Greetings!
I made two New Year Resolutions this year:
- Less time on my phone or any screen, and more time focused on the people and things around me
- Less time inside, and more time outside
Tech writer Kevin Roose shares his self-awareness of his phone problem, saying he was no longer reading books, watching full movies, or having long conversations. He worked with a consultant to learn about himself. He writes:
It’s simply about unhooking your brain from the harmful routines it has adopted around this particular device, and hooking it to better things.
When was the last time you checked your phone usage? (On iPhones, just tap "Settings" and then "Screen Time.")
Maybe you don't spend too much time on your phone. But what about other screens? Or do you have other harmful (or not really helpful) routines in your life? Bitterness, negativity, alcohol, worry, gossip, consumerism?
Every Sunday in worship, we offer a
prayer of confession, which is a way of acknowledging "harmful routines," and we hear the good news of God's love, which helps us to hook on to "better things."
Now is as good a time as any to think about your hopes and dreams for better things in 2020. If you want some artistic help, click on the colorful image at the top of this email to download a black and white copy to color in, as you ponder your own hopes and dreams. (Thanks to our friends at
Illustrated Ministry for the sheet.)
One final thought about New Year Resolutions. Don't worry about the whole year right now.
Just focus on today. One day at a time, one step at a time. (That's Jesus' idea, not mine. See
Matthew 6:34)
So when you're done with this email, maybe turn off your screen, take a deep breath, go get some fresh air, and find some "better things."
On the journey together,
Charlie
PS--This Sunday, we start a new sermon series, called "The Issues That Divide Us: Seeking the Common Good." While reflecting on abortion, guns, race, LGBTQ people, and immigration, we'll hopefully let go of our harmful routines of bitterness, cynicism, and despair, and find better ways to confront the issues. More info below.
