Here’s how I finally did on my goal for 2012. I set off to read at least 24 books, or 2 a month. I got to 25 1/2 books.

  1. King’s Cross, by Timothy Keller
  2. Forgotten God, by Francis Chan
  3. Erasing Hell, by Francis Chan
  4. Catch-22, by Joseph Heller
  5. Of Mice and Men, by John Steinbeck
  6. Miracles, by C.S. Lewis
  7. The Princess Bride, by William Goldman
  8. Amusing Ourselves to Death, by Neil Postman
  9. The Hunger Games, by Susanne Collins
  10. Catching Fire   ”   “
  11. Mockingjay    ”    “
  12. Technopoly, by Neil Postman
  13. Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency, by Douglas Adams
  14. Long, Dark Tea Time of the Soul    ”   “
  15. Shattered, by Dean Koontz
  16. Beautiful Outlaw, by John Eldredge
  17. The Practice of the Presence of God, by brother Lawrence
  18. Timeline, by Michael Crichton
  19. Kingdom Come, by John Mark Hicks and Bobby Valentine
  20. Ender’s Game, by Orson Scott Card
  21. Speaker for the Dead  ”   “
  22. Xenocide, ”  “
  23. Children of the Mind,   ”   “
  24. Fear Nothing, by Dean Koontz
  25. Surprised by Hope, by NT Wright
  26. Not a Fan., by Kyle Idleman (almost through…)
Not too shabby. I think this is the first time I’ve ever completed a year-long goal.
Here’s what I have on deck for 2013:
1. Continue reading 2(+) books per month
2. Donate blood at least 4 times
3. Run a total of 500 miles
4. Read each of the four gospels at least 3 times
I like to use the word goal instead of resolution. To resolve means “to come to a definite or earnest decision about.” The only thing I have ever resolved to do is to follow Christ. That is a definite and earnest decision. I can change or adapt my goals. I can make new goals. I can reach goals and move on to new ones. My ultimate resolution to follow Christ guides what kind of goals I set for myself.
So go ahead and set lots of goals for yourself. But only one resolution ever needs to be made. If you haven’t made that resolution yet, then make 2013 the year you make a definite and earnest decision to follow Christ.