andrew dodson

Looking back on 2006’s motto, “Potential: Reached,” I feel as though I accomplished a lot of what I wanted to do in 2006 (insert: “praise be to God”).  I grew in a lot of areas, and surprised myself a few times along the way.  So, for 2007, I’m announcing my motto as “Raising the Bar.”  While I still don’t feel like I’ve truly reached my potential in a lot of areas, I’m confident I can raise the bar even higher.  Now that I’ve seen growth, I can also see that I can do more.

I don’t really have many resolutions.  I guess they’re easier to keep if you only focus on a few important ones.  I think focusing on self-discipline will help me raise the bar.  Simple stuff like going to bed earlier and waking up earlier.  Eating better.  Procrastinating less, and focusing more.  Better time management.  A lot of simple steps that make a difference in the big picture.

A resolution I will share is this:  I plan on reading at least one book per month.  I enjoy reading, but a lot of times find myself in the middle of several books at once, and I never finish any of them.  So, for 2007, I’m just going to read one book at a time, and not pick another one up until I’m done with the current reading.  Here’s my projected reading list for the year:

• Faith in Future Grace by John Piper (currently reading)
• Living the Cross Centered Life by CJ Mahaney
• God is the Gospel by John Piper
• The Weight of Glory by C.S. Lewis
• Chasing Daylight by Erwin McManus
• Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller

Books I started in 2006 that I’d like to re-read and finish in 2007:

• Desiring God by John Piper
• (Re)Understanding Prayer by Kyle Lake

Devotionals I’ll read along the way:

• My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers (I’ve read this semi-regularly for the past couple of years and enjoy it a lot)
• Fifty Reasons Why Jesus Came to Die, Savoring Christ, A Godward Life, and Taste and See - all by John Piper