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2008: Taking stock, moving forward
Most people I know aren’t much for New Year’s “resolutions,” per se. Whether this is because they feel every day ought to be given to positive change, or because they aren’t very good at keeping resolutions, I’m not sure. In any case, I think the end of the year is a natural time to take stock of one’s life and, if necessary, make adjustments.
Whether or not you term it a “resolution,” what do you plan to do differently in 2008? Also, if you planned to make changes this time last year, did you make them? Why or why not?
Topic: Watercooler Chatter, WorldMagBlog
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One reason I’ve never liked New Year’s Resolutions per se, is that before I was a Christian, I made them in the usual worldly way, based on my own “will-power”, and I was lucky if they lasted a week. Now, I know that if anything about me is going to change, it has to be something the Lord gives me grace for and empowers. So I no longer think of “resolutions” or associate them with New Year’s. I take a yearly inventory around Easter time, and a daily inventory while I’m praying.
For many years, I kept a faith journal. I haven’t done that for awhile, but am considering going back to it. My husband does this, and I think it is a very good thing. When stuff is written down you can’t just forget about it or dismiss it.
At our church this year, we are supposed to take a little spiritual inventory and turn it in to our pastor. We also have the opportunity to form accountability partnerships. I’m praying about that, too.
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For me, it comes down to being a better Christian husband and father. Most of that centers around being less self-centered. Having two (very young)children naturally forces that, but I still find myself wanting to slip back into my old “me-first” ways. And that’s not fair to my incredible wife…she has to take up the slack.
So I guess I’m not going to lay my hand on the Bible and recite some pithy resolution, but I am going to steel myself to just do the next thing that needs done, and then get it done for my family.
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Last night, on mansfieldgroup.com (click on blog), I read an excellent answer to this question.
I hope you’ll all go check it out. I’d post a link, but I don’t really know how to do that.
That answer, is my answer.
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I never make resolutions, because, like Janie, they never last long.
I do plan to join a group who is reading through the Bible on a schedule made by Robert Murray M’Cheyne in the 1840s, with discussion of what we have read. I hope it will help me in my personal study of the word.
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Yeah EYG, it’s really good.
http://www.mansfieldgroup.com/
Scroll down to see “Blog” on the left, and click on the new year article dated 12/28. It’s probably still the first one.
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Turn my heart toward my children.
That’s very high on my mental New Day’s Resolutions list.
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I have to do all I did last year and then some. Son’s starting to want friends over, so the house has to stay cleaner. Husband’s on his own job-wise and needs help with bookkeeping. This leads to a need to budget more carefully Something will have to change, so I‘ve resolved to get more organized and try a schedule of some kind.
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Make and keep a budget. It’s so easy to look the other way while the money oozes out on its own.
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kbells, may I direct you to Flylady.com or net can’t remember. Great on organization and budgeting. I can’t say I follow all of it but it keeps me from living in total chaos.
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This coming year my family will be reading through the entire Old Testament during evening devotions. The following year we’ll take our time moving through the New Testament, reflecting on the many prophecies fulfilled.
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Thanks, Janie.
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No chocolate! [However, this isn't necessarily a whole year resolution.]
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I am removing negative people from my life. If they don’t love me and accept me for who I am I want nothing more to do with them. I want to find peace and happiness. The past year and a half has been filled with heartbreak and turmoil and I am sick and tired of being sick and tired, so I am stepping off the merry go round. Thast is my goal, meditation, resolution, and prayer.
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Kim, follow the above link, #5.
It addresses that.
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Kim – Pray about that first, if you haven’t already. God may be using those difficult people in your life to hone your character, & perhaps has you in their lives to show them His grace.
Believe me, I know of what I write! Taking care of my nasty, ungrateful, complaining MIL for 4 yrs. taught me so much about gratitude & grace – lessons hard learned, but priceless. I don’t regret those days, even with all the frustration & tears that came with them.
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Kim #13, It seems Karen and I agree a lot. Don’t give up on us. We aren’t all that bad. We all love you regardless of the things we say and do.
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I am going to enew last year’s resolution – I’m getting back into shape.
Last yer’s try got badly derailed (the cancer diagnosis in early January and surgery in early February, then the intestinal virus/shut down, than the herniated disc with the persistent pain and loss of use of the right arm). I’m going to do it this year.
