THE ANOINTED WORD
VOL 1, No, 1, Jan. 2024
HAPPY NEW YEAR FRIEND OF LOOP:
I am writing to encourage you to read and act on some good things God has for you in the new year. I am a teacher and librarian who has experienced some miracles working with those in jail and prison.
Let me introduce you to former Chaplain Merlin Carothers, TV Personality Oprah Winfrey, and Superbowl Coach Tony Dungy. They have some words of wisdom to share about success planning in the areas of spiritual, physical and personal development. Knowing Jesus Christ is the first step.
In his book, “Prison to Praise” (1970), Rev. Carothers recounted his early days of being a car thief, black marketeer, and an Army deserter destined to serve five years in prison. Instead he became a decorated hero in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. He said, “God has permitted all of the troubles in your life, just so you could understand how much He (the Lord) loves you. He has a wonderful plan for your life if you trust Him and thank (praise) Him for everything that has happened to you. He wants to help you now.” Yes, the devil wants to remind you that you have had a tough past and may be facing some serious hard time, but the Lord always wins against the enemy and together you can change things. Rev. Carothers favorite Bible verse is in Nehemiah 8:10: “The joy of the Lord is our strength.”
In People [Magazine] (12/25/2023), reporter Elizabeth Leonard interviewed the legendary actress and billionaire, Oprah Winfrey, about gratitude, aging, hopes and fears in the article, “It’s Oprah’s World” (p 37). She will soon be seventy (70) but does not live with a fear of death knowing it’s inevitable. “Gratitude is my deepest greatest spiritual practice. I start my day with a ‘thank you’ and end my day with a thank you’. If you train yourself to do that, you walk through life feeling the abundance rather than scarcity. I have been doing this for a long time,” according to Oprah.
Sportscaster Tony Dungy recommended self-control, discipline, getting in shape, and setting a new commitment to stick to a plan in his New Year message from his book, “The One Year Uncommon Life Daily Challenge” (2011). He suggested that people “need to improve on their physical training for their body, but also getting to know Him better, spending time in His Word, or with Him in prayer.” Have God be your trainer! He will give you strength to keep your resolutions.
Remember small changes add up to big results. Gratitude and praise attract the Lord’s attention.
Thanks for reading! Martin Haffey. If you would like to receive more of my articles or have questions about the above message, write to me at Ms. Jenny Eversole, c/o Vineyard Church, 15187 Palmer Road, Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068