Thursday, December 26, 2019

7 Ways to Make Successful Resolutions


We are moving to a time of year where many people will make a resolution. In the past I have preached on these resolutions so I can almost quote what many of them are. You probably know them too. We've all made some or heard a friend talk about their coming goals for the New Year.

Most people will make a resolution that involves one of these:
- Loose Weight
- Get our of debt
- Go to the gym
- Get a better job
- Clean the garage
- Read the Bible/go to church
- Stop drinking alcohol

In recent years, studies have found that about 12% of people actually accomplish their goals. Wipe your eyes, clean your glasses, and read that again. Only 12% of people will actually accomplish their New Years Resolutions.

How come there is such a horrible fail rate?
Why can't we seem to find success in this area?
What is causing me/others to fail?

These are all questions that we need to answer. One part is that we are naturally lazy. One author wrote that is the job of the brain to conserve energy. Going to the gym takes energy. Think about that for a minute!

Another reason we fail is that we are not disciplined. That is hard to read. Say it out loud and it sounds worse! We lack the disciple it takes to create new, healthy, habits in our lives.

Now, I am one who loves goals and how found seven ways to help make your goals a reality:

1) Get Creative

Instead of saying that you will go to the gym every day for the next 52 weeks, what if you made a different goal? The truth simple; you haven't been to the gym for the last 4 years so what is going to be so special about this year?
I'm not trying to be rude, but honest. I have a standing goal of being in the gym 3-4 times a week. I know my schedule and what it takes to get to the gym. The gym is close to my work, less than a half-mile away. But it is still hard for me to get there.

Also, we need to change our language. I listened a book this year and the author made a comment like this about goals: "Stop saying you will try to go to the gym." Saying "try" gives you the excuse. Replace it with saying: "I will go to the gym." It changes our ambition in the later statement.

2) Think Marathon and not Sprint

If we keep on the gym topic, we need to think marathon and not sprint. I know that some people say a marathon is just 26 miles sprinted together. I've never ran a marathon. In fact, this was a goal of mine like 12 years ago. Then I started running and puked. I realized I wasn't built for running so I needed to shift my goal.

The marathon concept is tied to a length in our goals. If your goal is to do blah blah blah (fill in the blank), figure out how long it will take. Then figure out what you need to do each week to make it happen.


3) Create Achievable Goals 

One of my goals last year was to hike Half Dome in Yosemite. I had looked at that rock since I was 6 years old and wanted to sit on the top. I had been applying for a permit for a couple years. I needed to get creative. I put a false deadline on it. I told myself that I had to climb it before I was 40 years old. I could have climbed it at 41, but I  need a push.

To make it more achievable I started walking more. I made it a goal to walk 3-5 miles a day. Then I would take a longer hike each month. I love being outside so this was a no brainer.

4) Insert Fun 

See my hike to Half Dome was a fun goal. So many of the goals that I have created in the past were boring. I am going to be honest, the gym is fun for me but the gym is not fun. For me it's a way to exercise and continue tot be an athlete. I go to the gym because I view myself as an athlete. I want to be able to hike Half Dome, snowboard, fish, surf, and ride bikes with my kids. Going to the gym helps me stay fit so I can accomplish some greater goals I have in life.

Think about something fun you've been wanting to do. Go to Hawaii, travel the States, save up for new car. Make this fun! Create a game out of it. When I would hike, I would put my son on my back to help strengthen my legs. I made it a game and accomplished the hike.

5) Share Them

Last year I was reading a book by Mark Batterson. In the book he said that you need to write down your goals and share them. I began sharing one of my goals with a few friends. Guess what? I didn't hike Half Dome alone. When I shared my goal I found support from others. I had guys talking about the gear they had, how they are prepping, and more. It was epic to summit the dome together.

One of my goals for the last two years has been to start writing a book. Guess what? I haven't done it. Do you know why? Because I don't have anyone asking me how I'm doing on making progress. I really want to write a book... but I keep putting it off.

