul as "principalities and powers of darkness."3 These demonic forces and deceivers take captive the most precious and influential ones in our midst. Isaiah went on to say that truth cannot be understood because people draw near God with their words and honor him with their lips, but their hearts are far from him. He said that reverence for Him consists of tradition learned by rote, which is mechanical repetition.4 Much of the church and many in our country are trapped by a spirit of mechanical repetition regarding truth. We recite the pledge of allegiance, but not from our heart and with little or no understanding or appreciation. We sing The Star Spangled Banner with no heartfelt brokenness and gratitude for the price paid for our freedom, and with hands resting on hearts that have grown cold and calloused by a spirit of indifference. We repeat prayers, but they are mere words seldom going higher than the ceiling. We sing songs, but we have forgotten their message. We go through the motions of worship, but live in defeat. We hear sermons, but seldom apply them. This time of year, especially, is fraught with meaningless repetition. We say, "Merry Christmas," but don't celebrate the coming of the Christ. We give gifts, but forget the greatest Gift of all. We get busy with the "holidays" when we should be still and know that He is Lord. No wonder so many people actually hate this time of year! We have become hearers and not doers. Again, God spoke through Isaiah to His people, calling them to repentance and promising them freedom: "Therefore, please hear this, you afflicted, who are drunk, but not with wine: Thus says your Lord, the Lord, even your God Who contends for His people, 'Behold, I have taken out of your hand the cup of reeling, The chalice of My anger; You will never drink it again. I will put it into the hand of your tormentors, who have said to you, "Lie down that we may walk over you." You have even made your back like the ground and like the street for those who walk over it.'"5 God said to His people and those with ears to hear, but who refuse to hear, that they would reach a point of such intoxication by the spirit of deception, distraction and defeat that the enemies of life and freedom would command them to lie down while tormenting forces walked over them as trampled ground. It is happening to our leaders in the political realm. It happens in ministry. It happened to Tiger Woods. With all the prosperity and material blessings, his natural appetites were obviously controlled and manipulated by adverse, supernatural influences that took one of the strongest and most successful people in America and made him a slave to his own sexual appetite, even though he has a beautiful family. But let no one cast a stone. Let all of us fall on our faces before God on his behalf and on behalf of his wife and precious children. Tiger's publicized scandal illustrates the fact that regardless of our ability, we cannot overcome this world in our own strength. If we attempt to live outside of the Lord's power, we will find ourselves drunk, out of control, and under the control of these deadly spiritual influences. We will be drunk, but not on wine. Salvation lies in the words of the prophet Isaiah: "Awake, awake! Clothe yourselves with strength. Zion, clothe yourself with beautiful garments. Shake yourself from the dust. Rise up captive Jerusalem and loose the chains from around your neck. You were sold for nothing, but you will be redeemed without money."6 We have been redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb. That goes not only for us as gentiles, but also for every Jew. The true Zion is the restored, redeemed, blood-bought people of God. And we can deliver the good news. We can announce peace. We can announce salvation. We can say to Zion, "Our God reigns...not only word, but also in deed." As watchmen, we can lift up our voices. We can shout joyfully together and then everyone will see with their own eyes when the Lord restores not only the church, but because of the restoration of the church and of believers, in order that the glorious influence of a city set on a hill can also help restore the nation. What better way to celebrate Christmas than to announce His coming! This is my prayer and commitment. I will not be distracted and, by the grace of God, I will trample underfoot the enemies that have walked on me far too often. Join me in this victorious march for the glory and purpose of our great God! Jesus promised that those who become intoxicated and controlled by His spirit will be overcomers and walk over the enemy like dust under their feet. This Week Are you feeling "trampled" under the foot of the enemy? Shake off the dust, loosen the chains and forsake redemption in anything except our Savior, Jesus Christ! Change your thoughts and actions and begin to walk in victory. Prayer "Jesus, you are my salvation and redemption. Help me to walk in Your ways, to live in Your Word and celebrate Your life not only for this sacred season, but every day of my life. Amen."   1 Isaiah 29:9, NAS 2 Nehemiah 9:36, NAS 3 Ephesians 6:12, NAS 4 Isaiah 29:11-13, paraphrased 5 Isaiah 51:21-23, NAS 6 Isaiah 52:1-3, 7-8, paraphrased Forward this devotional. Did someone forward this to you? Subscribe to receive your own Words of LIFE every week! Follow "Tweets of LIFE" on Twitter. Read more Words of LIFE online. Send us your feedback on this devotional.     Unsubscribe / Change your email preferences.

FW: No Child Should Cry on Christmas

Subject: No Child Should Cry on Christmas
 
Once again Christmas is upon us and once again we must evaluate where we are in our lives.  The cleansing of ones soul begins with helping others.  It is why we are here and in the midst of these economic times where we concentrate so much on what we do not have, it is time to change this thinking and concentrate on our blessings and what we can do to help a fellow human being.    Please begin a new journey where giving is your first thought.


