Jess said today as we were driving home how much community affects people. She noticed how when one of our neighbors took down their Christmas lights all of them did. Even the guy at the end of the street who still hadn’t taken his down was not turning them on anymore. It is interesting how much we are governed by what the people around us do. Like speeding on the freeway because it is the flow of traffic. Or negative talk and gossip at work because that is the way people speak and it comes naturally to us. Thank God this also works in the positive because ‘A companion of fools comes to ruin but he who walks with the wise will himself become wise.’  

We started out this year looking at some principles for fasting—to help discipline our bodies and “tune up” spiritually… Back to Thursdays at Women Rock a.m., Pastor Jess has been teaching a wonderful series, The Journey of Faith for the past two weeks. Sandi Simonson does a great job each week of giving us an outline of the points and scriptures which you can find on the Women Rock Facebook page. And of course, we encourage you to download the Rock app to listen to the messages each week or listen online. So some additional insights on this journey of faith…

I asked why and just listened. When witnessing to someone about Jesus we often think of it as talking. As in we are talking. Maybe the training we have had has conditioned us to prepare the perfect two minute testimony along with a Romans road of scripture. Throw in the four spiritual laws and lead them in a prayer. (All those tools are great by the way. I use every last one when I can.)

Looking at a new year can bring on a host of emotions. Sometimes the task ahead can be daunting. Other times the prospect of the unknown can be exciting. We may also find that having a clean slate to work with is a relief and there is a peace that comes with the new year. No matter how you feel as you approach 2017 know that it can be your best year. The reason is that when you have God giving direction and laying out the vision of what is to come it makes life an adventure. Adventure doesn’t mean easy. I couldn’t give you three easy steps to the best year of your life but I can give you encouragement that you can have the best year of your life.

The greatest enemy you’ll ever fight is YOU.  Yes, you… Well, the “old you”, the one that still hangs around even though you’ve made Jesus the Lord of your life. The real you, the New You is a new creation, born of God’s Spirit, with a hunger for righteousness, to do God’s will (2 Corinthians 5:17, 21).  But you’re a three-part person: you are a spirit, you have a soul (your mind, will, and emotions) and you live in a body, your earth suit. (1 Thessalonians 5:23) Well, that “earth suit” has not been redeemed yet, we don’t yet have our “glorified body”, so it still has appetites after the things of the world, the lusts we were caught up in before we received Jesus and it remembers what it used to like to do!  If you’ve renewed your mind to the Word of God, then your spirit and soul are strong to discipline that “un renewed flesh” but often it still kicks up and gets us into trouble!  This is where fasting can help…

This is my 356th entry! I did it! At least I can say I am disciplined and consistent and follow through with my commitments. It has been a good year. I am very blessed. We made it through many trials. I believe that the plowing and sowing we have done we will see come to pass. Truly on New Year’s Eve we can look back over a year and see the faithfulness of God. I see how through all the hard times we encountered God was making us stronger. In all the good times God was showing us His goodness. In the silence we were learning to trust. In everything God is all in all.

“I watched Honey I Shrunk the Kids with the kids and they liked it. I forgot the fun parts and the fantasy of that movie. Who wouldn’t think being small was cool until you realize the peril of the larger world you have to encounter?” I have been so thankful over the years that God, in His wisdom, has not answered every one of my prayers. That sounds surprising doesn’t it? Who is thankful for unanswered prayers? I am. Let me explain. There was a time when I wanted to be a musician full time. More specifically I wanted to be a rock star. I wanted the big stage; televised concerts and such. Looking back now I know if my prayers were answered it would have destroyed me. Also, I would not be where I am at today. My life is so much greater than I ever could have imagined. If I had my prayers answered I would be empty and might end up shipwrecked concerning the faith. One more prayer that I am glad wasn’t answered? Well, I remember praying about a girl. It just got personal but I know many of you have prayed about a relationship. I was praying that God would make it happen because we would be great together. Now in hindsight I realize that it would have been terrible. We would have killed each other. Don’t get me wrong, she is a great person and her life is where God knew it needed to be. We would have never made it or we would have been miserable. I know that God had my perfect wife waiting for me now that I have her. I wouldn’t trade her for anyone else. We are so in love that I am very thankful that God didn’t answer that prayer.

“It is Christmas Day! When we woke up I stayed in bed and prayed for a while and read the Bible and then went down where everyone was. Breakfast was in full swing and the smell of bacon was in the air.” This was the ideal Christmas morning. It started with prayer and the Word and then for breakfast was bacon. Anyone who has been to our men’s ministry meetings at our church knows that there is a special place in a man’s heart for bacon. Even the vegans chant ‘bacon’ with us though they won’t partake.

In many ways Christmas Eve has become as memorable as Christmas Day. Families host gatherings, parties happen in the workplace and amongst friends. Christmas Eve has also been popularized by movies and stories of what happens on that night. Growing up I remember opening gifts on Christmas Eve and then enjoying them on Christmas Day. I don’t think we did that every year but it was fun when we did. In the same way I am sure you may have fond memories of things that happened on Christmas Eve. Family traditions and celebrations that happened may have significance or special memories. I would encourage you to look for the beauty of the day. I think of the feeling in Heaven on the day before Jesus was born on the earth. The Son of God was physically formed in Mary’s womb and only Heaven knew the following day would bring Him into the world and change history forever. I can only imagine the anticipation of the angelic host as they looked on the events on the earth. I can imagine the watchful eyes of the Father as He looks on at the events unfolding. Joseph and Mary traveling and making their way to Bethlehem and the pains and discomfort of a full term pregnancy.

There are many people whose lives will never be the same after December 2, 2015. Fourteen individuals are now gone from our lives. Their families and friends left in the wake of terror. I am sure many questions and sorrows still linger. Only in Jesus will we find rest for our souls. He alone has the answers. He alone can calm our fears and give us peace amidst the storms of life. He was acquainted with sorrows and if you listen to some of the statements He made regarding current events of His day you will find that there was plenty of tragedy and many questions.