Welcome to a new year.
I always try to name my year. It’s what I sense in my spirit that God is going to do in my life. I’m calling 2009 my year of discipline. That’s embracing a term that cause many to feel an acidic burning in their gut – maybe even a little bit of a lurch. But, so far, discipline is bringing me peace.
I know, I know, it sounds like typical new years resolution flim flam, but I have to start somewhere, you know. I weigh 20 lbs more than I need. My spiritual life needs nourishment. My time is precious. I had a grandfather and a great-grandfather die of heart attacks at age 48. My father developed diabetes at 48. My exercise habits are sporadic. I’ve been reading that not enough sleep can increase risk of heart attack. A glass of wine a day can have heart-health benefits (I’m disciplined here, hmmm). I sin more than you want to know (or maybe you do want to know). My blog has cobwebs in the corners. (whuuuuff!)
So, what am I resolving? Nothing. Really. I don’t make resolutions. But I AM enjoying some new disciplines. I love the fruit that comes from various good habits. But it’s not like I’m resolving to keep them up. Even so, I’m making a start at enjoying the kind of life that I want to live. Shall I indulge you?
- I bought a guitar with some Christmas money, so now I have one at the office and one at home. I’m worshiping more. It feeds my soul. It honors God. It’s fun and therapeutic. I used to worship with my guitar every day.
- I got a bike for Christmas. It’s cool. It makes me want to ride. Riding gives me exercise. When I exercise I lose weight, feel better, and look better. Watch out, waxing chick magnet skills (only one chick per coop, please).
- I’ve been reading a book about how spiritual disciplines (holy habits, spiritual practices) rightly done and experienced, will lead to acting out in love, kindness, action. It focuses on 3 main practices. So far, I have been wading around in the prayer of examen. Honestly, it’s transforming me. Honest. Really.
- I’m enjoying eating healthy foods. Oh, I enjoy unhealthy foods too, but I’m successfully reserving those for my day off, usually Sunday. I follow a reasonably modified version of Body for Life. If you want to laugh, go to their site and look at the before and after pictures of people. (Of course, if you laugh too hard, God will give you a ‘crick’ in your neck so that you will always be looking down at you muffin top gut hanging over your belt for punishment.)
Well, any way you look at it, my life needs a little more discipline. I feel like I’m missing some of the good qualities in my life that I was experiencing 15 years ago. As I try and recapture some of those, I believe God will take me to new depths, if you will.
Maybe more on that next time.
But the real reason for calling 2009 my year of discipline? I believe God told me to.
Catch a Wave 