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Thank you all. I did follow the link and loved it. I am just tired. I was at work this afternoon and just started crying over the guy I used to date. I couldn’t stop the tears. I had to go in the bathroom and hide until I got myself together. I haven’t shed a tear over him in over 6 months and today of all days I started crying over him. Go figger
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So let’s all go to Whirled Views and plan my virtual birthday party on January 7th (my birthday is Jan 6). kbells is getting her cousin the Elvis impersonator to entertain us and Anlir has agreed to do the decorations. I am thinking I want either Mrs. Llama or Mumsee to make my virtual birthday cake. Lynn can bring the box-o-coffee from Starbucks. Hamachi and a couple of others can bring the wine. Someone needs to contact Lon Chainey and get him to do the food or perhaps we can have a potluck and everyone can bring their favorite dish.
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Kim – I sent a very elaborate and expensive virtual present.
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Thank you. I shall treasure it always. (imagine this on blind embossed ivory card stock)
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Excellent Kim! Do you prefer red or white wine? I’ll bring my camera gear too. Can’t have enough photos of virtual people now!
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Pinot Noir. And since it is virtual and you will be spending virtual money there is a really nice one from the Willamette Valley.
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Kim,
When you said Pinot, I immediately thought Willamette Valley. Great minds…! Since this is virtual, I’ll bring 2 bottles of 2005 Auteur Pinot Noir from their Shea Vineyard.
Did you hear about the new wine variety for senior citizens?
.
.
.
.
It’s called Pinot More….
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krm writes: Last yer’s try got badly derailed (the cancer diagnosis in early January and surgery in early February, then the intestinal virus/shut down, than the herniated disc with the persistent pain and loss of use of the right arm).
krm: As “excuses” for not getting in shape go, I’m going to say those rank right up there.
2008 will be your year!
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Lynn – Even with all that, I managed to loose a few pounds and get back to 30 minutes a day on the Nordic Trak and some lifting (as my typing abundantly shows, the fine motor skills are still shot, but the gross motor of lifting seems within the realm of the possible).
I am targeting a return to old-timers hockey within a couple/few months – this soon-to-be 50 guy hopes to be able to handle an “over 30″ hockey league by then (at 45 I was coaching and scrimaging competitively with elite level teenagers, so it isn’t a total pipe dream).
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Kim: Feel free to continue texting me as often as necessary to update Mindy and I with prayer requests.
Virginia was awesome — maybe you and Chloe will be able to join us there next year? Mindy and I talked with a realtor about a 18.5-acre plot of land that has a 360-degree view of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Once we build a house there, it would be neat to have all the non-trolls from this site come over for a cookout.
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God bless you, Kim.
My sister is mourning/grieving, too.
Just remember, God answers prayers and fully understands the language of tears.
He can do something about what you are feeling, even if no one else can.
Sorry such a rough day.
I prayed for you.
Good night.
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YEAH…………………………..
New England is the WINNER, what a night. We are so HAPPY!
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Outkast, are you serious? This is a GREAT idea, what fun to meet all the people on this blog –
I am not a troll….LOL
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Excellent! Par-tay at Outkast’s place! I’ll have to bring a little cheaper wine than the virtual stuff I picked up for Kim’s party.
Kim, give me a call when you get a minute!
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Hamachitwo/Lon: You will NOT be invited to our party, so give up your pretences already . . .
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Brother Outkast,
My New Years resolution is to never treat you as you’ve treated me. I sincerely wish you peace and happiness. You are always welcome in my home.
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32. That was a little harsh. He was a lot of fun at my dream party the other night.
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Outcast,
I sure hope I get to come. I was only a troll one time, and I confessed two comments later.
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For 2008 I hope to:
1. Go to more baseball games. I missed Opening Day last year because I was in Baton Rouge. Not this year.
2. Eat more hot dogs. The ball park is the only place I’ll eat hot dogs. I think about hot dogs every day.
3. Harass the grounds crew more frequently. Those guys are the only one’s in baseball who don’t get harassed.
4. Purchase and use a tazer on children who crawl on top of the dugout, block my view, or crowd the aisles playing tag instead of watching the ball game.
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Finally, we can get rid of this disaster of a president and find out how deep his failures go. He can only hide so much.
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Anlir 36,
You’re cracking me up!
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Kim, for your Birthday party I will bring all the chocolates – What kind would you like?
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Janie,
I can’t believe you were ever a ‘troll’- are you going to tell what name you used?
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Kbells – 34
Harsh? I don’t think so!
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Victoria I love turtles. Do you know how to make those???
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Kim – I’ll bring the balloons. Lots & lots of colorful balloons.
Also, Kim, a visiting preacher said something this morning in church that made me think of you & the hurts you’ve had.
“For those with bitter wounds – Don’t nurse them, don’t curse them, don’t rehearse them. Emerse them in the oil [anointing] of the Shepherd.”
God bless you, Kim.
