CARE TO JOIN ME?

Every year has an ending and a beginning.

Associated with these events many people engage in activities such as seeing the new year in; making resolutions as to how the new year will be lived; setting goals and so on. Then of course there are the “celebrations” – good intentions - that usually guarantee that implementing the practicalities of succeeding in these will include costs of various sorts, the hard slog of daily routines, pressures from people and unexpected circumstances .

I can’t speak for you, but I can for myself. And I will!!

First of all, not everything from the old year needs to be tossed out. All the thinking, talking and doing could of course be repeated in different ways during the next twelve months. For me, most of what I have “said”, especially in written form, will remain unchanged. A lot of it needs to be shouted from the house-tops! Maybe an interpreter is required for those who cannot, or choose not to read between the lines.

The two books, “Just a Little Prick” (JALP) and “From One Prick to Another” (FOPTA) contain valuable material especially that which Hilary has researched. But when other perspectives are taken into account, chapter 88 in FOPTA is essential reading – whether you choose to turn the page or not. Chapter 30 in JALP is an example of the need to read between the lines, because the impact of it all, on Hilary’s and my lifestyle and the role of the RRMT is still far reaching.

Then there is SYNO and Go in FOPTA. Now that is a challenge for 2015 (and beyond?)

Second, “Out of the Mould” has quite a bit to say about Voices, Choices and Consequences. This inseparable trio is always going to exist every day of every year. Knowing when we are listening to the right voice is crucial. The old saying of “Too many cooks spoil the broth”, could be rewritten as, “Too many voices can cause confusion that is life threatening”. Just because a “voice” comes from someone who has a “name”, or is an expert, does not mean it is “right”. Just because a voice represents a book, or a DVD or a Youtube presentation does not mean its safe to swallow the whole package. Sometimes a voice crying in the wilderness may be offering the words of life.

Third. When I get up in the morning, I drink a glass of water. For over 30 years I have stood at the kitchen sink and looked at two framed words having over the bench – “PERHAPS TODAY”.

Perhaps Today – what?

There are so many answers to that question.

Plenty with which to begin the day.

There is a song which means a lot to me. With a few minor changes, here it is:

“I’m only human – I’m part of your plan.
Help me believe in what I can be, in all that I am.
Show me the stairway I have to climb.
{........} for my sake, teach me to take one day at a time…
… that’s all I’m asking from you.
Just give the strength to do what I have to do.
Yesterday’s gone … and tomorrow may never be mine.
{........} help me today; show me the way, one day at a time.”

There are two bracketed spaces in the quote above, and they represent two missing words.

What would you put there?

If you read the last paragraph of page 510 in FOPTA it may help in making your selection.

But the crunch is that whoever, or whatever, is chosen, it has to be able to do what you (or I) cannot do, on our own.

Fourth. Every day the media brings us the “news” from around the world.

Most of it is depressing to say the least.

Every day countless people (of all ages) begin a day that they will never finish.

Unexpectedly they are killed.

Death overtakes them.

You or I could be one of them.

How poignant are the words, “PERHAPS TODAY”.

The four points I have mentioned above will be carried into the new year. They are all so relevant.

What will determine my lifestyle and priorities day by day? Will Hilary and I be two people working together, who are agreed?

Priorities is a key word. Here is a dictionary meaning:

“The most important thing that must be dealt with first.”

The context must always be a complete and consistent lifestyle, never forgetting that the Creator God made us to live as whole beings – body, soul and spirit. But do we?

So although I don’t know what the future holds, I do know who holds the future in His hands.

2015, and other years that may follow, will be lived beyond conformity – and out of the mould.

And for “The Great Divide” readers what about delving into Section 222, pages 361-362?

Care to join me?!!