As we all know and have experienced, New Year’s resolutions don’t usually work out that well due to the ingrained weakness and habits of our human nature. However, as we prepare to plunge into a new year, let us remind ourselves that we as born-again, Spirit-filled Christians have access by faith to His higher power that can fundamentally and totally transform us and our world. Paul’s word, “if anyone in Christ, he is a new creation” can and should be a recurrent reality, not just at the moment of conversion but throughout our earthly existence. It is a reality that is to be daily, even moment by moment experienced by those who walk in the Spirit through a life of prayer.

Now, at one year minus 70 years of age, I can fully agree with the former Rt. Rev. John R. W. Stott, the much-esteemed British preacher, when he bravely admitted to us young seminary students: “I am continually repenting.” Whatever sins and failures are part of our past, we can repent of and be recreated in His image. Wow, there is nothing like the Gospel and its ability to continually reinvigorate and thus transform anyone who repents, turns away from sin to trust in that power from above that can make all things new.

Two poems by my old friend, Don McCurry, former missionary to Pakistan who at about 90 years of age now is a prime example of how the Lord can continually renew and empower a human being. To the admiration of many, he still itinerates globally, making Jesus known to Muslims and teaching Christians how to love and reach out to them. What an inspiration!

Don is also a gifted poet who penned the following two very touching poems and is graciously allowing me to share them with you. They capture the continual total cleansing and supernatural new life that flow to us from Jesus’ all-powerful sacrifice and His victorious resurrection. It is these two things freely given that are the real meaning of Christmas and that guarantee that 2017 can be a year of wondrous, joyous transformation for us and also our world.

I PRESS MY CHEEK AGAINST YOUR BLEEDING SIDE

I press my cheek against your bleeding side;

My sins I no longer want to hide.

Because of what I ‘ve done, You suffered so.

There is no other place I want to go.

At your feet I sit in grief and pain,

Saying Lord, “I never want to sin again.”

It was my sin that drove You to your death,

While You cried, “Forgive him,” with your dying breath.

In sorrow and shame I sit and weep:

My heart breaks before love so deep. 

“Now you are clean through my life I’ve given,

Washed by the blood from my side riven.”

Words fail – my tears are all I can provide,

As I press my cheek against your bleeding side.

Mary 

Forlorn, standing there in the morning gloom;

My heart breaking besides the empty tomb.

Blinded by tears, I could not see

Christ standing there from death now free.

Supposing Him to be the garden care-taker,

I did not recognize the Lord, my Maker.

With the veil of grief covering my eyes,

I asked him to tell me where the body lies.

Then He spoke my name that glorious morn;

My heart awakened with hope reborn.

Joy filled me soul as I fell at his feet

To worship the one who death did defeat.

He would not let me hold him there;

For He had others under his care.

“Run and tell them I’m alive again;

Now they are free new life to begin.”

Listen to Him, friend, calling you by name;

From the Father for you He came.

Death, sin and Satan are defeated now;

Come to the Savior, before Him bow.

Let’s go with Him, the Lord of life and new beginnings, full of confidence and expectation as to what He can and will do through our prayers and actions this New Year!