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Karen,
That’s a very nice thought. It brings to mind a discussion I had with my boy yesterday. We were showering and I was making sure he washed all the proper areas. When it came time to wash his hair he balked. I stretched the truth a bit and said he needed to wash it to keep from getting lice. He knows this is not true, but it usually gets him to reach for the shampoo. He gave me the usual scrunched up kid look like, ewww… He said he knew someone who had lice and they had to either shave his head or put this oily stuff in his hair. (this is why your comment reminded me of this story) I like to joke around with my kids. I told him those ways would never work and he had better wash his hair.
I explained that if he just shaved his head, the lice would run all over his body. The oil would be messy and ruin his new Shawn Alexander jersey. But, if he ever does get lice I knew just how to get rid of them. I was using my very serious voice. I said, what we have to do is shave half your head. He looks puzzled. Then we take a match and set the other side on fire. As the lice run out of the fire onto the shaved side you stab them with a fork. Works every time! He looked horrified and obviously didn’t believe me, but did laugh really hard picturing himself stabbing head lice with a fork….
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Hate to spoil it for you H2 but lice like clean hair. But if he ever does get them go the store and by flea shampoo for a cat and wash his hair. Lots cheaper than the $16 treatment you get in the pharmacy. (learned this from a friend of mine whose husband is a vet–I thought I say nits in Chloe’s hair once and called them. He was going by his clinic and picking up some flea shampoo for his girls and told me to go to walmart and get cat flea shampoo for Chloe)
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Cute story, H2O. My dad used to tell me things like that when I was a kid. Being pretty gullible, I believed him until someone laughed.
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Kim – 42
I don’t know how to make “turtles” but I sure know where to buy them, and you will have them!
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Karen O – 43
That’s beautiful –
Our pastor made some comments along the same line this morning -
God bless you
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Chocolate Turtles:
I once bought a big box of them up in Vancouver, BC. You should have seen the look on the customs officer’s face when he asked if we were bringing anything back that we had purchased in Canada. “Not really, sir. Just a box of Turtles.” “Turtles??” he asked, to which my girlfriend smiled and held up the box of candy. “Have a safe trip home,” he said with a smile.
Kim,
Thanks for the tip! If I ever have to deal with them, I’ll give the cat flea shampoo a try. I hope I don’t have to though
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Hamachito – My dad did that sort of stuff with me (and my sisters) all the time. It turned us into very good critical listeners (he expected us to call him on the things where he went off the track).
I did it with my kids a lot. They became very good critical listeners (and drove their teachers crazy).
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My father had little riddles too. The man rode across the bridge, yet, he walked. How did he do it?
The man left on a Sunday, was gone a month, but returned on the same Sunday….
Early one morning, late one night, two dead boys got up to fight. Back to back they faced each other, drew their swords and shot one another. If you don’t believe my lie is true, ask the blind man he saw it too.
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KRM-
Off track, but when I read your initials I mentally pronounce it as, “Kerm.” Sometimes I picture Kermit The Frog. This is not a bad thing at all. Kermit is pretty cool, but I hope this is alright with you. If not, please suggest another mental picture for me to associate with KRM.
My kids have very good critical thinking skills. I wish they would listen to me more though
I shouldn’t say that because it may be taken to imply that they are bad listeners, which they are not. I am encouraged by your experiences and will continue to test them.
My son’s preschool teacher once took me aside to tell me how much he enjoyed his presence. He went on to make projections about my son’s future. His guess was he was either going to be a stand-up comic or a lawyer. He based this on my son’s keen sense of humor and natural tendency toward being an entertainer. I call this being a goof-off. The lawyer part he said because my son, although very young at the time, was, and still is, a skilled arguer and negotiator. I sometimes wish he weren’t so naturally skilled in this area.
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Kim, Did you grow up in Kentucky, by chance?
I like your dad’s riddles. Here’s a cute one I found while looking up the answer to one of yours.
“There’s these here three men. One weighs two hundred pounds. The other two weigh one hundred pound apiece. They got to git acrosst th’ river. There’s a boat there, but it’ll jest carry two hundred pounds. How they gonna git acrosst?”
(I kept the original spelling. I think it ads something.)
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No I didn’t.
#1 Yet was his dog.
#2 He rode a horse named Sunday.
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1. The two one hundred pound guys row across together
2. One of the hundred pound guys rows back
3. The two hundre pound guy rows to the other side
4. The one hundred pound guy who was left there rows back
5. The two one hundred pound guys row back together.
Had a great Sunday todayl. Good worship. Good message. Great vision in our church.
Man it’s good to be alive!
