Goodbye 2007

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die: a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stomes together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.

Another December has come and gone. What a year 2007 has been. The years just keep on flying by and there is nothing I can do to stop them. It is all part of God's plan. His "time to every purpose under the heaven."

We all have resolutions as we start each new year. We all start out with good intentions, don't we? We resolve to lose weight, not work so much and spend more time with our families. The list goes on and on. Do we leave any room in there for our relationship with God? Do we vow to spend more time doing for God instead of dwelling on ourselves? Will we witness to those around us that have no place for God in their lives? Will something they see in us make them wonder why we do what we do?

Lord, help me in my walk with you. Make these words be not just words but the prayer of my heart. Help me be hungry for more of you. Help others see Jesus in me. Help me not to be satisfied with just filling a pew at church. Help me be burdened for the lost and not worry what others will think of me. Help me not be afraid to "get my hands dirty" for you when it comes to reaching a lost and dying world. Amen.

Psalm 139:23-24

Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:

And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Merry Christmas!!!!

My, how the months have flown by and it is time for Christmas already. I can hardly believe how fast this year has come and gone.



As we celebrate this Christmas, I am reminded so much of what Christmas is really all about. JESUS! The name above all names. There is a different spirit in our house this year. We have a tree and I put out a few decorations, but I have not really gotten into what others might call "the Christmas mood". With my dad passing away this year and the circumstances that lead to my daughter now living in Ohio, I have been quite depressed instead of in a celebratory mood. But then I have to think about the real reason for the season and my mood changes. Yes, I am still saddened and even depressed about many things that are going on in my life, but I am over-joyed by the reality that Jesus came to be born and die for my sins! There might not be presents under our tree this year, but Jesus is ever-present in our lives and that makes all the difference in the world.



I hope that all of you, my family, my friends, have a very blessed Christmas. I hope that you will take the time to ponder what this season is really all about. If you do not know God, my prayer is that you will find Him this Christmas.



Merry Christmas to all!

Lisa and Don