Over the New Year holiday I did some self-assessment. Tried to identify little changes I could make that would make me a better steward.
Here are seven priorities going in 2010:
1) Find something to be grateful for everyday.
A gratitude journal is a great way to focus on God's blessings and cultivate a grateful heart. We're doing this as a family. For what it's worth, I'm using a calendar I got for Christmas that is filled with pictures of my family. I'm filled with gratitude every time I open it!
2) Don't email during peak creative times
This varies from person to person, but 90% of my creativity happens in the AM. So I don't want to waste my creativity on my inbox. I'm trying to email more in the afternoon. And I'm trying to be less obsessive-complusive when it comes to email.
3) No soda
One little change in diet can make a huge difference! I love soda. Too much! So I'm giving it up altogether in 2010.
4) Read thru the Bible
If all else fails, I want my kids to learn to love the Word of God. That is where I want them to turn for answers. And that means establishing reading routines.
5) Listen to preaching podcasts
Every preacher needs preachers! I want to be more disciplined about my spiritual diet in 2010. So I'm listening to sermons on the elliptical. Why not get a spiritual workout while getting a physical workout. Spiritual multi-tasking.
6) Delegate More
If you aren't delegating, you're robbing someone else of the opportunity to step up and step in. We think we're doing people a favor. We aren't. I want to give more opportunities to others this year!
7) Say No More
I have a hard time saying no. It's not a natural part of my vocabulary. I'm a "yes person." But saying "yes" to one thing is saying "no" to something else. I need to reestablish some boundaries in my life so that I'm saying "yes" to the most important things.
Here are seven priorities going in 2010:
1) Find something to be grateful for everyday.
A gratitude journal is a great way to focus on God's blessings and cultivate a grateful heart. We're doing this as a family. For what it's worth, I'm using a calendar I got for Christmas that is filled with pictures of my family. I'm filled with gratitude every time I open it!
2) Don't email during peak creative times
This varies from person to person, but 90% of my creativity happens in the AM. So I don't want to waste my creativity on my inbox. I'm trying to email more in the afternoon. And I'm trying to be less obsessive-complusive when it comes to email.
3) No soda
One little change in diet can make a huge difference! I love soda. Too much! So I'm giving it up altogether in 2010.
4) Read thru the Bible
If all else fails, I want my kids to learn to love the Word of God. That is where I want them to turn for answers. And that means establishing reading routines.
5) Listen to preaching podcasts
Every preacher needs preachers! I want to be more disciplined about my spiritual diet in 2010. So I'm listening to sermons on the elliptical. Why not get a spiritual workout while getting a physical workout. Spiritual multi-tasking.
6) Delegate More
If you aren't delegating, you're robbing someone else of the opportunity to step up and step in. We think we're doing people a favor. We aren't. I want to give more opportunities to others this year!
7) Say No More
I have a hard time saying no. It's not a natural part of my vocabulary. I'm a "yes person." But saying "yes" to one thing is saying "no" to something else. I need to reestablish some boundaries in my life so that I'm saying "yes" to the most important things.
14 Comments:
That first soda in 2011 will taste sooo good!!
In reference to number 5. I am interested in reading about who you are listening to.
Love Perry Noble, Craig Groeshel, Andy Stanley and Erwin McManus.
I also download miscellaneous messages from Mark Driscoll, Len Sweet, Matt Chandler and John Piper. And I fill it out with friends in ministry that I love listening too. Some ARC pastors like Dino Rizzo, Chris Hodges, Rob Ketterling, Greg Surratt, etc.
I'm sure I'm leaving some preachers out of this mix, but alas.
It's a hodgepodge. I think it's good getting a variety of communicators on your ipod.
Oh yeah, I also listen to TED lectures alot.
Mark
GREAT Ideas. I may implement a couple of those on my own. :)
When reading through the Bible are going to start from Genesis and go that way or are you following a reading schedule?
NCC is reading thru the Bible as a church. We'll come up with our own reading plan.
Last year I did the standard one-year Bible.
Mark
I meant to post a test post. Beep, beep, just testing, did I get my comment posted?
If I did, PAH! :-)
BTW, I did post my anonymous somewhere else.
I, too, listen to sermons.
Driscoll, Chandler, and Piper are the way to go.
But I also listen to this goofy guy here in the District, of course!
Just downloaded WGC on Kindle- relating already! Thanks!
Hey Mark, I am looking forward to seeing in Anderson, SC on Wednesday.
Thanks. I really enjoy the blog and grace for the year ahead. I too advocate the sermon podcast. One you might enjoy is Simon Ponsonby-his books are great too. I also enjoy listening to John Peters.
http://www.staldates.org.uk/BrowseBySpeaker.asp?intPreacher=153
http://www.stmaryslondon.com/
Great ideas - several of them I do myself! I can't get enough sermons/Bible learning. Francis Chan is another I really enjoy! I feel extremely blessed by NCC pastors too! Thanks for learning/sharing with us!
On #5...I've been doing it for awhile now, and it's been so rich that it makes me wish that the sermons were longer so that I could keep learning and get a few more miles in :-)...thanks for the ideas on the other guys to listen to...also it's been a huge blessing to have podcasts while traveling internationally - doesn't matter where you are, the word of God is the same and the message conveyed is so true.
Thanks for these, Mark. I'd also recommend the sermons of Darrell Johnson, formerly at Regent College and now at First Baptist Church, Vancouver, B.C., and John Ortberg, Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, and a classic: John Stott's sermons dating back to the 1960's from All Souls Church, Langham Place, London.
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