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Thank you for the turtles Victoria. Actually this is almost more fun than having a real birthday party. There is no limit to what I can have!!!! And no calories in the cake, turtles, wine, hot chocolate, and other “OR DEE ORVERS”
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY KIM!
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Excellent essay by Lynn. Kim (post #19) Your birthday is January 6th – Day of Epiphany!! As I recall, Jan 6 is the Last Day of Christmas. What a fantaz time for a virtual party. I will lend my talents as a professional cook to help cater this celebration. Zat cool?
ok….here’s JJ’s (me) top 5 new year resolutions:
1) invent a new food fad for 2008, then name it after my wife. After all, we only celebrated our 1st wedding anniversary in ‘07.
2) learn to play the mouth-harp
3) buy Ann Coulter something to wear other than that ubiquitous black dress.
4) re-catalog my entire collection of KC & The Sunshine Band records
5) remind myself to NEVER make silly resolutions like this again….
what………you thought i’d actually be serious for a moment?
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Happy Birthday, Kim
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Hamichito – It is a play off of initials – I have always accronym’d the abbrieviation as “chrome” (KRoMe would work by adding a couple more actual letters).
Although, KeRM would actually also work. I’m not as cuddly cute as Kermit though.
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I’ll picture you as KRoMe Man from this moment on. I like that better. Here you are:
http://tinyurl.com/ys5aa7
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Lots of things I need to work on, few I would put in terms of “resolutions.”
But a few ideas come to mind.
1. My dog and I both need more regular exercise. I can ride my exercise bike, but even if he were willing to go down the stairs to the basement (which he is not), he would have some trouble adjusting the seat so that he could reach the pedals. Plus I’m not sure which feet he would use on the pedals. So I think – no, I know he would appreciate it if I take him for daily walks. And now that he is getting elderly (around 11 or 12, I think), he may be more inclined to let me set the pace and stick to it.
2. I have been thinking about starting a blog. At one time I wrote up a web page for our family website, listing the books I had read recently or was reading, and my comments on them. When we changed ISP’s the page got lost because I had originally written it on a different computer than the rest of the website. And while I don’t know if anyone would be particularly interested in what I’m reading or want to comment on my comments, a web page doesn’t offer that capability and a blog does.
3. I have tried various Bible reading plans and have difficulty sticking to them. A month or so ago I started reading Exodus because our small group was reading a book on revival, and it had a chapter on the holiness of God, and various Bible characters’ encounters with God. Moses wasn’t one of them, so I decided to read it on my own. Plus I started reading R.C. Sproul’s book on the holines of God (currently in my stack of books I’m in the middle of). I finished reading Exodus, and read Deuteronomy, as part of assigned reading for another class at church, on an overview of the Bible. I’m sure the rest of the reading for that class will keep me busy, but as there’s so much to read it will probably be relatively superficial reading, for the overall flow of the book as it fits into the Bible rather than indepth study or devotional reading.
So I’m thinking I’ll read some more on Moses. Find out a Jewish perspective on him, for starters. Read other Bible passages about him and the exodus. Maybe memorize Psalm 90. And study the songs of Moses in Exodus 15 and Deuteronomy 32. Do a study on “meekness.” And maybe something on anger management (I’m not the hot-tempered type, as you can probably tell from this blog – but I do have to learn how to deal better with anger than just suppressing or repressing it). Anyway, if I do start that blog I’ll post about my reading/study/thoughts on these things.
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Pauline: The subject of Bible reading plans came up on Saturday’s meditation, and I thought of posting then, but didn’t.
I have a reading plan called: The Victory Bible Reading Plan. The little book cost about $1. It is ambitious in that you read each of the Gospels twice, the Psalms twice and the OT & NT once during the year. I usually read ahead during the winter so I don’t have “catching up” later. Also, I have read it so many times, I (frankly) speed read some of Leviticus & Numbers and the temple portion of Exekiel. As well as other places. The problem with it is that the book of Job gets more attention than I Corinthians, and Song of Solomon, more than Romans. (Yes, I understand I am editing the Bible.)
A typical day goes like this:
January
1 Ps 1…Matt 1……Gen. 1-2
2 Ps 2…Matt 2……Gen. 2-3
3 Ps 3…Matt 3……Gen. 3-4
Etc.
The advantage of this plan is that you read the Bible chronoligically. That is, in June, we skip from I Chron.29 to I Ki. 3-4, then to Song of S, then to II Chron. etc. It works.
My wife uses it, but only reads it once, i.e. Ps. once and Gospels once.
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Pauline,
There is a reason you have been nominated as one of the Best Christian bloggers by readers of this blog. Make a blog. We’ll read it.
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Good points, Chas. My family found a Bible-reading plan that is set up similar to the one you described.
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