A few suggestions that might help as you make preparations for 2011

Matthew Goldberg
December 30, 2010

Sunday Service at New Hope Family Church January 2, 2011
Lovin' Life Ministries Service Reverend In Jin Moon 10-11:30 am
Followed by food, fun and fellowship ....

Dear New Hope Families and Friends,

The current year 2010 draws to a close and thoughts turn toward new beginnings and resolutions.

The letter I sent out with Mid Week announcements may have been in teeny tiny type. It is not because my computer is a wind up model from the 1960's (Did they have computers back then?). It is actually because I got a new computer and your poor Pastor is not a technical giant. In fact, I have never met a machine yet that I could not mess up with a few deft key strokes.

Fortunately my daughter helped me get it set up better. So please forgive me for any odd looking messages sent this week. I humbly ask for another chance to get it better. After all perfection is a journey more than a destination...

Here are a few suggestions that I hope might help as you reflect and make preparations for 2011:

1. The past is done and gone, let it be and let it go.

2. It is never too late to say, "I am sorry, please forgive me."

3. God loves you even when you made a mistake.

4. The world may treat you mean, but you mean the world to at least a few people and that is what counts the most.

5. Love is greater than any offense, real or imagined, that anyone has done to me or you this past year.

6. Moses did not say to God, "If you part these waters for me, I will step in the river." He heard the voice of God and obeyed in faith. Then the waters parted.

7. Our values are the same as what we value the most.

Take some time, at least an hour, relax, meditate a while, open up your mind and then write down a list of what you value and love the most and what you would do if you could do anything at all in the world...

It might start like this:

"I am grateful for:

The people and activities that I love the most are:

My life has meaning because:

This coming year I am going to show my faith by taking the following risks:

I am going to expand my love by doing these personally meaningful and important things for God, my tribe (includes my family) and for my self:

What I always longed to do and have not yet done is:

Please take some time to thing long thoughts, dream big and share with someone you truly care about and who cares about you.

Marianne and I hope to see you and your friends this coming Sunday for music, worship and fellowship.

God Bless you and keep you until then,

Pastor Matthew and Marianne Goldberg