Newsletter January 2026 - First Presbyterian Ridgewood, NJ
- Bruce Ballantine
- Dec 31, 2025
- 2 min read
Dear Friends:
As we prepare to turn the calendar and begin a new year, I’m thinking about New Year’s resolutions – those promises we sometimes make to ourselves with the goal of self-improvement. Often, the focus is on exercise or health, personal or professional growth, finances, or relationships.
We’ve all heard or perhaps even spoken lines such as, “My New Year’s resolution is to stop procrastinating. I’ll start tomorrow.” And perhaps you’ve noticed how busy
your gym is in January, but not so much as winter gives way to spring. I’m guessing we’ve all made New Year’s resolutions which, at some point, we failed to keep. Which encourages many to skip the exercise altogether.
However, when we take a pass on making New Year’s resolutions, we miss a natural opportunity to make a positive change in our lives. New Year, clean slate. An
opportunity to change. An opportunity to let go of a bad habit or begin a good one. An opportunity for a fresh start.
As your pastor, I encourage you to make New Year’s resolutions this year. How many is up to you. But I encourage you to make at least one resolution with a spiritual focus. Perhaps a resolution to pray every morning for 10 minutes and/or read one chapter of the Bible each day. Perhaps a resolution to attend worship each Sunday or to take part in a service project, putting love for neighbor into action. Perhaps it’s taking the step to forgive someone or to ask someone for forgiveness, a step which can lead to reconciliation. Perhaps it’s volunteering to teach Sunday School, helping to instill in children a deep-seated belief in God’s love for them and the importance of following the teachings of Jesus.
If you make a spiritual resolution, such as Bible reading, then miss a day or two, simply begin again. What I know is that God is concerned with our spiritual health. And any steps we take to enhance our spiritual vitality will be pleasing to God.
Here's wishing you a Happy and Spiritually Healthy New Year!
Bruce
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