A plan for 2015

I hope this cartoon doesn't summarize the depth of your resolutions!  Some of my resolutions have lasted years!  I haven't done 100% perfect on them, but Paul refers to life as a race, one that only the winner gets a prize.  This post is intended to share with you my prayer for 2015, a few resolutions/continuations of previous resolutions, and some practical tools I use to accomplish these goals.

Continue reading the One Year Bible

I began reading the OYB nearly 12 years ago, and it has been one of the greatest journey's of my life. There are great places to purchase an OYB, if you are interested in the challenge.  When I purchase these for others, I never spend more than $5.  Less than the price of a Happy Meal to begin reading the eternal Word every day.

Increase my Biblical understanding and depth

About 2 months ago, I began using BibleArc software to increase my knowledge of the Scriptures.  I intend to continue using this fantastic resource as I dig deeper into the Word of God.

Complete various YouVersion challenges
If you have a Bible app, it's most likely developed by YouVersion, or LifeTV.  I would encourage you to sign up for a free account, and then pursue one of the available challenges.  Some are 5 days, 21 days, or 365 days!  It's a great way to develop healthy habits, let friends hold you accountable, and become a solid Christian.  

Continue reading books
Sounds simple, right?  It is!  By reading a chapter every day, it is surprising how many books I can get through in a year.  Currently in my queue is "Think Biblically! Recovering a Christian Worldview" by John MacArthur.  If you're interested in reading this book, you can purchase it for $1.

Prioritize exercising
I have a membership to Planet Fitness and have been working out 3x a week.  I also began running with a friend 3x a week in the wee hours of the morning.  It has been fantastic for my energy level and watching my weight.  I mean, come on!  How else am I going to keep up with a 1 year old and a bunch of middle and high school students?!

Choose a 2015 prayer
My prayer for 2014 was Psalm 86:11-13.  That I might worship, rely, fear, praise, and glorify God; all with a teachable and undivided heart.
My prayer for 2015 is Psalm 17:1-15.  A couple of key thoughts from this passage:
"You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night."
"I am determined not to sin."
"I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God."
"Guard me as you would guard you own eyes."
"When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied."

Continue listening to encouraging podcasts
John Piper has a great app and so does Ravi Zacharias.  These men have been influential in my life and I listen to both of them every day.  In fact, I will be attending John Piper's Pastor's Conference this February which will dive deep into the topic of original sin and its effects on mankind.


Don't you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize?  So run to win!  All athletes are disciplined in their training.  They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run with purpose in every step.  I am not just shadowboxing.  I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.  Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Job vs. Calling

job ¹ |jäb|

noun

1 a paid position of regular employment.

Throughout my life, I have had a plethora of jobs...
Waiter,
Soldier,
Newspaper delivery specialist,
Linguist,
Janitor,
Working with the mentally challenged,
Armored truck driver,
Youth pastor,
... and the list goes on and on.

Each of these jobs have given me many different tasks...
Greet guests within 30 seconds of them sitting down,
Work with local governments to rebuild war torn countries,
Don't throw the newspaper on the sidewalk, put it between the screen door and the front door,
Tell a woman that her son was killed by a grenade,
Clean the urine off the walls because little boys miss the toilet,
Watch this person closely because he hits people,
Deliver $250,000 to a downtown bank,
Talk to parents about their child using drugs,
...and again, the list goes on and on.

And yet, throughout my life, I have had very few callings.  What am I on earth to do?  If I had to look back in 50 years, would I be content with the impact I have made?  Am I giving my all to the One who gave His all for me?

Francis Chan recently wrote an article about his marriage in the light of eternity.  While he only talks about marriage, it seems logical to apply the truths he shares to every aspect of my life.  I wrote a blog post a while back called Priorities in Ministry, which I outlined many things that Francis had said.  I received positive and negative feedback from that post.  It's amazing to me that some people continue to frantically grasp at this "American Dream" and refuse to think long-term, eternal thoughts.

I want to say, at the end of my life, that I accomplished the purposes of God.