A Little Fun with New Year’s Resolutions
Enjoy a humorous take on the challenge of making New Year’s resolutions and our tendency to be overly ambitious with our goal setting.
*This is an older, but popular post from my early days of blogging in 2010.
The Lighter Side of Making Resolutions
Before January completely gets away from me, I want to get my brain around some goals and resolutions for this year. Pre-occupied with other things-I don’t remember what exactly-I gave a momentary thought to making a few New Years Resolutions. The trouble with momentary thoughts is they don’t go too far. They don’t last long, and they rarely accomplish much. One year I was very organized with my resolutions, writing them on a white board. Proud of my good intentions, I posted them in a prominent place–the fridge. Lose, not loose–you get the jist on #1!
You can see I’m getting just a little carried away with my New Year’s Resolutions. Winning the Nobel Prize might be a bit of a reach…
Have you ever noticed how easy it can be to get a tad over zealous when it comes to all of the great things you want to accomplish on that magical date when the calendar turns from December to January? For a brief period of time, any thing seems possible. The sky is the limit…and then…
You either forget all about your lofty goals.
Or…you fall smack down, face plant into reality.
Yes indeed, resolutions can be tricky things.
One day, I passed by an unusual sign with a sale I can’t afford to miss. When we lived in Okinawa, Japan, I laughed aloud when I drove past this sign. This is the sale of the year for those that find themselves challenged when it comes to successful resolutions.
Now that is a novel idea for making money. Such a funny way to look at New Year’s resolutions! If you can’t make them, you can buy those pesky resolutions…and on sale no less. This is great for those of us who are a little behind on the whole make-yourself-better-resolution thing.
I have a few questions about this:
Do you buy them one at a time or do they come in a multi-pack?
Will they need batteries to make them work?
Do they come in sizes, or are they one size fits all?
Is there any maintenance, care, or feeding involved?
Is assembly required?
Do the sale resolutions come with a money back guarantee? If so, I will hop on this deal right away. It is hard enough to say…lose 15 pounds…but a money back guarantee…I just might be interested.
If these resolutions are on sale, does that mean these are the ones no one wanted? Things like, I will read the dictionary every day and eat 5 servings of vegetables. Useful things like take up tidily-winks ( I am pretty sure no one under the age of 80 plays that anymore).
Do I really want to spend my hard-earned cash on reject or leftover New Year’s Resolutions? What good is that actually going to do me? Not much.
It is Not Too Late
So, whether you do it the old fashioned way or buy them on sale, it is not too late to consider some goals or resolutions for this year. (You see, I am familiar with this procrastination strategy–if it is after the first of January, you are off the hook to make any resolutions.) And for those of you who have made resolutions and already let them go by the wayside, pick those babies back up and stick with it. We just might be better for it:)
Once we get those resolutions nailed down, here’s a few thoughts to tuck into your pocket:
Commit your works to the LordAnd your plans will be established.
Proverbs 16:3
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness,
and all these things will be added to you.
Matthew 6:33
More posts to start your year:
Simple Habits to Nurture a Balanced Life This New Year
10 Life-Changing Bible Verses to Inspire Hope This Year
5 Tips to Reset Healthy Habits for Spirit, Soul & BodyA Little Fun with New Year’s Resolutions
How to Find Fresh Faith for Your New Year
Some Thoughts on New Year’s Resolutions
Make Today’s Goals from Yesterday’s Lessons
What is one of your New Year’s Resolutions?
Discover the Power of Small, Faithful Choices
Start your year with practical ways to grow in faith right where you are. Holy in the Moment! is filled with encouragement, real-life stories, and simple steps to help you walk in holiness every day. Grab your copy today and discover how small, intentional choices can draw you closer to God.
*This is an affiliate link at no cost to you.
Worship Tips You Don’t Want to Miss
32 tips for worship–how convenient. One for every day of the month with a couple left over. I’d love to say I planned it this way… To tell the truth, there are still lots of tips that I didn’t cover. Some of these I am aware of and some are yet to be discovered. This is one of the things that I love about worship–there is always more. So much more! We can never learn it all, do it all, or figure it all out. Take this list and use it for your quiet times; then begin adding your own worship tips. We can never come to the end of God and we will never come to the end of worship.
If you missed tips 1-20, you will find them posted here:
10 Practical Tips to Deepen Your Worship Now
10 More Practical Tips to Get the Most out of Your Worship
21. Treasure and ponder deep in your heart.
Meditation relates to this worship that ponders. To meditate means to attend to, to practice, be diligent in, to ponder or imagine. Treasure the truth of Christ.
22. Believe and receive.
The gift of grace is given, but our job is to receive it, to reach out and take hold of this treasure so lovingly given. We can only receive by believing.
