new year's resolutions goals Archives

Yesterday was National Resolution Planning Day. And also National Bacon Day. Anyone else love irony?

I am no expert on goal setting, organizing or losing weight, but so many of us are looking for ways to do this next year a little better than the last. So I called on some of my friends, and they came through.

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These articles inspire me to set new goals and change mindsets – all for the glory of God.

For easy reference, these blog posts are broken up into 4 categories: Spiritual Growth (first because I consider it the most important), Health, Word for the Year, and Other Improvements. I pray you find something really helpful here.

Spiritual Growth in the New Year

I have already placed an order, and you might too after you see inside this beautiful planner reviewed in Planning for a Faithful Life on instaencouragements.com.
Sara from theholymess.com supplies us with a New Life in Christ Bible Reading Plan. Dive into your time in the Word with intention!
I found this tool new and interesting. Check out the Christian Growth Wheel to Mature Your Faith from thinkaboutsuchthings.com.
The Abundant Life…How to Flourish in a Frazzled World from simplyscripture.org is so self explanatory. And so needed.

Health in the New Year

healthyasyoucan.com tackles arguably one of the most popular resolutions in How to Set and Slay Your Healthy Weight Loss Goals for the New Year.
And I tackled mental health with the help of my friend Stacey – who is a licensed professional counselor – in Saying Goodbye to the Inner Critic.

One Word for the New Year

Many choose a one word focus for the year. A word to study, pray over, meditate on. I chose trust last year and continue to learn so much about depending on the God of the Universe. Lisa from lisanotes.com chronicles 3 Steps to Choose the Right Word. You may not even think you need a word. But maybe you do…
pattyparker.me tells us about picking a Family Word of the Year and what it means to her.

Other Improvements in the New Year

Patty Parker to the rescue again with Living Clutter Free in the New Year: 9 Tips That Will Rock Your World. Who doesn’t want to have their world rocked?
How about some general tips on planning for success? 4 Keys to Planning Your Best Year Ever from livingwithmargins.com.
And How to Beat the Odds and Reach Your Goals This Year from marvasmith.com.
And it may be a little uncomfortable, but Accountability Helps Goals Become a Reality. Thanks angelpenn.com.

And One to Grow on in The New Year

Last year at this time I hosted friend Shannon Pugh writing about evaluating last year before jumping into any of this other stuff in One Minute…Makes a Big Difference!

I would love to know if one of these struck a nerve with you or if you’ve decided to implement a plan or suggestion! Also, do you have any New Year’s traditions? Leave a comment below. And Happy New Year!

And now for this week’s featured post from the link up!

Fellow Grace and Truth host Lisa Burgess captured my attention with 7 Tools to Overcome Your Addiction to Certainty. Her message nestles right up against my word for 2021. Trust. And I still have so much to learn. Maybe you do too.

1. Share 1 or 2 of your most recent CHRISTIAN LIVING posts. (No DIY, crafts, recipes, or inappropriate articles.) All links are randomly sorted.

2. Comment on 1 or 2 other links. Grace & Truth linkup encourages community.

3. Every host features one entry from the previous week. To be featured, include this button or link back here on your post (mandatory to be featured, but not to participate).

We encourage you to follow our hosts on their blogs or social media.

MAREE DEE – Embracing the Unexpected
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LAUREN SPARKS
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LISA BURGESS – Lisa notes
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TAMMY KENNINGTON – Restoring hope. Pursuing peace.
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While many are setting New Year’s goals and making promises they may or may not keep, may I selfishly encourage you to consider a reading resolution this year. It’s selfish only because I am a writer who needs readers. But reading benefits us on so many levels.

Reading improves memory, enhances vocabulary, increases creativity, relieves stress and lowers blood pressure, and makes you more empathetic. Books provide entertainment, education and keep the brain young. In my un-asked-for opinion, getting lost in a biography or novel is also a much easier path to self-improvement than going keto.

I read about half as many books in 2019 as I did in 2018. I don’t think I actually spent that much less time physically reading, but I did discover a wheelbarrow load of new podcasts that kept me from listening to as many audio books. If you are looking for some reading inspiration for 2020, I gladly share what I consumed last year and even divided them into categories – with the tiniest of commentary.

Fiction

When We Were Young by Karen Kingsbury . I used to read all of her books. I don’t follow Kingsbury that closely anymore, but I’m so invested in the make-believe Baxter Family after all these years that I have to keep up with anything about them.
The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery. I’m a fan of hers from way back and discovered an old but new-to-me title.
Gennie the Huguenot Woman by Bette M Ross (It’s a long and weird story why I chose to read this, but it is actually pretty good.)

