markdohle Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Senior Member Followers: 11 Topic Count: 77 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 641 Content Per Day: 0.22 Reputation: 328 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/16/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 All this fuss over the New Year (Give thanks to the Lord for He is good, for His mercy endures forever) Ps: 135:1 I know the New Year is an important time of the year. However, when I was in the Navy, even though like most young men I went out a lot, on New Year’s, I stayed in. Never understood all the intense celebration just because it was the eve of a New Year; of course, I am a bit of a curmudgeon when it comes to all holidays as well as my birthday. Just ask those who work here at the retreat house. The more I tell people not to bother with my birthday, the more they do. So someone will wish me happy birthday, I will thank them, then forget it is my birthday, until the next time, and there is always a next time. Then there are the belated birthday greetings. However a friend every year brings out a treat and we have it together, I do like that; as well as special coffees from time to time. She makes me a little less a curmudgeon. Although I don’t ‘get it’ about New Year's, I do like the thought of new beginnings, for if we lost all hope of being able to start anew, I feel that we would sink into a swamp of despair and never get out of it. In a sense wishing someone a “Happy New Year” is wishing that they will experience ‘mercy’ and ‘healing’. For to have a new beginning really means a letting go of self-destructive ways; wishing them a new and better life.When in Panama, I would often babysit for people on New Year’s, until I was 14 or so. I would watch TV and at midnight everyone would go wild, except me and I am sure I was not alone in this, wondering about the New Year, so what (?)…..then I think about new beginnings and it makes sense to me.My faith teaches me that every day is a New Year if I need it to be, or every moment, I can start over. All I need is the humility to actually begin and not give up. When a new course of life is decided upon, it does invite a struggle with old habits and compulsions, so it is not easy these new beginnings, but one worth seeking after. Psalm 135 deals with God’s mercy, which truly is unending. Christians believe it, I do, but I don’t understand it fully, perhaps I never will, for if I understand God’s mercy, then I will reduce it to a mere human, contingent concept, which to tell you the truth is kind of scary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OneLight Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Royal Member Followers: 22 Topic Count: 1,294 Topics Per Day: 0.21 Content Count: 31,762 Content Per Day: 5.23 Reputation: 9,762 Days Won: 115 Joined: 09/14/2007 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 I choose to esteem all days alike to the Lord. Romans 14:5-6a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markdohle Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Senior Member Followers: 11 Topic Count: 77 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 641 Content Per Day: 0.22 Reputation: 328 Days Won: 0 Joined: 06/16/2016 Status: Offline Author Share Posted December 31, 2016 37 minutes ago, OneLight said: I choose to esteem all days alike to the Lord. Romans 14:5-6a Yes, all days are a true gift...... Peace Mark Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wayne222 Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 32 Topic Count: 476 Topics Per Day: 0.17 Content Count: 6,559 Content Per Day: 2.28 Reputation: 7,638 Days Won: 9 Joined: 06/12/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 I really like my day off yahoooo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missmuffet Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Royal Member Followers: 34 Topic Count: 1,991 Topics Per Day: 0.48 Content Count: 48,689 Content Per Day: 11.81 Reputation: 30,343 Days Won: 226 Joined: 01/11/2013 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 It is a worldly holiday so it does not have a huge amount of significance for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jayne Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Royal Member Followers: 16 Topic Count: 107 Topics Per Day: 0.04 Content Count: 3,820 Content Per Day: 1.30 Reputation: 4,806 Days Won: 2 Joined: 03/31/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 Well, I LOVE it and am very excited to see where 2017 takes us all. I'll be ringing in the New Year [quietly this year] but ringing it in nonetheless. Personally, as far as holidays are concerned, National Yo-Yo Day [always on June 6] never does anything for me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Running Gator Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Royal Member * Followers: 8 Topic Count: 91 Topics Per Day: 0.03 Content Count: 10,596 Content Per Day: 3.69 Reputation: 2,743 Days Won: 25 Joined: 06/16/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 I am with Jayne on this one, I always treat New Years eve as the end of the Christmas season and have a little "going away" party for Christmas. It is a good excuse to gather together and play some games, have some laughs and just have fellowship with friends. I love holidays, any excuse to do something special for someone is a good thing to me. I am already gearing up for Valentine's day and St Patty's day is just around the corner. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sing40King Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 17 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 388 Content Per Day: 0.14 Reputation: 207 Days Won: 0 Joined: 11/30/2016 Status: Offline Birthday: 08/03/2003 Share Posted December 31, 2016 I see it as a time to see how much I've grown over the year (not in physical size but spiritually) and what I want to do more of (or less) next year. I can see what God has done for me. I don't celebrate it as a holiday really but I try to make it a meaningful time. I am making chili right now and we have finger food and we'll play Bible Trivia. God bless. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dennis1209 Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 18 Topic Count: 347 Topics Per Day: 0.13 Content Count: 7,468 Content Per Day: 2.70 Reputation: 5,379 Days Won: 1 Joined: 09/27/2016 Status: Offline Share Posted December 31, 2016 17 minutes ago, Sing40King said: I see it as a time to see how much I've grown over the year (not in physical size but spiritually) and what I want to do more of (or less) next year. I can see what God has done for me. I don't celebrate it as a holiday really but I try to make it a meaningful time. I am making chili right now and we have finger food and we'll play Bible Trivia. God bless. Bible trivia sounds like fun! I tried to start one on this forum awhile back but it was a flop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1x1is1 Posted December 31, 2016 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 8 Topic Count: 2 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 1,146 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 732 Days Won: 1 Joined: 10/30/2012 Status: Offline Birthday: 04/10/1950 Share Posted December 31, 2016 I like the last 60 seconds or so at the end of each year. It reminds me how insignificant we are in this world that will not stop for any of us. But The Lord loves and thinks each one of us a special. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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