Faith is the energy that empowers our hearts to take hold of grace.
23. Look beyond.
Too often we are satisfied with the joy of God’s blessings, rather than the joy of knowing our God who gives. Look through each blessing, appreciating something about God, the Giver of all good.
24. Worship by giving a gift of prayer.
Prayer is a blessing and gift that you can give to someone. Trusting God in prayer is always an expression of worship.
25. Evaluate your faith.
The following reflective questions are a great way to spark worship through deeper, more intentional faith and can be used when reading any passage of Scripture:
- Do I really believe this?
- Do I act like I believe this?
- Do I think like I believe this?
26. Be aware of 3 symptoms of a Worship Rut.
Spiritual ADD: Isaiah 42:40
You have seen many things, but you do not observe them;
Your ears are open, but none hears.
- Pay attention.
- Be observant.
- Care about what you see and hear.
Disengaged Faith: Isaiah 29:13
“Because this people draw near with their words
And honor Me with their lip service,
But they remove their hearts far from Me,
And their reverence for Me consists of tradition learned by rote,
- Mean what you say in worship. God cares more about your heart than your words.
- Be real with God.
- Put your heart into it.
Meaningless Repetition: Matthew 6:7
And when you are praying, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they suppose that they will be heard for their many words.
- It’s not how much you say, or how many times you say it that causes God to answer prayer. Pray with sincere heart and simple words. Put your faith in God and not in your method.
27. Engage: Break out of your worship rut.
All three of these verses point to problems in worship that are often the result of disengaged faith–going through the motions and faith in the formula or activity. Routine in worship can tempt us to fall into a pattern of insincerity -not because we do not believe, but because we are on auto-pilot.
Explore ways to incorporate fresh ideas into your worship. Change up the pace. Break out of a worship rut as you discover the way you engage most naturally in worship and feel closest to God.
28. The worship of gratitude.
Because God gives, I receive with grateful worship. Worship that pleases God is a holy awe, bathed in grace, and entered into by gratitude.
29. Love as God loves and do what God does.
Worship reflects the glory of Christ as we honor Him in the way we treat others. Sincere worship is to show my awe-filled appreciation for the grace I have received by extending grace to others.
30. Sing a new song.
Written, spoken, whispered, shouted, or sung, a new song rises from a heart touched by God. A new song is fresh, relevant, intimate, personal, resounding with the testimony of what God has done in our lives.
31. Remember you are not alone.
In the midst of relational worship we discover that worship is not us our our side, trying to please God who is on the other side. When we worship in spirit and truth, our worship can be a partnership of the Holy Spirit within us praising and lifting up the Father, bearing witness with us and through us.
32. Press through circumstance and press into worship.
Difficulty can be the fire in which powerful worship is forged. Worship is sometimes the pathway to deliverance. When the going gets tough, the tough get worshipping.
A Final Word of Encouragement
Congratulations on completing The Christmas Worship Challenge! Cue the confetti and let’s do a happy dance!
What an incredible experience to witness how God has moved in your hearts and lives through this journey. As you step into the new year, I encourage you to continue nurturing the habits of worship you have cultivated. Let this be the beginning of a deeper and more vibrant relationship with God.
If you’re looking to go even further, I invite you to check out my book, Holy in the Moment, for more practical ways to live out your faith. You can also join me on the Habits of Hope podcast, where we explore how to develop spiritual rhythms that bring hope and renewal. Let’s keep growing together in faith and worship!
Thanks for joining me in the journey of embracing the challenge of intentional worship! Leave a comment and let me know how the Christmas Worship Challenge has impacted you!
*This is an affiliate link at no cost to you.
10 More Practical Tips to Get the Most out of Your Worship
Continuing the list of worship tips from the culmination of the Christmas Worship Challenge, this post will help you remember and review action steps from the series.
11. Rejoice spontaneously.
Take a cue from Mary as she first receives the news of the soon-coming, Holy-Spirit conceived birth of the Messiah. First response, immediate and spontaneous—to exalt and magnify God.
12. Praise specifically.
Take note of specific ways God has worked in your life. Praise Him for particular attributes and works. Praise always takes our eyes off of ourselves and places our attention on God. Exalting God in the midst of our circumstances reminds our wandering souls that He has always been and always will be…faithful with the living grace of His mercy.
13. Reflect and pray responsively.
When Do I perceive Christ as He is revealed in Scripture, or do I see Him in light of my perceptions and experiences, which are hemmed in my own reasoning and interpretation of what I think I see, what I think I know?
