What's your plan for planning 2011?

Happy New Year's Eve!  Can you believe that 2010 is already over?  I trust it's been a great year for you filled with passion, love and adventure.  Do you wonder what 2011 is going to look like?  Are you making any resolutions for the new year?

It appears that life keeps getting busier and busier.   The more jammed packed each day gets, the more I realize that if I'm gonna get anything accomplished, I need to have a plan.  A road map, if you will.  Without defined goals, it's very easy for each of us to get busy, or slip up, and not complete what needs to get accomplished when we do end up with a free moment.

John Ortberg, in his book Axiom: Powerful Leadership Proverbs, talks about how he plans out his life in several different ways.  The way that most struck me was that, when he plans short term, he plans 6 weeks at a time.  He plans six weeks at a time as strictly as possible, as full as possible, without being overwhelmed.

So here's my major plans for the next six weeks, in no particular order:

1. Reread the Gospels in depth - this is going to actually happen in 30 days.  This includes reading and studying each of the four books.  Check out this and other reading plans via youversion.com over here.
2. Begin a two year advanced theological program in January, learn even more about Him and about serving Him.  
3. Blog here at least 3 times a week.  
4. Lose weight via exercise and eating better. I've gotta do it.   This will be a separate blog post with greater detail soon.

So what about you?  What are your goals for 2011?  What plans are you making now to help yourself reach those goals? 

 Where there is no vision, the people perish.  ~Proverbs 29:18A

Why should you "Be on My Team"?

I must be honest up front - I'm watching the tv show A-Team via Netflix while I'm composing this blog.  I remember it being this amazing show I loved as a youngster back in the day, and my recent curiosity was peaked when the new movie was released this year.  Yes, it's a bit cheesy, but the tv show is still fun to watch. Who was your favorite character?  You've gotta love Howling Mad Murdock, my personal fav!

On a slightly related note (stick with me here), my wife Becky and I are currently conducting pre-marital counseling for two different couples.  One of the couples is about my age (I'm 36 years old), while the other couple includes one of the seniors from our college ministry.  The couples share many similarities, yet each are unique.  One of the couples is just starting off, while the other couple has over a decade's worth of additional life's adventures.

During the time we spend with each couple, we share what God thinks about marriage, the roles of the husband and the woman, as well as discuss issues that could come up at some point.  One of the phrases Becky and I use is "Be on My Team"  (Team - there's the subtle A-Team tie-in).  It refers to both of us being united - one mind, one body, one voice.

Becky and I don't always have to agree - in fact, there are times we are exact opposites in thought.  But to those around us, we are united.  No one needs to know that we don't agree - it's our private business.  Couples can get into trouble when they start bringing other people into their squabbles.  It's easy for a partner to forgive another; it can be much harder for a spouse's best friend or family member to forgive and forget.

This phrase doesn't just apply to marital or dating relationships.  Think of how much better life would be if coworkers were on each others team vs. stepping on each other, trying to get ahead.  Or what about a group of friends?  Or church members?

What would the world look like if we we all on the same team - His team?