January 2016 Monthly Letter
Dear Reconciler Family,
Welcome to a brand New Year, 2016! And while reflecting on it my mind began to wonder what this year will be like, how it will affect me and in what ways can I be effective or more effective in sharing the gospel with others.
Arthur Albrecht Powell, code name Pittsburgh Expert, wrote this about the New Year. “It’s a time for looking back at the past, and more importantly, forward to the coming year. It’s a time to reflect on and make the changes we want or need to make and resolve to follow through on them.”
Some people seem to swear by and insist on making New Year’s resolutions but many, if not most, fail to keep them. Powell listed ten of the most popular resolutions that people make. I’ll list three of them:
1) Spend more time with family
and friends
2) Fit in Fitness
3) Tame the bulge
Most of us may or may not ascribe to the idea of making resolutions. This is not a request for you to do so. I like to reflect on my accomplishments of the previous year and seeking God’s will for the coming year, realizing that only He knows the path he wants me to take in the future. I do have a yearly calendar but leave space for Him.
One of my greatest joys is waking up in the morning and anticipating spending time with Jesus. I read my devotional and reflect on how I may best apply it. I love the words of the song …“I come to the garden alone, while the dew is still on the roses. And he walks with me and he talks with me and tells me I am His own.” The older I get the more I appreciate it. I’m sure you have your favorite time with the Lord.
While in prayer and meditation, I love focusing on passages like Ephesians 1:3-7: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of glory of his grace, where as he has made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”
Glory to God in the Highest for His love, generosity, peace, hope and eternal gift of salvation.
Thank you very much for your loyalty and financial support. May we all continue to glorify God as we serve Him in His Ministry of Reconciliation in a broken and divided world. Enjoy his peace!
