- Happy 2020!
- I don’t know about you, but I love the feeling of a new year.
- It feels like a fresh start.
- I know, I know…it doesn’t make sense.
- You can start fresh any time you want.
- But I still like it.
- Rang in the new year with the family (actually I feel asleep by midnight, but the evening leading up to that was fun).
- Our newish tradition is to put the little kids down to bed and then make a candlelight steak dinner with the older girls.
- We reminisce and laugh about our favorite moments from the year, and they drink their annual soda.
- (This year we had Cinnamon Coke, which was quite good.)
- Then we watch a classic movie with them that they haven’t seen.
- This year was Father of the Bride (last year was Apollo 13)
- So good.
- Part way through the movie I get out my cast-iron skillet and make a pizookie.
- Also so good.
- Has been really fun to have a bunch of extra time with the kids in between Christmas and New Year’s.
- I’m not a big resolutions person, but I do have a few goals for the year.
- Never quite sure whether to share goals because I know there are competing approaches (some say share them and others say don’t), but what the heck… I have two in terms of personal development:
- To read 20 good non-fiction books in addition to the other numerous fiction books and series I enjoy.
- I know a bunch of people who read more than that, but I think this would stretch me pretty well.
- If you’re a reader, you might check out a recent book by a Gateway member (Wayne Pirrman): Self-Control: No Compromise
- I joyfully contributed a chapter, as did former Gateway resident and current Redeemer pastor, Jon Benzinger.
- Another goal is to workout 250 times in 2020.
- I’ve kept track for the last four years: 107 (’16), 277 (’17), 213 (’18) and 213 (’19).
- After two years of the same number, it’s time to step it up a little more.
- I’m at 6 so far so that feels good (I don’t typically workout the Sundays I preach since it’s enough of its own kind of energy expenditure).
- That’s kind of it for personal development.
- Oh, and I’m also using the FiveDayBibleReading.com plan for this year.
- For now, I’m listening to the OT chapters at 2x speed and then reading and reflecting on the Psalm and NT passages — so far so good.
- Relationally, my two main objectives are to lead and love my family well as we lead into having a 9th grader and 6th grader next fall (such transition years), and to help our staff and church be healthy and honoring as we continue to grow, change, and transition.
- Got to take a step in that direction this past Sunday with my sermon on “Loving One Another Through the 2020 Election.”
- It’s here if you want to watch:
- It’s definitely less of a “How to decide who to vote for” message and more of a “How to love each other well” message.
- I had more fun with it than anxiety, and I appreciated the helpful conversations it generated (and may continue to generate).
- My eldest asked me, “Do you think it will make a difference?”
- I told her that I hoped so, but that I think it’s mostly a message that reminds Christians what we already know — the question is whether we’ll have the power and self-control to live the way we know is best.
- Time will tell.
- Next Sunday we start a new series through the book of Malachi.
- It’s a series I preached back in 2011, so will be fun to see how it improves this time — not that anyone will remember (even me).
- I may glance at my old notes, but definitely planning on studying afresh and writing new messages.
- It’s such a good book when it comes to helping stagnant believers be reminded of their calling and focus.
- Check out the Bible Project video for a good overview.
- After starting that series on Sunday, I get to preach at GCU for chapel on Monday morning and then a different sermon for their “Gathering” on Tuesday evening.
- One of Gateway’s worship leaders, Chandler, is part of their worship team and is playing Tuesday night which should be fun.
- The GCU chapels are remarkable and between the two nights there may be 3,000-5,000 students.
- What an awesome opportunity.
- So pray for me as I prep those two GCU sermons, and if you have any student connections over there encourage them to come check it out.
- A few articles I’ve enjoyed:
- Your Ministry Will Take a Lifetime by Ray Ortlund — great words from a wise man
- 5 Disruptive Leadership Trends That Will Rule 2020 by Carey Nieuwhof — I thought #2 was the most interesting
- A New Year’s Resolution: Don’t Try to Be With It by Kevin DeYoung — so much wisdom and so hard to do
- The Best Movies of 2019 by Brett McCracken — I’ve seen half of these and plan to see a couple more
- Alright, gotta run to Mary’s soccer practice.
- Going into 2019 I sensed it would be a big, important year.
- 2020 feels similar, though in less obvious ways.
- May God bless us this year as we look to him with trust and joy.
- All of life is all for Jesus.