NEW YEAR! past future present

¹²Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me.¹³Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, ¹⁴I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

(Philippians 3)

PAST

WOW. 2009 was an amazing year. I feel like i grew so much its ridiculous. Im gonna try to pick out some of the things which stood out to me this year... because the past is awesome but all that its good for is reflection. Many good things happened this year and many bad things happened as well. We can learn from both.

GOOD THINGS (to keep doing): household, being disciplined to excel in school, leading a bible talk, learning how to study the bible with people, studying the bible with people, spending lots of time with John Oakes, spending time with God, taking a bible class (challenging though), trying to read the bible in a year, awesome dates, ICMC, camp counselor,

BAD THINGS (to stop doing): Sin--especially lust, being lazy and selfish too often, getting arrogant about the accomplishments God has made through me, spending too much time on facebook, overanalyzing situations especially with girls, trying to be someone im not, not praying enough, not loving everyone (especially enemies...), not sharing my faith with people close to me (such as classmates and relatives), being insecure, not finishing the bible in a year, READING... lots of spiritual books but really any books,

FUTURE

It is so crucial to have a vision for where you want to be someday. Because if we don't have one than were just doing stuff aimlessly. if you have no goal you will achieve nothing! I've learned from Shane that its important to get radical with goals, because if you don't then your trying to limit God! Strive for a 4.0 even if you have classes that are practically impossible to get A's in! So far i only have 4 major goals and their not necessarily specific to 2010, some might take my entire life to accomplish:

1. Have a better relationship with God than with my closest friends

2. Lead the surf ministry and watch it grow exponentially

3. Make one disciple every year--but more importantly help closest friends each make one as well.

4. Build better deeper relationships with everyone-especially people that you have trouble relating too!

in the wise words of russ we need 20/10 vision in 2010!

PRESENT

Past is necessary for reflection (but you cant change the past so dont dwell in it!)

Future we must have a vision (but if your too caught up in the future you'll never have one)

none of that matters if its not put into action TODAY

matthew 6:34

Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about itself each day has enough trouble of its own!!!!!!

all you need to worry about is today! You can listen now or day dream (night dream...) you can put lessons and goals into practice or procrastinate...

you can set all the new years resolutions you want but if you don't take action then whats the outcome at the end of the year???

You are too concerned with what was and what will be. There is a saying "Yesterday was history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift, that is why it is called the present!" (Kung Fu Panda)

its a present from God, he gave you free will, its your choice to use it or not! its like getting a present for christmas as a kid and then never using it when we don't take action.

Challenge: LOOK AT EVERY DAY AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET ONE STEP CLOSER TO ACCOMPLISHING YOUR VISION!

you need a perfect balance of all 3

write goals and answer WHO WHAT WHEN WHERE WHY HOW to help put these into practice!