How to have a fresh start

Year after year, every beginning of every January, we hear ourselves declaring our "New Years Resolutions" to the world- and year after year, most of us never make it past the middle of January before we completely forget all about our silly resolutions.  But what has stopped us from following through? I think a lot of what holds us back in life is past events. Sometimes our past is not so pleasant, and maybe it puts us into a negative mindset that prevents us from starting over. 

In John 10:10 Jesus said, “ I came that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” He then goes on to tell us that there is an enemy, called the Devil, whose main objective is to hurt YOU... ME...ALL OF US! Any attempt to start over or even have a happy life will be thwarted by this Enemy. It is a lifelong battle that we Christians will always be involved in. 

But there is good news... God does not care about our past. He wants us to move forward with a fresh start in life. Focus on the NOW and not the THEN. Caving in to the THEN is much easier to focus on because it is what we are used to doing. 

According to a Psychology Today article from 2014, there are 5 ways to a fresh start: 
1. Manage your regrets
2. Deal with your rumination
3. Think about your new goal in abstract terms
4. Adopt the right mindset
5. Motivate yourself

Do you see why I would say that focusing on the NOW is much more of a challenge to do?  But it is the RIGHT THING to do!  Live an abundant life. Let yourself have the much deserved reward of making a fresh start for yourself.  Just remember... God wants you to be happy.

Starting the year off right ... at New Venture!

I am super encouraged by things going on in 2019 already around New Venture. Ebo Elder was with us last Sunday and WOW!!! His topic of "In Need of a Comeback" was so stirring that I am still thinking about it! He called it his "3 keys to YOUR comeback": Perseverance, Perspective, and Power... they are all important aspects of creating your comeback!
If you missed him- No worries, He will be back with us several times in 2019! Lots going on. If you are in the area, join us and make it your BEST year yet. We are. Would love for you to be a part of it.

2018 was the greatest- but 2019 will be the BEST EVER!

What was so great about 2018? There are way too many blessings from 2018 to even count!  We had a BEAUTIFUL 30th Annual Sunrise on the Shore Easter service at the Oceanside Amphitheater.  Thousands attended and the feedback that New Venture received was incredible! We also showed our love and support for our military with our newly added Military Lounge. Food, fun, and fellowship was abundant as we opened up our Connections Cafe to show our gratitude to our servicemen each Sunday after service. During the warmer months, we shared the word of God at our community parks- Barbecue food, music, water activities.... New Venture brought the juice to our friends and neighbors!

Our campus has also been the hub for the biggest Christian concerts in North San Diego. We have been blessed with headline bands and musicians that have allowed our Worship Center to fill up with THOUSANDS of Christian music lovers.

The 2018 Thanksgiving Sunday Supper as well as our Ring & Run were beautifully executed and thousands of souls were touched. What an honor to be able to collectively bless the hurting, as a Church Family.

2019 is going to really be the greatest year at New Venture! Beginning February 5, every Tuesday at 6:30pm I will be teaching "Biblical Leadership Development". Here, we will go deeper with God.
This 14 week course will be something you will be really glad you looked into!
Our Small Groups kick off again on January 20- you REALLY don't want to miss that! Get connected now!
Our Winter Series- FIX YOUR FOCUS- starts January 20 as well. Watch what happens when you fully immerse yourself in God!

I can't WAIT to share what 2019 has in store with all of the New Venture Church Family!

Your friend,
Shawn Mitchell