End or Beginning?

Today is the last day of the year 2004. This year seems to have passed by very quickly. For me it has been a year full of many diverse activities; some exhilarating and others challenging. I had experiences with family which will continue to be impacting because of the depth of love we share for each other, as well as for God and His Will. I also had wonderful experiences with God’s family within the congregation here in Port Townsend, WA., spending a week with the teens during this past summer’s Senior Teen Session of Delano Bay Christian Camp, speaking at the annual Cider Press Youth Rally in Cashmere, WA., and to connect with people like yourself via e-mail. Though I know I will probably never meet many of you this side of heaven, you have become a blessing of God to my life. I want to thank you for your continued interest in the daily “teEn-MAIL” focuses and for the encouragement you have provided me through your e-mail responses to particular focuses and for your prayers. I continue to pray that I may both exhort and encourage you as God touches my heart through His Word each day. He continues to be the One Who keeps this phase of my ministry going.

As Christians we can be encouraged that no date on the calendar is truly the end! With every day God grants us, we can approach each dawn as a NEW BEGINNING while we live life with a view toward a glorious eternity with Him. Realizing we cannot change the things of the past -- but can learn from and be encouraged by them -- each new day can be accepted as a fresh opportunity for renewal. Every day is a gift from God for us to unwrap and use to the best of our ability and to His glory. May we BEGIN each one God provides with a focus in His Word and with prayer.

God instructed Moses to give Aaron and his sons a priestly blessing to be offered for the people of Israel. I would like to pass those words on to you as my prayer and wish for you as we step forward into that which is yet to come.

“(24) The LORD bless you and keep you; (25) the LORD make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; (26) the LORD lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace.” ( Numbers 6:24-26 ESV)

Have a great BEGINNING TO A GLORIOUS FUTURE WITH GOD!
Carl

See other teEn-MAIL on New Year