Each year at this time, people everywhere make new year’s resolutions. Usually they have to do with exercising more, going on a diet, etc. If you are one who does the resolution thing, I’d encourage you to make some deeper, more significant resolutions this year. Below is just the beginning of the list of resolutions that Jonathan Edwards made when he was 19-20 years old. There are 70 resolutions in all. This list would be a great place to start your resolutions this year.

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.

Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

1. 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 to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.

2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.

3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.

4. 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.

5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.

6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.

7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.

Click here to read the rest of the resolutions.

Don’t forget about the REN this Wednesday & Thursday. Hope to see you there.

This Christmas Eve I thought I’d share a few lines from what we just read with the boys. They come from “The Jesus Storybook Bible” by Sally Lloyd-Jones.

They knelt on the dirt floor. They had heard about this Promised Child and now he was here. Heaven’s Son. The Maker of the Stars. A baby sleeping in his mother’s arms.

This baby would be like that bright star shining in the sky that night. A Light to light up the whole world. Chasing away darkness. Helping people to see.

And the darker the night got, the brighter the star would shine.

Merry Christmas!

This past Wednesday night we had the Hot Seat and Susan Androsuk and Mr. Carroll were our participants. Saturday, I shared Susan’s answers and now here are Mr. C’s answers to some of your questions, some which were asked on Wednesday and some we didn’t get to.

What is your favorite…

• Color -  Blue
• Bible verse - Romans 12:1,2
• Christmas song - The Christmas Song
• Kind of food -  Lasagna
• TV show - Wipeout
• Thing about church - Learning about God and Fellowship with other believers
• Type of music - Classical (Bach)
• Drink - Water with lemon
• Car - Corvette

Are there times you find doing your devotions difficult and why?

• Yes.  Time constraints,job, family, health (working out and sleep) all take time.  I found that doing my devotions while eating breakfast works the best for me.

Who was influential in you first going to church?

• A co-worker.  While in college, I did not attend very often.

Can you share one of you most embarrassing moments with us?

• In college, someone stole my clothes and towel while I was in the shower.  I had to run down the hall to my room with nothing to wear but a wash cloth.

Do you pray before you go to bed?

• I used to, especially when Beth was pregnant.  I have kind of migrated that prayer to the first thing when I wake up or prior to eating breakfast.

Have you ever felt God wasn’t listening?

• I’ve thought about this question some more and I would say that I have always felt that God was listening when I prayed.  However, I know that there have been times in my life when I know I was not living in a way pleasing to Him so I felt that I did not have the right to expect him to answer those prayers in the way I wanted.

If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

• Michael Jordan so I could dunk a basketball after taking off from the free throw line.

Why should I go to Snow Camp?

• It is a lot of fun and a good opportunity for spiritual growth.

Can you briefly share your salvation testimony?

• I was saved while I was a sophomore at the University of Chief Illiniwek (Illinois).  I used to believe in evolution but through debating with some fellow students who were Christians, the Lord work in my heart and I was convinced that He did exist, that I was a sinner, that He loved me and sent His son to die for my sins.  I still remember Robert Wilhelm, a fellow engineering major and Christian, using the “Bridge” analogy to help lead me to the Lord.

A couple of days ago I linked to a post where you could see all that the Snuggie had to offer. Today, I thought I’d share a few serious ideas for Christmas gifts, for those that are still shopping.

CDs/Downloads

• So High the Price (also available in the church bookstore and the iTunes store)
• Christ Only, Always (also available in the church bookstore and the iTunes store)
• T4G Live (also available at the iTunes store)

Books

• The Bookends of the Christian Life (Jerry Bridges)
• Just Do Something: How to Make a Decision Without Dreams, Visions, Fleeces, Open Doors, Random Bible Verses, Casting Lots, Liver Shivers, Writing in the Sky, etc. (Kevin DeYoung)

Video

• The Nativity Story (75% off at CBD for a limited time)

For any Kansas fans you know

• KU Hat
• KU Shooting T

Okay, so the last two weren’t serious, after all how many KU fans do you really know here in Michigan…other than that live at my house?

This past Wednesday night we had the Hot Seat and Susan Androsuk and Mr. Carroll were our participants. Here are Susan’s answers to some of you questions, some which were asked on Wednesday and some we didn’t get to.

What is your favorite…

• Color | Pink
• Bible verse | Isaiah 40:31
• Christmas song | Sleigh Ride (the classical music)
• Kind of food | Italian
• Subject in school | Psychology
• Thing about church | Youth Group
• Drink | Vernors
• Car | Camero

Are there times you find doing your devotions difficult and why?

• Yes…because I get so wrapped up in my own life…that it seems as if time slips away..but I know doing them is a necessity to my walk with the Lord.

Who was influential in you first going to church?

• My family

Can you share one of you most embarrassing moments with us?

• Nope…jk jk..um…when I was in 3rd grade…I went out to eat with my crush and his family and my family…(his and my family are good friends)..while we were waiting for our food a watress walks by with a full tray of ice water…and it droped all on me!!! It was super cold and to top it off my crush was siting right next to me :[

Do you pray before you go to bed?

• Most of the time I do.

Have you aver felt God wasn't listening?

• Yes...when life gets hard its always easier to blame someone else or God for your problems.

If you could be anyone for a day, who would it be and why?

• I would be Stefanie Bieber..she is a famous flute player...and I would love to have that talent for a day.

Why should I go to Snow Camp?

• Because it has great preaching....a lot of fun new people to meet...and a huge snow hill to slide down :]

Can you briefly share your salvation testimony?

• I first made a profession of faith when i was in kindergarten…I didnt really understand what it ment and when I was in church. I thought it was the “cool” thing to do because everyone was doing it..but because I didn’t know exactly what came with being saved at such a young age. I was saved in the 4th grade. I am continuing in my spiritual walk…and there is always room for improvement.

If you are looking for that perfect gift for someone special, look no further, it’s right here. Enjoy.