Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Wow! Another year is coming to an end, and I can’t believe it has gone by so quickly. For me this is always one of my favorite times of the year, not because of Christmas, but it means my family will be together, well, almost the whole gang; Noah, Britt and girls can’t make it this year. When the whole family is together, it’s a pretty big group and really a great time. Lots of good food, laughs, and love manifested via some world class teasing, but it’s clear that everyone loves being together.
My hope and prayer is that this will be a warm and rich season for you as well. The truth is there are very few things that are really important in life, certainly not the stuff we accumulate, or even many of the things that catch our attention. We have so much to be thankful for. Knowing God’s love is meaningful. Having a wonderful family counts for a lot; the privilege of great friends is one of the best things in life. Having one’s health, shelter and food are also things we need to be grateful for. We are truly blessed.
Many people have reached out to me in this last year, stretching across the decades; to hear from you has enriched my life and blessed me so much. There have been some fun reconnections and some real surprises, some great stories and lots of encouragement. Most of it because of the goofy Internet!
I look forward the year ahead. I plan to record a new worship album, something simple and reflective. I want to finish the Wimber Project---a series of short stories that capture some special moments during the thirty-two years I spent with John Wimber. The plan is to tell the stories in short video segments and then post them on my website, Youtube, and God tube. John’s life and ministry impacted hundreds of thousands, if not millions of lives, and I think you will be blessed by getting to know him better through the Wimber Project.
I also want to put together something for leaders who have failed and need resources, support and help finding their legs to move on in life. Overall, we, the Church, do a very poor job with this kind of thing, and it’s to our shame. I understand that men and women do things that disqualify them from serving as elders in the church, but do we need to discard them and cut them off from the family of faith? God has been so good to me and brought me such comfort. I’m hoping to do something that will allow me to comfort others with the comfort I’ve been comforted with. Please be praying for this.
In addition to all this, I have my painting business and work at Faith Community Church, so I think I will be able to stay out of too much trouble in the year ahead.
This has been a great year in spite of the normal things that happen in our lives that bring pain and sorrow. In the midst of it all I have found Him to be faithful and constant in a world filled with uncertainty.
Have a blessed Christmas and a wonderful New Year!