Looking to 2012

2011 is almost over,  it's been an eventful year, a growing year, and a challenging year.  I found these questions helpful in looking forward to the next year:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression than I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?
2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?
3. Do I confidentially pass on to another what I was told to me in confidence?
4. Can I be trusted?
5. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work or habits?
6. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?
7. Did the Bible live in me today?
8. Do I give it time to speak to me every day?
9. Am I enjoying prayer?
10. When did I last speak to someone else of my faith?
11. Do I pray about the money I spend?
12. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?
13. Do I disobey God in anything?
14. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy.?
15. Am I defeated in any part of my life?
16. Am I jealous impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrusting?
17. How do I spend my spare time?
18. Am I proud?
19. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?
20. Is there anyone I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? I If so, what am I doing about it?
21. Do I grumble or complain constantly?
22. Is Christ real to me?
   

Should Christmas only be about Christmas?

 There is a cultural war brewing in America.  Each year we see traditions such as nativities, Christmas tree lighting change to holiday displays and holiday lighting.  The word Christmas - which comes from Christ Mass, the celebration of Christs birth seems to be offensive to those of no or little faith.  The desire of change is to create a pure commercial holiday, with out Christ.   How will the next battle of this war be waged?

I just finished reading an article by Rebecca Hagelin,  It's worth the time, she's done a great job of laying out the battle lines -> We need Christmas now more than ever.