Comments on: David Powlison on New Year’s Resolutions

By: Weekly Links (1/08/10) « The Beacon

Weekly Links (1/08/10) « The Beacon — Fri, 08 Jan 2010 19:28:56 +0000

[...] at the Gospel Coalition, David Powlison has an article regarding new year’s resolutions in general that you might find [...]

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:19:43 +0000

i never have time to read articles with three kids under three. i made time for this one and will post it to my blog. wise. fully thought about. certainly a word from the Spirit. beautifully written, as appreciated by a practicing writer. thank you.

By: It’s resolution time… « Mαθητης (math-ē-tēs)

It’s resolution time… « Mαθητης (math-ē-tēs) — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 18:05:35 +0000

[...] found posts on the subject from Kevin DeYoung (read it here) and David Powlison (read it here) to be very helpful. As Powlison points out, the most important, every day resolution to make is [...]

By: Day One « Gospel Citizens

Day One « Gospel Citizens — Sat, 02 Jan 2010 04:10:44 +0000

[...] There is more to New Year’s resolutions than we sometimes think. David Powlison’s reflections one resolutions are worth [...]

By: A couple more thoughts about New Year’s Day « Words of Grace

A couple more thoughts about New Year’s Day « Words of Grace — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 20:50:58 +0000

[...] “David Powlison on New Year’s Resolutions” [...]

By: Scott Anton

Scott Anton — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 19:13:28 +0000

res·o·lu·tion (r z -l sh n). n. 1. The state or quality of being resolute; firm determination. 2. A resolving to do something…

Dave, It seems as though you are railing against a much bigger issue than someone setting a firm determination in their life. I believe you are clearly trying to set a foundation of God based determination, faith, trust, guidance, direction; all of our desire for change predicated upon a firm foundation of God being the center of consistent change. When I first read your article, I was moved, inspired. Then, I thought..gee Dave, relax! Then I thought, hmmm, maybe Dave is being the pastor, the teacher God made him and return to your original opinion.
Finally, I resolved to accept your words as from the heart, a clear direction, a guidepost for change in a God-centric mindset. I do know that change can occur from a resolute desire to be different and sometimes God leads the lost to Him one step at a time, in spite of our disobedience with little or no knowledge of Him. Isn’t that how the Holy Spirit can work? I DO know of being at the rock bottom, the end and then and only then can the sometimes soft voice of God can be heard. I think resolutions are often, as you imply, self serving testaments without hope in the absence of God and those He puts in our lives to hold us accountable. Resolute to follow. Even that seems hopeless without adding: with God’s help, I pray. So that is my resolution.

By: 2010 – Don’t Turn Your Resolutions Into Religion « Christ Community Church

Fri, 01 Jan 2010 12:46:33 +0000

[...] David Powlison considers the question of resolutions [...]

By: Gunner

Gunner — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 02:18:38 +0000

Thank you for re-posting this, Justin. I skimmed it last time and read it this time, and am glad to have read it.

By: Scott Anton

Scott Anton — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 20:20:34 +0000

Wow.

By: Resources for the New Year « Second Mile Church Blog

Resources for the New Year « Second Mile Church Blog — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:28:04 +0000

[...] Biblical Counselor David Powlison addresses the topic of New Year’s Resolutions. [...]

By: donsands

donsands — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 15:06:53 +0000

“..in humble reliance upon the grace of the Holy Spirit, that I will endeavor to live as becomes a follower of Christ.”

Amen. Because I now love the Lord, because He first loved me, and died for me.

Thanks for the good words from David Powilson.

By: Ben

Ben — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:57:01 +0000

“But, as I think about it, such fresh resolves of faith and love have been part of every good conversation we’ve ever had.”

This is a helpful sentence. Resolves should be an inherent part of normal fellowship and conversation, and thought of as our daily aim as we aim to walk in obedience and love. Not just a tradition reserved for January 1. New Years is a nice placeholder in our minds, sometimes an excuse, and we can think we will easily take care of ‘that’ problem, whatever ‘that’ may be, starting on January 1 instead of taking the thing to task that very day.

I’m not wholly against the idea though. If somebody told me over Christmas they were resolving this year to do something simple, like put the toothpaste back in the drawer each night instead of leaving it out, I’d say go for it. But I’d also say start now. Get that toothpaste back in the drawer on January 1…and December 31, and December 30, and etc.