2015: A year of being stuck

Before I begin I have a joke.

Question: "What did Adam say to his wife on the last day of the year?"
Answer: "Happy New Years, 'Eve'"

I know. I know. Don't quit your day job.

So, its been awhile since my last blog but felt the urge to get back into it. Maybe that should be my New Year's Resolution?

Almost every year we come to Dec 31 and we realize we completely neglected our New Year's Resolution from the year before. So, we make an oath that this year we will do better. Or Go to the Gym more. Or Eat less snacks. Or Drink less pop. Or Read my Bible more. Or Be a nicer person. Or whatever.

I want to suggest a new way of doing this.
Instead of trying to come up with things you need to do better or things you need to give up I want us to focus on one thing.

Actually, one word.

Ask God to give you one word for your new year. No matter how simple or silly that word might be that's your word. Don't try and negotiate with him. It usually doesn't work. We can ask God for a word because he actually knows us better than we know ourselves.

So go ahead try it. Even if you aren't religious. Even if you don't believe in a god, just humor me. God speaks to and loves even those who don't believe in Him.

The rest of this blog will be dedicated to my word: My word is "Stuck"

On the surface this looks like a very depressing word but I love it! King David from the Bible tells us to "Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pastures. Take Delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart" (Psalm 37:3-4)


David is an easy person to relate to. He has incredible passion for God but sometimes he loses his focus and falls short of perfection. That sounds like me, sounds like you. But there is some redeeming qualities to the life of this shepherd boy turned King. He had "a heart after God's own heart." In other words he loved God and didn't care who else knows.

In fact the more I study David the best word to find to describe him is: Stuck. He gets stuck in the grace of God. He gets stuck in the love of God. He gets stuck as a sheep.

David, formerly a shepherd knew how much sheep needed to rely on the Shepherd. David calls the Lord "His Shepherd" in the famous 23rd Psalm.

I want this word stuck to consume my life this year. When I'm reading my Bible I want to be stuck on words and not be able to continue. When I'm preaching I want to be stuck  in awe of the one I am preaching about. When I am coaching I want to be stuck when I realize that God has been so Good to bless me with the ability to be an influence on these kids lives.When I'm eating I want to be stuck when I realize how good food tastes. That my God would create taste buds for me.

This is a just a start but how cool is it that on this journey we call life that God has designed places for us to get stuck. To reflect. To be thankful. To inspire. To be well human.

Above all, may I get stuck in the overwhelming grace of Jesus Christ. Who has called me to himself before the foundations of the world.

If you desire, you may just my word. I think it's a good one. But I want to challenge you to ask God for yourself. What word is he giving you for this new year. May God slow you down. May he open your ears to hear from him so that you may truly be changed by the one who made, knows, and loves you.