Tag Archives: New Year

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2024

At the beginning of each New Year, most people are looking forward to a good year ahead. Many have “resolutions” or goals in hopes that doing certain activities will help them achieve a good or better year.  And we all cheer each other on by saying, “Happy New Year!”

As the New Year arrives, an old habit of mine is to look back on the past year and remember God’s blessings.  But sitting here today, on January 1, it is a bit more difficult for me to do that this year, in light of losing my wife just one month ago.

But, as I moved the sadness ever so slightly aside. I began reflecting on a number of things from this past year to tell God, “Thank You.”  It was indeed heartwarming and encouraging for me remembering some blessings I had forgotten.

Regardless of what kind of year you had, I would encourage you to take some time to reflect and then give God the thanks He deserves for His blessings to you in 2023.

And by the way, after pausing my recording of the His Word podcast for a few weeks, I’m back.  Below are links to the two most recent.

149 This Is Very Personal

150 Looking Back

Have A Wonderfully Blessed New Year!

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HAPPY NEW YEAR 2023

Starting The New Year With Gratitude

I began this “New” Year with an “old” habit.  I take some time at the beginning of a new year to thank God for what He’s done for me.  I continue to update an ongoing list of His blessings, adding to it not only things that happen during the current year, but other blessings I remember from the past that were not on this list. 

The result? Great gratitude to God for His love, grace, and kindness.

When a difficult and challenging year ends, it is all too easy to reflect back on what one has endured.  It’s common to hear phrases like, “I’m glad this year is over,” along with, “I hope this New Year will be a lot better.” 

In everyone’s life there are challenges.  Some years we face more than other years.  But has there ever been a year with no challenges, no setbacks, or no difficulties?  Of course not. It’s just part of life.

But regardless of any and all challenges, taking a little time to write down some of the blessings from God during the year is not only very encouraging, but very helpful in the New Year ahead. Here’s why.

Remind Yourself

The more you remind yourself of His gracious blessings in your life, reminding yourself of His His help and His goodness toward you, it builds confidence and trust in Him.

Remembering those blessings allows you to go to God with your requests and petitions with greater expectations because you remember what He has already done for you.  If He blessed you then, He can certainly bless you now.   

And, even more importantly, God gets the gratitude and recognition He so deserves. We thank Him, remembering what He did for us, giving Him the credit for the blessings in our lives.  And, again, as we do this, our confidence in His help in the coming days, weeks, and months ahead continues to grow.

Psalm 69:30
I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving.  

When we thank God, we magnify Him, we recognize His greatness; we give Him the thanks and appreciation He deserves. We remind ourselves of His care, His grace and His help. 

What You Think

If all we ever think and talk about are our troubles, our mind stays fixed on the sad parts of life.  The Bible says,  “As a man thinks in his heart so is he;” and, “Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it are the issues of life.”  Staying focused on the problems and challenges hinders our expectations of God’s help. 

On the other hand, when our minds stay fixed on His blessings, His goodness, and His help and care, we lay our petitions before Him, looking for and expecting His blessings.  The more we think that way, the more we are reminded of His goodness. 

God does not bring us troubles and tragedies.  God, because of His love, His grace, and His mercy, brings us deliverance. 

Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

God wants us to let His peace rule in our hearts – He says, “Be thankful.”  Reminding yourself of His blessings brings peace to your heart.

Pray With Confidence

Philippians 4:6 & 7
Be careful [anxious] for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

God does not want us to be anxious or stressed. So we go to Him with our requests, with thanksgiving – remembering what He has already done for us.  And as a result, God’s peace will guard our hearts.

Starting a New Year with anticipation for a better year is a good idea.  Writing down goals or resolutions along with an action plan for the coming New Year is a good, positive strategy for the days ahead. Reviewing them throughout the year keeps one focused and on track, especially if the past year was challenging or difficult.

But take some time as this New Year begins to thank God for His blessings on your life.  As this new year unfolds, write down His blessings and answers to your prayers.  Let them be a reminder to you that God is still on the throne.

God is still able to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask or think. He is still able to make all grace abound toward you, that you always have all sufficiency in all things.  

Have a Happy and Blessed New Year!

Psalm 103:2
Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits.

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2021 – THE NEW YEAR HAS ARRIVED!

Here’s Something That Will Not Change In The New Year


The New Year is here.  2020 finally comes to a close. Lots of people are hoping for a new and better year ahead. After 2020, that’s kind of an understatement.

Many are praying for lots of things to change for the better, while others are making new “resolutions” for their lives in the upcoming New Year. But there is something that will not change in this New Year.

In the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke to Nicodemus about being “born again.” He clearly pointed out two literal births. We read in the first chapter of the epistle of I Peter about being “begotten of God,” and, “being born again.” It says in verse 23, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.” There is something amazing in that verse.

We easily understand what it means

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WAS 2016 A TOUGH YEAR?

A Great Key In Expecting A Better Year Ahead

new-year
The New Year is upon us.  2017 is here!  Are you hoping for things to be better than they were in 2016?

