The year 2010 is quickly coming to an end a the dawn of a new year is quickly upon us. As I look back over the year I am taken by how blessed I was. I was able to travel and work with military families, and troops all over the U.S. I was able to help wives, and children deal with the deployment of loved ones. I was able to wok with officers, and enlisted men who were on their way or just returning from Iraq and Afghaninstan. I was able to help them evaluate their spiritual condition with the assistance of the Military Chaplains. This work was mission work since I was away from family for 6 months in 2009 and 2010. Once I was on a military base in Louisiana that was hot and humid, then in the cold and snow of Wyoming. I must be honest and tell you I began to complain about the conditions, when the Holy Spirit reminded me that the troops were carrying 30 pounds back packs and their weapons in 120+ heat.
I have learned that no matter how bad it gets, there is someone somewhere that has it worst. I have learned to be thankful and appreciate the things that I have been blesses to receive. It was a year that many of my, family members and high school classmates passed on to the other side. I was happy to hear that many of them had accepted the Lord in their lives prior to their death.
It was a good year for me financially and I was able to practice "New Testament Giving", and bless others as the Lord had blessed me. I was blessed to co- teach a Tuesday bible study, Mt. Olive, in which we strive for wisdom through the study of God's Word! It was a year that an estranged family member returned, answering years of our prayers.
My goals for 2011 is to empty out the muddle and distractions ,of life, so there is plenty of space and opportunity for the Holy Spirit to operated. It is so difficult for the Holy Spirit to operate in a temple that is cluttered with pride, ego, anger, depression,jealousy. strife, negativity, impure thoughts, anxiety and so on. The scriptures tell us that we are to put these distractions to death daily and for some of us hourly.
I want more wisdom so that I can understand some of the mysteries mentioned in scriptures and the spiritual freedom they bring. I want to strengthen my personal relationship with the Lord in 2011. I plan on doing this by talking to him more and also spending time listening to Him talk to me. You know we are so busy talking and begging the Lord, that He doesn't have a chance to get a word into the conversation, or we talk over the Lord and miss the advice He is giving us.
I want to be a bright light and a living epistle so that others can see by my deeds and behavior as a representative of the Lord. I will strive not to be a hypocrite and teach one thing and do another. History of the Christian movement states that more people came to Christ by the behavior and deeds of the ancients than what they taught. We teach in two ways and these are precept and example!
I want to train my eyes, ears, and heart to be more spiritual so that I can exhibit the compassion of Christ. I want to be able to discern the needs of others so that I can be a blessing to them. I want to feel more comfortable in the type of sacrificial taught in the New Testament. These things only be accomplished when in the spirit and distant from self.
I will strive to be a better husband and friend to my wife Omie. At times I can be very insensitive when she doesn't do things the way I think they should be done. Often I am reminded, by the Lord, that I seldom live up to His expectations, yet he treats me with compassion and love. The real test of my Christian maturity is how I act when no one sees me. How I treat the people who are around me 24/7.
Lord I offer myself as a living sacrifice, please cleanse me and use me. Lord I ask for more wisdom so I might be a better person and a better representative of your kingdom. I will be mindful of you and with your help restrain from those actions, thoughts, emotions, that would separate me from thee. Amen!
