Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

For the first time since October, I witnessed blue skies and sunshine in St. Petersburg.  Quite a welcome experience!

A few days ago, I was able to spend a couple of days in Moscow with Ray and Rebecca Craven and their newly-adopted children, Ilya and Anya.

Two years ago this week, a group of us visited the orphanage.  Seeing Ilya and Anya again reminded me of the pain and sense of abandonment that orphans must feel, but is also a reminder of the incredible power of miracle-working God who has provided families for so many of the children since our first visit.  Three families that I know have adopted from the orphanage and several other children have also been adopted in the past 2 1/2 years.

With some free time over the past couple of weeks, I have had time to think and focus on the promise of a new year.  A few verses in Galatians touch on some ideas that I would like to focus on this year.

“So let’s not allow ourselves to get fatigued doing good. At the right time we will harvest a good crop if we don’t give up, or quit. Right now, therefore, every time we get the chance, let us work for the benefit of all, starting with the people closest to us in the community of faith.” Galatians 6:9-10 (The Message)

A few words and phrases stand out -  doing good, fatigue, harvest, don’t give up or quit. The directive of working for the benefit of all every time we get the chance, starting with the people in our community of faith leaps off the page.

As we enter a year in which we will probably see and maybe experience great need, we will have ample opportunity to become fatigued doing good, I encourage you not to give up and to keep a steady pace.

Earlier this evening, I completed Shane Claiborne’s and Chris Haw’s book “Jesus For President.” I am contemplating their challenge to serve the community of faith and will be spending some time thinking and praying about what that means.

Have you ever had the realization that you have given SO MUCH to God, but that somehow He is still asking for more?  After a year of great transition and simplification, I still have the feeling that God wants a whole lot more of me.  God is very clear that He does not want us just to give a lot of money, time, passion, energy, talent and worship.  He wants it ALL and He wants it ALL OF THE TIME.

Many of you are part of my community of faith.  I will be praying for you and look forward to seeing many of you again later this year. My prayer is that you will grow closer in your community of faith, that you will protect and serve each other.  I pray that you will serve unselfishly, focusing on “the least of these.”  I pray that you will gain strength and energy from each other and from God as our community faces difficulties and experiences great victories in 2009.

Grace and Peace