Monday, December 30, 2013

Four Proven Tips on Keeping New Year's Resolutions

We are starting January with a Sermon Series on regaining our spiritual momentum. It is for every person who wants to "Get Back" to a place they have been before. At the same time, lots of people are thinking and talking about new resolutions. Of course, the research on resolutions is discouraging: A study of 3,000 people from the University of Hertfordshire found that 88% broke their resolutions - even people who resolved merely to “enjoy life more” failed 68% of the time. I wanted to pass along some great ideas I read earlier from two brothers who are brilliant writers and researchers in the area of motivation, momentum, and productivity. These four research-based tips to improve your chances of keeping your resolutions were first shared by Chip and Dan Heath. 

1. Look for your bright spots. Psychologists tell us that we are wired to look at the negative. One famous study concluded that, when it comes to the way we think, “bad is stronger than good.” So when it comes to changing our lives, we’ll tend to ask ourselves, “What’s the problem and how do I fix it?” But often we can benefit more by asking a different question: “What’s working and how can I do more of it?” In other words, we can learn from our own “bright spots.” 

2. Make one change at a time. Over the last 15 years, a series of studies in psychology has confirmed a sobering result: Our self-control is exhaustible. The research shows that we burn self-control in many different situations: when controlling our spending; holding in our emotions; managing the impression we’re making on others; resisting temptations; coping with fears; and many, many others. Why is this important? Because any life change will require careful self-monitoring and self-regulation—in other words, self-control. Self-control is the fuel that allows change to succeed, but it is limited. For that reason, you will have a better chance of success if you can focus on one change at a time. If you try to change jobs and exercise routines and relationship habits all at once, you are more likely to stall, because you’ve run out of “fuel.”

3. Turn that one change into a habit. Steve Gladdis of London found that he was constantly falling behind on his personal “to do” list. “Looking at the list on my phone now,” he said, “I need to hang those pictures, phone a friend I haven’t spoken to in a while, extract that box from the back of the shed, investigate child-friendly mousetraps, the list really does go on and on.” He resolved to create a daily routine: Every morning, like clockwork, he’d finish one task. “Once I’m on a roll, it seems easy to carry on. I remember to look at my list for today’s task because I’m used to doing it, and I almost look forward to ticking off that day’s chore,” he said. Habits are effective because, once established, they no longer burn self-control. You’ll be more likely to keep your resolution if you can turn it into a habitual behavior—something that happens in the same time and place on a regular cycle.

4. Set an “action trigger” to start your habit ASAP. What’s the best way to start a habit? It is by using a mental plan an “action trigger.” Action triggers (I will do something at this place or following a regular event) can be surprisingly effective in motivating action. One study found that Physical Therapy patients who used action triggers recovered more than twice as fast as others. Psychologists have compared action triggers to “instant habits” because what they do, in essence, is make our behavior automatic when the trigger moment comes. Seize that power for yourself: Jump-start a new habit by setting an action trigger.

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

God Said Go

   Sunday's worship services, featuring the rhythm of alternating scripture with song, were a welcome change of pace to the driving hustle and bustle that many of us are experiencing beyond the confines of the Sanctuary. Sunday offered music and truth and song and prophecy. I love it when our people literally hear and see the good news on display - the dozens of people who shared their talents embodied that. They were generously sharing from the abundance God has given to them. 
   Those were great moments of worship. But, we are called to live outside the Sanctuary. We are a people who are sent. This was the purpose of the Great Commission in Matthew 28 when Jesus said, "Go...." He said more than that, but one word captures a lot. We are not built to stay put basking in the warm candlelight of even the best moments of worship. Interestingly, the same word is used at the start of Jesus' story. When told of the birth happening just up the hill from their fields and flocks, the shepherds knew they were supposed to, "Go...."
   Our Missions Committee challenges us every month with a different agency or cause in town that is deserving of a portion of our abundance. One of the ways we live out the call to "Go" is through our annual Christmas Offering. Helping our neighbors in great need this Christmas season makes my list of things that are right and good. 
   The Epworth Christmas Offering goes to support three of our key partners in ministry with specific goals in mind: Open Door Community House ($2,000), the Wynnton Neighborhood Network ($1,000), and Brown Bag of Columbus ($1,000), and the total received will be shared among them. If you feel led to give beyond your regular contribution to Epworth, consider making a gift in honor or memory of loved ones, or receive a certificate to give as a present at Christmas. 
   Grace and Peace, Scott

Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Music at Christmas

   Jingle Bells, Hark the Herald Angels Sing, Silent Night, and O Holy Night are just a few of the dozens of songs that we have memorized and treasured. From Bing Crosby singing White Christmas to choirs on televisions singing carols in the background while families open presents, for most of us music and Christmas cannot be separated.  
   This is not new. Music has shaped the way we remember and pass along the story of Christmas to little ones. Music also played a prominent part in the actual Christmas story. We immediately think of shepherds watching their fields one night only to be startled by a commotion overhead. The Gospel of Luke goes on to say:
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom he favors!" 
- Luke 2:13-14
   But, in the spirit of Advent, it is worth talking about the music that went before Christmas morning. In truth, music played a significant role in preparing others for the coming of God's anointed One into the world. When the angel Gabriel came to a young girl in a forgotten village with news that would change her life and change history, her response was captured in a song. It is known today by the opening word from one of the ancient Latin translations, Magnificat. 
And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked with favor on the lowliness of his servant. Surely, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for the Mighty One has done great things for me, and holy is his name. 
- Luke 1:46-49
Mary's song here reminds me that sometimes music captures best the intentions and desires of my soul. 
   As Christmas approaches, what songs do you cherish? What parts of the story do you know best because of the songs you have memorized (verses about a red-nosed reindeer are not what I have in mind)? 
   Epworth keeps the tradition of music preparing us for the great celebration of Christmas going this weekend with our Service of Lessons and Carols. You will be delighted by nine passages of scripture that are followed by nine carols and songs of the season. You will not want to miss worship this weekend. And, of course, our Christmas Eve services on December 24 at 4:00 and 6:00 PM are such blessed times for your family and mine. I hope to see you soon and see you singing. 
   Grace and Peace, Scott

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Christmas {Jesus}. All Year {Jesus}.

   The church’s new year, underway this week with the start of the Advent Season, began with the prophet Isaiah shining light into a dark world. Before there was a baby that first Christmas, there was a world longing for a Savior. The message from Isaiah 2 is still true today: Every generation needs assurance that the powers of this world (Assyrian, Roman, or modern) do not determine the future.
   Who does?
Prince of Peace, by Akiane at the age of 8
   Paul writes to the church in Ephesus that there is One who is in charge of the future. Paul claims to know who the One is. He uses a compound word, anakephalaĆ­omai in the original Greek, to describe how this is happening. It literally means recapitulate, but Paul reworks it to say that this One he is talking about is the organizing center, causing all the parts to work together in harmony. Read it in Ephesians 1:8-10. Paul says that Jesus of Narazeth, who is the Christ (christos was an ancient word for Lord), is the One.
   This was a bold claim then. It is just as bold a claim now. Jesus is Lord over the future.
   Christmas is about Jesus. When we pull away all of the other distractions that would cover up the story underneath, Christmas is about God’s love breaking into the world that the world might be saved. God changed the trajectory of history.
   I want Epworth to spend more than just this Christmas season talking about and searching for Jesus. I want 2014 to be about Jesus. I want more Jesus in our teachings, our songs, our lessons with children. When our lives together are summed up, I want the tally to be Jesus. I believe the world needs more Jesus. I think we do, too.
   I am excited that the new year is here and excited we can choose to pursue the One who holds the whole word in his hands.
   I offer for you to join in praying with Paul from Ephesians 1: I pray that the eyes of your heart
may be enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing greatness of His power toward us who believe. These are in accordance with the working of the strength of His might which He brought about in Christ, when He raised Him from the dead, and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age, but also in the one to come. 
   Grace and Peace, Scott