Technology has always been a large part of my life.  It’s probably mostly playing with the cool gadgets that draws me to it, but it’s also been my means to making a living for my family over the last 8+ years.  While I find myself looking for ways to challenge myself, I also find myself in ruts with just walking through the daily motion of keeping the systems running; at times I think my way challenging myself is akin to driving down a bumpy logging road and confronting a large mud puddle covering the ruts.  I challenge myself to make it through, though often staying in the submerged ruts, and continuing on the ruts on the other side.

I haven’t quite understood the big social media thing, sure it was cool to catch up with some old friends, but anyone who knows me I’m a pretty private guy and don’t share a whole lot until I have built a strong relationship.  Facebook kinda comes and goes, but twitter has become an interesting way of gleaning information off many folks.  I started following an old friend @chownage, as he started impressing me with his business, which led me to follow many of his mentors, friends, and associates; all of whom so far appear to be good Christian leaders.  While I may not agree with some of their beliefs when it comes to Bible doctrine, I believe they have some great life lessons.

Looking back over 2009, I’ve decided I want to get out of the rut.  It may continue to involve technology and it may not, but it’s at least brought me to the realization that there are things that need to change and things that need to improve, and things that need to GO AWAY.

Lesson One: read.

Harry Truman said, “Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers.”  I believe most of that quote is true, but if you are a man, and have a family, guess what, your a leader whether you like it or not and whether you read or not.  I just finished a great book,  Point Man – How a Man Can Lead His Family One of the most influential points was how important reading/studying the Bible is.  Author Steve Farrar was speaking in regards to reading the Bible and taking the much needed time to do so.  I’m paraphrasing and don’t have the book infront of me, but it was a long the lines of:

It will not come easy at first, but it takes training, just like working out….

Starting out by devoting 30 minutes to reading and studying and 30 minutes to prayer every other day is a great start…..

It will become easier…..

It doesn’t have to be from 4am to 12pm to be effective….

In 2010 growing and desiring the solid food that God has for everyone (Hebrews 5:14) and keeping myself from growing dull will be a goal.  (Listen to a great message from 12/27/09 regarding this passage http://www.tfabend.com/teachings/audio/.)  I’ve only started really devoting 30 minutes of my morning, but the rewards are great and I look forward to seeing what is to come.

I’ve enjoyed a few books here and there for entertainment (Tom Clancy being one who can really draw me in), I’m really shooting for reading through 10 or more books this year.  And not reading for the sake of reading, but discerning and applying.  If anyone has a good list of books that they’ve enjoy’d I’d love some recommendations.