Volume 30 Issue 1

“Let Your Light Shine Before Others.”

Matthew 5:16

Happy New Year New Salem Family!

Each new year many of us make decisions to do things different. We decide to eat better, exercise

more, quit smoking, stop cursing, be more positive, etc. etc. etc. And studies tell us that by the end of

the month, most of us have failed to live up to whatever it was decided to do or not to do. With this in

mind I have decided to share with you a blog post by a fellow UMC pastor from Illinois named Shane

Bishop. When I read this the end of December I thought, “Not only did I need to read that but my people

might like to read it as well.” I talk like that to myself a lot, don’t you? Anyways, here is that post and I

pray that we all might benefit by diligently making choices like these in 2020 and maybe, just maybe,

we will have followed through on some of them!

Blessings,

10 Game Changing Choices You Can Make in 2020

1. Choose to be happy - That is right, happiness is a choice. It is not a natural disposition or a matter of

favorable circumstances. Choosing to be happy has no down side. It makes things better for everyone…

including you!

2. Choose to not be offended - Make people work really hard to offend you this year. After all, why

should you have a bad day because someone ELSE is an insensitive idiot? Don’t let other people’s prob-

lems become your problem.

3) Choose to control impulses - Often the things we DON’T say, post or tweet are our best decisions of

the day. Just let it go. You don’t have to respond. You just don’t…

4) Choose to not do dumb crap - For me, this comes down to a simple question, “Could anything good

possibly come from what I am about to do?” If the answer is “no” or “probably not,” don’t do it.

5) Choose to forgive - Forgiving does not let the people who hurt us off the hook. It frees us from bitter-

ness and hate. Forgiving someone gets them out of your head and breaks their control over you.

Deadline for information for the February 2020

edition of “The Lamplighter” is Wednesday,

January 22nd.

6) Choose to dream - Dreams keep us engaged, fill us with hope and keep us working hard. Remember

to differentiate between a dream and a pipe-dream. A dream is something achievable through sacrifice,

planning and hard work. If your dreams do not fit this definition, recalibrate them…and then crack at it!

7) Choose where you expend energy - Before you allow yourself to get angry or become frustrated, ask

yourself, “Why would I allow this person or situation steal my energy?” Just because people might behave

badly, the line isn’t moving or you have been on hold for 20 minutes, really isn’t worth your energy. Save

your best energy for the people that love you!

8) Choose to believe - Faith is a wonderful thing! Having something to believe in nurtures our spirits,

gives circumstances context and reminds us that the cosmos is bigger than “us and ours.”

9) Choose to live healthy - Things like eating smart, getting plenty of exercise and living more simply add

both quality and quantity to our lives. Health is not just the absence of illness; it is a lifestyle.

10) Choose to love - Unconditional love does not necessitate unconditional approval, nor does it require

you to enter the dysfunction or drama of another person. Love is choosing to have people in your life,

speaking truth, staying at the table and sharing the journey. Love gives and receives. If you are only giv-

ing, giving and giving, and not receiving anything, that is the definition of a host and parasite, not love.

There is no better use of time than to think about our choices. By making healthy choices we accentuate

our joys and lessen our burdens. Choose well.

Rev. Shane L. Bishop has been the Sr. Pastor of Christ Church in Fairview Heights, IL since 1997. He is

the author of the book, “Love God. Love People. Don’t Do Dumb Crap.” and the blog “12 Things I See

Those Who Serve

Trustee Bob Day

Sanctuary Care Frank & Nancy Hayes

Education Building Cleaning

Bob & Shirley Day

Acolytes

5th—Audrina Yow

12th—Lola Martinez

19th—Jaxton Strickland

26th—Khristian Martinez

Children’s Church 5th—Jennifer Strickland & Miranda Holder

12th—Karen & Kylie Vaughan

19th—Angie Garner & Jessica Holder

26th—Jennifer Strickland & Miranda Holder

Ushers

5th—Tuck & Owen Strickland,

Frank Hayes, Rhonda Ratcliffe

12th—C. O. Hayes, Tim Routh,

Robert Williams

19th—Tommy & Aaron Garner,

Russell & Julie Fogleman

26th—Dan Nelson, C. O. Hayes,

Tim Routh, Robert Williams

New Salem United Methodist Church

P. O. Box 303

623 New Salem Road

Randleman, NC 27317

Pastor Johnny Lord

Cell phone: 336-409-3997

Email: jlord@wnccumc.net

Phone: 336-498-3936

E-mail: newsalemumc@northstate.net

On the web: umcnewsalem.org

Mondaya, January 6 & 20

5:00-6:00 p.m. “Free Food for Your Body and Your Spirit”

Randleman Community Center Senior Room

Randleman Youth Group at Mt. Lebanon UMC, 5:30-7:00 p.m.

Sunday, January 26th

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN officers for 2020 will meet at

6 pm on

Tuesday, January 7th.

The regular monthly meeting will be at 7 pm on

Tuesday, January 14th.

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