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?

We will be embarking on about a 7 week journey starting December 30th here at Little Mountain. It’s going to be called “I Will Not Waste My Life This Year; Or my single New Year’s Resolution.” Most years we make a list of resolutions half of which we don’t intend to keep and the other half we fail to keep. This year the challenge will be just one resolution. One resolution with many sub points. It could alternately be called “How to Waste Your Life This Year,” b/c the opposite of the things we will look at will result in one more wasted year tacked onto the 80 year average of wasted years. How many years have you wasted? Maybe you haven’t wasted the whole year, but on the whole the year was more wasted than not. Then you think starting around December 20th, this next year will be different and here are all the reasons why….”I won’t smoke, I won’t overeat, I will go to church faithfully, I will give, and I will be more romantic with my wife/husband.” Good luck with all that. As for me? Just this one. If I can fulfill this one then much else will fall into place.