New year, new start

It's always a dilemma whether to make new years resolutions or not.

On one hand, its just a gimmick and no one ever keeps them anyway, but on the other hand, its a great opportunity for a new start, to do things we have been meaning to do.

To grasp life with both hands, all over again.

So what to resolve? If you are looking for something to help grow your relationship with God, how about a new Bible reading plan? YouVersion has a variety of reading plans and you can even get an app for your mobile if you want to read it on the go.

And if you want to do more than just read, the web site allows you to contribute your thoughts on your choice of verses, and you can follow other people too! You can even tweet your verses.

Or perhaps you might like to do something practical? How about something from the Living Lightly web pages? I have of course, mentioned this site before, but if you are wanting a fresh eco start, its the place to go.

And if you want to think more about this subject but don't know where to start, how about coming to the Cinematecus film night on February 26th? Its 7.30 to 9.30/10pm: We will watch the film "the age of stupid" followed by 15 minute first reactions discussion, 15 minutes to look at take action resources and the optional extra half hour for discussion.

You can see the details in my calendar on the blog.

Whatever you choose to do, I hope this year is one full of new opportunities and an ever deepening relationship with God -

Happy New Year!

Guest post: Living Lightly from A Rocha

This Advent the Church of England are taking time to slow down and consider our lifestyle with daily challenges and thoughts.

So what better time to introduce you to A Rocha with this guest article from their Living Lightly web site:

What gives you the most amount of pleasure in life? Maybe itʼs playing with
your kids, watching the hum of city streets, planting some seeds, creating
something in your workshop, walking with God in the fields, seeing a friend
step closer to Jesus…
Whatever those things are they are likely to be based on the relationships we
have; the relationships with God, with other people and with the natural world
around us. Yet, too often, our lives get taken over with stuff: we work long
hours, get distracted by consumer gadgets and donʼt have time to spend on
those relationships that matter, including our relationship with the rest of
creation.
Living Lightly is a new website from A Rocha that is designed to help us live
more lightly in Godʼs world through every area of our lives, from our own dayto-
day choices through to campaigning and what happens in our churches
and workplaces. Living Lightly will give you ideas of things you can do, further
information on key issues, links to useful website and resources, and an
online community that you can share your thoughts and questions with.
So do have a look at arocha.org.uk/livinglightly and be inspired to see what
you can do to live lightly in this amazing world.
Please also consider becoming a ʻFriend of A Rochaʼ - it is absolutely free of
charge and we will send you a booklet about A Rocha. As a Friend you will
receive regular news of our work through our free magazine, which we
produce three times a year.
To become a Friend of A Rocha please send your name and address, stating
where you heard of A Rocha, to uk@arocha.org.uk.