HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

I hope you all have a happy and productive New Year.  May you grow exponentially toward Christlikeness.

See you next year!

RESOLUTION #21

I RESOLVE to rest so that I can do and be my best.  I will take a Sabbath rest each week to rest, reflect, and recover from the grind of life and ministry.

The body and mind need breaks.  Long runs with no breaks will result in long unplanned breaks--the body will shut down.  Rest is necessary and must be planned.  Only you are responsible for replenishing yourself.  How will you build times of recovery into your schedule in 2010?

Louie Giglio says:  "Sabbath is not so much about a day off as it is a 'day up'--a day to remember that He is God and we are not.  Without Sabbath, we forget who we are and lose sight of who He is, leaving us to carry the weight of the world on our shoulders.  When there is no Sabbath in our lives we become intoxicated by the lie that the sum of our lives depends on our effort alone."


REST MUST BE ROOTED IN FAITH AND ULTIMATE REST IS FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST!

RESOLUTION #20

I RESOLVE to stay close to God and clean before God.

You never drift toward Christlikeness or Godliness.  It takes intentional, vigilant effort.  Without the help of God even that is impossible.  Better said then, I desire (again--praying that God would give me right desires and affections) to be close to God that I would know Him and thus know His will.  Know Him that I would be able to serve and please Him.  Being clean is the prerequisite for closeness.  His expectation is that we be "holy" and "perfect" as He is "holy" and "perfect."  Our sin, which separates us from God, must be dealt with...once and for all on the cross by Christ and then regularly by us through repentance.

John Owen wrote:  "...always be killing sin or it will be killing you."  Regarding our effort toward sin he points out:  "It must be our constant daily duty to mortify it."  Owen advises:  "Do not let your heart be happy with your present condition, even for a moment."  He presses:  "As long as your conscience is able to justify your failure, your soul will never vigorously attempt the mortification of sin."

Tough words...challenging words, but not impossible as the result of the reconciling blood of Christ.

Remember, again in the words of Owen, as you look ahead to 2010:  "Spiritual negligence itself is really a choice."  So how will you press toward being "holy" in 2010?  How will you press toward being "perfect" in 2010?  Determine the course of your trajectory today!

RESOLUTION #19

I RESOLVE to examine myself continually to ensure that I am keeping the above resolutions and thus growing toward God and not drifting away.  I resolve to never assume that I am in any part my own, but God's, bought at great price.

The life that is moving toward its potential -- Christlikeness -- is a life that is regularly examined -- measured for movement (directional trackage).  Which way are you growing?  The unexamined life has no idea.  As we have been bought at a great price -- we must be good managers with the life that we have been given.

How will you manage your life, your time, in 2010?  Will you be a good steward?

The clock ticks...time moves on.  Don't waste your life.

Favorite Biography of 2009

My favorite biography of 2009 was Calvin by Bruce Gordon.

I highly recommend reading biographies of the spiritual giants of the faith.

Holiday Traditions (part 2)

Another Christmas tradition for our family is our annual Christmas Tree Cake Decorating Contest.  Steph's Mom hosts and organizes the event.  Often a theme is set for the decorating process.  One year, for example, it was based on favorite Christmas carols.  This year--it was freestyle.

The individual cakes are baked...they must cool...be selected...and then decorated.  After all have been decorated then they are judged and prizes awarded.

Here are a few pictures of the event.

Hot out of the oven!

Materials to decorate with...

My finished entry.

The judging process.  We cast votes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd places.

The prizes!  I won a Starbucks gift card this year.

Finally--we eat the cakes!!!

What holiday traditions does your family have?

Top 10 Books of 2009

Here is a list of books that I enjoyed during 2009.  I found them inspiring, helpful, and convicting.  I recommend them all to you.

10.  Finally Alive, John Piper

9. The Enemy Within, Kris Lundgaard

8. This Momentary Marriage, John Piper

7. Death By Love, Driscoll & Breshears

6. The Atonement, Leon Morris

5. Your Jesus Is Too Safe, Jared Wilson

4. Just Do Something, Kevin DeYoung

3. Leading On Empty, Wayne Cordeiro

2. Crazy Love, Francis Chan

1. Counterfeit Gods, Tim Keller

Honorable Mention:

God's Big Picture, Vaughan Roberts

And two that could not make the Top Ten list because I haven't finished them yet...but are very good are:

1. A. Lincoln, Ronald C. White

2. The Reason for God, Tim Keller

May you get lots of good books for Christmas this year!!!

RESOLUTION #18

I RESOLVE to take my thoughts captive and not allow them to dwell on earthly things, but focus on the things of God and the things that lie ahead.  I RESOLVE to contemplate regularly on the images of heaven and hell and realize that eternity is at stake in the lives of men daily.

The mind matters...  As one thinks in his mind, so he is.  I always want to think and act with the "big picture" in mind.  I must look long in order to finish strong!  Time on earth is fleeting.  We are but a vapor.  However, we have been created to last forever, thus eternal destinations should regularly be considered.

