Hopes for 2012

Without going into too much detail, 2011 is a year I’d like to forget. While there weren’t any tragedies or train wrecks over the past 365 days (family, marriage, and ministry generally were well), I don’t know if I’ve ever had a space where I felt more languishment, restlessness, and frustration. What’s worse is I can’t tell you why I felt that way. 2011 held many blessings for me and yet, this sense of aimlessness has been hard to shake. I’ve shared this plight with many in my inner circle of friendships – out of a sense of confession, need for intercession, and hope for accountability.

I share it now not because I have something to hide but because it gives a clearer backdrop for my hopes in 2012.

In 2012, I want…

  • More music. Less television.
  • More Bible. Less books about the Bible.
  • More conversation. Less isolation.
  • More ranch. Less office.
  • More discipling my sons. Less barking at them.
  • More riding a bike. Less sitting in a chair.
  • More slow food. Less fast food.
  • More people. Less things.
  • More self-confession. Less self-righteousness.
  • More fiction. Less non-fiction.
  • More serving my wife. Less being served by my wife.
  • More praying for the lost in my life. Less knowing I should pray for the lost in my life.
  • More dependence upon Jesus. Less confidence in myself.
  • More traction. Less spinning my wheels.
  • More cowbell. Less triangle. (Sorry, couldn’t resist it)

I’m hoping the grace of God will help me walk down the path of more fulfillment and less frustration in 2012. What do you hope more for?

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Best of 2011

With 2012 a few days away, here is my best of 2011…

Best Ministry BookHoliness by Grace by Bryan Chapell. You can read my brief review of the book here.

* Honorable Mention – The Gospel Mystery of Sanctification by Walter Marshall (Modern translation by Bruce McRae). One of the books which undoubtedly influenced Chapell’s work. While Marshall might be hard to read at times, his book has been foundational for many who stress grace-oriented growth. I chose Chapell’s book over Marshall’s for its clarity and readability.

Best FictionI read one work of fiction. It didn’t make my “Best of” list. While I finished it at 3AM on January 1, 2012, Cormac McCarthy’s All the Pretty Horses was the best fiction I read in 2011. McCarthy’s powers of description are stupefying. As a West Texan, I was totally engrossed in his tale set in the borderlands of Texas and Mexico. This is the third McCarthy book I’ve read and have enjoyed all three.

Best Album Not By Radiohead – 21 by Adele. Wow! Get dumped by your boyfriend, make an album based on that breakup, and wind up with the best record of the year. Soulful, emotional, and catchy songs dot an album that’s been on others’ top albums of 2011 and definitely peaks on mine.

Best Movie – Last year I noted I didn’t watch a lot of movies. 2011 proves it. I don’t believe I watched one movie last year.

Best Trip That Wasn’t FandangoEurope in May: Munich, Germany; L’viv, Ukraine; London (and Sheffield), England. Got a chance to train pastors, learn more about discipling from a friend abroad, and visit my favorite football club’s home grounds for a game.

Looking back at 2011 it appears I needed to enjoy the year a little more (What? No movies or books???), but it definitely had its highlights. However, with that said, here’s to hoping a better 2012. Maybe my next post will deal with what I want to shoot for over the next 365 days.

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Where Did Dec. 25th Come From? A History of Christmas

A great summary by Elesha Coffman on how the church began to celebrate December 25th as Christ’s birth.

 

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Merry Christmas from The Arringtons

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And the Heisman goes to…

Incredibly proud that my alma mater, Baylor University,
is home to the 2011 Heisman Trophy Winner:
Robert Griffin III

That good old Baylor line!
That good old Baylor line!
We’ll march forever down the years,
As long as stars shall shine.
We’ll fling our green and gold afar
To light the ways of time,
And guide us as we onward go;
That good old Baylor line!

Sic ‘Em Bears!

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