2011: a new year.

Johnathan Edwards was a theologian and preacher from the eighteenth century who is widely associated with defending reformed theology. Jonathan Edwards wrote several "new year's resolutions" of his own that he read to himself EACH WEEK in order to grow spiritually. I absolutely LOVE his resolutions and I love the way that he starts each one: RESOLVED. He wrote the resolutions out of confidence that the Lord would give him the strength and wisdom to resolve each one. I love that. Here are a few of my favorite of his resolutions:

Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God's glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad's of ages hence.

Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.

Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.

Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.

Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, "A faithful man who can find?" may not be partly fulfilled in me.

Aren't these beautiful? I'm not really sure how I feel about new year's resolutions because I feel like we shouldn't have to wait for a new year to begin change in ourselves. We should daily pray and ask the Lord to show us the ways in which we can most glorify His name. My walk with the Lord is absolutely no where near perfect. In fact, it couldn't be any further from perfect. I've wasted so much time this year- time that could have been spent on bringing my Redeemer glory. So this year, my "resolutions" go as follows: (warning: they are not as eloquently spoken as Edward's.)

1. Resolved, to spend intimate time with my Lord and Savior EVERY SINGLE DAY. I am so unfaithful and inconsistent. Discipline me, Father, so that I may use each and every day to worship and glorify you.

2. Resolved, to use my marriage to display His glory and the covenant keeping relationship He has with his bride, the church.

3. Resolved, to put my hope in the promises of God, not in my husband or money or any other thing, but to focus my attention on the sovereign power and love of God who rules in heaven and does on Earth whatever He pleases.

4. Resolved, to humbly submit to my husband's leadership and to follow his authority.

5. Resolved, to wisely use the money that the Lord has lent to us to glorify His name and renown.

So I know that these are pretty BIG resolutions, but I'm fully confident that the Lord will give me the grace and strength to fulfill each one. I'm so looking forward to this new year with my sweet husband. Thank you Father for all your blessings in 2010.