Where does your idle mind drift?  How can you focus on the things that matter most in 2010?  Do you ever consider the brevity of life?  How can you maximize the time you do have?

RESOLUTION #17

I RESOLVE to guard my tongue that no unwholesome language would spew forth.  I RESOLVE that my language would be full of love and encouragement and contain no gossip or resentment.

As words have the power of life and death (see Proverbs 18:21), I must be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry (see James 1:19).

My prayer:  "Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips."  (Psalm 141:3)

Looking ahead--how can you encourage others with the words you use?

The challenge for 2010--BE WISE WITH YOUR WORDS!

RESOLUTION #16

I RESOLVE to live each day in such a way that I would have no regrets should it turn out to be my last on this earth.

Again, this resolution speaks to time management and decision-making.  I don't want to waste or misuse any time...nor do I want to make decisions that will prove detrimental to my connection with my Creator.  Regret-free living is achieved by the wise use of one's time and sound decision-making.

How do you plan to invest your time in 2010?  Does your decision-making paradigm need tweaking?

Your window of opportunity is small, do waste it!

RESOLUTION #15

AS PASTOR, I RESOLVE to receive direction from God, lead courageously and creatively, remain true to God's Word and give my best to my foremost responsibility to the church--"Prayer and Proclamation."

In order to fulfill the duty and responsibility of my call I will strive to:

1. hear from God.  Remain close and clean.  Seeking His face for direction for the church.
2. boldly lead the church in the direction revealed by God by using practical, creative, and innovative methods.
3. be depended on and grounded in God's Word.
4. give the best of my energy during working hours to prayer and the study of the Word.

RESOLUTION #14

I RESOLVE to live a transparent life before my God, my wife, my children, my friends, and my church that they would witness how I deal with life and respond to both triumphs as well as trials.

I intend to be real...genuine and authentic.  A watching world needs to see a life lived fully committed to God...fully dependent on Him.  If the life is hidden, it is not seen--thus of no impact.

RESOLUTIONS #12 & 13

I RESOLVE to point my boys toward God through example and discipleship.  I resolve not to exasperate and frustrate them with over inflated expectations, but to value and love them and help God maximize them for His glory.

This resolution along with #13 speak to the priority of investing in my boys for the purpose of passing along my faith.  I hope to mentor them in the faith and set them up for success in life.

I RESOLVE to set aside time to invest character into each of my boys individually and as a group so that they will see how I act and carry myself on a regular basis.

Again, relationships take time and intentionality.  I think of Deuteronomy 6--anytime can and should be a training time.  But all times do not have to be serious...it is OK to wrestle, play basketball, or video games together.  Parents MUST model what matters on all occasions.

Looking to 2010--how will you invest in your children?  How will you instill in them the proper values?  How will you "model what matters?"

RESOLUTIONS #10 & 11

I RESOLVE to love my wife as Christ loves the church, to lead her closer to God, encourage, protect, and provide for her.

After my relationship with Christ, my relationship with Stephanie is to receive the next most attention, energy, and effort.  I must love her selflessly and sacrificially as Christ loves the church.  I must continually look out for her best interests...including spiritually.  I must pray for her and with her.  I must share Scripture and "A-ha" moments.  I must provide an environment in which she feels safe.

I RESOLVE to set aside time daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly just to invest in my wife and insure our marriage is strong and God-centered.

You can only know someone by spending time with them.  In our busy world this must be planned--intentionally, strategically, and regularly.  Quality times comes from the overflow of quantity time.

How will you invest in your key relationships in 2010?

RESOLUTION #9

I RESOLVE to respect my body as the temple of the Holy Spirit by maintaining a proper diet that promotes a healthy weight and vital signs.  I RESOLVE to exercise regularly and have regular medical checkups to insure that I am physically able to perform my spiritual and family responsibilities.  

God has only given me one body.  It is my job to manage and take care of it.

REMAIN FIT -- TO FINISH

This takes much discipline.  Slackness in the physical disciplines are often indicators of slackness in the spiritual disciplines.  We cannot afford to be sloppy in any area.  Stand firm and be vigilant in your diet and exercise that you will be able to finish well.

How will you adjust your diet and exercise plan for 2010?  When was the last time you went to the doctor for a physical?

LOOK LONG, FINISH STRONG

RESOLUTION #8

I RESOLVE to journal regularly and consistently to record the goodness and activity of God in my life for the purpose of reminding and encouraging me of God's greatness and to serve as a legacy to be passed on to my children.

With the fast pace of life and with difficulty remembering the past with clarity--it's best to write down one's thoughts.  Additionally, writing brings exactness to one's thoughts.

In anticipation of 2010--buy a journal or moleskine and plan to record your thoughts and the events of your life.  Be sure to review it from time to time to notice your progress.

RESOLUTION #7

I RESOLVE to live with all my might to the glory of the Lord while I do live.

This resolution attempts to capture my desire to live life with energy, enthusiasm, and passion.  Understanding who God is and what He has done--how then can we respond to his amazing grace--by living as a dullard?

