New Year

What will 2009 bring? After 2008 I'm a little more cautious in asking that question. '08 was surely an emotional roller coaster for me. In many ways it was a very hard year - dealing with surgeries and hospitalizations and long recoveries, continuing to work thru the grieving of the loss of my Joyce, and no longer pastoring Calvary Escondido. It was also a year of many victories, new relationships, and new ministry opportunities. The greatest joy of '08 has been watching my son renewed in his relationship with the Lord and growing in his daily walk. Both my son and daughter have been such an incredible support to me thru a very difficult year. Another huge blessing has been the opportunity to serve the mission's ministry of Shepherd's Staff.

As I now await the scheduling of still another surgery I understand that life and ministry goes on regardless. Rather than putting everything on hold again "til I'm better," I'm instead moving ahead with ministry and life and the Lord will work out the timing. I love the Lord and so desire to know Him and His Word closer and deeper in this coming year. His promises are sure and He will never leave or forsake me! Psalm 1:3 assures me that "he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth fruit in it's season, whose leaf also shall not wither; and whatever he does shall prosper!"

2009 is sure to be filled with God working inside and out. Perhaps this will be the year that the Lord brings His church home! If He chooses to wait a bit longer, then we all have more time to serve Him and each other and to continue reaching out to a very hurting and hopeless world with the light and truth of the good news of Jesus Christ!

Press on!

In His Arm's,

Pat