A yearly focus word is a great tool to help us grow in our faith journey. One year, my word was “joy.” It reminded me to reframe the way I viewed difficulties. I learned to see them not as hindrances but as opportunities to experience God’s presence and promises in new ways. Another year,… [ read more ]
Posts Tagged: new year
Finding Peace in the New Year
Every so often I review, update, and recycle my archived blogs. This one, originally published in December 2019, remains eerily relevant. Scroll down to read the first paragraph, and you’ll probably feel the same way I did: it sounds just like this year except COVID isn’t mentioned. When I wrote the following words… [ read more ]
How Having a Focus-Word Helps Us Grow
At the start of each year, I ask the Lord to give me a focus word. A couple of years ago, my word was “joy.” It reminded me to reframe the way I viewed difficulties. I learned to see them not as hindrances but as opportunities to experience God’s presence and promises in new… [ read more ]
Why I Didn’t Want This One-Word for 2020
Determining the Lord’s focus word for me at the start of each year is usually a fun exercise. This year the process has been less fun and more a painful path to self-discovery. My word is—drum roll, please—“listen.” It’s not the word I wanted. I tried to ignore it. I picked and… [ read more ]
3 Promises for When We Need Answers
Several questions sit at the forefront of my mind during this first week of 2019. The one weighing on me most is this, “How should I best develop my teaching materials for my trip to the Middle East in March?” I have to prepare ten sessions to help train young adults for career missions,… [ read more ]
My One Word for 2017
Several years ago I began the tradition of choosing one special word at the start of a new year. Actually, it’s not so much about me choosing the word—it’s the word I believe God gives me. One year the word was “joy.” Oh my—I learned a lot about counting difficult experiences as opportunities for… [ read more ]
“Great” — My One Word for 2016
For each of the past five years or so, the Lord’s given me one special word on which to focus. Beyond a doubt, my word for 2016 is “great.” At the outset of 2016, I receive great in this context: Pray for great things this year. For starters: healing of broken relationships, a… [ read more ]
How to Respond When God Interrupts Our Routine
The Christmas rush has ended. My kids have returned to their homes. The local Christian radio station has returned to its regular playlists. And I’m returning to my routine. I find a strange sort of comfort in routine. Perhaps it’s because “routine” equals “known.” It brings no surprises. It throws nothing unexpected at… [ read more ]
In the Beginning God
Every year I read through the Bible using a New Living Translation edition written expressly for that purpose. How appropriate on 01/01—the beginning of a new year—to see these words written in the first verse of the first chapter of the first book of the Bible: “In the beginning God…” To me, beginning… [ read more ]
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