RESOLUTION #6

I RESOLVE to use the time granted to me in a wise fashion.  Redeeming the time because the days are evil and short.

Time is a precious and fleeting commodity.  It is limited--but we are not sure of our limit until our limit is spent.  Thus, we must make wise use of the time we have while we have it.  We must manage it in such a way that we fulfill God's purpose and bring Him glory.  Our decision-making is crucial.  The choices we make either set us up for success regarding the use of our time or sets us up for failure.  Good choices free us to be used by God toward our Christ-like potential.  Bad choices trap and hinder us from being useful to God.  They often leave us dismayed, feeling guilty, and full of regret--a poor use of the little time we have been given.

A question that I have found helpful, and that my wife and I are teaching our boys it this:

"Is this a wise thing for me to do?"

Another context or way to ask this important question is:

"Based on my past experience, my present situation, and my future hopes, dreams, goals, and desires...Is this the wise thing for me to do?"

As you prepare for the New Year, consider your decision-making paradigm.  Are your decisions putting you on a trajectory towards your goals?

Read and reflect on Ephesians 5:15-17.

RESOLUTION #5

I RESOLVE to be a continual learner.

We are to be good stewards with our minds.  We must develop and cultivate it regularly.  We must press ourselves to think critically and this can be done by reading, studying, and spending time in the company of others.

A guy I use to work with in Kentucky used to say:  "When you're through learning, you're through."  He is so right.  So, what is your learning plan of action for 2010?  Will you take guitar lessons?  Learn a second language?  How will you cultivate your mind next year?

Be intentional!  Press your learning forward!

RESOLUTION #4

I RESOLVE to seek opportunities to share my faith.


This resolution acknowledges and affirms that God has called, commissioned, and empowered us to tell others about the Good News of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.  While God pursues us--and we are hopelessly dead in our sins--God has decided to use humans in His process of reaching those he has elected and chosen.  Thus I must be intentional in telling others how Christ has changed my life.

RESOLUTION #3

I RESOLVE to stay close to my Creator by staying continually connected to Him through prayer, fasting, stillness, and regular spiritual retreats.  

This resolution shows the value of being intentional and disciplined in maintaining my relationship with God.  One never drifts toward holiness, it must be a regular fight.  The fight is also a fight for freshness.  Religious actions can easily and quickly become a rut and routine...like a check off on a "to do" list.  Like any relationship--it is developed by spending quality time together.

How do you plan to develop and further your relationship in God in the New Year?

RESOLUTION #2

I RESOLVE to discipline myself for the purpose of godliness by reading, studying, memorizing, and meditating on God's Word.

This resolution is to show the high value of the Bible.  All of my priorities are to line up with Scripture.  Every decision is to be grounded in and founded in Scripture.  It is through the Bible that God primarily speaks to us. To hear from God regularly is to be in the Word regularly.

Holiday Traditions

Many families have holiday traditions.  What does your family do?  My Grandmother used to make mints for my Mom and her brothers to take to school as gifts for their teachers.  I vaguely remember her making them years later as a holiday snack.  Now my Mom and Uncle Nick try to keep the tradition alive by making, or attempting to make, mints each Christmas.  It has often proven to be challenging and we have had some good laughs along the way.  Here are some pictures from this year's "Mint Event."

The mix must be heated to about 260 degrees.  Hot stuff!

Here Zane adds some color to the mints.

The hot "dough" must be pulled and twisted and then stretched out and cut into pieces.  

The finished product!

What do you and your family do each year?

Start a tradition this year!

RESOLUTION #1

As you begin to consider your plans for the New Year, I hope you will prayerfully establish some God-centered resolutions.  The idea is to be intentional and strategic regarding your decisions and priorities--both of which ultimately determine your life.

With that said, here is the first of my 21 resolutions:

I RESOLVE to love the Lord my God with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength.

With this resolution--my intention is to acknowledge that God is God--not me--that He is to be the top priority in my life.  All my effort and energy is to be applied to developing this most important relationship.

How to you plan to grow and deepen your relationship with your Creator in 2010?

Don't let time...and ultimately your life slip away.

Resolutions

As the end of the year approaches it is time to consider what lifestyle changes you might want to make for the New Year.  Usually we go into the New Year with good intentions, but typically we lose focus and energy and quickly abandon our resolutions in a matter of weeks.  What if you carefully and prayerfully considered what God wanted you to work on in 2010 and got pro-active and started working on an action plan today?

Over the next few days I am going to list and describe 21 resolutions that I have held for a number of years.  The motivation for these resolutions was originally inspired by a list of more than 70 created by theologian Jonathan Edwards early in his life.  I review this list regularly and use it like a measuring stick to insure that my life is tracking the way I want it to and so I will not mis-apply my time or waste my life.

But before I get into the list of resolutions...let me define what a resolution is.  It is a thing determined upon; decision as to future action.  Firm determination.  

What will you resolve to do in 2010?  Make it your best year ever!  Make it count!  Don't waste a second!  Be intentional and strategic and start planning today!