And that, sadly, completes my fiction list. When I looked back at my year in books this appalled me. I resolve right now to indulge in more stories in the months to come.

Devotional or Bible Study

Perseverance: 30 Devotions for Faith that Moves Mountains. I had to list this one. It’s the first book I’ve ever been published in. And I’m proud to be included.
Seeing God’s Hand Through the Art of Sign Language by Connie Rowland
Discerning the Voice of God: How to Recognize When God Speaks by Priscilla Shirer
Awaken: 90 Days with the God Who Speaks by Priscilla Shirer (I love her)

Books on Writing

The Elements of Style by Strunk and White. Yep. That’s it. I am a student of my craft.

Non-Fiction

Is the Bible Good for Women?: Seeking Clarity and Confidence Through a Jesus-Centered Understanding of Scripture by Wendy Alsup
Mended: Restoring the Hearts of Mothers and Daughters by Blythe Daniel and Helen McIntosh
Sacred Ground, Sticky Floors: How Less-Than-Perfect Parents Can Raise (Kind of) Great Kids by Jami Amerine
Stolen Jesus: An Unconventional Search for the Real Savior by Jami Amerine (I really dig her raw and honest voice)
When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment by Ryan T. Anderson (It’s time for the church to talk about it.)
The Power of Christian Contentment by Andrew M. Davis (a definite struggle for me).
Big Magic: Creative Living Beyond Fear by Elizabeth Gilbert (For me, this did not live up to the hype.)
It’s a Love Story: From Happily to Ever After by Lincee Ray
The Sacred Echo by Margaret Feinberg
Emotionally Healthy Spirituality: It’s Impossible to be Spiritually Mature, While Remaining Emotionally Immature by Peter Scazzero
Prototype: What Happens When You Discover You’re More Like Jesus Than You Think? by Jonathan Martin
The Wondering Years: How Pop Culture Helped Me Answer Life’s Biggest Questions by Knox McCoy (a gift from my BFF)
Sex, Jesus, and The Conversations the Church Forgot by Mo Isom
Giddy Up, Eunice (Because Women Need Each Other) by Sophie Hudson (I love her podcast with Melanie Shankle.)
Anatomy of a Song: The Oral History of 45 Iconic Hits that Changed Rock, R&B and Pop by Marc Myers (Just listen to the songs.)
For Young Women Only: What You Need to Know About How Guys Think by Shaunti Feldhahn (I read this to discuss with my daughter because For Women Only: What You Need to Know About the Inner Lives of Men was extremely eye opening to me as a newlywed. The original was much better and I would advise any moms out there to just go with the more “adult” book for convos with your daughter about boys and dating.)

Books That Should Be Required Reading

Night by Elie Wiesel (hard, but important)
The Louder Song: Listening for Hope in the Midst of Lament by Aubrey Sampson (taught me so much about being real)
Winning the Heart of Your Child by Mike Berry (even though my kids are older, this book motivated me to change my parenting)
Your Future Self Will Thank You: Secrets to Self-Control from the Bible and Brain Science (A Guide for Sinners, Quitters and Procrastinators) by Drew Dyck (Just look at the title! Do you not fall into one of those categories!?!)
A Practical Guide to Culture: Helping the Next Generation Navigate Today’s World by John Stonestreet and Brett Kunkle
Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands: People in Need of Change Helping People in Need of Change (Resources for Changing Lives) by Paul David Tripp (All church members should read and apply. It’s really about being a good friend.)

Books That Will Make You LOL

I Ain’t Doin’ It: Unfiltered Thoughts From a Sarcastic Southern Sweetheart by Heather Land (If you like yourself at all, get it on audio and prepare to need to change your underpants.)
by Melanie Shankle (one of my all-time fave authors and speakers)

Christmas Books (Saved for Last Because You Won’t Need Them for a While)

Because of Bethlehem: Love is Born, Hope is Here by Max Lucado
Christmas Joy: A Novel by Nancy Naigle (the delightful book equivalent of a Hallmark Christmas movie)
Christmas in Georgia by Celestine Sibley
Touching Wonder: Recapturing the Awe of Christmas by John Blase (LOVE!)

I hope you found something here to intrigue or inspire. If you did, do me a solid and order from my link so I get a small commission. It helps me keep the lights on this site. I would also love to hear about your favorite recent reads in the comments. I need some inspo too! Happy reading!