New Year's Challenges

I've decided I don't like the word "Resolutions" when talking about the goals we set for ourselves each year. The word resolutions sounds too definite to me...you're resolving to do something...it WILL be resolved. In fact, I just looked up the definitions for resolutions, resolving, resolved and one definition is "to deal with successfully." But, how many of us are actually successful in our annual resolutions?? I know I'm usually not. So, I'm not calling them that anymore. They're forever now "New Years Challenges." Here are mine for 2008:

1) Remember birthdays of my friends! If you are my friend and received no phone call, card, gift, or even an email on your birthday in 2007, don't be offended. I missed almost ALL of them! I am vowing to recognize my friend's birthdays in 2008 in an appropriate way!

2) Become more disciplined. Okay, I realize this is huge and vague. I can name SO many areas in my life in which I need more discipline.... my spiritual walk, my eating habits, exercising consistently, going to bed at a reasonable hour, spending my money wisely and saving more, spending my time more wisely, not procrastinating, and on and on and on. My friend, Amber, suggested I not try to take on ALL of these at once or I will fail miserably. I know she's right. I'm going to start with just two this year....

a) My spiritual walk - I am "challenging" myself to spend time reading the bible and praying each day of 2008. As part of this challenge, I will be reading the entire Bible. Thankfully, I already have an accountability group in place for this. My community group has decided to read the bible through together this year. I am SO excited about it. I had considered switching groups this year as I felt my group wasn't going as deep as I thought I needed to be going and I wasn't feeling encouraged or challenged to grow in my faith. Then, Kristen suggested we just read the Bible together, rather than doing another book study (which we haven't enjoyed or had much success with). I wasn't sure how the rest of the group would respond to the idea..it's a lot of reading each day. However, they are all SO on-board and excited. I am also excited to embark on this challenge together! Our community groups at church don't officially start up for a few more weeks, but we started this week so that accountability is set in place ASAP! My thought is that if I can develop discipline in my spiritual life, it should begin to extend to some of those other areas of my life where I'm lacking discipline. For that reason, I figured that this is a good discipline to start with. "No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it." Hebrews 12:11. I hope to experience that "harvest of righteousness" in 2008.

Here's a pic of the girls from community group. Not our best pic, but it's the only one I've got!















b) Getting to bed on time. I have been horrible about going to bed since I was a child. There really is no reason for it other than I just find meaningless things to do at night or I spend earlier hours being lazy and then have stuff I HAVE to get done late at night. I am "challenging" myself to get to bed on time, which should lead to an overall healthier lifestyle and more productive days!