Start of a new year
Last night, my wife Sue and I hosted a small get together for the regulars in our house church family. We enjoyed the time together and took time to reflect on how 2005 was for each of us. There were no surprises since we all know most of what is going on in each family on a weekly and sometime daily basis. But we all felt that last year at this time, we could not have imagined how God was going to move within this group. Our house church has taken shape during the year as two separate groups combined for united fellowship. We didn't even know each other a year ago. A product of that combining is a couple that are planning to be married, probably during 2006. Last year at this time, I was seeking God's will on the Africa trip. God answered that prayer and provided all the needs. Sue's business with antiques has really jumped with her move to another mart. We organized and held one house church event and one gathering. The many house church/simple church/organic church groups in the valley have become closer and more united. The fact that there are so many groups involved in this type of church has been noticed and commented on by the media. We have been blessed beyond what any of us could imagine a year ago. But that shouldn't surprise us, God is still in control.
We all spoke of how we pray that God opens even more doors for ministry and outreach during 2006. I know He will and I look forward to it. Already there are conferences and workshops planned for the first three months of the year. There will no doubt be more as the year goes on.
As for resolutions, we all have some. I know I need to lose some of my spare tire waist and get more exercise. I want to improve my theological grounding since I have never had any formal ministry education. Of course, there are things around the house that I want and need to take care of during the year. I have to trust that God will provide.
One of the things Sue and I plan to do this year is complete reading the Bible in a year in a plan that I found in the blog at http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/ .
Most of our church group has committed to doing this as well. If you have never read the Bible completely through during a year, I hope you join us and the approximately 950 others who will be joining Mike at the blog in 2006.
We hope everyone a blessed God-directed New Year 2006.
We all spoke of how we pray that God opens even more doors for ministry and outreach during 2006. I know He will and I look forward to it. Already there are conferences and workshops planned for the first three months of the year. There will no doubt be more as the year goes on.
As for resolutions, we all have some. I know I need to lose some of my spare tire waist and get more exercise. I want to improve my theological grounding since I have never had any formal ministry education. Of course, there are things around the house that I want and need to take care of during the year. I have to trust that God will provide.
One of the things Sue and I plan to do this year is complete reading the Bible in a year in a plan that I found in the blog at http://www.oneyearbibleblog.com/ .
Most of our church group has committed to doing this as well. If you have never read the Bible completely through during a year, I hope you join us and the approximately 950 others who will be joining Mike at the blog in 2006.
We hope everyone a blessed God-directed New Year 2006.
2 Comments:
At 4:46 AM, John said…
Good Morning!
I wish I could get Donna to host anything in our home. She is always worried about how the house looks. We had a quiet New Years Eve, and prayed together and laughed that 2006 would be and could only be improvement. Of course His will be done. I wish you and your family a very Happy and Blessed New Year.
I just wanted to chime in about reading the Bible in a Year. It is a great idea, and I worked on it this past year using "everyday with Jesus Bible", with devotions by Selwyn Hughes. It is a Holman Christian Standard Bible. I didn't acccomplish my goal. I did quite well, but wasn't as faithful as I intended and miss a day or two here and there through out the year. Time to START AGAIN!
This is really cool, because there are scriptures that I know I have NOT read! Can you believe that! We as Christians have most likely NOT read the Holy Bible cover to cover. Yet many have read all of the Harry Potter Books, or Lord of the Rings.
The blog link for the bible in a year is great. It has wonderful illustrations and photos too!
I didn't completely read the missed days from January already, but scanned through it quicly. It talks of the creation and the fall, and the flood. My son aaron and I have watch a series of videos on CD from Dr. Kent Hovind on Creation. If you believe the Bible is the inerrant and inspired word of God, then the creation in Genesis is correct... calendar and all. Dr. Hovind will put to rest any questions you have about the lies of Evolution and the incredible cover ups by authors, scientists, and statesmen about all facits of it.
My church here in Conyers, Geogia is Rockdale Baptist Church. We as a church have started "Voices of the Faithful", Devotions for everyday of the year. The cover reads Inspiring Stories of courage from Christians serving around the world, with Beth Moore.
What Larry and myself want for eveyone is to just nudge you in the direction of being in the word and in prayer daily. We can hear God more clearly when we are in tune and having a consistant relationship with him.
I don't real make resolutions because they just get broken. I want a FULL TIME job this year, and since the IT (Techie) career is all but gone I think I'll devote more of my reading to authors such as John Piper and some other Christian writers.
God Bless You!
John
At 5:43 AM, Larry said…
John, thanks for the comments. So far Sue and I have read together each night the One Year Bible. I pray that we can keep it up. Especially the next time I have to travel.
Post a Comment
<< Home