Now that the new year is well under way, we wanted to offer you some encouragement as you pursue your goals. Did you make any resolutions this year?

45% of Americans usually make New Year’s Resolutions.

17% of Americans infrequently make them.

38% absolutely never make them.

According to the University of Scranton’s Journal of Clinical Psychology, the Top Ten New Year’s Resolutions for 2014 are:

1)      Lose weight

2)      Get organized

3)      Spend less and save more

4)      Enjoy life to the fullest

5)      Stay fit and healthy

6)      Learn something exciting

7)      Quit smoking

8)      Help others achieve their dreams

9)      Fall in love

10)   Spend more time with family

Whether you are one to make New Year’s Resolutions or not, each new year brings us an opportunity to reflect on the past year and to look forward to what is to come.

As you get in to the swing of this new year, we would like to encourage you to be careful not to over-commit yourselves.  When we say “yes” to too many things, we can also end up saying “no” to time alone with God.  Don’t make the mistake of trying to make God fit into your already busy schedule; instead, build your schedule around your time with God!  This can be quite a challenge for all of us, so let’s encourage one another.  

As we begin the new year, let us be sure to spend more time with the Lord and to be wise when making commitments.  And when we get overwhelmed, let us remember just how much our Father loves us.  We can rest in his care.

“And he said to his disciples, ‘Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat, nor about your body, what you will put on.  For life is more than food, and the body more than clothing.  Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them.  Of how much more value are you than the birds!  And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?  If then you are not able to do as small a thing as that, why are you anxious about the rest?  Consider the lilies, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  But if God so clothes the grass, which is alive in the field today, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith!  And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried.  For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them.  Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.’”

Image from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1330413

Luke 12:22-31 (ESV)

Ladies, the new semester starts NEXT WEEK!  Have you registered for your BWI classes? Check out the list of course descriptions below if you are still trying to decide what to take.  But HURRY!  Time is running out and classes are filling up!

What is your favorite class that you've taken so far? Let us know in the comments!

How many of you have seen John Acuff’s “Empty Shelf Challenge”?  As the new year is getting under way, many of us are making resolutions and setting goals for 2014.  

If you want read more this coming year, this post is for you!

According to Hannah Goodwyn from the Christian Broadcasting Network, the following books are Ten Christian Best-sellers You Should Own:

 Jesus Calling by Sarah Young

Wild at Heart by John Eldredge

The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman

The Love Dare by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

Her Mother’s Hope by Francine Rivers

Choosing to SEE by Mary Beth Chapman

Outlive Your Life by Max Lucado

90 Minutes in Heaven by Don Piper

Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis

Bonhoeffer by Eric Metaxas

Ok ladies, each week you hear from us.  Now we want to hear from you!  How many of these books do you own or have you read?  What did you think about them?  Would you recommend them to others?

What are you looking forward to reading this new year and why?

Looking forward to your responses!

The new year is here!  Every January, many of us make resolutions to read the Bible more consistently.  This year, we wanted to help you carry through with that resolution.  Today’s post comes from the Summit Church.  They have given us a few tips for how to get the most out of your Bible reading.  We pray that you will each follow the Lord as He continues to guide your steps this year!

Photo from http://www.sxc.hu/photo/1339714

Setting the Stage:

o    Set a time to meet with God each day.

o    Get alone in a quiet place to read and pray.

o    Focus on relationship and interaction with God.

o    Make sure you have a journal and a pen, along with your Bible.

Spending the Time:

o    Begin by praying. Ask God to make you receptive to his Word. Pray for wisdom and understanding.

o    Read the passage for the day. Read it slowly, noting any particular verses that stand out to you

o    Look back over the chapter and consider the following:

o    Is there something specific that you believe God is saying to you in this passage?

o    What is the general theme or central truth in this passage?

o    Write the central truth or re-write the key verse in your own words

o    What do I learn about God from this passage?

o    What can I learn about myself?

o    How does this passage help you have greater understanding of the gospel?

o    Consider how you can pray out of this passage

o    What do learn about the character of God, his purposes, and his deeds from this passage? Use those to adore and praise God.

o    Does this passage expose sin that you need to confess?

o    What promises do you see that you can hold back up to God in prayer? What purposes of God can you ask him to fulfill? What truths can you, by faith, claim as your own?

o    Make a plan for action. What steps do you need to take to put into action whatever God has spoken to you out of this passage?

Sharing the Impact:

o    Commit to this with a few others. Twice a week (Tuesday and Friday), email each other. Share something significant from the Scripture you read and a single prayer request. This will not only help you to be accountable for the reading, you will also strengthen and encourage other.

o    Consider making a weekly "date" with your husband or wife to share what God is teaching you. Share your favorite verse and why it is meaningful to you. Let this be a springboard for deeper conversations.

o    Plan a weekly family time where parents and kids can share favorite verses. If your children are too young to do the reading, you can simply share from the reading each week and have a time of prayer. This is an awesome time for you model with your kids a daily commitment to God’s Word.

o    Choose a verse to memorize each week. This can be an individual or family practice. Write the verse out on several index cards and place them strategically around the house, in the car, or at work. Repeat the verse several times a day. As a family, say the verse together at mealtime.

For some great options for Bible reading plans for this year, check out this incredible list compiled by Collierville First Baptist Church: click here.

What about you? How do you make sure that you get the most out of your Bible reading? What plan do you prefer to use? Let us know if you have any tips in the comments!