For you, my God, have revealed to your servant that you will build a house for
him; therefore your servant has found it possible to pray before you. (1 Chronicles 17:25
NRSV)
You may be familiar with Robert Schuller. He has written a lot about possibility or positive
thinking. On one occasion Schuller invited Pat Boone to sing for his congregation. He introduced
Boone by saying that Pat sometimes gets tired of his image. So, once a year, Pat checks into a
motel under a different name, and goes into the closet and puts on black shoes. The congregation
laughed. They knew that white shoes were Pat's trademark.
Pat was invited back to Schuller's church a second time. He remembered what Schuller had said
the last time he was there. Pat told the congregation that Schuller got tired of his image too. So
once a year Schuller checks into a motel and goes into the closet and shouts "It's impossible! I
can't do it.
Schuller is known for his possibility thinking. As we start a new year, we need to look at the
possibilities God has in store of us in this new year.
Prayer: God of possibilities, 1997 is now behind me. Help me to realize your possibilities
for my life in this new year. Amen.
Written by: Ronald Newhouse, Texas, USA
Tuesday, January 6, 1998