Dear Friend,
 

Khadar, age 4, AID Kijabe Hospital, Kenya

As Christmas approaches and the dawn of a new year is in sight, I wanted to send you an update to let you know what a difference you've helped us make.

This year, we gave 108,376 desperate children new smiles – and new lives.

And the people we have to thank for this incredible year are folks like you, our donors.
I wanted you to know that all of us here at Smile Train are thinking of you and wishing you the very best of the season.
We are grateful for your support and hoping we will help even more children in 2010.
Merry Christmas and Best Wishes for the New Year!

Brian
Co-Founder/President
P.S. To help a child smile for the first time in their life this Christmas, click here.
P.P.S. Share the joys of the season with your friends and family by sending Smile Train Holiday Tribute Cards. Send them in honor or memory of someone. Each card will put a smile on two faces and believe me, we need your help more than Hallmark! Click here to find out more.
Please forward to a friend.
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FW: Insight for Today

 

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Date: Thu, 10 Dec 2009 06:00:46 -0600
From: Insight.for.Living@insight.org
To: mstimothy@hotmail.com
Subject: Insight for Today

Share with a Friend    Devotional Library December 10, 2009 The Dark Side of Greatness by Charles R. Swindoll Genesis 39:19-21, 41:50-52, 45:4-8; Proverbs 18:12; 1 Peter 1:3-9 "There lies the most perfect ruler of men the world has ever seen . . . [and] now he belongs to the ages." Of whom was this said? One of the Caesars? No. Napoleon? No. Alexander the Great? No. Eisenhower? Patton? MacArthur . . . or some earlier military strategist like Grant or Lee or Pershing? No, none of the above. How about Rockne or Lombardi? No. Or Luther? Calvin? Knox? Wesley? Spurgeon? Again, the answer is no. Well, it was no doubt said of a great leader, a powerful and persuasive personality, was it not? Certainly one admired for his success. That depends, I suppose. When he was 7 years old, his family was forced out of their home because of a legal technicality. He had to work to help support them. At age 9, while still a backward, shy little boy, his mother died. At 22, he lost his job as a store clerk. He wanted to go to law school, but his education was not good enough. At 23, he went into debt to become a partner in a small store. Three years later his business partner died, leaving him a huge debt that took years to repay. At 28, after developing a romantic relationship with a young lady for four years, he asked her to marry him. She said no. An earlier youthful love he shared with a lovely girl ended in heartache at her death. At 37, on his third try, he was finally elected to Congress. Two years later he ran again and failed to be reelected. I should add it was about this time he had what some today would call a nervous breakdown. At 41, adding additional heartache to an already unhappy marriage, his 4-year-old son died. The next year he was rejected for Land Officer. At 45, he ran for the Senate again and lost. Two years later, he was defeated for nomination for Vice President. At 49, he ran for the Senate again . . . and lost again. Add to this an endless barrage of criticism, misunderstanding, ugly and false rumors, and deep periods of depression and you realize it's no wonder he was snubbed by his peers and despised by multitudes, hardly the envy of his day. At 51, however, he was elected President of the United States . . . but his second term in office was cut short by his assassination. As he lay dying in a little rooming house across from the place where he was shot, a former detractor (Edwin Stanton) spoke the fitting tribute I quoted at the top of this devotional. By now you know it was spoken of the most inspirational and highly regarded president in American history. Abraham Lincoln. What a strange lot we are! Enamored with the dazzling lights, the fickle applause of the public, the splash of success, we seldom trace the lines that led to that flimsy and fleeting pinnacle. Bitter hardship. Unfair and undeserved abuses. Loneliness and loss. Humiliating failures. Debilitating disappointments. Agony beyond comprehension suffered in the valley and crevices of the climb from bottom to top. How shortsighted! Instead of accepting the fact that no one deserves the right to lead without first persevering through pain and heartache and failure, we resent those intruders. We treat them as enemies, not friends. We forget that the marks of greatness are not delivered in a paper sack by capricious gods. They are not hurriedly stuck onto skin like a tattoo. No, those who are really worth following have paid their dues. They have come through the furnace melted, beaten, reshaped, and tempered. To use the words of the teacher from Tarsus, they bear in their bodies "the brand-marks of Jesus" (Galatians 6:17). Or, as one paraphrases it, they carry "the scars of the whippings and wounds" which link them to all mankind. Small wonder when such people move from time to eternity they "belong to the ages."   Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by arrangement with Zondervan Publishing House. Reflections of Bethlehem   Listen Now   www.insight.org   Christmas Sale IFL Bookstore

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