2008 (abridged, written by Mark and published in our church newsletter)

Christmas of 2008 has come and gone; 2008 has come and is almost gone! This year has been one of many blessings, and much heartbreak. In the last year I can see how many blessings God has given us as His family. From where I sit I can see so many people who have a renewed vigor for serving Christ. I love to see people in this [church] family that love to be here and love to bring people here, who love to sit and listen to God's Word and share with others what they've learned. People who have felt an urgency to tell someone about this Jesus that we love and serve.
Yes, the economy may not be what we would hope it to be, there may be some tougher times ahead, but this God we serve is bigger that all of that. He is bigger than the fear we feel when the boss says, "you aren't needed anymore." He's bigger that the news that the "cancer is back." He's bigger than the words, "I don't see a heartbeat on the ultrasound."
We serve a big God and we need to remember that. Look throughout the Bible and you will find many times when people are at their lowest and God showed his "bigness." When Joseph was in prison for something he didn't do, it was God who brought him out. When Daniel was in the lion's den, God's angel shut the [lion's] mouths. When Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were in a fiery furnace, someone like that "Son of God" was there with them. And He will be with us, so long as we love and serve Him.
As we start this New Year I was to tell everyone that when our focus is on Him and on serving Him, He will do great things. Bigger than anything we could imagine.
"Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!" (Ephesians 3.20-21)
Happy New Year