Goals: Scriptures 1 of 12

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.

2 Corinthians 10 : 5

The Christmas Stash!

Hey,

I think I've stumbled upon a strange phenomena: AntiStashDiscussionism: The inability to talk about what you got for Christmas.

As usual for this time of year I've been asking people what they got for Christmas. Its a way of getting involved in people's lives, finding out what they like or dislike, rejoicing in their happiness, sharing in their joy. However most people don't want to play along. They deprecate the receiving part of the gift exchange, as though it really is of no importance.

Now don't get me wrong: Gift giving is very important. I do honestly believe that there is a more important reality in gift giving than there is in receiving. I think we ultimately gain more when we give an appropriate, sought after gift that will give great joy to the receiver, than in receiving a gift. How do you feel when you give a gift that you think someone is going to enjoy immensely? How do you feel when the gift is received with great excitement? How do you feel when it's not?

The point is that the giving has immense value when received in joy and with excitement. When I've given people gifts that they didn't want or had no interest in, I've felt crushed. Especially if I'd gone to the trouble to hunt down that particular something for that special someone. You want you gift to bring a smile to their face. You want your effort to be rewarded. Your joy is wrapped up in theirs, and so gift giving is a risky proposition: going about it carelessly will likely cause you more pain than joy. However thoughtful gift giving can be more rewarding than receiving anything.

And this is where AntiStashDiscussionism comes in. Refusing to talk about your gifts robs people of your joy, and ultimately of their own. The joy of Christmas is about giving and receiving. It takes both to make the joy, not just one part of it.

So talk about your gifts. Did you like what you got? Let the person know, and don't hold back if ask. Don't brag, but don't be shy either. Rejoice in your gifts. After all, God wants us to rejoice in His gift to us, doesn't He? Imagine how you would feel if people rejected the gift of all you could give.

TC&GB, pk

(p.s. I got a knife block from my wife! Its great to finally have good, sharp knives to cut and book with. We also bought ourselves an espresso machine. Making good espresso is an art form to be learnt!)

Resolutions

So, lets start 2005 in the traditional sense: New Year's Resolutions.

Now I've never really been big on resolutions, per se. I've tried the standard "I will do this!", "I won't do that!", but it was never inspiring enough to hold, and led to the inevitable discontent with my own will. I don't think it works for most people. In fact, I suspect it works for very few.

Mostly I believe this is due to the "will" or the "won't". They are so vague, and do nothing to empower the resolve within you. There is no plan of action. The bad of the "won't" is not replaced by a positive alternative. The good of the "will" is susposed to be it's own reward. I think we need something more. I know I need something more.

So I've turned to goals. These are not resolutions, but rather definable, measurable, and hopefully achievable targets for the coming twleve months. Last year I achieved but one of the list I made, and I've learnt a lot from the experience. Accountability is a wonderful thing. Understanding my own limitations, and what reasonable expectations are, is another. Managing time, including time for relaxation, is important.

At first these were "achievement" goals: What do I want to do? What do I want to achieve? This year though I'm broadening the scope. The goals are not only what I want to achieve; they include the consideriation of what is good for me, what is helpful, wise, and fair (Titus 1:8-9).

• The Twelves:
• Read 12 books (1 per month, on average)
  
• Write 12 songs & 12 short stories
  
• Learn 12 verses of scripture. Really learn them - word for word in the most hepful translation (Message, NIV or New Jerusalem by default), including reference
  
• Pray daily
  
• Get out of debt
  
• Maintain accountability
  
• Lead and / or write a study for home group
  
• Take time to practice and develop my musical gifts, including taking bass lessons again

It is not a big list, and there are others I'm not posting here. They are in no particular order; certainly not in order of priority! It covers personal development in mind, spirit and creativity (yes, the body is lacking!), as well as time out to enjoy myself: something I've really lacked this year, I think. Over the years I'm sure it will grow to a more holostic approach, encompasing all that I want to become, and all that God calls me to be. Jonothon Edwards' Seventy Resolutions makes for sober reflection.

As goals, they are things to work towards, rather than iron rules that require an iron will. They will take time, and a certain amount of intention, but I guess that's the point, really.

pk