SERVE

So here I sit at the end of 2009 wondering where the year has gone. I have been pondering the coming year for the past several days - trying to think of a theme. My wife asked me, "what is your word for 2010?" - what one word would I use to describe my intentions next year... there were several things that I want to work on and it was difficult to sum them up in one word. After much consideration, I landed on "SERVE". I chose this word for several reasons, all of which are areas that I plan to focus on in the coming year.

SERVE MY GOD
I have been growing in my faith and desire to intentionally take my relationship with God to the next level. I registered to take a class starting in January called Perspectives - this will help me to grow closer in my relationship with Jesus Christ and gain some level of clarity around my calling. I am trying be very intentional in focusing on my realtionship with Him and am actually excited about getting involved in this study. I also have a few other things I am looking forward to and working on. The business that we started last year [Global Platform Solutions] to fund Global Breakthrough will begin working with a couple of businesses in 2010 to establish a revenue stream and fund the missions of Global Breakthrough - very exciting oppotunities to expand the Kingdom. I will be attending 2 Wild at Heart bootcamp events and hopefully one Advanced event in 2010. I am headed to Crooked Creek in Colorado in March and down to the Washington Family Camp in Oregon in April - both of these camps will provide me with a great opportunity to witness to other men about the transformation that has occured in my life and hopefully help them open the door and allow God to restore thier hearts. I am so excited to be serving God and expanding the Kingdom - 2010 will be EPIC!

SERVE MY FAMILY
Of course, continuing to work and pay the bills and provide a good life is in there some where, but I thinking about more intentional things. I am thinking about things specifically around my marriage and around my son, Bobby. As my marriage is concerned, serving here will benefit my whole family. I was talking to friend of mine the other day about marriage and I was explaining to him that marriage is like being on a cruise ship all alone with your spouse. There are times when you need to be down in the belly of the ship patching holes and bailing water and truly working hard and there are other times when you can simply enjoy some time up on the sun deck watching a football game on a big screen jumbotron or something. The important thing about marriage is to always be alert and looking for the leaks and looking ahead to make sure you are on course - watching for those big icebergs. I have learned that it is vital to constantly evaluate the needs of my wife and make sure I am filling those needs - even asking her if I am meeting them. I will intentionally pursue my wife with a vengence and keep alert for for those times and experiences where the enemy may try to come in a screw things up. I will pray for my marriage daily and ask God to reveal to me all areas where I can improve. I love my wife more today than ever and if I have to be alone on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean, I could not think of a stronger, more dedicated person to be with than her. A side benefit of serving my marriage is the positive impact this will have on all of kids - I intend to teach them that its ok (and required) to go down in the belly of the ship once in a while a argue loudly and disagree on certain things because in the end, our love and relationship is strong enough to withstand the worst storms that life can throw at us.

My son, Bobby turns 13 this year in about a week. I intend to make a list of things that we will do to recognize his move into young adulthood. Some of the things we have already planned are trips down to Oregon to visit his grandpa Jack, my dad, and learn how shoot compound bows and all kinds of guns. We will make the trip alone and I am also excited about the opportunity to bond with my dad as well. I have been neglecting that relationship for too long.

SERVING MY FRIENDS
I will intentionally look for opportunities to witness to friends about how God has changed my life. How He has renewed several areas of my life and continues reveal new things all the time. I am also very interested in starting a small group with Tammy of no more than 6 people that are intested in doing life together, getting together and studying God's word and sharing our lifes experiences with one another to strengthen our faith and intentionally build better relationships in our community.

SERVING THE HEARTS OF MEN
I am very interested in continuing to pursue the possiblity of starting a ministry in the northwest that goes after restoration of the hearts of men through the message of Wild at Heart. This has been on my heart for over a year now and I will be intentional about learning and refining the process of delivering this message and helping men recover that which was taken from them in the garden of eden. Stay tuned on this front.

MY HEALTH
The final most significant thing that I intend to work on is my health. I stopped smoking in early 2009 and since then have gained about 40 lbs. In order for me to serve the Kingdom effectively, I have got to improve my health. My weight has an impact on almost every aspect of my life - it prevents me taking on adventures that I would like to on, it makes me feel self conscious when I am around others, and it has a significant impact on my self esteem and self image. I have to fix this and I will use prayer and faith to provide my strength in attacking this opportunity in my life. The enemy knows what this does to me and he loves to camp out there....

I will pray tonight that all of you enjoy the new year and are showered with God's Grace in 2010.

What is your word for 2010?