14. Look deeply.
Look up key word definitions. Understanding meaning feeds depth of worship. With the access of great online resources, now looking up original language meanings is as simple as a few clicks on your computer. Here is a link for a free download of e-sword Bible software that makes it easy to look up Strong’s Definitions. A practical worship tool for sure.
15. Appreciate the beauty of nature: The Revelation of God.
In many ways, natural beauty is a call to worship and pulls forth a God-hungry response in our soul. Appreciating God’s creation nourishes faith and worship. Take delight in God’s beauty revealed all around you. Breathe deep, letting delight spark deep appreciation for the beauty of God. Let all things beautiful open the eyes of your soul to God’s goodness…and worship.
16. Let creating beauty become worship.
We reflect God’s image, and one aspect of that image is the desire to create beauty, demonstrated through things like artistry, craftsmanship, and music. Enjoy creativity and beauty. Pursue it with holiness and excellence. Remember that both the desire and the ability come from God.
17. Give God glory with whole-hearted praise.
Are you ready for this? This one may stretch you out of your comfort zone, but go with me on this. We need to learn to release our tied-up hearts in giving God glory and praise. Ask God to fill you with His Spirit, play some praise music, get your feet moving, and let it rip!
17. Worship is not a duty; it is a gift.
Attitude makes all the difference. Approach worship as a gift. If we truly realize the power and benefit of worship, we’d never stop!
18. Keep it simple.
Sometimes we make things, including worship, too complicated. Don’t be too picky–especially when it comes to personal preferences and styles.
19. Hear and respond.
Resist the temptation to let God’s truth go in one ear and out the other with a brief stop in our heart. Process what you hear; think about it and respond.
20. Make it known…share your story.
Tell your story, how He has broken into your darkness, your problems and failures, with the light of His merciful kindness–this is what the world needs. Tell the story with heart’s astounded and eyes open to the stunning wonder of God–this is the witness the world unknowingly craves.
Tomorrow we will summarize more of the worship tips from December’s posts.
10 Practical Tips to Deepen Your Worship Now
As promised, today begins a summary of the worship tips from The Christmas Worship Challenge. All of the worship tips can be applied in many ways. In order to help us get the most out of the time we invested in worship this month, it will be practical to have a list of the tips from the various posts. Over the next few days I will share the entire list.
1. Seek Him.
Seek Christ with intention and attention. Expect Jesus.
2. Rejoice.
“Rejoice with exceedingly great joy.” Ask God to fill your heart with joy of His Spirit, joy that is energized by appreciating the wonder of Christ.
3. Come in. Be intentional. Be focused.
Motivation and attention are keys for entering into the meaning of the words of Scripture. Participate. Don’t just hover at the door, almost in, but not quite. Come in. Get close. Get personal with Christ.
4. Worship with a whole-heart.
The more deeply we encounter the reality of Christ, the more spontaneous and true worship will be.
5. Open your treasures.
Open your heart, your time, and the desires of your heart. Lay them at His feet as an act of worship. “For where your treasure is, there will be your heart also.”–Luke 12:34
6. Give Him your gifts.
Ask God to show you ways to give of yourself and your abundance, to give of your heart as you worship Him.
7. Obey God’s directions.
How can God work through your obedience to accomplish His will? How amazing that God chooses us to participate in fulfilling His Kingdom.
8. Look and Linger
The words are here for anyone to read, but only those who seek and treasure what they find will catch greater glimpses of God’s glory.
What do the words say? So simple, but such a great opportunity for worship. When you truly look at what is there your heart responds with worship.
9. Love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength.
Loving God is our greatest command, and it is the source of our deepest worship. Resist the temptation of fragmented worship: mind without heart, heart lacking energy…
10. Choose to Believe
Choose to worship instead of worry. Instead of fearful or anxious thoughts, choose to rejoice because Christ is Immanuel, God with us. Remember that He is with you in everything that you do today. Enjoy His presence by faith.
Which one of these ways of worship draws your attention today? Take time to worship Christ using one of these ideas. Leave a comment and let us know which one you choose.
We Don’t Worship Alone
Discover the power of relational worship in this inspiring conclusion to the Christmas Worship Challenge. Start your New Year with worship with practical tips, Scripture reflections, and encouragement to press into deeper intimacy with God in every moment.
Begin Your New Year with Worship
I am overjoyed by the incredible feedback so many of you have shared about The Christmas Worship Challenge! A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who participated. Your engagement and reflections have made this journey so meaningful. Today’s post marks the conclusion of the challenge—for now. The last few days of the challenge will compile all the worship tools from this series into one convenient resource.
“Because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’”
Galatians 4:6
We Don’t Worship Alone
When we worship in spirit and truth, whether through singing or other acts of devotion, we’re never alone. Our worship is a partnership with the Holy Spirit dwelling within us, praising and glorifying the Father. The Spirit bears witness in and through us, transforming our offerings into a living song that touches the heart of God.
