resolution

1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination.
2. A resolving to do something.
3. A course of action determined or decided on.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/resolution
 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I don't much like New Year's Resolutions.
 
My reasoning is simple.  I don't like the idea of taking a fresh, untainted new year and then deciding on January 1st what I am going to feel guilty about on December 31.  I create enough guilt throughout the year without choosing it on New Year's Day.
 
Despite those feelings, I am setting some goals for this year ... not necessarily goals that are fully attainable, just things I want to work towards.  And in the interest of keeping myself accountable, I am going to share a couple of these goals with you.

1.  This year I want to work on being content in whatever situation I am in.  Too often recently, I have found myself battling the green-eyed monster of jealousy.  I am not sure that I would label my emotions this way in the moment I am experiencing them, but I can't deny that is the source of my discontent.  My prayer is that I will be more like Paul.   Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, [therewith] to be content.  I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:11-13

2.  I do have one goal that I absolutely want to accomplish this year.  Ronnie and I have decided to read through the Bible with the kids this year.  We have chosen to use The One Year Bible plan. This is something we haven't done before but I am excited about having a plan for our Bible times together.  In the past we have been somewhat random, so this should help us to be more focused in our reading. 

So, that is it.  My plan for 2010.  What about you ... do you have a plan for the new year?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2009 ended on a good note.  We spent the first part of the evening with our church family eating wonderful soups and listening to a great group of guys sing for us.  We finished off by observing the Lord's Supper.  It was a wonderful time of worship.  Our pastor reminded us of his sermon on Sunday night when he challenged us to make 2 Peter 3:18 our verse for 2010. 

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.

We ended 2009 at the home of our friends, Brad and Amy, where we listened to their neighbors shoot fireworks and watched the ball drop in New York - which is somewhat anti-climactic if you don't live in the Eastern time zone - but nevertheless, still tradition.  The kids had a wonderful time staying up late and playing with each other and even joined the adults for a toast at midnight (with grape juice, of course). Overall, we had a great time saying good-bye to 2009.

Out with the old, in with the new.

Happy New Year!