New Year's resolutions make me smile .  .  . They've become the stuff of jokes and comedy routines. Mainly because in spite of good intentions, they're rarely kept and usually discarded completely. Though I know that's not always the case.

There's something about a brand new year, though, a clean slate that's inviting. It challenges us to make new choices and reflect on our priorities. So, you'll be lobbied pretty hard by folks and organizations, athletic coaches, music teachers and advertisers and many more pursuasive influencers than I this season, to surrender a piece of your family's time and energy and soul this year. But I want to offer a simple appeal to you and your family . . .  Choose Church in 2010!

There it is . . . it's pretty simple and not that unexpected or compelling. But you will choose every week, every weekend, and every month starting in January how you and your family are going to spend your Sundays and evenings this year . . . options abound, from traveling sports teams, to family reunions, to extra work hours, to professional sporting events and the list goes on and on. None of those things are necessarily dishonoring to the Lord. And there are times when spending a bit of extra time with your family may be the most God honoring thing to do. But why not this year commit to spending a priority amount of your time as a family worshipping together on Sundays and being involved in ministry?

I understand we all need and should take times away to rest and reconnect . . . but so often and so easily we trade away a Sunday service or a ministry event for something we could have chosen simply not to do.  It's a subtle adjustment to be sure. But most more longlasting and valuable adjustments are.  No reason to do anything drastic, but simply take the time as a family to seek the Lord. Ask Him how He'd like you to spend your Sundays and weekends in 2010. Have you ever asked Him? Do you think He'd like some input? Sure, and He's always gracious and understanding.

So . . . as you sharpen your pencil or open your iphone this year to start filling in dates and commitments for you and your kids, would you prayerfully determine to Choose Church? To make a renewed commitment to honor the Lord as a family in Sunday worship together? It may require some sacrifice . . . perhaps choosing not to participate in some other commitment or opportunity. But it's only a simple request . . . to Choose Church over other things.

The we can join Joshua of old and declare together and to all who watch our living, "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord." Joshua 24:15