2008

I've been thinking about this past year. In so many areas I can see how God has been moving and I am praying that 2008 will be a year of miraculous events. I pray that I will see it in the church, in our homes and in our lives.

Happy New Year!

AHHHH

Ok, so I am a 40 year old college student. It is an amazing feeling when I get to put the books in the bookcase and tear up all the unimportant papers that have accumulated through the semester. There is just something about hitting that send button to submit my last assignment for the semester. It's a mix of feelings ranging from accomplishment to freedom. Another semester done and a few steps closer to my degree!

Our relationship with God should be like that, I mean, God is always teaching us and it's up to us to learn. Once we learn something, God is already moving to the next level, wanting us to follow. Each level brings us closer to the time when we'll be with him forever - graduation!

Are you doing your homework?

D

Family Stick

The other day our son Alex came home from school holding something he had made. It was a colored wrapping paper tube onto which he pasted cut-out heads depicting each member of the family. Wow, does that boy have a keen eye! Each of "our heads" were placed in the proper order from top to bottom. He didn't miss anything, not my mustache/goatee or his older brother's buzz cut. It was a remarkable piece of work.

As I look at it, I'm reminded how God notices every detail of our lives. Scripture says that he knows how many hairs are on our head. He knows about our strengths, weaknesses, successes and failures and he can use them all for his glory.

Just as Alex recreated our heads in intricate detail, God knows us and desires to use us, faults and all. The question is, will we let him?

Christmas Joy

Ok, I admit it. There have been times in recent days when I wasn't exactly joyful that Christmas Day was approaching. It isn't that I don't love the holiday, or realize the true importance and significance of what God did for mankind. My focus was diverted from the true meaning to thoughts like "what will the kid's think with another year of space under the tree?" Or. "Can I find some extra job with insane hours to make-up for my shortcomings as a dad?"

Pondering this at work the other day, it was brought to my attention that many children do not have families to celebrate Christmas with. Or, worse, they have families that want nothing to do with them.

That was the attitude adjustment I needed. I think I will hold my kids a little tighter this Christmas... and the whole year through.