Generally speaking, I don’t partake in New Year’s Resolutions. I tend to think they’re trivial and sort of a perfunctory and halfhearted attempt at improving one’s self. People tend to pick something, break their resolution once, and then give up and go back to their old routine of doing what it was they were trying to stop doing before hand.

Having said all this, I am going to make some “resolutions” this year. My resolutions are not really resolutions at all. I don’t expect to be able to wake up tomorrow and magically stop/start doing whatever it is I’ve set as my goal. In fact, that’s what I should call these: goals. I’ve set some personal goals for myself for this new year, that I will continually work on, which I hope will make me a better person. I want to be the best man I can possibly be.

I want to be who God wants me to be. So here they are, my four goals for this new year…

1. Stop texting/emailing while driving. This is something I’m in the bad habit of doing, even though I know I shouldn’t be doing it.

The person on the other end of the text can wait. The email I need to send won’t be sent if I end up killing myself, and someone else, while trying to send it. I need to stop doing this for my safety and those around me.

2. Stop using the word gay as an insult. I think we’re at the point now where we can all stop throwing this word around like it’s not a big deal. Don’t get me wrong, I understand where you’re coming from. If, like me, you grew up with friends joking around telling each other that something they’re doing is “So gay,” or “Dude, that’s pretty gay,” then you probably have a hard time understanding what the big deal is. Just ask someone who is in fact gay to explain it to you. I’m not trying to stir controversy or preach one way or the other here, I’m simply stating that it’s time we start thinking about others, and the friends and family of others, before we speak. Honestly, it shouldn’t be that big of a deal.

3. Cut down on fried food. I don’t eat a lot of fried food to begin with, but a couple of weeks ago I started loosely monitoring my fried intake and it astonished me just how much fried stuff is out there, ready to be consumed. Now I’m at the point where I only eat Tortilla chips (Lolita’s are the best), but occasionally something will creep up at an event or gathering that can’t be avoided. This is a goal not just for 2010 but for the rest of my life. Cutting back on fried food makes me feel more energetic and keeps my stomach and heart much, much healthier. Also, as a bonus, it’s a great way to lose/maintain weight and get even better at running.

4. Make His Kingdom known. All of this other stuff are selfish goals I have set for myself, when in fact, all that I should be thinking about are more ways to make His Kingdom and His Grace more well known.. This has been an unusually awesome/crazy year for us.

God has given us guidance for so many things and has blessed us in immeasurable ways; in short, He has humbled us. I want to revitalize and revive (revival! A word Baptists love) my worship of Him in 2010. a major goal of mine in that revitalization is getting out there and doing everything I can to spread the Word of His love and mercy

With my son being born this January (unless! Unless he is born in the next 4 and a half hours!), I wanted to take a look at how I can improve myself so that I can be the absolute best father possible. This means continually striving to be the best man possible. Most importantly, this means giving my total self to God and humbling myself before Him. He is awesome. He is powerful. He is my Father.

To God be the glory. See you in 2010.