New Year's Resolutions...

People make New Year's resolutions every year to begin January 1st. They look at the new year as a fresh start. So what is so special about January 1st other than causing us to stress out? Nothing and we should never wait until the new year to make changes. Everyday should be a new beginning for us to change things that need changing in our life. People who make New Year resolutions are often disappointed in themselves because they fail and when they fail they quit trying. Those who say they will quit smoking or lose weight but later give in to the temptation feel a hopelessness that causes them to feel depressed. So what do you do? Make a commitment today to change what you know you need to change. If in one week you fail, start over and try again. Try for two weeks, then three and so on. Make goals that are realistic. If you need to lose weight, set a goal to lose 10 pounds in a month, not 100 pounds in 6 months.

The key to being successful is to keep trying. Don't give up!

Merry Christmas...

Merry Christmas to my family and the friends I have met through this blog. I pray you have a wonderful Christmas!

Jack Donovan

Thank you Lord...

Thank you Lord for coming to this world. Thank you Lord for living a difficult life while you were here. Thank you Lord for understanding what I go through because you went through it first. Thank you Lord for living a spotless life and being a great example for me. Thank you Lord most of all for dying for me even though I am not worthy. Thank you Lord for your unfailing grace.

"Merry Christmas"

Winter blues...

There is a disorder (seasonal affective disorder -SAD) that affects people during the winter months. It causes depression and anxiety.

Fall and winter SAD (winter depression) - www.MayoClinic.com

Symptoms of winter-onset seasonal affective disorder include:

• Depression
• Hopelessness
• Anxiety
• Loss of energy
• Social withdrawal
• Oversleeping
• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed
• Appetite changes, especially a craving for foods high in carbohydrates
• Weight gain
• Difficulty concentrating and processing information

This post is to offer encouragement to those who suffer during the winter months. In addition to SAD there are those who suffer because of their circumstances and lack of common necessities (things many of us take for granted); they are the homeless. I am asking you to pray for these people that God will send someone their way that will be able to help them.

Here is a Scripture verse for anyone who needs encouragement:
"Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, Surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." Isaiah 41:10

Thirty-two years...

Tomorrow, December 4, 2008 I will be married to my lovely wife for thirty-two years. We have had our ups and downs like many couples but I can honestly say I love her more now than I ever have. My wife Carla is the mother to my two wonderful children and now she is the grandmother of my two sweet granddaughters. As I get older I realize just how blessed I am.

Marriage takes commitment and sometimes it can be very hard. I often reflect on the earlier years of my marriage and wish I had been a better husband then; it makes me sad but I can not change the past. I can only do my best in the present and try to create the best possible future for us. I often wish I could provide more for Carla; a larger home, a newer car and trips to places she has dreamed of going to. I believe she deserves anything I can give her and more. But being a public safety employee since 1979 I know I will never be wealthy.

In spite of my desire to provide more I can see we are just where God wants us. Sure I can still do better but as a Christian I am growing and trying to always walk through the doors Christ opens for me. I want to help others.

I do not know how good your marriage is but in order for it to last for 30, 40, 50 or more years you must be committed. You have to learn how to forgive and realize that satan does not want you to be successful in your marriage. Satan is the enemy, it is not your spouse no matter what happens. You will have disagreements but if you try really hard they will make you stronger. Take everything that happens in your marriage as a learning event, be it a good or bad thing. Allow God to honor his promise that all things work to the good for them that love the Lord. Pray for your spouse, ask God to bless them. Ask God to help you to be the husband or wife that is pleasing to him.

May God bless your marriage. I will be praying for you!