Happy New Year Links!

As we head into the sunset of another year and welcome in the birth of a new one tomorrow, I want to take a moment to thank my blog readers for their thoughtful comments, both here and in email, and to the VOX community that hosts this blog.  May 2008 be all that you want it to be.

Now, with the new year approaching, you are undoubtedly looking at those old familiar resolutions that you consider every year.  I thought I would drop in some links to help you along…

1.  Reading your Bible through in a year.
I’ve given up on reading plans.  I enjoy journaling as I read and I especially like the S.O.A.P. devotional method that Wayne Cordeiro uses and discusses in his latest book “The Divine Mentor”.  What I can’t put my arms around are the reading plans that are included.  I realize that it makes sense to include a reading plan because it gives a novice a chance to start somewhere but as someone who’s used them all; Discipleship Journal, McCheyne, ESV Daily Plan, etc., I can honestly say that the best way to read the bible is to simply read it book by book, taking your time to understand the themes of the book and to purchase a good commentary on each book as you increase your learning.  The S.O.A.P. plan by Cordeiro works beautifully but I’m sure he used this with his own reading style and not by some pre-programmed plan.  For a good overview on reading your Bible book-by-book, pick up Woodrow Kroll’s excellent book “Reading Your Bible One Book at a Time” and begin your journey.  One of my favorite one-volume books for understanding the books of the Bible is “Talk Thru the Bible” by Bruce Wilkinson and Kenneth Boa.  It was one of the first books I purchased as new Christian and today as a pastor, I still use its helpful book outlines and charts as I prepare lessons and sermons.  It’s now been republished in a new edition.  Mine is pretty beat up and worn out but has loads of my own notes in it and it’s held up well over nearly 15 years of solid use.

The goal?  Just start reading and don’t be concerned with how quickly you do it.  If you try to follow one of those plans you’ll either get discouraged by April and give it up or you’ll just breeze through the pages of scripture just so you can check off your box for the day and not grasp anything God is saying to you.  One thing I would suggest is to  BUY A NICE JOURNAL AND USE IT.  Writing down your thoughts as God speaks to you helps to cement the ideas in your mind.

2. Weight Loss!
Yikes!  This is another area I struggle with each January.  Like many, I’ve purchased the books, drank the shakes, and suffered the consequences.  This post tells the story of a young man who lost 50 pounds in three months using some common sense ideas he put together himself.  He also used an eating plan (those aren’t bad you know) and put it to work for himself.  Now you might not want to lose this much weight (I do, I want to lose MORE) but the concept here is clear.  Do a little research on your own and make wise choices as you consume food this year.  Make a little more time to walk and exercise and give it time.  Putting your own research to work seems to make it a little more gratifying in the long run.  A great book to read on this topic is one you’ve probably never heard of.  It’s called “A Heart Attack Can Save Your Life” by Joseph Mason.  I interviewed Mr. Mason 12 years ago when this book was released back when I was working in the talk radio business and he sent me a review copy.  His is one of the most common sense approaches to maintaining your body that I’ve read.  That’s probably why the book never took off.  It wasn’t flashy, didn’t promote any fancy toy you could buy to go along with it., and it never promised anything other than the results you could achieve through hard work.  Find a copy used (it’s out of print) and read it.

3. Be in Church More Consistently.
Okay, I’m assuming most of my readers are Christians and this isn’t an issue but I had to post this link on the topic from a secular blog.  As long time Christians, I think we forget what it’s like at the other end of the spectrum.  Perhaps after reading this, our perspectives will be sharpened and we can serve better as we reach out to others.

4. Clean Up the Clutter
If you’re like me, your garage is serving as a storage center for many items.  (Right now, mine is hosting all of the boxes of the gadgets we received at Christmas just in case they don’t work!)  Perhaps your house is full of clutter here and clutter there and you’ve grown accustomed to all that stuff lying around!!  Well, DON’T.  I’m 41 now and last year as 40 hit me, I began to plan ahead for the next ten years of my life.  Ten years from now, my kids will all be grown and only the youngest will still be in her teens barely (19).  My wife and I are making plans each year to do a little bit to our house to improve it for an eventual sale and are already in the process of serious downsizing.  This past year, I cleared out junk from my home office (A TYPEWRITER for crying out loud) and made room that I didn’t know I had.  I’m still a long way from where I want to be (it’s okay, I have ten years or so!) but I’ve started by clearing out old books (If I haven’t picked it up in the last three years…..), old computer equipment, CD’s (I’ll rip those digitally if I’m only modestly interested these days and give away the actual CD), clothes, etc.  A great book to get you started on this journey is “It’s all too much” by Peter Walsh.  I paid full price for my book (well on a small discount at my local Borders) this time last year and it was well worth it but now, you can pick up this little gem of a book at Amazon for under $7.  It will give you the impetus to get started.  Here’s a bonus for this.  You can sell some of this stuff on sites like “Craig’s List” and make a little money as you clean up.  The rest you can offer on a network like “Freecycle” and give it away.  Somebody is always willing to pick up your junk.

…and last but not least…

5. Cleaning Up My Finances
In a few short weeks, your bills from Christmas will have arrived.  WOW.  Talk about a shock.  All those great deals you purchased will be financed to the tune of 14 to 18 percent on average and the great deals won’t be so great once you pay it off by mid-summer if at all.  Make this the year that you (and your spouse if it applies) begin working toward financial freedom.  For some this will take some time but you have to start somewhere so now is a great time.  Pick up a copy of Howard Dayton’s book “Your Money Map” and begin working toward true financial independence.  The Money Map is a plan that Crown Financial Ministries has put together and it works.  It takes time, yes even years, but it works.  My wife and I are renewing our commitments to our finances as the new year approaches.  We, like many, purchased some gifts on credit and don’t want to do that again next December.  We’re going to get started seriously on our destinations on the money map so that in the ten years I referenced earlier, we can move into a smaller home or town home and pay cash for it so we can focus all of our time and money on the ministries God has called us to.

So there you have it.  A list of popular resolutions with a bit of a twist.  My suggestions are just that, MY suggestions.  Your mileage may vary but for me, I’ve found these to be of great help and assistance as I work toward a better all around life both spiritually, physically, and financially.

Happy New Year!