I’ve adjusted the look of the blog for a fresh look for the new year.  I realize the new look is much less colorful, but it’s minimal and if any word could describe my design tastes it is minimal.  I like the shades of black and grays that permeate the site.  The only ugly thing on the blog is the green from the links to the “They Said It” on the sidebar.  I don’t know how to change it.  I’ll keep trying though.  If you comment, which few do!, let me know how you like the changes.

Yes Little Mountain folks I know I’ve proposed one big resolution this New Year, BUT, I’ve got some personal growth resolutions as well and one of those is to read more, more widely, and more deeply.  Many people say with great passion and zeal (more heat than light!) that all we need to read is the Bible.  The greatest pastors and theologians in church history would probably beg to differ but you don’t care about that do you?  There’s more reasons than “Famous people say so.”  I won’t attempt to give them to you now except to say this;  the Bible is PRIMARY.  If you read all else and leave that out you will end the year emptier than it began.  With that as a starting point, reading has so many advantages that we need to consider.  1st, reading widely broadens your perspective.  We have a tendency to read only those things that we like, or alongside that, things that are like us.  A broader perspective will only better you to have a wider range of opportunities to converse, minister to, and relate to more people.  We can assume from the letters of Paul that he read widely, though the OT was primary.  2nd, reading sharpens your mind.  Let’s be blunt, TV and movies make your brain cells wimpy over time.  We typically watch those things not to interact critically with them but to escape into their world.  Reading exercises those brain cells, making them stronger and more focused.  Consider it weight training for the mind.  3rd, reading is pleasurable.  I know, you read a lot in school and it was always boring stuff.  So now read NOT boring stuff.  Read things that interest you first and you’ll find pleasure there (NOTHING is wrong with pleasure).  As you become more experienced you will find that things that were formerly boring are less so.  You will find an enjoyment there that is different qualitatively than watching entertainment.  Last, reading will help you develop a love for God that includes the mind.  The more you’re exposed to (with some amount of wise caution) the more there is to appreciate about God.  You will learn from science a greater appreciation for the power and logic of God.  As you read art and classics, you will gain a greater appreciation for the creativity of God.  As you read Theology you will certainly broaden your understanding of the God you suppose you worship (though it will never be perfect).  In short, this very incomplete list gives you 4 starting points or reasons why to set a goal to read more this year.  My goal?  Now it’s 40 books.  That isn’t nearly enough but as it’s my first attempt to set a reading goal it is a healthy starting point.  How about your thoughts?

1.  Average 100 in Sunday School by the end of February

I’m not a mega church pastor.  If I were being absolutely honest I would say, “I don’t know if I want to be one.”  Lots of young pastors have aspirations to be in a large church.  They see the steps they have to take to get there.  It starts with a smaller church, then a medium, then a larger medium, then a large, then a mega.  Most pastors never get there, but the ones who go this route many times start out knowing that’s what they want to do and need to do.  That is not my mindset at Little Mountain.  I came to Little Mountain to plant myself there, and to see my life intertwined with theirs.  I’ve learned a lot and done a lot badly.  My deepest desire for our church is to see growth.  I don’t want this church to be a stepping stone.  I want it to grow, and me with it.  When I say that, I mean both numerically and qualitatively.  I want our people to mature in the faith.  I want our people to reach the lost.  I want the unchurched Christians to be reached (if there’s such a thing).  Growth can be good.  It’s not good in and of itself, but it can very well mean that people’s lives are being changed.  This new year I want to see more life change than ever before.  It has to start with our people.  Our leaders have to lead.  Our people have to come along.  We have to work harder than ever before.  But there’s potential there that’s untapped, and in the process of being tapped.  I don’t know what God intends to do but I do believe this year will see things happen that haven’t happened at Little Mountain in a long time.  I believe it will be for the better.  It’s not because God told me so.  I simply have faith that He desires to do a work in our midst, and through us.  Whether that happens will not be dependent on His desire.  I believe His desire we can assume is to grow in maturity and in number.  Maybe not to “mega” status, but to meet our God given potential.  If I lose expectations of great things happening I might as well leave the ministry.  I’m already done.  I will be posting specific goals in the near future.  I believe it is important to set measurable, reachable goals.  I am bad at it, but I’m giving it a shot.  Any suggestions?