We are shifting gears... a new year, a new focus for our hearts and a deeper appreciation and understanding of God and for His word!

Apocalypse... tragic ending or exciting beginning? We are looking forward to an in depth and eye opening series in Revelation. Buckle up!

From "In the beginning..." all the way through "Yes, I am coming soon", the scriptures narrate such profound truths and sacred promises. It is the story of God's LOVE - His profound, sacrificial love for humanity, exemplified through the birth, life and death of Jesus. But LOVE, even that which is divinely inspired, has its joys and challenges. May we live now, in the light of this LOVE until He returns. "Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!"

There is nothing more joyous than the birth of a child. You plan... you wait. In the case of Abraham and Sarah, they waited and waited... and then waited some more. Twenty five years of waiting. They were already a bit long in the tooth before God promised them a child, but age, time and circumstance did nothing to extinguish their JOY. Laughter became the only suitable response in light of God's great faithfulness to them.

A child born to save our fallen, sinful humanity "will rule forever with fairness and justice from the throne of his ancestor David." (vs.7) We may not see much of it these days, but PEACE is what we long for... peace in our homes and families, peace among our friends and in our own hearts. Because we known the LORD will return one day and reign in the chaos, we can have peace in our hearts and proclaim "Glory to God in the highest, and PEACE on earth to all whom God favors." (vs. 14)

"May the word of the LORD ring out from you to people everywhere, for wherever we go, we find people telling us about your faith in God. ...they speak of how you are looking forward to the coming of God's son from heaven - Jesus, whom God raised from the dead. He is the one who has rescued us..." 1 Thessalonians 1:8-10

There is no greater HOPE to be found than that of a promised King and Redeemer. Come, LORD Jesus!

Perhaps one of the most recognized of Jesus' parables is the wise man vs. the foolish man and where each of them chose to build their house. The practice, even back then, was certainly to find the most secure footing on which to build your home, lest it fall into a heap of rubble at the first deluge of wind and waves. Does this parable, though, speak more about our own personal and spiritual foundation than sand vs. stone?

Some people learn by reading about things; some by hearing about them. It seems a good way, though, to really learn and take in information is by doing and engaging in the process. How often has a parent taught something new to a small child... "practice makes perfect", they say. It's not really about perfection, but the doing itself... especially when it serves another. How great it would be to really get good at doing for others?

Persistence is an admirable quality... ask any toddler. The widow's persistence against an unjust judge in Luke 18 is exactly the persistence needed by Christians today... prayer, prayer and more prayer for justice and for Jesus' second coming. This is not a "change God's mind" or a "God, I'd really like..." kind of prayer, but constant prayer that sets our eyes on that glorious day when Christ returns. This active faith trusts in God's character and plan, and is crucial for maintaining hope in a struggling world.