6) No Lone Rangers

This ties right into the last goal. We were never meant to do life alone. Find some people to support you in your goals. I have a friend who went on a journey to loose weight. He lost like a 100 pounds (that is like me loosing two of my kids). He didn't hide his weight loss. He was super open about his failure to care for his body, and how eating was an addiction. He was super honest and got so much support!

Do you know why CrossFit works? Because you have others who are supporting you. I did CrossFit once and it kicked my butt. Then I left and said: "I want to do this more." We were made to life in community. Find some trusted to friends to share your goals with. Ask them to walk along with you.

7) Keep them Visible 

I typically write my goals and keep them in my phone. I look at them like 6 times a year. This year I'm going to change that. I'm going to write them on a piece of a paper and put it near my bed and then make a copy that goes to my office. I want to see them. I want to know what I'm working towards.

You can do the same. Write them with a pen, studies show we are more likely to remember them if they are hand-written. Tape them in your car, your office, or get them tattooed on your arm. Actually, don't get a tattoo, that is a bad idea.

What am I missing from this list? I need to keep excelling in goals.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Mark 2:23-3:6 Small Group Questions


Our church is currently studying the book of Mark. For twenty-eight weeks we're walking through the book and talking about the action-packed story of Jesus. Mark was more concerned with what Jesus did than what Jesus said. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ||| On Matters of Rest ||| Mark 2:23-3:6

The Nation of Israel is coming alive as the impact of Jesus slowly spreads throughout. As Jesus continued to move through the Nation of Israel it became evident that He was intentionally associating Himself with the outcasts of Jewish culture. On two Sabbath occasions Jesus did what the Pharisees thought was unlawful. The Pharisees were a self-imposed group who the people respected. Jesus needed the Pharisees and the people to see the rest that He came to bring us. Not only rest but a focus on worshipping the Lord and showing mercy to others.

1) How do you honor the Sabbath? Do you struggle with writing/answering emails, constantly taking calls from work, or disconnecting from life to be with Jesus?

2) Read Exodus 20:8-11. What does God teach us about what to do on the Sabbath and taking a day of rest? How do you make the Sabbath holy?

3) Jesus made a parallelism between Himself and King David (read 1 Samuel 21:1-16 and Mark 2:23-27). Pastor Neal taught us that David was the anointed king but not yet sitting on the throne and Jesus was the anointed King. How does this impact how you live your life for the anointed king?

4) Jesus broke Jewish traditions such as not working on the Sabbath. Why do you think He felt the freedom to do that in both of these passages in Scripture?

5) Read Mark 3:1-6. Another time Jesus teaches us about matters of rest by showing Mercy in the Synagogue. In some ways Jesus is leading a rebellion against Jewish tradition. Does it seem like Jesus is leading a rebellion and how was it needed?

6) In the Synagogue that day Jesus showed a greater example of mercy. Read Proverbs 3:27 and Hosea 6:6. Talk about how we can show goodness and mercy to those who are in our presence.

7) What do you struggle with most with in showing mercy to others? Do you find yourself leaning more to legalism (like the Pharisees) or leaning to showing mercy (like Jesus did)? How can you show more mercy to others?

Close your time in prayer. Take some time to pray for Coastline and our ability to reach people by showing mercy.

Wednesday, December 04, 2019

Mark 2:13-22 Small Group Questions


Our church is currently studying the book of Mark. For twenty-eight weeks we're walking through the book and talking about the action-packed story of Jesus. Mark was more concerned with what Jesus did than what Jesus said. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone

Small Group Questions ||| Two Questions ||| Mark 2:13-22


The Nation of Israel is coming alive as the impact of Jesus slowly spreads throughout. In the middle part of Mark 2 we read about two questions that we’re asked to Jesus. Jesus has completely flipped the script. He is calling toll collectors to follow Him, eating with sinners, and not fasting when everyone else seems to be fasting. Jesus came not to just add some flavor to the food but to bring a whole new meal. Jesus tried to help the people see that they cannot simply add a little Jesus to their desires; He is doing a whole new thing. This was difficult for some people to grasp and understand.

