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On the first Noel.

The challenge it seems for me at the beginning of 2012, is not to let old things go for they have already gone, but to keep my own eyes focused on the goal which is Jesus Christ and Him crucified. We are told we have to be an individual, to keep on eyes focused on things that matter but our greatest temptation when faced with deep needs is not to think for ourselves but to give the reins of our lives over to people who are more than eager to make our decisions for us. If I was to come to you and tell you, you know so and so has stopped being my friend, and I think so and so has made a really bad decision, I think you would tell me "Oh that is so bad, I am really sorry for your pain why don't you go and do this and that to find out what caused the problem. Surely so and so isn't that bad of a person and they might have a legitimate need in their own life, one that couldn't be filled by you. So don't feel sorry that so and so is no longer in your life, maybe it's just for the best after all! What do you think?"

I think the wisest thing that was said is "What do you think?" Maybe after all I can think for myself. I don't need consensus on this one, or so I think I don't, let me try. I think that when we loose a friend, a secret crush from childhood, one might say "Oh that is alright, I think that life is just that way, you loose some and you win some. But at the end of it all it not about winning or loosing it's how you play the game right?" Not so. In my opinion it is all about winning. This is what I think. I'm not talking about sports, I'm talking about life. More specific, life lived out in Christ. I believe that God the Father wants us to give our best. I believe that God loves a winner, he loves it when we win (spiritually and physically speaking.) It is in my opinion false humility to say "God I tried, I didn't succeed, I did my best, but this thing just didn't work out for my best therefore I believe I am a failure. Remember that it is God's will that no one perish. I believe in the sovereignty of God, but I do believe that we have to chose Christ, just as so and so has to choose to be friends with you.

That I believe is good advice.

This is Mike.

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