New Ebenezer and a Wedding

I have never been to a wedding on New Year's Day, but this year I had the privilege to go to one in Effingham County, GA. This was some of Cyd's family. The ceremony was short and sweet, with a time for family to get together and visit, almost like a family reunion. The reception was held at New Ebenezer Retreat Center in Rincon. New Ebenezer was founded in 1736 as a group of Lutheran Salzburgers settled there seeking religious freedom. The original settlement served as a battleground during the American Revolution. The facilities and largely untouched natural environment provide windows into the past and the future. One can't help but wonder what it must have been like to live there all those years ago. The future seems hopefully after some time of reflection in such a pristine setting.

Pretty in Pink

Thursday while Cyd and Claire wern't home, I painted Claire's new room Oxford Pink. It was fun to get to do that for her, not just because you have to paint a room in the house. When she saw the finished product she said, "Thank you, soooo much Daddy!" (which is her favorite expression the last week or so). I also liked getting to work on a project alone to have some time to think...I did take advantage of being able to listen to some music as loud as I wanted to while Cyd wasn't in the house. It's fun to listen to cds you haven't heard in a while so that's what I did. Some of my musical selections are listed below in no particular order:

Collective Soul "Self Titled"
Bob Dylan "John Wesley Harding" original version of All Along the Watchtower
Drivin'N Cryin "Mystery Road"
John Mellencamp "Greatest Hits"
Bon Jovi "Live"
Neil Young
Ben Harper
U2 "Achtung Baby"

The Start of 2008

Well, I hope that the start of 2008 is not an indication of the way the rest of the year will go for us. This week we've had plumbing problems (curse of an older house) and car problems. Frustration is the word for the week. On top of those two things, we have been trying to put Christmas away and paint Claire's new room. I will be glad when my "time off" is over so that I can get some rest when I get back to work. I guess I will have to wait and see what else 2008 will bring.

Book Review

Brian McLaren's book that I recently finished was part 3 of a series. The books raise more questions for most readers. This one raised perhaps the most out of any book I have read by him. The subject matter was hell and the grace of God. His writing challenged me to rethink and reexamine my own motivation for having a relationship with God. Is it simply to avoid hell? I was also forced to think about the proclamation of the gospel. Do we offer people the abundant life that can only be found in Christ or an escape plan from the flames of hell when we preach, witness, or live out our faith? Although not his best work in my opinion, it's worth reading if you have read the previous two books in the trilogy.

New Year's Eve

I don't really have time to be writing this, but my mind has been flooded with thoughts the past week. I am busily getting ready for New Year's Eve activities at the church, much of what I experienced as a youth. The start of a new year is about new beginnings in most areas of life (at least until we give up on our resolutions). For me the start of a new year reminds me of the new creation the Apostle Paul talks about in 2 Corinthians. Christ is about 2nd, 3rd and 4th chances. New beginnings are always available...how wonderful it is to know that God's grace is big enough to offer us a fresh start when we most need it, which is anytime we seek the face of God.

Christmas Eve

Nothing is better than Christmas Eve with a 2 year old! The excitement, the joy, the anticipation are contagious. Cyd is rocking Claire to sleep as I type this, of course we have already set out the cookies and milk for Santa, read our Advent devotion and a few other books. Tomorrow morning should be fun! Hope this Christmas finds you surrounded by the Father's love and family and friends. Merry Christmas!

Friendship

This week I have talked to some friends (Todd and Renee Chambers) who live in Clanton, Alabama. Todd and Renee are special to my family because they took us in and loved us like their own family for the 3 years we served a church in Clanton. They have a very special place in our hearts. We had been thinking about them a lot the last few weeks, and then I got a call from a mutual friend with news that Todd was having to have a tumor biopsied this week. They don't know the full prognosis yet, but through everything their faith in God to use this situation for His glory has been unwavering. I have attempted to call and talk to them in order to minister to them, but like so many other times in our relationship they have ministered to me even more. I have been reminded of God's faithfulness even when we don't have faith. Thanks guys...you are constantly in my thoughts and prayers.