Thoughts on a New Year

It's only January 13th, less than two weeks into the new year, so it's not too late to write about a new year, is it? Having my birthday in January allows for me to be able to begin a new year in more ways than one. Isn't God great to give us new beginnings? He gives us one every morning, but there's something special about turning the calendar to January to begin another year.

I want to share two thoughts that I've learned recently. The first comes from Genesis 1:1, "In the beginning, God..." God is there for every beginning. He was there at the dawn of creation, and he's there at the beginning of every new ministry, new marriage, new job, new location, new child. There has never been a beginning that occurred before he could get there. 2007 brought us the beginning of life as parents. 2008 is going to bring us a new beginning in ministry in Brazil as well as many other beginnings. How encouraging and comforting to know that God will be there for that!

The second thought ties in with the first one. It's from Joshua 3:4 where God tells the Israelites as they enter the Promised Land, "you have not passed this way before." 2008 will bring situations to all of us that we have never encountered. But guess what?! Just because we haven't is no reason to be afraid! God can say, "you have not passed this way before, but I have and I will be there as you begin your journey on this path."

So as I look ahead to what 2008 will bring and as I set goals to accomplish this year, I'm encouraged to know that God will be there for every beginning and will see me through until the end.

(Just a recent picture of Gabriel -- our latest big "beginning")