happy new year!

One of the interesting things about looking at sunrise pictures is that they look a lot like sunset pictures. It's hard to tell whether it's a sunrise or sunset, which I guess is an appropriate way to look at New Year's Day. Is it the beginning of a new year or the end of an old year? Well, both, of course.

As we begin a new year, it's a good time to look back with awe at the faithfulness of God and to remember all the instances of His love and provision, all the answers to prayer. And with that in mind we can look forward with hope, certain that God's grace and presence are ours as we seek Him and live by faith. My hope for all of us this new year is in Ephesians 1:18-19 . . .

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know* the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.

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May your 2009 be filled with that hope, riches, and power!

Happy New Year!

(*note that word know is an all-encompassing word that includes experience, emotion, lifestyle, way of life; it means to really know. )