New Year's resolutions come and go. We often have great intentions when we make them, but often come up short because we lose sight of the vision we once had for change.

We hope to encourage you this year to make, and help each other keep, a resolution that is better than gold.

Here is a bible memorization plan that takes a verse or small passage a week for the whole year. If you read over it, you will see the soul-building verses that were picked to include on this list.

John Piper had this helpful, convicting word about focused Scripture memorization:

You may doubt that you can do this, especially if you are older. But ask yourself this question, If I offered you $1,000 for every verse you memorized in the next week, how many do you think you could memorize? Yet God says of his word in Psalm 19:10-11, "They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Thy servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward." The real value of the word is far greater than $1,000 a verse. The question is, Do you believe this? Believing this will be the crucial motivation you need.

HT: Between Two Worlds

Paul urges all believers in Romans 12:2, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." A great way to continually renew our minds is by listening to music that is both true and good. Here are some albums that have encouraged me and that I think will be helpful to you, as well.

• Sojourn Community Church's Christmas Album - get it free!!! Advent Songs.
  
  
  


• Andrew Peterson's wonderful Christmas-through-the-Bible album Behold the Lamb of God. I highly recommend this CD!
  
  
• Red Mountain Church's Christmas Album, Silent Night.
  
  
• Sovereign Grace Music's Vally of Vision - $8 right now!
  
  

Here is a very good advent devotional that you may find helpful to use with your family during this time of year that we celebrate the coming of the Son of God as a child.

HT: Between Two Worlds