"Life is a journey - enjoy the ride" is a phrase that was made popular via a 1996 commercial series by Nissan. Wouldn't it be great if our journey in /of life was one great adventure after another. Yet we know that isn't reality, is it? So during those difficult, uncertain, and even unsettling times we need a source of true encouragement (and not just a new car!). God - who is never changing - and His Word - that is everlasting - offer just such encouragement for us, no matter the circumstance or situation.

You are probably familiar with the phrase,"Life is a journey, not a destination." Reality is that all of us will and do need some encouragement along the way. A good place to find and build a strong foundation for ongoing encouragement is the Bible. Since God never changes and His word endures forever, you can rely on it today, tomorrow, and "forever".

The naming of a child (as well as the spelling) is not just a big deal today. The naming of people in the Bible often reflects their character or their purpose/mission. This is especially true when it comes to the birth of Jesus concerning His purpose/mission - then and now.

The time of the Winter Solstice - in the Northern Hemisphere - represents some of the darkest days of the year. Yet once it has passed each day brings with it a bit more time of sunlight. At about the same time comes the celebration of Christmas which involved the appearance of two incredible lights - Jesus, who is described as the light of the world, and the Star of Bethlehem - which led seekers (Wisemen) to Jesus. The world needs these lights as much today as it did then.

Using GPS can help us arrive at our desired destination with a minimum of problems. Likewise, in order to minimize distractions or deceptions in our lives, we need to set our hearts and minds on the desired destination - on things above, not on earthly things - as well as fix our eyes on the author (initiator) and perfector (completer) of our faith - Jesus, who is full of grace and truth,

While it is wonderful to take time to express Thanksgiving each year in late November (in America at least), shouldn't we be doing it from a grateful heart each and every day of the year? We need to count our blessings - emotional and spiritual as well as physical - one be one and see what God has done (been doing) in our lives - specifically as well as generally.

Everyday thousands of thoughts pass through our heads: random, helpful, or perhaps destructive. Thoughts form beliefs, beliefs shape behavior, and behavior becomes a habit (lifestyle). As a well known pastor has declared: "Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts." This expresses the necessity of a Renewed Mind.

Our thoughts, beliefs, and inner assumptions shape everything about our lives: our emotions, our choices, our relationships, and ultimately our obedience to Christ. In order to truly experience and enjoy a transformed life we must renew not only how we think but what we think about.

Welove to have seemingly unlimited choices in life, whether that has to do with the products we buy or the tests we are asked to take. And in many areas of life this appears to be the case. However, the Bible makes it clear that with regard to spiritual matters we are only given the choice between two things. Choosing wisely is of the utmost importance then.

God has graciously and wonderfully given us everything we need to experience and enjoy the New Day and the New Way to live. (Based on 2 Peter 1:3-11)