New Year's Resolutions

Well it's been awhile since I posted something. I had started to a few days ago, and realized it needed more work. But I thought this would be a good opportunity to post about New Year's Resolutions.

I haven't really been a person who makes resolutions. I guess I figured I'd end up breaking them, so why make them in the first place right? Well this year I think I will go against my personal grain, and make some resolutions. Some will probably be vague and some specific.

1. Develop my personal relationship with God.
Specifically:

Reading my Bible, DAILY.
Having meaningful daily times of prayer (not just at meal times, as I do more than I ought to)
Sharing my faith much more readily and frequently.

The last two will be hardest since I am not really good at communication (face to face at least)

2. Spend better quality time with my family.
Specifically:

Restarting weekly family devotionals. (Something always seems to come up once we get into a groove on this)
Having devotionals with my wife.
Being more patient with my children.

3. Take better care of myself.
Specifically:

Eat Better.
Exercise more consistently.
Focus more when I am studying.

Summaries:

1. While I had a good year spiritually, it had its ups and downs, especially since the end of the semester. Not having a routine has hurt my prayer times and bible study. If I am not spending time with the Lord, how will I know what he wants for me? Also, I have a hard time reaching out to strangers about my faith and I have to do a better job of upholding the great commission. I have heard it said; "If you had the cure for cancer, would you keep it to yourself?" Well Jesus is even better than the cure for cancer, yet I'm often afraid to talk about Him. I resolve to do better this year.
"Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." (Matthew 28:18-20)

2. Those who know me pretty well know that my schedule is pretty crazy. Yet somehow I make it through. (Unfortunately it sometimes is due to more caffeine than is righteous, more on this later) Because I am so busy, it can be easy to let important things like family slip through the cracks. God has given me a wonderful family and it is my responsibility to raise them up properly in the Lord. But far too often our times of family devotional to the Lord are pushed to the side for other important, but far less important things. I resolve to be consistent this year with family devotionals. I also resolve to have devotionals with my wife. When we have had them in the past it was always a good occasion to work on our relationship without being in the middle of a bump/disagreement/argument. (many people use different words, but generally they mean the same thing) I will be more patient with my children. This is difficult at times because my 8 year old seems to have this idea that he can question my authority and what's worse, my 2 year old picks up on it. (she's too smart for her own good) I tend to get frustrated and upset with them, and far too quickly. I will be more patient and understanding, yet firm that they will 'RESPECT MY AUTHORITAH!' ;) , but do it in a more loving way.
"Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord." (Ephesians 6:4)

3. My wife being the Nutrition Coach/Personal Trainer extraordinaire that she is has given me inspiration on this one. She has decided to go vegan with the exception of honey. (some people consider honey vegan, it's a technicality I guess. After studying biology, I would say honey is NOT vegan, but biologists could be wrong, most are wrong about the fundamental religion of biology, evolution) One thing she said caught my attention. She wanted to train someone using the 300 workout. I said, 'I'll do it!'. (BTW I need to do work to get into good enough shape to do the 300 workout, but I'm getting there.) Partly, I want to help her with her business, but mostly I need to be in better shape to keep up with my psychotic schedule. Also, my wife takes such good care of herself that she'll live to be at least 100 (unless Jesus comes back first) and I don't want her to be too lonely, so I need to take care of myself. I also would like to be around to see grandchildren and great grandchildren etc. About studying, I just need to do a better job of focusing. Studying now will pay the bills later, and I need to remember that. I resolve to eat better, exercise consistently (even when my school schedule becomes demanding, because it will) and focus my energies on studying when it is time to do so.
"Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

I mentioned before about caffeine. Well, anything done to excess is sin, and so is not relying on God. Last semester I drank too much coffee and I will cut back. Not only is it bad for health and sinful in excess, but it shows a lack of trust in God to get me through hard times.

Anyway, I am WAY long winded here. Have a GREAT twodoubleoeight!