• I want to be a SERIOUS student of the Bible (Psalm 1)
• GO HARD AFTER GOD
• BE A WARRIOR for JESUS
• BE A SOLDIER for JESUS
• BE an ATHLETE for JESUS
• GIVE MORE
• START Investing in helping the oppressed
• Keep pumping iron consistently
• Pump Spiritual Iron even more consistently
• Start Saving some $$$ and break stupid debt
• Make disciples
• Train leaders
• love the people of God
• finish seminary strong
• Memorize scripture

• Identify at least one good friend who's willing to join you in holding each other accountable.
• Tell your friends that you refuse to be a consumer only. Then back it up.
• Don't waste time surfing the web, watching TV and movies, or reading magazines. Instead, read some great books and talk about them with your friends. If you want, start a blog to write about what you're reading.
• Don't eat out so much. Instead, learn how to cook (no microwave dinners). It's healthier, smarter, and gives you an opportunity to serve others.
• Don't buy more clothes you don't need. Instead, donate some to people who really need them.
• If you live at home, volunteer to help with jobs around the house (the word "volunteer" is key). In fact, initiate some of the big, important maintenance projects that your parents have been putting off.
• Commit yourself to a local church and find a way to serve. Remember that it's participation and support that makes a member, not just attendance.
• Spend more time reading God's Word. If you've never memorized, start memorizing verses. If you've done verses, start memorizing sections. If you've done sections, go for a chapter. Nothing will better equip you than to have "the word of Christ dwell in you richly" (Colossians 3:16).
• Write out a list of things you want in a spouse and a list of steps you need to take to be ready for him/her. Don't waste time with uncommitted relationships.

I have been reading God is the Gospel by John Piper. It is really encouraging because it destroys false misunderstandings of the nature of true love. The reason why Christ died was not to make much of Alex Hong, but Christ died so that I would make much of God. Alex Hong was not the ultimate cause of Jesus brutal crucifixion, burial, and resurrection; but rather Jesus' death, burial and resurrection assures me now that I can make much of God guilt free. I have access to the Father through the Son by the Holy Spirit to exalt God! This truth should free the soul from self (John 8:32). How I need this. Everything in my fallen nature craves the approval of man, self-centerness, lustful cravings, idolatry. The only thing that will cure sin is to see the light of the gospel of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. God has to send beams of light into my heart so that the chains of darkness and sin will fall off. Sin will lose its attraction when the Holy Spirit in me exalts and magnifies the Son. O Lord, Grant this and do this. Make your Son beautiful in my heart so that the world, its desires, and the flesh will fade away. Sin is utterly destructive because it breaks fellowship with you and betrays you. It trades infinite eternal joy for trash that cannot satisfy. Break the chain Lord and free me to love you for your own sake and nothing else. See if there is any wicked way in me and I pray that I would not love your gifts, but I would love the Giver. Give me eyes to see.

Dear Lord,

All the things in my life have been a work of your sovereign care. Everything that you have worked in my life has been the result of your grace. All the thanks and glory should be given to you. You have changed my life. God, help me see your beauty. I will perish if I do not see your glory. Everything that is good in my life is only a shadow to your infinite worth. All that is true and beautiful is found you. You have revealed yourself in the beauty of your Son. Awaken my heart once again. Help me see the beauty of your Son crucified for a wretch like me. Thank you that you loved me in my unfaithfulness. Thank you that you died for me when I was your enemy. Thank you that I was dead in my sins and you made me alive. Thank you for giving me a living hope. Thank you for giving me strength. Thank you for giving me a family who loves me. Thank you for the church that you have provided me. Thank you for being the great provider. Thank you for meeting my needs. Thank you for drawing me to yourself. Thank you that there is none like you. Thank you that YOU alone are exalted. Thank you that there is no God besides thee. Thank you that You are the God of righteousness. Thank you are unfading and undefiled. Thank you that you became defiled for us. Thank you for the gospel. Thank you that you died so that we may see your worth. Thank you that the world was in sin and error pinning, till you appeared and the Soul felt its worth. Thank you for pain so that you would show me that you Heal. Thank you for discipline because you are a Father to your children. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, for it is by Him that I see the glory of the cross. Thank you for Your Word, it is through your Word I learn how to live life and love righteousness. Thank you for the birth of Your precious Son. Thank you that you will never leave me nor forsake me because your Son was forsake for me. Thank you for the blood that cleanses me of my filth. Thank you that you are the thought that cleanses my wickedness. Thank You that you loved the world when it hated you. Thank you that You alone are infinite in worth. Thank you that you are the Creator. Thank you for changing my life. Thank you that I have no good thing besides thee. Thank you that you alone have living water. Thank you that you are the bread of life. Thank you for the offense of the cross that sames sinners. Thank you that you are worth more than anything in the world. Thank you for loving me despite my failures. Open my eyes and enlarge my heart to see your worth. Thank you for the Glory of Jesus Christ.