• Home
  • About This Blog
  • Contact Me
  • Subscribe
  • Comment Policy

Attempts at Honesty

Reflections on the interplay of the Bible and Culture

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
Home Commentary My reluctant New Year’s Resolutions

My reluctant New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 7, 2013 Written by Mark McIntyre 2 Comments


ResolutionsI’m not a big fan of making a list of resolutions every year. My experience is that they are likely to be broken or forgotten before the end of January. Resolutions are the product of good intent, but often lack commitment and a plan for achievement.

In spite of my aversion to resolutions, I did come up with five for 2013. These are things that I have been thinking about and working on anyway, so I might as well make them resolutions and share them with you. Here they are with some explanation:

  1. I resolve to be open to have my plans changed so that God can bring about something better. Instead of being locked in on what I think I need to accomplish, I want to be available for those around me. People are more important than accomplishment. I do not want to miss out on any opportunity to learn or grow or help someone else.
  2. I resolve to pray more. Paul tells us in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil. (NASB) I find lots of ways to waste time; prayer is a much better use of that resource.
  3. I resolve to go slower and deeper in my Bible reading. Rather than work on reading the Bible in a year or some other fairly aggressive reading plan, I choose to read smaller portions and spend more time meditating upon them. My current plan is to read one chapter per day. At this pace, I will read through the Bible in a little over three years.
  4. I resolve to be a better steward of the body God has given me. Age and heredity have recently conspired together to force some dietary changes. In addition, I need to be more regular in getting aerobic exercise. Though I am healthy, there are a couple of indicators going in the wrong direction. I hope to show improvement in those indicators by the end of the year.
  5. I resolve to read 12 good Christian apologetics books this year. I would really like to read more than this, but I thought one per month is a reasonable objective. If you have any suggestions as to books which should be on my list, feel free to make a recommendation in the comment section.

What about you? Did you make resolutions? If so, feel free to share them in the comments.


Filed Under: Commentary Tagged With: Bible, prayer, resolution, resolve, Timely

About Mark McIntyre

A follower of Jesus Christ who shares observations about how Scripture should impact the church and the world. Mark is the original author and editor of Attempts at Honesty.

Follow Attempts at Honesty

Honesty in your Inbox

No difference

My point is that Jesus, who knew the eventual outcome, did not treat Judas any differently than the rest of the disciples. His treatment of Judas was such that no-one suspected that there was a traitor in their midst.

The Low Whisper

God is not a bully who badgers people into submission to his will. He is a gentleman who patiently woos the object of his love. He speaks in a gentle and quiet whisper, drawing people to himself.

Community

A Real Sense of Community

A few days ago I read a story about a man with 100,000 Twitter followers who took his own life. I know nothing about his history or the reasons behind the suicide. But I am struck by sadness that none of the 100,000 “friends” was close enough to prevent this tragedy. I often hear that […]

The Skill of the Craftsman

I was reading Augustine’s Confessions this morning where he mentions a treatise by Cicero called Hortensius as the means by which God began to change Augustine’s heart. Thinking that it would be interesting to read this work, I searched for a copy only to find out that Hortensius is a lost work. My initial reaction […]

If it is spoiled, throw it out

This evening I read 1 Kings 9 where God answers Solomon’s prayer of dedication of the Temple. In 1 Kings 9:8 God tells Solomon that the Temple will become a heap of ruins if Israel and her kings go after other gods and serve them. The thought struck me this evening that the Temple, as […]

Post Series

  • Westminster Shorter Catechism Series
  • Sermon on the Mount Series
September 2023
SMTWTFS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
24252627282930
« Jun    

Categories

Archives

Blogger Grid
Follow me on Blogarama

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in