Happy New Year!

As we turn the page from 2011 to 2012, it is a good opportunity to rededicate ourselves to the things that are most important to us.  Perhaps you are one of those who will start a new diet or exercise program.  Or maybe you've promised yourself to quit one annoying habit this year.  Or maybe you've decided that you're going to make an effort to be in touch more with family and friends.

Perhaps you'd like to improve your relationship with God in 2012.  If so, here are a few suggestions of things you might do in key areas of faith: prayer, study, giving, and loving.

Prayer

Prayer takes practice and experience.  It becomes easier to talk with God and listen to God the more we do it.  Prayers can be long, but sometimes only a few words are necessary.  Sometimes we just need a quiet space to breath and listen for God.  Things you might try to improve your prayer life this year:

• Pray every day at the same time -- in the morning, before a meal, on your coffee break, before you go to bed.
• Find one thing to thank God for each day.
• Say a short prayer whenever you think about God, Jesus, the church, or prayer.
• Leave yourself notes in various places reminding you to pray.
• Find a few minutes each week when you can silently meditate and listen for God's guidance.

Study

Our faith becomes more mature the better we understand God's teaching and wisdom for our lives.  The best way to learn these things is to study the Bible on a regular basis.  Things you might try to study God's wisdom this year:

• Read a chapter of Scripture every day at the same time -- when you wake up, before bed, during your lunch break.
• Spend a few dollars and buy a daily devotional to use every day.
• Attend Sunday School and Bible study classes at church.
• Have a daily Bible reading emailed to you.

Giving

A key part of Jesus' teaching is to share what we have with others around us, sometimes with people we know and sometimes with people we'll never meet.  We are asked to share the best of ourselves -- our time, our talents, our money, our prayers -- with those who may be blessed by our giving.  Things you might try to improve your giving this year:

• Give money to organizations (in the church, community, or beyond) that reach out to help those in need.
• Volunteer once a month.  Don't know where?  Ask people at the church or your neighbors -- they'll have plenty of suggestions.
• Use your hands and get dirty.  You don't have to be the best cook, carpenter, or gardener to help others with your labor.
• Pray for someone you think needs extra prayers.

Loving

After all, God is love.  We have the opportunity to share God's love and God's acceptance with those around us.  Thing you might try to be more loving this year:

• Forgive.  Often resentment and anger are the things that get in the way of love.
• Never miss an opportunity to reach out and touch someone with a handshake, a hug, a kiss, or a pat on the back.
• Smile.
• Send a card.
• Make a telephone call.

These are just a few ideas -- you probably have others.  Remember, don't set unreasonable goals.  We cannot do everything at once, but we can always do something.  May God bless you in this new year!