Many people prepare goals for each new year.  It’s a good idea to have plans and expectations for a better year ahead, especially if the past year was challenging or difficult.

For me personally, 2016 was very challenging.  I could now list a number of difficult things that came up over this past year. Perhaps you could as well.  But the point of this article is not what was unpleasant this past year, but rather the blessings of 2016.

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2012 – A New Year

It’s Another Podcast!

Have you decided to do something different in this upcoming New Year?  I have, and I’ll tell you on this podcast.

Are you planning to have a better 2012 than 2011?  If you’re not, then listen to this podcast.  If you are, then listen to this podcast.

I am heading over to the Phoenix Rescue Mission in a couple of hours to teach tonight.  In this podcast, I share some of what I am going to share with them.

Happy New Year!

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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You Might Also Enjoy:
Where Is Your Life Going This Year?
Happy New Day! I Mean, New Year!
Keeping Your Dreams Alive

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A New Year – A New Baby

I wanted to wish everyone who visited this blog in 2010 a very Happy and Prosperous New Year!

Kathy and I are embracing the New Year with the excitement of our first grandchild; Ava Violet is due any day now.

It is interesting to me that the Scriptures compare the Return of Christ with both a “thief in the night,” and, a woman about to give birth.  No one knows when Christ will return, just like no one knows when a thief will come, and, no one knows exactly when a baby will be born.

So we will continue to patiently wait for Ava, and, patiently wait for Christ’s return.  In the meantime, we live our lives the best we can, putting our absolute trust in God.

Happy New Year!

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This Is My Story – Update #1

January 2010

On May 21st of last year, I posted, This Is My Story.  Now, seven months later, I think it is time for an update.  This update will focus on how this new blog is going, some future ideas for the blog, as well as what’s been going on in my life for the past seven months.

The Blog

If you were a part of this blog back in August of ’09, then you know that I made a big announcement back then.  I decided to make my paid membership site, Enriching Your Life Now, free to all those who subscribe to this blog.

Previously it was a $19 a month membership site.  I made the decision to give total access to anyone who subscribes for free to this blog.  The “Enriching” site is loaded with tons of great content: articles, audio and video Pep Talks, Pepcasts, Bible teachings, videos, and a whole lot more.

Even though I am not adding content to the “Enriching” site on a regular basis, I do add some things there from time to time.  Now, anyone who subscribes to this blog, which is free of course, gets a free lifetime membership to Enriching Your Life Now. In other words, you get total access to everything on that site!

By the way, as a side bar here, another great benefit of being a subscriber to this blog is that you don’t have to bookmark this site, because as a subscriber you receive notification every time I post something new. I think that’s pretty cool.  You receive each new posting either by RSS or email.  It looks like most of our current subscribers prefer email.  Personally, that’s what I prefer too.

Statistics For This Blog

The statistics for this blog have been encouraging to me.  Last January and February, in preparation for launching “Confidence And Joy,” I posted over a dozen articles.  I then began to add a few things in March, but really began posting on a regular basis in April.

As of January 1 of this year, this site has received nearly a half a million “hits.”  The number of subscribers is now starting to grow, especially after I offered the total access to the “Enriching” site. The feed back I am getting is very positive.

My purpose in doing this blog is to reach people with some great information that will be helpful and beneficial for those who don’t want to live their lives in fear.  I wanted to make available some really practical content that would be helpful in having more confidence in God.

By the way, I like reading the comments that our readers leave when they have something to say about a specific posting.  However, it seems like a lot of people who come to this site are still a little bit shy about leaving their comments.  Now, don’t be shy.  Tell us what’s on your mind.

So, as of today, I am going to continue and see how things go. Plus, I have some ideas of some other things I might do on this blog.

In my mind, for those who come to this site on a regular basis, whether from a bookmark or as a subscriber, I like to think of all of us as a family.  This is a place for our “Confidence and Joy” family to hang out.  Perhaps in the future we may have a forum.  I’ve also thought about a special place on the blog for you to put your prayer requests, so the rest of us can join with you in prayer.

I am considering putting the podcasts on iTunes, and, I have a few other ideas.  Maybe you have some ideas of what you’d like to see on the blog so that we can interact more?  For now, you do have a voice in the comment section of each and every post.

Employment

2009 was a very interesting year for me.  It’s the first time since I was sixteen that I began a “New Year” being unemployed. (If you have read This is My Story, then you know that I was laid off in December of ’08 from CBS radio in Phoenix after 16 and half years.)

My wife and I have looked at each on many occasions during this past year and said, “How have we made it?”  It really doesn’t make sense.  Unless of course, you factor God into the equation, in Whom we have trusted and relied upon.  Kathy and I both know how we’ve made it; it has been by God’s great grace and mercy.

The radio industry has radically changed over the past three years. (Maybe I should do a podcast about that and explain some of what’s going on in that industry.  What do you think?  Do you want to know about it?)

Add to that the current economic situation our nation is facing.  Across the country, literally thousands, both “on air” and other personnel have lost their jobs in the last two years in the radio business.  For that reason, I chose not to pursue an all out nationwide radio employment search.  I just felt things were too volatile.

