I am NOT a Resolutions Guy!

I used to be that guy. You know...the one who used to make a bunch of resolutions and then just as quickly as they were made toss them aside. (However, resolutions aren't necessarily bad-as Joe Thorn explains)

It was a few years ago that I got sick of that. I always started my year out feeling like a failure. This is a bad way to set the tone for a year. It often wasn't until March or April that I got out of my failure funk and felt like I could have a productive year. What a waste of three month!

I refuse to wallow in self-pity any longer. Instead, I take advantage of my "new" year and realize where I fell short in the previous year (and what lessons were learned) and what goals I want to make for the coming year.

In 2011, I learned the following lessons:

• Having the title of pastor does not help you pastor your people well
• Be careful what you pray for. God may actually give it to you.
• It is better to be accused of being something than to sin trying to defend yourself.
• I am not as wonderful as I think I am; but I am loved far more than I believe I am

In 2012, I will make the following goals:

• To strive to be empathetic to those whom I serve
• To lose 50-80 pounds (mostly because I realize my obesity is because of lack of self control)
• To regularly spend time with just my family (including the goal of pastoring them well)
• To spend my time with God well, doing more listening than talking. (in order to discern His will)

What did you learn in 2011? What goals are you making for 2012?