B-log

The calendar turned. I went to sleep in 2011, and woke up at 2012. 

My thoughts:

• Maybe the fireworks everywhere mean something a little more than in most years.  
• I’ve never seen so much of a sense that 2011 was a bad year.
• 2011 was a good year for me, my family. Unemployment ended. New door to serve opened. Much prayer was answered. My faith is deeper, wider, stronger because of 2010-2011. 
• Two of my high school classmates died in 2011. I’m saddened that they will miss so much of life that goes on for their children and other loved ones.
• The United States of America is really pretty amazing. There is such an expectation of hope for 2012. I don’t know if it is political, economic, social or what…but people generally think things are going to be better this year than it was last year.
• Is that a global phenomenon, as well?
• I will be 40 years old this year. How ‘bout that?
• My children turn 15, 13, and 10 this year. Good googlymoogly.
• We miss being near family and Texas friends, but we had such a long time to prepare for our transition that it helped make it easier. And God was so gracious to our children…they transitioned incredibly well and made lots of new friends.
• I heard a song this morning that said something along the lines that God is more real in the pain and need and the waiting. That was our experience in 2011.
• I believe that since God orchestrated the events to bring me and my family to Arizona, it would be foolish of me not to obey him in the little things he calls me to now that I’m here. It’d be like driving across the country to get to a destination, but deciding not to get out of the car once I arrived.
• My analogies will get better as the year progresses…I’m pretty sure of it.
• There’s prophecies that the world will end this year…and plenty of naysayers who think the world will continue in perpetuity. I believe the world will end…someday. Whether it happens this year or long after I’m dead (hopefully many years from now), there’s nothing I can do to change it, so I’m just going to make the most of it.
• I’m encouraged beyond words to meet each week the thousands of people who call Scottsdale Bible Church “home,” because they demonstrate that they are earnestly seeking God. The conversations I share challenge me and grow me. 
• I’m continually learning that love is this miraculous resource that God gives us expressly to give away liberally to others. You never run out of it. You never even run low on it. Perhaps best of all, the more you give away, the more full you feel.
• I’ve never been so full of love, though, that I’ve wanted to stop giving it away.
• This causes me to marvel at the love that God has for every one of us…and for each one of us.
• There’s no shortage of people desperately in need of love.