However, I have applied for and considered radio employment possibilities, both locally and in other parts of the country, but nothing solid has panned out.  I have not yet seen an open door in that arena.  That may happen in the future, and if it does, then I will certainly ask God for His help, guidance, and direction.

In the meantime, I am continuing to pursue freelance voice work.  As with so many things in our present economy, those one-time jobs have been pretty few and far between.  In addition to seeking out public speaking engagements, I am also continuing to pursue TV commercials, both on camera and off.

Bookkeeping?

Of all things!  Are you kidding me?  For years I have told people that many times when a person loses their job, they end up doing something that they never dreamed they would be doing.  Well, hello – here I am!

A very dear friend of mine started a company this past summer and asked me to be the bookkeeper.  I said, “Billy, I’m not a bookkeeper.”  And he said, “I know that.  But I think you’ll do a good job.”

We’ve been close friends for nearly twenty years.  I was very grateful to acquire employment, but I certainly had my work cut out for me.  I began to study and learn the software program, Quick Books.

When I started working, there were really only two employees, in addition to myself. Over the past six months, God has blessed this company.  We are now up to fifteen employees.  Yes, in this economy, God still has solutions.  The economic mess is still a mess, but God is not out of business.  His bank isn’t busted!

So since this past summer, my bookkeeping has taken a good portion of my time.  It is a blessing to work out of my house.  But if you ever have worked out of your home, then you know you have to be disciplined.  I mean the kitchen is just right around the corner!

Personal Projects

I have also had the pleasure of doing some speaking engagements.  Of course I will always speak “pro bono” at any veteran’s meeting, if I have the time.  I love doing that; it’s a small way to show my deep gratitude and appreciation for all of those who have served our country.

I am still speaking on the fifth Saturday of the month at the Phoenix Rescue Mission, as well as on Sundays at our Glendale Fellowship.  And, from time to time, I am invited to other events.  This month in fact, I am going to Spokane for a winter conference for a whole bunch of young people.  Right on!

As December came to an end, I made arrangements for my book, Healing from God is Available, to be listed in paperback on Amazon.  Previously, it was self published back in 2004.  It is still available in paperback, as an eBook, and in audio form on my web site.  Details are found in Mikes Stuff.

I have some other projects on the burner that I hope to get moving on sometime soon.  Life, for me, is exciting. Oh, of course it has its ups and downs, but I am truly excited about living life and staying busy.

I wake up every morning and I thank God for three things.  First, I thank Him for eternal life.  If there was no eternal life then what would be the point of anything?  Life would really be pointless.

Secondly, I thank Him for forgiveness.  If there was no forgiveness that would just be awful!  Would you like to spend eternity feeling guilty, ashamed and condemned?  Me neither!

Thirdly, I thank Him for a new day; thank Him that I am alive; thank Him that I have another day to live!

A New Year

Kathy and I are very grateful to all those who have shown us such love and kindness during what was one of the most challenging of our 38 years together.  I can’t put into words our gratitude and appreciation and what the love extended to us has meant to us.  We know, beyond a shadow of a doubt that God has, and continues to work in people to help and bless us.

And even though we are still, like a lot of people, taking things one day at a time, trusting God each day, we continue to look forward to bigger and greater days ahead.  God continues to work in us to help and bless people, and we look forward to having more to give.

So, here we are at the start of a brand new year; 2010 has arrived.  But really, each day is a brand new day.  If you haven’t watched the short video that I put up a few days ago on New Year’s Eve called Happy New Year, please check it out.

Of course I am expecting a great year.  Why not?  Aren’t you?  What about a great month?  What about a great week?  And, what about expecting to have a great day, today?

Why not expect today to be the greatest day of your life so far?  Why not?

Mike Verdicchio
January 2010

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Related Posts:
This Is My Story
What Happened To You In ’09?
Happy New Day! I Mean, New Year!
Where Is Your Life Going This Year?

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Happy New Day! I mean, New Year!

Here comes 2010!  Tomorrow begins another New Year, and, the second decade of this century.  I’m anticipating great things in this upcoming year; how about you?

But, not to spoil all the celebration that has already started in many places, do we really need to wait until the end of a year to get excited and full of anticipation for a new and better year?  Why can’t we simply start each new day with the same excitement and anticipation of a New Year?

In this short video (2:15), I talk about starting each new day expecting great things.

Enjoy the video and Happy New Year!

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What Happened To You In ’09?

It’s Another Podcast!

This just might be the last podcast of this year of ’09.  I am planning on doing a video podcast fro New Year’s Eve, so watch for that this Thursday morning.

Today’s podcast is not a “year in review,” for me, but I do have some things to say about my life for ’09.   This short podcast (9:43) is all about moving forward and moving ahead.

Enjoy the podcast.

[If you cannot see the player below, just click the title above]

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Related Posts:
This My Story
If He Could Forgive
God Is Not In Charge
This Economic Mess Just Isn’t Fair
Is He Willing?

Look for more podcasts as well as more videos coming soon to Confidence And Joy!