Some New Ways for the New Year

Being that it is now 18 days into this fine New Year, I have had some time to do a little thinking on what I will resolve to do this year. I have been trying to figure out what I want this year to be about. What do I want to spend the next 347 days exploring and achieving? Here are a few of the things I have come up with...

COMMUNITY. I want this year to be marked with growing intimacy as I seek to love and know those that I share my life with. I have plans to start a small group with a few dear friends, to challenge and encourage each other as we seek to grow in our faith. And I also want to set aside one day a month to write letters to those that are far away or those I know who need a little pick me up in their mailbox. But basically I just want new depth in old relationship and to seek new relationships as I participate more fully in life.

CREATIVITY. 2005 was a year of discovering new gifts and new passions and my hope is that 2006 will be the year that I truly strive to grow in these gifts. I have been exploring the wonderful art of songwriting. Somehow all those thoughts and feelings that I have had such a hard time communicating fully in the past have found a voice in song. I want to grow as a musician, a singer and a songwriter. I want to surround myself with creative people and ideas that can continue to challenge me and encourage me to stretch my heart and imagination.

COURAGE. There are so many things in my life that I long to do but so often I let fear of failure or rejection take hold of me and keep me from my hearts desires. My hope is that this year I can make great strides in doing the things I most fear, but still long for. Whether it is playing a show to share the songs I have been writing, competing in my first triathlon, or asking a guy out on a date I want to throw caution to the wind. This year I want to claim the abundant life God so graciously offers, but I seldom have courage enough to grab hold of.

May this year be rich in blessing, challenge and transformation for all of us as we seek to be all that we were made to be!

A Winter Reprieve

Last night it was hard to sleep as the wild wind howled outside my window. The flag pole in the courtyard along with the trees were battling it out with the wind throughout the night as I peered through the blinds of my bedroom. I thought I might awake this morning to find them all uprooted but they managed to stand victorious through the night.

The rain in Seattle has been falling with little pause this last week and winter seems to be making herself known. Sometimes it is hard to appreciate the true beauty and blessing of this winter weather, but I have to keep reminding myself that sights like this only come after the rain.

Just a little glimpse of what awaits us on the other side of winter. The bright, warm beauty of a world waking up from a long winters nap. So hang in there my friends for soon we will be frolicing in the tulip fields!