Cross Rhythms website editor Heather Bellamy is a regular contributor for the local Sentinel newspaper's weekly faith column, Yours Faithfully. Each week a different leader from the local faith communities write the column. Check out what Heather has been saying to the fine people of North Staffordshire.

As we approach 2007, a new year... a fresh start, many of us will be celebrating, going to parties and perhaps spending a little time looking back at 2006 and considering what we'd like to see happen in our lives next year.

A change of job, moving house and other big changes might be considered and many new years' resolutions will be made and broken.

The desire for a fresh start will resonate with many people beyond the New Year though. Sometimes we do and say things that we wish we could take back, sometimes relationships break down that we wish hadn't, sometimes our lives don't turn out how we'd planned and sometimes we don't turn out like we thought we would!

With all the clamour of life do we ever stop to listen to our own hearts? Do we ever consider what type of person we have become or where we are going?

Most of us are driven by looking for satisfaction and fulfilment, whether in a job, a relationship, building a home, shopping, the list is endless. However none of these things in themselves last beyond the short term in their ability to bring us what we're looking for. We always want and need more.

The thought that there might be Someone that would bring complete fulfilment and a total fresh start doesn't even cross our minds. That that life would come from Jesus would be an even more foreign idea. 'Dusty pews', 'old hymns' and 'irrelevant' is what many people would consider of Christianity. How wrongly has Jesus been represented!

As one woman spoke in the Bible '"Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Christ?"

He knows our circumstances, He knows us and in humility and gentleness He says: '"whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst."'

Jesus as a person is Life itself. That was His bold claim and how desperately we need that Life!

Jesus offered and offers today a fresh start for every person with no exceptions. He knows our dissatisfied state isn't what we were created for; He knows how even the best of things in this life end up not being THE answer for us; but it's our choice, whether we'll take Him at His word or not.

As you put away all the presents you've received this Christmas, as you look to pay off the bills, as you continue that search for Mr or Mrs right..remember, if you're in need of a true fresh start..Jesus' offer is always open and He's only a prayer away!