New Year's Resolutions

Today is New Year's Eve, the traditional day that many people commit to doing better and being better in the next year. For me, this year marks the last year in my 20's. I'm thinking I need to work on some things before I hit 30 and the time has come. It's now or never. So, here are some of my goals for 2011.


1. Get healthy. Well, this may be a life long thing, but I need to eat better and work out regularly and take control back. (Even though I have an issue with wanting too much control!)

2. Read widely. I want to read at least 75 books in 2011. I have almost 300 in the archives on my Kindle account, and the library has several more on my list.

3. Finances. Live simply in order to give more.

4. Writing. I want to write more and this blog is one way. Expect a post at least once a week on what I'm reading or doing or what's going on in life

5. Professional growth. I am committing to enter a mentoring program with True Course Ministries out of Waco, Texas. Michael Godfrey is a wise man who has been in ministry for more than 30 years and I look forward to learning from him.

6. Getting a life. My pastor, whom I love and respect more than she knows, told me one day to "get a life." By that she meant, get out in the community, enjoy life, experience things, have fun. She was right. I need to do that more often. And, I need to intentionally build community with people that are in my age range. I spend a lot of time with a lot of people, but very few are in the 20's-30's range. Here's to life!

I think that may be more than enough for 2011. I have a lot of ministry goals as well, but I want to have a record of the personal ones as well. I'll check back in every so often to let you know how I'm doing on them.

Grace and peace.

Goals in 2010

Well, it's the end of December so I thought it might be good to look back at the goals I set for myself at the beginning of the year. It's a mixed bag this time around. I accomplished some and came close on others (or am actively working on them); other goals are a complete wash.

So here is the verdict:

1. Reading books---As of December 28, I have read 51 books. My goal for the year was 52. Consider it completed! (I have three I am currently working on and should have at least one finished before Saturday rolls around.)

2. Work out---fail.

3. Spend time with people---I'm still learning how to do this, but find myself really working to focus on them instead of the five million other things during the conversation. So, making progress.

4. Journal and write---for the most part, fail. I haven't done much creative expression work. A couple of sermons, yes. Lessons for youth, yes. But not much in the way of my intention.

5. Work to simplify finances---Working on it. Credit card is less than at the beginning of the year. I am gainfully employed, and living with my folks where I am only paying a few bills (my phone, insurance, credit card, etc). So, this one is in the "making progress stage, too.

6. Free entertainment--In spite of my pastor/boss telling me to "get a life," I have done okay in this realm. Watched movies in the park over the summer, read books from the library, gotten 300 free fluff books with my kindle apps (notice they are free too!) and watched my youth play soccer and band instruments throughout the fall. So, I say, completed.

7. I've thought a good bit about starting a DMin program, especially since Charlotte began her DMin at Brite this fall. However, I'm still debating topics, emphases and even schools at this point. So, making progress.



So, the total.

2=completed! 3=making progress! 2=fail.

But, that's okay. I have made some good strides and hope I am better for it. Hang around the next few days to see the goals for 2011.

grace and peace.