Just thought I'd share a few New Year's Resolutions I'm making this year. I try to get back to basics every New Year. Like everyone else, I need to recalibrate!
One resolution is to use all my vacation days in 2007.
I've never even come close to using all my vacation days. And that used to be a source of pride. Now I'm embarrassed to even admit it. I'm pretty confident that I'll be a better husband, father, and pastor if I take more time off. It's the point of diminishing return--more is less and less is more.
Another resolution is not checking work-related emails on my day off.
I honestly think this will be the toughest resolution to keep. I know there will be some emergencies that come up and I'm not 100% sure I can keep this resolution 100% of the time. And the fact that I'm doubting my ability to do it is a little disconcerting. But I know I need to be offline more often!
I also made some Bible reading resolutions.
One of the great dangers pastor face is this: reading the Bible for sermons. We read the Bible for what we can say to others instead of what God wants to say to us! So I'm trying to read through the Bible in a couple different translations for devotional purposes.
Throw in a few more personal and relational resolutions and I'm off to the races in 07!
One resolution is to use all my vacation days in 2007.
I've never even come close to using all my vacation days. And that used to be a source of pride. Now I'm embarrassed to even admit it. I'm pretty confident that I'll be a better husband, father, and pastor if I take more time off. It's the point of diminishing return--more is less and less is more.
Another resolution is not checking work-related emails on my day off.
I honestly think this will be the toughest resolution to keep. I know there will be some emergencies that come up and I'm not 100% sure I can keep this resolution 100% of the time. And the fact that I'm doubting my ability to do it is a little disconcerting. But I know I need to be offline more often!
I also made some Bible reading resolutions.
One of the great dangers pastor face is this: reading the Bible for sermons. We read the Bible for what we can say to others instead of what God wants to say to us! So I'm trying to read through the Bible in a couple different translations for devotional purposes.
Throw in a few more personal and relational resolutions and I'm off to the races in 07!
6 Comments:
Happy New Year PM!
The resolution on vacation days is a great one! I definitely agree that taking vacations is better for you at work and at home.
I'm going to pledge to do the same.
As you make those New Year's commitments, the last thing I'd like to do is cause you more work but...I have an idea. I recently used In a Pit With a Lion on a Snowy Day for a children's chapel sermon at one of our Christian schools in Des Moines, IA. I think it would be awesome to do a kids version of the book. Who would make better lion chasers than kids? As the children's pastor of a theater church in West Des Moines (Jordan Creek Family Church http://jordancreek.org) I'd like to say thanks for the inspiration. I totally gave you credit at the service and had some adults ask about the book afterwards. Don't use your vacation time to write the kids version, though! :)
Lori,
I like the idea :) Io think my youngest, Josiah, thought it was going to be a kid's book to begin with :) I know he'd love a pop-up picture version!
Got me thinking!
Mark
About the scripture, what all versions/translations are you reading for variety?
Do you have any experience w/ the English Standard Version? A friend recommended it and I'm thinking of getting one.
You have a son Josiah. I have a son Losiah. Cool.
Los
Blake,
I'm doing The Message and I might even do the King James. My standard reads are New International and New Living. I might through in a J.B. Phillips paraphrase too :)
Mark
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