As 2014 comes to a close, I imagine you are looking forward to what 2015 holds for you. You may have goals you want to achieve physically, spiritually, financially, professionally, and relationally.

Perhaps you have already set or begun setting those goals. Wherever you may be in the process, let me offer you a few suggestions:

Have you ever experienced shock and disbelief in hearing news about someone you know – or thought you knew? You can’t seem to get your head around connecting the shocking behavior with the person you know. This is especially true in cases of moral failure.

Have you ever been surprised to hear about someone you know doing something that took a great deal of courage? Perhaps they stood up to authority, or did not back down on a principle.

Usually the response in both cases would be, “I did not know they had it in them to do that.”

If you knew of one question to ask yourself that would have prevented you from making a major life mistake, would you have asked it?

What if you discovered that question today; would you use it to help avoid faulty decisions?

I think I just heard your response: “Well, duh!”

The question is available to you, and you can start using it immediately.

I came across the question in a book written by Andy Stanley of North Point Church in Atlanta. The book is titled, Ask It. The book is about this question and how it applies to your life.

Here is the question you are encouraged to ask before you make decisions that would affect you financially, spiritually, morally, physically and professionally.

Even with more technology to help, you are busier than ever. You never have enough time to do anything to your satisfaction.

You can’t seem to get on top of things at work; the to-do list at home keeps growing; time with loved ones is always limited. You sense the distance growing between you and your spouse. You have come to justify the lack of time with family because of busy-ness with the often used, “It’s not the quantity but the quality of the time spent together that matters.”

Take care of yourself? Impossible! You have no time to exercise, rest well, or eat properly. You always feel tired.

At some point we have had or will have a tough conversation. Whether with a friend, a neighbor, a colleague, or a family member, confrontation is never easy.

Because we dislike confrontation, and because it is so difficult, we often do anything to avoid it.

These conversations usually occur because you care about the person, you have been hurt, or you do not want someone else to get hurt.

Whatever the reason, confronting another person is never easy.

The reason we fear such conversations – and the reason it often goes poorly – is because we lack the tools of healthy confrontation.

Let me suggest some steps you can take to confront others in a healthy way.

Why does it seem like some people are always having a good day while your day seems not to be going so well?

Is there some secret to always – or at least usually – having a good day? Is it the luck of the draw? Is it in your personality make up? You can use any one of those as a reason for why you may not be having a good day. The reality is that some things can be done at the start of your day to help you have a good day.

I want to suggest five things you can do that just might help you have a good day.

Self-care is a challenge that most people – especially leaders – continue to face. For some, self-neglect is worn almost as a badge of honor. You do not feel you can talk about yourself unless you can talk about how tired and hardworking you are, and how little time you have for yourself. Who talks about life being calm, rested and focused?

Here are some signs of self-neglect:

Living at a Manageable Pace

Last week we asked the question, “Is Busy the New Normal?” Together we looked at some signs to indicate you are too busy. This week we will explore how you can regain control of your life and begin to live life at a more manageable pace.

Everyone has the same 24 hours in a day. Therefore the issue is not having enough time but having too many things to do in the time you have. How can you best use your time and avoid becoming too busy? Consider the following.

In today’s busy world it is common to think that unless you are crazy busy you are somehow not being effective or normal. Unfortunately, we have bought into the myth that busy is normal.

I recall a time in my life as a leader when I bought into that myth. I was on call 24/7 and felt I was needed; that gave me a sense of value. In the process I neglected my family, my health, my spiritual and psychological well-being.

What are some signs that you may be doing too much?

In John 17:16, Jesus said those who follow Him are not of the world as he is not of the world. Although we are in the world as His followers, we are not of this world in terms of the values and standards that stand in contrast or opposition to the kingdom of God.

As a follower of Jesus living in the world, you should focus on living out and displaying the qualities of the One you are following, Jesus Christ.

We often are concerned, disappointed or discouraged when we see people in the church who are speaking and acting in ways that do not reflect what we know the Church as the Body of Christ is to be: Christ-centered, loving God and others.