In 2011 I’m aiming to read 100 books (20,000 pages), memorize Philippians, and making my body say what my heart is saying (more on that another time).  I know that to the average reader that those are huge goals. Don’t worry, I’m not imposing them on you.  They are my personal goals.

I picked the book goal, because it seemed within reach.  I’ve spent the last decade reading large volumes of text and challenged myself to read books that were well beyond my comprehension so that I’m able to read and grasp information fairly quickly.  (I am not a speed reader and I do not have a photographic memory, but I read fast and remember a lot).

I picked the scripture memory goal, because I need to memorize scripture.  I have a thirst and desire to grasp God’s word and hide it in my mind where I can meditate on it, apply it, and benefit from it.  I was semi successful memorizing Ephesians a few years ago.  A friend of mine published a plan on his site to memorize Philippians and I signed up.  It was that simple.

I haven’t thought through how to best articulate the Body-spirit goal, so I’ll probably post on it later.

So, there are my goals, my resolutions if you will.  I’m not hiding them.  I’m publishing them.  I’m not cowering in the corner calling cheap shots at the resolutions of others.  I’m openly posting them.  I’m not cynically jaded about my own or any one else’s ability to fulfill their resolutions. I’m hopeful.

Oh there’s one other thing…. It’s not pride to post them. It’s passion.  I’ve seen enough short-sited comments on facebook, twitter and other places around the web concerning resolutions in general that it makes me sick.  When an individual commits to a far-sighted resolution it should challenge us, not provoke us to sarcasm and cynicism.  When you have to criticize people who are aiming high, you have to ask yourself, “What am I aiming for?”  Should I or anyone else aim for less than we are capable because a critic from the couch of mediocrity cries foul?  Should ambition be limited by those who are comfortable watching reruns while the world passes by?

I say get off the couch and make resolutions and evaluate the criticism based on where it comes from!  When another fat man tells me I’ll never be skinny, I know he’s given up the fight and his criticism isn’t a reflection of me as much as it is his own heart ache over his own failure with chocolate eclairs.  As a Pastor I’ve learned that the sins we accuse others of are the sins we struggle with the most ourselves.  Jesus shared some great insight on this.

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye.
(Matthew 7:1-5)

I want to challenge you to live out your resolutions.  Stand strong against criticism.  If you fall off, get back up, renew your commitment and keep going.  And before you cast doubt in someone else’s direction, pause and check your motives for judging someone else’s motives or ability to complete the task.

What are your goals and resolutions for 2011?