Saturday, January 17, 2009

Happy New Year!

2009 just doesn’t sound right but here it is anyway. And with the new year is the perfect time to reflect on the past year and look to 2009 with anticipation.

2008 highlights for me personally include: Stephanie finishing her Master’s degree, Family Force Five during SOS, the Awe series in August, learning about the Lord’s Prayer during Kingdom’s Cliff Notes, Dave Ramsey’s Financial Peace University, The Regifter Show and finding out that I’m going to be a dad.

Most recently the Vineyard was staring at a shortfall of $1.2 million and possible staff cutbacks. But God provided through Year End giving which totaled $1.22 million!

I can't express the awe I've had over this year, how God is complete control. Even in the face of tragedy, God still has been speaking to me about His love for all of us, including me. In May, I received prophetic prayer from Karin Maney and other members of the prayer team at a team retreat. That prayer just blew me away and really assured me that He loves me like a son, and I'll leave it at that, but it touched my heart in such a way that I can't even talk about it:) If you ask me about it, I will likely change the subject with a joke or some otherwise glib comment:)

I'm extremely excited about the coming year. New tech team volunteers have been coming out of the woodwork, and we have been cross training folks every weekend. It is my goal to get all volunteers trained at every role except director and FOH. We will be an extremely flexible team able to adapt to any situation then.

But my main goal for 2009 is for tech team to grow closer in fellowship with the goal of each of us strengthening our relationships with Christ.

And of course, the main change for me in 2009 is becoming a father. I will go ahead ask for your prayers, in advance, and I'll pray for you all throughout 2009. Deal?:)