Even when we see no reason to expect a change for the better, what is there about a New Year that fills most of us with hope? A common axiom is that idiocy is when you expect different results from doing the same things.

In 2006, my second year of seminary, I started a program to read the Bible every day and finish it in a year. It seemed hypocritical to be in seminary or call myself a Christian and not read God's word on a daily basis. Since then I have changed the program when some, who were reading along with me, said the daily reading was too long. That particular reading schedule repeated the Gospels throughout the year. Early last year Wayne D. Turner gave me the schedule he edited from J. Vernon McGee's old Radio Broadcast. I will use it again this year. I highly recommend Wayne's web site, Bible Track.

So what will you do in 2010? Do you hope your life and relationships will be better? If so, do you plan on making any changes, doing anything different or just keep keepin' on? Will you make regular, private time and space for God's Word and prayer or be content to listen to others talk about God, but have no intimate relationship with God yourself?

Old Testament wisdom, especially from Proverbs, says that having a right relationship with God is the essence of wisdom. (Proverbs 1:7) It seems we have insurance for everything, but we don't. Wisdom draws close to God and holds fast because God is the source of wisdom (Proverbs 2:6), inspiration and revelation. (Proverbs 29:18)

Why do we think new ideas, breakthroughs in medicine and technology and compassion and mercy originate with us? Regarding compassion, does your heart break at the injustice in the world? If so, no matter what others may call you, no matter what you call yourself, God is moving within you. Are any of us capable of doing anything good on our own?

Naysayers chuckle, scoff and look to themselves until they are finally confronted with their own inadequacy to overcome their own fears and failures. Not true you say? Then explain the growing necessity to be medicated, even when the side effects are much worse than whatever we are taking the prescription for.

Many of us trip through life in a perpetual fog, afraid to wake up and certainly as my friend Elmer says, afraid to take responsibility for our own poor choices. My grandfather always said, "You made your bed, now sleep in it." Flip Wilson said, "The Devil made me do it."

Look at Proverbs 29:18 again and consider how we have pushed God out of our schools and more and more out of public life. I have friends on the right and on the left, so yes, I have seen the right wing emails, but I prefer scripture. Where there is no vision there is no restraint means no open revelation of the word and will of God, and the people throw off restraint. Restraint? Does anyone use that word anymore?

"Those who have had fair and frequent warning about the result of sin and, who have continued, although they fully understood the final outcome, shall “suddenly be broken beyond healing” (Proverbs 29:1-RSV). If there is never any repentance, never any belief in Christ, never the acceptance of God’s forgiveness, then that life will not be saved. Paschall, F. H., & Hobbs, H. H. (1972). The Teacher's Bible commentary: . Nashville: Broadman and Holman Publishers."

God is a God of mercy and forgiveness. Likewise, we are expected to walk in mercy and forgiveness. We do well to remember, however, that forgiveness and mercy do not erase the consequences of our actions.

Hopefully there will be a change for the better in 2010. Hopefully we will understand the 'Devil made me do it' is a copout.