1) Share about how you deal with change. Do you enjoy it when certain things change? Are you averse to change or is it something you welcome?

2) Read Mark 2:13-14. Jesus offers a new way of life to Levi as he sits at the tax booth. If you read Matthew 9:9-13 you will see that he also changed his name. Levi wrote the Gospel of Matthew. Talk about the new life Jesus offered to you.

3) What would you do if someone came to your workplace and told you to follow him and leave the job. Would you get up and walk away or think the person is crazy? Now imagine if it was following Jesus, what are you willing to give up to follow Him?

4) It seems the very night that Jesus called Levi to “follow me”, Levi threw a party for all his friends. Jesus chose to befriend the unloveable. How can we practice this in our personal relationships?

5) Read Mark 2:18-22. Jesus offered three ways that Kingdom of God was a new thing and not something that was supplemental to add to our current way of life. Have you tried to force Jesus fit your current lifestyle and rejected a complete transformation?

6) Read Colossians 3:9-10. Paul instructs us to put off the old self and be renewed in the image of Jesus. Talk about how Jesus has renewed your life during the time you’ve followed Him. Where is He currently renewing you?

7) What are some of the challenges of remembering that Jesus came to save sinners and not to please those who are already righteous?

Close your time in prayer. Take some time to intentionally pray for each other to grasp the new way of life Jesus offers.

Monday, December 02, 2019

Mark 2:1-12 Small Group Questions


Our church is currently studying the book of Mark. For twenty-eight weeks we're walking through the book and talking about the action-packed story of Jesus. Mark was more concerned with what Jesus did than what Jesus said. For this series I volunteered to write the small group questions that go along with each sermon. It seemed like a waste to leave them in a file on my computer and not share them with everyone.

Small Group Questions ||| Do the Impossible ||| Mark 2:1-12


The gospel of Mark was written by John Mark who was a helper of Peter and Paul. History tells us this was the first written account of Jesus of Nazareth. The gospel is fast-paced. We read that Jesus moved from here, went there, healed, preached, and taught. In Mark 2 we find Jesus back in Capernaum. His fame and notoriety has spread to the people so much that the home He is teaching in is packed full. In a full miracle Jesus heals a paralyzed man. But the physical healing can overshadow the spiritual healing the man received for the forgiveness of sins.

1) Share a story about a person who know who is in desperate need of a miraculous healing just like the man in Mark 2:1-12. Talk about how his/her life would be different if that healing came.

2) Read Mark 2:1-2. Imagine hearing a great person with the power to heal. Imagine carrying a friend to see him the house being packed. Describe what you would do; would you turn around and leave or would you press on?

3) The friends chose to push forward. Read Mark 2:3-5. What does it mean when Mark writes that: “Jesus saw their faith?” Look at Romans 10:17 and talk about how to get faith

4) Share what your currently reading in the Bible and how that is increasing your faith. The author of Romans tells us that the word strengthens our faith. Read John 1:1,14 and discuss how Jesus is the Word of God.

5) Mark writes that the Pharisee’s were thinking things about Jesus (Mark 2:6-7). Jesus is able to respond to their internal questions. This is a Theological term known as the Omniscience of God. Read Psalm 139:1-6 and 147:5 to learn more about this.

6) Jesus offers a complete forgiveness of sins to this man. This was only something that a Levitical Priest can offer. Read Hebrews 4:14-16 to see how Jesus is the High Priest and able to offer this. Jesus is also the Son of God and can offer this (Mark 1:1)

7) At the end of the account we read that all the people were amazed. Do you think the religious leaders were amazed or bitter at Jesus? How come they couldn’t rejoice?  

8) We learn from this passage our responsibility to bring people to Jesus. Pray for each other to have the faith to bring your friends Jesus in the near future.