Ladies and Gentlemen, 2009 is here, START YOUR ENGINES!

Here it is, already the 5th day of a brand new year on this cool and breezy Monday, January 5, 2009. Welcome to a new chapter of what by now must be an old story, that is, the view from here, my perspective on my life, life in general, and any and all things that show up on my mental radar screen. There are days when there's little on that screen to choose from and you probably have well noted that in the quality of the subjects chosen to share. However, we never promised this exercise in sharing would end up winning any prizes for literature or even cleverness. I kind of feel like I have been somewhat out of my ordinary routine over the past thirteen days. I worked only three of these days, had four days of vacation giving me a total of ten days off. Wow! What a blessing, don't you think? With all the discombobulation of our world of late, I really can't see too much that I accomplished during these days off in terms of making progress. We did have quite a few folks in to visit our Brother Milton. He is making good progress and may be moved soon to a rehabilitation center to continue his recovery. Seeing him last night and being able to talk to him and hearing him express his great praise for God who has brought him this far is a wonderful gift to us and his family as we begin this brand new year.

What are we expecting out of the new year? Hopefully, we have our hearts set on doing more on behalf of others than we did in the past year, perhaps, even trying to relinquish so much of the "me, myself, and I" orientation that characterizes our society today. We can do this as we put God first, others second, and ourselves last. That tired old explanation of the word JOY is a good illustration to remember. J stands for putting Jesus first, O stands for putting others next, and Y stands for yourself last. This is the example of our Savior. He came in obedience to His Father's will, and He gave Himself up for others, and the others included you and I. For those of us who know God as our Father through the work done on our behalf by our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, we already have the ultimate achievement from 2008 and since He did the work, we didn't, and He keeps us as His own, because we can't, we enter 2009 with a prized possession that goes beyond any value regardless of how well the economy does as we make our way forward.

But, here we are. If you are up and going. If you have breath in your body. If you have any means at all. Then we have something to work with because God would have us use those potentials He has provided. Some might rightly say they have very little. That's just the right amount when it comes to God using it to accomplish MUCH. After all, our Savior was able to feed thousands with just a few fish and loaves. He can take our little and change another life. He can take our little and help send the Good News across the globe. He can take our little and join it with the little of others and see great and mighty things accomplished for His honor and glory. So many of us are imprisoned by our estimation of our little instead of just giving ourselves and all that we have into the hands of the One who spoke and our universe came into existence. Hey, what are we waiting for? Let's make progress in this brand new year by seeing just how much He can do through us as we commit our all to Him. Now that's good advice and as my grandfather used to say: "It's good for whatever ails you." I couldn't really get off and running without some input from Paw Paw Mac! Have a great work week and may God bless one and all. Amen. .....More later.