My 2011 Goals

1. Run 1000 miles
2. Pray 1000 hours
3. Memorize Luke, Acts, Mark
4. Read 70 books

The Top Eight Greatest Songs of All Time (personal opinion)

8. The Skin of My Yellow Country Teeth Clap Your Hands Say Yeah



7. Twist N Shout The Beatles



6. Family Tree TV on the Radio



5. Last Night The Strokes



4. Heartbeats The Knife



3. Two Doves Dirty Projectors



2. My Girls Animal Collective



1. The Predatory Wasp of the Palisades Sufjan Stevens

My Favorite Books of the Year

Unlike last year, I did not track all the books I read in 2010. I am not sure why. I intend to in 2011. So check back in one year to be horrified at how many science fiction books I read while pretending to read only history and theology and literature.

My best books of the year, in arbitrary categories that I just invented:

1. Best Science Fiction

The Algebraist by Iain M. Banks

Who would like it?

People who like science fiction, people who think the cloud layers of gas giants are fascinating, fans of space operas, my sister Jane probably.

2. Best New Fiction

Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Who would like it?

Probably less than 1% of people who watch Oprah, pastors of hipster churches looking to make ultra-hip sermon examples, lovers of novels of Dickensian scope sans the absurd plot twists, lovers of well-written fiction in general, my sister Jane.

3. Best Collected Essays

Honoring the Written Word of God: Collected Shorter Writings by J.I. Packer

Who would like it?

Fans of J.I. Packer, lovers of God's word, people needing to give seminars on the trustworthiness of Scripture, few people.

4. Worst Science Fiction

The Third Lynx by Timothy Zahn

Who would like it?

Lovers of terrible plotting, clunky dialogue, ridiculous premises, and unmemorable characters; masochists.

The Fruits of True Repentance

Taken from II Corinthians vii.11:

The fruits of godly sorrow ("see what this godly sorrow has produced in you"), with Calvin's translation in parentheses.

1. Earnestness (carefulness)--

True repentance gives the sinner an earnestness to admit all and confess all. He leaves nothing hidden in his heart.

2. Eagerness to clear yourselves (excuse)--

Not to provide an excuse for sin, of course, but an eagerness to procure pardon, to lay hands on forgiveness. The repentant sinner seeks pardon with all his heart.

3. Indignation (indignation)--

How could I have so sinned against him who is my all, who has given me all, and who has spared nothing for me? How dare I rebel against the one who has shown me such patient love and tenderness?

4. Alarm (fear)--

Not a servile fear, nor a desperate alarm, but a new knowledge of the severity of God against sin that causes us to post anew watchmen over our hearts. This is the man once injured, who is loath to go again near the person who did him harm.

5. Longing (desire)--

I desire to please God again, as a son who is surprised at his father's mercy desires to show his father the love he returns to him.

6. Concern (zeal)--

A total commitment, a hatred of all half-hearted measures, the repentant sinner forswears them. He will spare nothing to fight the sin that laid him low. He burns for the honor of God to be shown in him.

7. Readiness to see justice done (revenge)--

A holy and joyous strictness that is rational, wise. What were the pathways of my previous sin? What hindered me? I shall flee from them and hate them.

Blog Recommendation

Do you like Christ?

Do you like being healthy?

Do you like eating healthy?

Some friends of mine, Alex and Sarah Costa recently started a new blog that combines their passion for healthy living and Christ. It has great insights on exercise, food, and lifestyle choices, all from a Christ-centered perspective.

Also, Alex does this daily "Around the Web" thing that is always interesting.

www.somaticos.com

Enjoy!