@TheHillSMU

At the beginning of every new year or new semester we are confronted with a desire or tempation to be better than we were the year or semester before.  So we grab a moleskin and write out resolutions and goals for a "New Year you."  They look something like this:

• Better grades
• Lose 10 pounds, exercise, eat healthy
• Quit smoking, drinking, etc.
• Learn Mandarin, piano
• Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
• Read the Bible, pray more, go to church

Every year it is the same thing.  We look back on the year that was with disappointment and frustration over those pesky 10 pounds, our GPA's, and the dust on our Bibles.  Is anybody tired of resolutions?  I know I am.  Do they ever stop?!

Instead of resolutions what if we set out to change the rhythms of our lives or to create new ones?

When I hear the word rhythm, I immediately think of music.  The beat of the drum.  The rift of an electric guitar.  The tremolo of a piano.  There is something especially beautiful about the harmony and rhythm of good music.

I also think of the life of a Christian.  It was through the rhythms of the day (manna and water), rhythms of the week (sabbath), and rhythms of the year (Passover) that God sustained His people through the Exodus (Exodus 12-17).  In the Gospels, Jesus gives a new rhythm to his disciples...love God and love others (Matthew 22:34-40).  

What would a rhythm as a disciple of Jesus look like?

I came across a great article that offers some very helpful ideas on a rhythm of discipleship.  Read the article here.  Below is the rhythm of discipleship that they offer.

This Up, In, Out discipleship model offers a new rhythm as followers of Jesus.  So, let's put this in context of rhythms over reoslutions.  

If the resolution is to get better grades...the rhythm is studying.  If the resolution is lose 10 pounds...the rhythm is exercise and healthy eating.  If the resolution is to grow in likeness of Christ...the rhythm is UP, IN, OUT.  Resolutions are self-centered.  Rhythms are self-giving.  

Please hear me, I am not saying I am against resolutions or goals.  Actually I am all for them!  What I am saying is that we cannot expect to set the same resolutions without changing our rhythms of life and expect different results.  Resolutions divorced from rhythms are not realistic and usually lead to frustration and disappointment.

We wanted to take a second and say welcome to SMU and for some...welcome to Dallas!  Events like Night at the Club are great but it is sometimes hard to land in a community when bombarded with flyers, goldfish and candy.  If you picked up a notebook or a pair of sunglasses Saturday night, chances are you met someone who is involved with THE HILL.  

Come see us Wednesday, August 29th @ 8pm in The Varsity (Lower level of Hughes-Trigg) to share a free meal and hear The Heart of Who We Are on campus.  So Welcome to SMU...we are so glad you are here!  See you on Wednesday nights! Check out the link above to read more about our mission on campus.

-The Hill Team

London Conversation: Jeff Warren & Malcolm Duncan (8/5/12) from Park Cities Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Senior Pastor Jeff Warren chats with Gold Hill Baptist Church Senior Pastor Malcolm Duncan during the London Mission Trip about the missional church, partnering together for Run the Race and joining in on the movement of God.

College London Trip Update 8/3/12 from Park Cities Baptist Church on Vimeo.

Stephen Partrick, Minister to College Students catches up with Janie Clark on the last night of the college mission trip to London during the 2012 games.