A Living Song: Relational Worship
In the intimate act of relational worship, we find a profound truth: worship is not about us striving on one side to please a distant God on the other. Instead, because of Jesus’ sacrifice, our sins are forgiven, and we are invited into God’s presence to behold His majesty. This is worship from a place of closeness and connection, yet I often realize how my worship falls short of this intimacy.
“Jesus replied, ‘All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them.’”
John 14:23 (NLT)
Too often, my worship becomes diluted—tainted by pride, self-focus, or the distractions of daily life. It is burdened by circumstances, weighed down by fear, guilt, or sin, and hemmed in by the rigidity of routine or the noise of the world.
Worship Tip: Press Through, Press In
Worship doesn’t ignore life’s challenges; it invites us to bring them before God. In Scripture, new songs often emerge from moments of great trial or heartbreak. A new song can be an act of faith, a declaration of trust in God’s goodness even amid the unthinkable. Sometimes, a new song is a cry for help—a plea born of desperation yet brimming with hope.
“Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; my lovingkindness and my fortress, my stronghold and my deliverer, my shield and He in whom I take refuge…. Send out Your arrows and confuse them. Stretch forth Your hand from on high; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters…. I will sing a new song to You, O God.”
Psalm 144:1-11 (portions)
Today’s Worship Challenge
As we step into a new year, let worship shape our beginning. Here are some practical ways to respond:
- Ask God for a new song. Invite Him to place fresh expressions of praise on your lips and in your heart.
- Worship in your distress. Offer your pain, grief, and burdens to the One who promises comfort and peace.
- Worship in celebration. Rejoice in His blessings and faithfulness with a heart full of gratitude.
- Worship in the mundane. Seek His presence in the ordinary moments of daily life, allowing even small acts to become offerings of devotion.
Let your heart open wide to worship the One who is always faithful. As this new year begins, trust that He will walk with you through every moment ahead. May your days be filled with joy and blessing as you lift your heart in praise.
Whatever season you find yourself in, know that God is inviting you to draw closer, to sing a new song, and to worship Him with all that you are. Embrace this invitation and let worship transform your year ahead.
Why You Should Sing in the New Year with a New Song
Sing a New Song?
What’s wrong with the old one? Does this mean that we need to be continually learning new songs? It can include that, but I believe that the psalmist is beckoning us toward something deeper than variety. Are we encouraged to sing new songs so that we don’t get bored with our worship? No not at all. After all, worship is for God, not for our entertainment.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me and heard my cry.
2 He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay,
And He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm.
3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.—Psalm 40:1-3
Singing is a significant aspect of worship, and it is filled with praising God. Have you ever thought about what it means to sing a new song to God?
Worship Tip: Sing your heart out!
You can sing this song.
You can simply write the song in a journal.
You can tell it to a friend.
A Song That is Personal
In many ways our personal song to the Lord can be an intimate conversation, full and meaningful with the nuances of words, chords, rhythms, and the meditations of our hearts. Written, spoken, whispered, shouted, or sung, a new song rises from a heart touched by God. How has God worked in your heart this past year?
Transformed
Rescued
Saved
Redeemed
Forgiven
Comforted
Healed
Freed
Blessed
A Song That is Relevant
To sing a new song is to sing a song that is alive with the fresh vibrancy of today.
A new song because each moment is new and daily we have opportunity and privilege to worship God in our now. What is now is new; it is intimate and immediate.
It is real.
It is always relevant because it flows forth from the relationship we have with God now. A new song can include our response to the revelation and experience that we have with God today. God is always current, always fresh, always present.
A Song That is Intimate
In many ways our personal song to the Lord can be an intimate conversation, full and meaningful with the nuances of words, chords, rhythms, and the meditations of our hearts, intensified through our emotions.
A Song of Testimony
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.
Many will see and fear
And will trust in the Lord.
A new song rings with the testimony of what God has done in our lives. This past year we have experienced so many blessings–so much to sing about.
A New Year’s Worship Challenge: Personalize it
Discover your new song. Personalize Psalm 40:1-3 and take one minute to write down your needs, problems, frustrations. What is your miry clay? What has bogged you down this past year? Just one minute.
Now take another minute to write down reasons that you praise, thank, appreciate, or worship God. How has He set your feet on solid rock? Maybe you will write this after the fact–He has already acted.
Maybe you are waiting on the Lord. David often praised God while he was still waiting, praised his Redeemer in faith, believing that God will indeed place that new song in his heart. Give faith-praise to God in anticipation of what He will do in this new year.
A new song.
Such a simple, yet powerful act of worship.
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