Beginning 2010

As the hours and minutes rapidly move closer toward the excitement of a New Year, I think Christian writer, Max Lucado, offers a wonderful way to welcome and embrace 2010 from a spiritual perspective through the Fruits of the Holy Spirit!

Cead Mile Failte, 2010 (Gaelic for One Hundred Thousand Welcomes)!



I CHOOSE LOVE …
No occasion justifies hatred;
No injustice warrants bitterness. I choose love.
Today I will love God and what God loves.

I CHOOSE JOY …
I will invite my God to be the God of circumstance.
I will refuse the temptation to be cynical … the tool of the lazy thinker.
I will refuse to see people as
anything less than human beings, created by God.
I will refuse to see any problem as anything
less than an opportunity to see God.

I CHOOSE PEACE ...
I will live forgiven. I will forgive so that I may live.

I CHOOSE PATIENCE …
I will overlook the inconveniences of the world,
instead of cursing the one who takes my place,
I’ll invite him to do so.
Rather than complain that the wait is too long,
I will thank God for a moment to pray.
Instead of clenching my fists at new assignments,
I will face them with joy and courage.

I CHOOSE KINDNESS …
I will be kind to the poor, for they are alone.
Kind to the rich, for they are afraid.
and kind to the unkind,
For such is how God has created me.

I CHOOSE GOODNESS …
I will go without a dollar before I take a dishonest one.
I will be overlooked before I will boast.
I will confess before I will accuse.
I choose goodness.

I CHOOSE FAITHFULNESS ...
Today I will keep my promises.
My debtors will not regret their trust.
My associates will not question my word.
My wife will not question my love.
And my children will never fear their father will not come home.

I CHOOSE GENTLENESS …
Nothing is won by force. I choose to be gentle.
If I raise my voice, may it be only in praise.
If I clench my fist, may it only be in prayer.
If I make a demand, may it only be of myself.

I CHOOSE SELF-CONTROL …
I am a spiritual being …
After this body is dead, my spirit will soar.
I refuse to let what will not, rule the eternal.
I choose self-control. I will be drunk only by joy.
I will be impassioned only by my faith.
I will be influenced only by God.
I will be taught only by Christ.
I choose self-control.

Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness,
faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.
To these I commit my day.
If I succeed, I will give thanks.
If I fail, I will seek His grace.
And then, when this day is done,
I will place my head on my pillow and rest.

From When God Whispers Your Name
by Max Lucado