I like the New Year - especially the resolutions. Yes, yes, I know that we are forgiven in Christ and that the concept of a New Year’s resolution is a bit silly for those in Christ but I still enjoy that day.

It’s great to see all these new faces in church on Sunday and surely some of them will find the truth they are seeking - I really believe that.

Any of you all have some New Year’s Resolutions? I’ll share mine.

My New Year’s Resolutions

1. Spend more time with the Lord - I’d like to spend at least a few minutes each day in quiet time with the Lord - getting still to hear him and talk to him. Missing out on this time is the source of most of my challenges. I sometimes look at my quiet time as something on my “to do” list, forgetting that God knows my every thought. Quiet time isn’t for his benefit, though he loves me and wants me to get to know him. Quiet time benefits me. Reading the Bible every day doesn’t benefit God - he inspired it. Getting into the word teaches me God’s will for my life and others.
2. Focus at Work - I have my job and my own personal projects. Both of which are closely related to the point where I have to keep a close watch on my research. Who is it benefiting? Working out of the house provides less structure so I need more discipline in this area. The result is that though I no longer commute to work, I am working longer hours to make up for time I spent working on my own projects here and there. That’s fine for single guys, but not for married ones with a pregnant wife that needs a back rub now and then.
3. Expand my Social Efforts - Working out of the house is a great blessing, but I find myself not getting out much other than meeting with the various small groups I’m a part of. I also just moved into a new neighborhood and need to take the initiative to meet some of my neighbors. Now that Christmas is over there are opportunities for a neighborhood-warming party. Since we live in an area that stays temperate during the Winter we might be able to swing a neighborhood barbecue.
4. Pouring out into others - I still am a “taker” so far as my relationship with Christ is concerned. What I mean by that is that I still think of myself as broken and that when I am fixed I can then help people. The truth is that we are not broken - Christ made us whole. I now need to go tell others and to pour out into their lives. This will take concerted effort from a guy who really enjoys private time but it’s why we’re all here.
5. Figure out my CR plans - I have been participating in Celebrate Recovery this past year and it has absolutely revolutionized my life. If you have problems with anything (Chemical, Sexual, Eating Disorders, Worry, Codependency/Guilt, Anger, etc.) I highly recommend finding a church in your area that is running these groups.

   My situation is that I have an opportunity to co-lead the next session of the group I am currently in for next year. I am dealing with some adequacy issues regarding my ability to be a good leader for them, but am also concerned with my new baby on the way. The Church is only about 30-40 minutes away, but it meets twice a week. When other people’s future is at stake, I would want to be as reliable of a servant/leader as possible.

   I also had some ideas for a web project regarding Celebrate Recovery and am bouncing that idea around as an alternative. It is something that hopefully would benefit others seeking freedom and may be aligned with my current skillset. I’m not sure which to do though. I remember the example about serving the Lord given by Naeem Fazal from Mosaic Church

   He asked for volunteers to help out with their new church and had someone come up to him and give him a resume which outlined their teaching abilities and gifts. He said that he would consider that when they got around to starting classes and asked the person if they would help for now on the facilities staff putting out chairs. The person got all weird and said that it wasn’t their gift.

   There lies the problem for myself an many believers. We get so excited about discovering our gifts and finding ways to put them to use, that we forget to be true servants. Christ will often have us step out into areas where it requires a bit of faith. Our gifts are then brought to light and put to use. Often there is some additional knowledge and growth required before our gifts can truly be put to use anyway.

6. Finish Side Projects - My mind runs a million miles a minute. I get all kinds of great ideas but have trouble finishing some. Granted there are only limited hours in a day so many ideas have to go into the queue for the “maybe I’ll pursue this or maybe not” but the ones I start on, I may as well finish. I’m also a bit of an information junkie which I need to throttle back on. I could have definitely become a professor if I wasn’t so interested in entrepreneurship and real-world marketing.

Simplifying the List of New Year’s Resolutions

That’s a pretty long list but remember those are my plans. The Lord knows what my plans should be so I’m really just going to focus on the first one and hope that he helps me with the rest.

If you feel so inclined, add your New Year’s Resolution to the bottom of this. It will be interesting to look back at New Year’s next year and how we fared.

Have a blessed New Year!!!

Categories: Good News, Random Stuff
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