2011 and beyond.

My news years resolutions.
1. Not eat fast food for a year. (Timmy's and subway not included)
2. Limit my Coffee intake.
3. Drink more water
4. No alcohol
5. Clean up my entertainment watching habits.

These are pretty realistic.

But it's highly unlikely that I will end up accomplishing them.


Resolution: A solution, accommodation, or settling of a problem, controversy, etc.


I have already heard of atleast 5 people who have broken their new years resolutions... good gracious people. Even the pastor this morning was trying to give up coffee for a year. Boom two days in... but lets be honest... a pastor that doesn't drink coffee? pff.

I love how enthusiastic people get about changing their lives in January. It takes the year end for people to realize their sins and everything else wrong with themselves. Then they make promises to themselves that they probly wont keep. So I have thought up two things i will think of instead of a "New Years Resolution".

1. A declaration of what I need to change, do better, and/or pursue.
Declaration:1. The act of declaring; announcement
2. A positive, explicit, or formal statement; proclamation.
3. Something that is announced, avowed, or proclaimed.

2. To persevere through whatever it takes to keep those declarations happening and true.
Perseverance: Steady persistence in a course of action, a purpose, a state, etc., esp. in spite of difficulties, obstacles, or discouragement.

Both of these things involve God.

So. I solemnly Declare to...
... Pursue God in an open, friendly, loving, caring, relationship. And stop pretending he is just a guy upstairs.
... Read his word more. Not just read... analyze...break down... and apply.
... Love better.
...Put others first
...get rid of all my gossipy and bitter ways
... Take care of myself spiritually and physically.
... Stop letting my mind wander.

It's a tall order I know... which comes to point 2.

Persevering through it all with help from Christ and you.
The only way I can do any of those things is by being in God's word daily.

Accountability. Something I have come to appreciate this past year. being close ...very close..with 3 guys who are also pursuing an awesome relationship with God. When you try and accomplish anything on your own... you will fail.

James 4:4 NIV
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.

Being God's enemy is probly something you don't want to be. This verse has really struck me this month.

So I encourage you... don't make a new years resolution you CAN'T keep. Make a declaration to God that you CAN keep