Happy New Year!

Hello Friends!

Last night I prayed in the new year with my sister, roommate and other friends at a small service of word, song, testimony, and prayer. It was a beautiful way to say "Farewell" to what was an amazing year (LOVED 2008!), and "Hello" to another year full of possibilities, anxiously awaiting to encounter divine surprise and love each day I am blessed to see.

At the close of the service, the pastor offered some questions for us to reflect upon the ways God has shown faithfulness to us as we move into 2009. Looking back can help us learn so much from seeing how God's grace has been at work in our lives, which is one reason why the ritual of the Christ Candle is such a gift.

The questions were so good, I thought I would share them with you:

What is the most significant truth you have learned about God this past year?

What is the most significant thing you have learned about yourself this past year?

What one thing could you do this year to increase your enjoyment of God?

In what ways do you hope to grow with God in the coming year?

In which spiritual discipline do you most want to make progress this year, and what will you do about it?

What plans will you make this year that will matter most in five or ten years? (Wow! The real kicker!)

Peace of Christ be with you as you journey with the God of Jesus Christ in '09!

In the words of my friends, Jim Thomas, "May your New Year be filled with increasing wonder and awe at God's amazing grace, freely offered to you, and found in Christ Jesus!"

Happy New Year!
lanecia