Well, it's here......January 1st, 2006......
Happy New Year to all of you!
I spent some time yesterday reflecting back on 2005, as well as looking out to 2006. 2005 will go down as one of the most difficult in memory,.....many, many hardships for many, many people. The Gulf Coast was largely decimated over the past year and a half by too many hurricanes to even try to count. Yes, 2005 will be remembered as a year of great trial, without question.
How about 2006?
One of the things I have done as a custom over the years is to go out on Thankgiving morning for a good prayer walk, specifically asking God for a word concerning the upcoming year. Almost without exception, He has faithfully spoken into my mind and spirit concerning the upcoming year.
This past Thanksgiving was a perfect day,....crystal clear....not too cool, not too hot. As I walked, the air smelled of rebirth, of rejuvination. As I talked with the Lord, I was overtaken by the sense that indeed, a season of rebirth, of 'divine favor' lay ahead.
Undeserved, unmerited kindness from God.....a year of blessing.
The scripture came to me out of Isaiah 61 concerning the 'Year of the Lord's Favor'. I ended my time that day singing the song as I walked "The Spirit of the Sovereign God", ......proclaiming the 'year of the favor of the Lord' for our church, for our nation, for the families of Harvest, as well as my own family. I am very expectant of God's supernatural favor across the board.
Well, we had our first 'unearned, undeserved favor-gift' yesterday!
I woke up Saturday morning to an email from one of our excited members about a great write-up the PNJ did on our church in Saturday's paper. I had been called on my cellphone on just Friday by someone from the news department but had no idea they were doing it just on our church ALONE.....I thought they were writing about all the churches in the area that were doing something with the Narnia series.
Was I ever surprised when I opened the paper!
On the front page was a blip with a picture of Aslan, talking about Harvest doing this series. The whole bottom part of the front page of the Local section was about Harvest doing the Narnia series, quoting Jacob and yours truly on how we as a church embrace creativity in presenting the Gospel message. I couldn't believe it, as I had no expectation of something like this.
......undeserved, unworked for "FAVOR"......period.
I will be talking more about this next Sunday, "Proclaiming the year of the Lord's favor". But let me encourage you now, today, to believe God 'big time' to show His kindness and beauty in your life and family in this upcoming year. 2005 is behind us. 2006 is facing us.
To a year of the Favor of the Lord....PB
PS.....If you would like to read the online PNJ article, click here....very, very cool indeed...and a neat way for our church to start the new year, eh?? :-)
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