Vision!

Some advice about how to make this year the best year ever!

1. Die. (note: does not apply to those who do not know Jesus)

2. If you dying is not an option, here is some more advice.

--Spend an hour with God contemplating the following two questions:

What helped me grow spiritually over the course of the last year?
What hindered my spiritual growth over the course of the last year?

If you are wise, and God sees fit to illumine the past year for you, there should be many applications for this coming year.

3. Resolve to spend as much time learning to love and serve others next year, as is humanly possible.

4. Read a few books. Even if you do not like reading.

5. Memorize the Word of God. Daily.

(This is a personal aside. Every year that I have asked myself those questions {see No. 2}, the same answer has come up regarding my spiritual growth. Memorizing the Word. Gosh darn it, nothing has helped me more. And old dudes walking with God say the same thing. It seems so simple. Memorize the Word. The capacity you have does not matter. Some can easily and quickly memorize long passages. Some cannot. But the important things is that you maximize your own capacity. Try it!)

6. Compare the amount of time you spend watching TV, movies, etc. with the amount of time you spend praying. Seriously! The result, if you are anything like me, should be convicting. You will know how to apply it.

7. Finally, if you resolve this year to get to know your friends better, and to figure out how you can love them better, I guarantee good stuff will come. Be the first to move! Remember, the pattern of our love reflects the pattern of God's love. Thankfully, God did not wait for us to act. Follow the same pattern towards your friends.

Much love,
Steven