“Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory.” 1 Peter 1:8
One
word for this year; joy!
Joy
in knowing that I have a Father in heaven who knows absolutely everything I’m
going through. And not only that He knows, but He’s using it to conform me more
and more into the likeness of His Son.
Joy
in serving with the people of Community Baptist Church. This has been a trying
year for Bonnie and I. Along with being quite sick for most of the year and not
being able to serve as much, or as effectively as we’d like, I am filled with
joy as I observe so many stepping up and stepping in, to do what I’m not able
to do.
Joy
in seeing how God is growing the church as we’ve welcomed several new faces
over the year. Yes, we’ve said good bye to some, but I’m encouraged by the way
God brings in others who love the Lord and have a heart to serve.
Joy
in seeing a young lady come to the Lord, through the witness of a friend, and
step forward in obedience in baptism.
Joy
as we commissioned Lorraine and Kgotso to ministry in South Africa and Lesotho,
and to see their joy, and rejoice with them, as they welcomed little Onalenna
into the world.
Joy
in the generosity of this church family who, through their generosity, we have
been able to send large amounts of support to Lorraine and Kgotso, and to the
Keres and Klockenga families for the work in Cat Lake.
Joy
in being able to do what I love. People ask where I work and I can honestly
say; “I don’t work, I have the privilege of being a pastor to a great little
church in Murillo; it’s not work.”
Joy
in having a loving, caring, encouraging, wife who loves me and loves God. I
can’t begin to thank God enough for giving me a wife who is in it for the long
haul and stays strong in Him.
And
so, I rejoice with profound joy that is beyond the power of words to express.
And besides that, it is a joy that is filled with glory, filled with the
blessings of God that transcends all earthly things. Indeed, it has been a
challenging year with all of my health struggles and yet, in spite of my
weakness, His grace has been sufficient and His power has shown through in my
weakness. We have a great little church that doesn’t always, or only, rely on
the pastor to run the church or get things done; everyone contributes and the
church grows because each one does their part.
I
have to thank God for the number of men He’s placed in this church who can step
behind the pulpit and bring the Word of God to the congregation; some on very,
very, short notice.
I’m
thankful for Linda who has taken on the task of secretary and graciously
prompts us to get things done while getting a lot of things done herself.
I’m
thankful for the members of the Official Board who are planning and promoting
all of our various events, activities, programs, and teaching. We might not do
it all “perfectly”, but each and every member has a desire to follow God’s
leading and direction for His church.
And
so, not knowing how things will play out with this adventure of a kidney
transplant looming in the near future, I’m thankful for this past year and how
through sickness, God has shown the Deacons and myself that, if and when I am
absent for a transplant, the work here goes on for the praise of His glory.
My
plan, after seeking His direction this past fall on my retreat, is to, through
His Word, help make us more in awe of Him than we are of the things of this
world. There are many things in this world that we use and enjoy, but those
things are to point us, in awe, of the One who gave them to us.
So,
especially thinking that through for the coming year, my plan is to do a series
on awe. Awe inspires us to see the worth of God and live in reverential fear of
the One who is our Lord and Saviour.
Sin
blinds us to the glory of God and because we are blind, it can cause us to live
without awe. But, there really is a God who is the Creator and Sustainer of all
things, the God, who is the sum and definition of all that is good, true, and
loving. But praise Him, He is not only good, He places His goodness on us as we
place our faith in Him! We have His goodness, not because we deserve it in any
way, but simply because He is good, gracious, loving, and kind.
Think
about it. The One who is the sum of all that is truly good has placed his goodness
on people like you and me. Joy, joy, joy!