January 1st, 2009

Here we are in the new year. We hosted a new year's eve party last night where we had great food and fun. My wife is a great party giver. She's a great cook and is always welcoming of our guests. We had people from our church as well as friends from three other churches. We ate, played charades, and sang karaoke. The karaoke started out as just plain fun as we all sang and put on our best performances. Getting together doesn't have to be about getting drunk and acting in ways we are ashamed of the next morning. After the entertainment we sang praise and worship songs and felt God's presence in a real way. Some gave testimonies of what God had done for them in 2008. We were all touched and encouraged about what God will do in this new year. With the economy in a mess, people losing theirs jobs, and our
401K's shrinking dramatically, how can we be so positive? Because we have experience with God that validates our faith. We know what God has done in our lives and what He will do for those who trust Him. It is only the power of God that can bring us from despair to a joy that looks forward to each new day. Thank God for what He has done in our lives. I'm looking forward to continued blessing in 2009.