“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out of your door. You step into the Road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there is no knowing where you might be swept off to.”
J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring)
I thought it appropriate to use this image and quote taken from the works of J.R.R. Tolkien (The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring)
1. The Greatest Command
This was my number one resolution from last year and will probably continue to be my number one resolution. The bible passage in Mark 12:28-31 talks about the two greatest commands. To love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. And also to love your neighbor as yourself. Those are probably the two hardest of God’s commands and I have no delusions that I am actually able to perform them on my own. I take comfort, however, in the fact that I am one of God’s children and have accepted His Lordship in my life and it is by the power of His spirit in me, by grace through faith, that I am able to even begin to follow these commands.
Of course wrapped up in this resolution is a whole pile of other tag-alongs. Following God and being conformed to His image requires that I also love my wife as Christ loved the church. It means that I should love and care for my children sacrificially (no, not by killing animals, but by sacrificing my own wants and desires for their good). It means that I should have a heart for the lost, that I should pray continually, that His praise should always be on my lips… It really is tiresome thinking about all that following God encompasses. I’m grateful that God promised to complete the work that He started in me and that it is not up to me to do all of these things on my own.
2. Get Out of Debt
We went through Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University two years ago and it really has changed our lives. We’ve not only gotten smarter with our finances, but our children have learned what it is to lay aside temporary pleasures for long term goals. We are planning on being debt free this year! We are hoping for the spring, but are confident that we will be done by the end of the year. Hallelujah!
3. Get Rid of the Gut
I meant it last year and obviously I went astray, because my gut is ever present. I made good progress last year, but I think my consistency in training throughout the year was a hindrance. I also injured my right heel towards the end of the year, which put a damper on things. Anyway, I’ve joined World Gym and hope that will aid in my progress. I’m also looking forward to getting my feet back on the road for some running. Hopefully I will be able to sidestep any injuries and be consistent in running.
4. Read More
I’ve really enjoyed getting back into reading during the second half of 2012. I look forward to reading even more this coming year, both fiction as well as more Christian literature. Also, let us not forget the most important reading, The Bible. I’ve once again started a read the bible in a year program. I know some people are not really into these, but I like something to keep me accountable and progressing through scriptures. I purchased a copy of The Voice translation at the end of this past year and plan on utilizing it for my read through the bible plan. If you haven’t heard of it you should check it out; it is a really neat translation.
5. Train Better
I hope to not only train more this year, but to also train smarter. That will include cross-training via my aforementioned gym membership and hopefully finding some more scientific resources for running better. I’d also like to start including some trail running in the mix. I think having a wider variety of training will not only yield a more “whole body” fitness and lend to running better, but hopefully will also help with trimming my body and fulfilling resolution #3 above (getting rid of the gut).
Happy New Year
Well, I suppose that’s it for me. Not very interesting or adventuresome and pretty much the same as last year, but you know what they say… if at first you don’t succeed, try try again. I wish you all a very Happy New Year and pray that God reveals even more of Himself to you throughout the year. God bless!