Archive for the ‘books’ Category

Some Goals for 2010


2010
01.07

So it’s about this time of year that we face the inevitable question of “What are your New Year’s Resolutions?” And while there is nothing wrong with these, I often wonder why we make them.  Why January?  And why do they usually revolve around the same lazy or bad habits?

I was reading an article the other day from Chris Carmichael about resolutions.  He made the comment that he doesn’t like resolutions, but chooses the word goals instead.  I’m not sure I understand the difference to be honest.  Either way you are determining a direction to take, a journey to embark on, and energy to be channeled.  In a way, we make resolutions everyday, even if it’s just to continue fulfilling the goals we made the day before.

Last year I made a few goals.  And minus a few tumbles towards laziness, I kept them.  The channeled energy paid off.  I have had a great time learning to cook.  I have been thoroughly blessed by being truly attentive to the time I actually invest in my relationship with Christ.  And, I didn’t gain any weight.  I lost about 22 lbs. during 2009 (actually the weight loss math would be more like -22 + 8 lbs. of holiday madness– but it’s still in the negative by 14 right?).

So, what should 2010 hold in store?  The more I thought about it, 2009 felt somewhat safe or cautious when it came to goals.  So I decided to get a bit ambitious this year.  Here we go…

  1. I’m going to write a book.  I’ve always wanted to write.  The reason I even started this blog was to foster my love {and skill} for writing a bit.  My mind has been a flood of ideas and excuses.  But, I figure if I publish my intent to the world, that’s accountability.  Now I’m not hoping to have it published and shelved in Barnes and Noble by this time next year.  In fact, that’s not the point to me.  It’s just the passion of doing it.  I will most likely self publish and sell it at cost to friends and family.  {However, if someone pays me to publish it I probably won’t complain}.  This is a big one… but it’s on the table now.  Guess I should start typing.
  2. I want to cycle the rest of the California coast, Santa Cruz to San Diego.  Last year I road most of the Northern Coast, and now I want to head South.  It was quite the adventure in 2009, and I imagine it would be the same this year as well.  Read more about those adventures here.
  3. In light of goal 2, goal 3 is to loose about 20 more lbs.  That might sound like a lot to some of you, but I can hide the ounces like no one I know.  That would put me at my target weight; medically speaking.  Last year I went from fat to flabby fit.  This year I want to move from flabby fit to firm and fit.  This is definitely a challenge to my eating/cooking style more than that of exercise.  So if you see me eating too much just say, “Really Shawn?  Really?”
  4. Learn to solve a Rubik’s Cube… but I ended up doing that before New Year’s (mark it off).  Actually got my solve time down to just below 4 minutes.
  5. To re-enter the Journey experience (I will explain in a later post)
  6. And also to appear in a later post:  My goal to help my family’s goals become realities too.

2010 ought to be an exciting year!  And why shouldn’t it… with one life, wrapped around LIFE itself, shouldn’t it be abundant, beautiful, and adventurous?  I sure hope so!

? What are some of your Goals for 2010 ?

DAY 18


2009
05.07

05/07/09:  225.8 lbs.

Progress… yeah!

Tomorrow’s weigh in will be delayed until Saturday.  I will be out of town on Thursday and Friday studying for this summer’s message series called A Summer on the Mount in addition to what I’ll be teaching Sunday in Veritas & Catalyst.

Check out the accomodations.  I’m excited to spend some great time with the Lord.

DAY 8: Goal 1, check!


2009
04.27

4/27/09:  218 lbs.  !!

Well, week one down and my goal was reached; 5 lbs. !!

This next week might prove to be a bit harder.  Mostly because I’m going to be out of town and out of my regular routine.  But to add to the mix, I’ll be at a location that only serves what they call ‘vegetarian fair’.  I know (if you are like me at all, that doesn’t even sound fair) it’s mostly veges, pastas, beans, and gluten (ugh!), but I definitely think it’s all loaded with salt.  Either way…

I had a great workout this morning at 5 AM spin!  Who said there weren’t hills in Modesto (there were this morning)!  I hope to be able to pack up my bike to take with me and get a few rides in this week.  We’ll see.  It’s a beautiful place to ride; 4500 ft. with rolling hills and nice scenery!  Think of it like a wide open Knights Ferry with no river.

After tomorrow I won’t be able to weigh in until Saturday.  So come back then check out the progress.  This week’s weight loss goal is only 3 pounds.  Supposedly that’s the average loss per week for an average person anyway.  That means that my shiny new number is 215!  I’m going to get it!

The journey continues…

A Life Update…


2008
09.29

Wow!  The calendar has been crowded lately… and the blog has suffered for sure.  This is an update for the four readers that have stuck it our through my random blogging patterns as of late.

What I’ve been up to:

  • Staff Retreat to Asilomar
  • Young Adult Ministries Retreat to Mount Hermon
  • Married Life
  • Catalyst — loving it!  Can I just tell you that this is like a family to me!
  • Meetings…
  • Taught at Couples Connection… the Lord’s Prayer is so powerful!
  • Played guitar at Single Life… what a blessing; haven’t done that in a while.
  • Married Life Event — good stuff.
  • Watched some good football!

What’s coming up:

  • Michelle, my cute bride, is heading to Texas to see our new nephew
  • Catalyst… Proverbs Finale and a look at Psalm 23!
  • The Journey retreat is the 7-10th in Southern Cal!  Exciting spiritual formation ahead.
  • My Century (110 mile) bike ride in Riverbank on October 12th!
  • Heading to Angel’s Camp for a 3-Day Novel Writing Experience with some Modesto friends!  I’ am nervously anticipating this opportunity!
  • November 2 – teaching at the Heartbeat Married Ministries Small Group Class…
  • Thanksgiving…
  • Christmas Weekend at Big Valley!
  • Christmas in TN!

So… I will probably be pretty infrequent until about late October!  Like being active, but feel a bit overwhelmed as of late.  If you feel led, please pray for me, my family, and my legs on 10.12 (ha ha!).

If you get random blog hungry… use the search bar to type in a favorite word and see what comes of it!

Sacred Companions


2008
07.26

I’ve been enjoying a great book lately.  It’s entitled Sacred Companions.  The title sounds a bit marriage centered but it’s not actually (ha ha!).

The first few chapters have blown my mind.  The insights on spiritual formation have been powerful.  I’m sure that I’m going to have to reread this book.  The end of every chapter has discusssion questions too.  If you decide to read it as well, let me know.  Maybe we could grab coffee and discuss it a bit.

I’m sure this book will finish well.

Are you reading anything worth reading right now?  Insightful, intriguing, or powerful?  Let me know… be interested to hear.


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