Renewing Yourself Spiritually in 2010

Although we are already into the new year, I wanted to encourage you to consider some new disciplines for the new year as a means of spiritual renewal. I hesitate to call them resolutions because too often that word has become synonymous with failure, because so many fail to stick to their resolutions. So call them what you like, but here are some suggestions for how to use some of your personal time in 2010 for God's glory.

1. Read through the Bible in a year: There are some great resources available here that offer a variety of reading plans to consider for this year. In addition this page offers some great ways to keep up with your reading plan. And if those don't satisfy you, this page offers even more interesting resources for making the goal of reading the entire Bible this year possible.

2. Read 12 books this year: This may sound crazy but it is very doable. It's only one book a month and would be a great way to fill your mind with things that are consistent in Phil. 4:8. Plus there are books like What is a Healthy Church Member?, How Good is Good Enough?, Not Even a Hint and Seeing and Savoring Christ that are pretty short and very easy to read in a month's time.

3. Focus on Real Heroes: Remember our discussion in Philippians 2? We are called to honor men and women who give their lives for the Gospel. Use this year as a time to focus on men and women who have shaped and are currently shaping this world with the Gospel. Read a biography about them, pray for them and strive to be like these spiritual heroes. As Christians we should know more about David Brainerd, Dietrich Bonehoffer, and Amy Carmichael then we do about Tiger Woods, the Jonas Brothers, Taylor Swift or the Georgia Bulldogs.