January 1999

Choosing the Good Part

The crush and rush of the holidays is over, but before I settle in to a more laid back routine, I am beset by a thousand responsibilities. There are deadlines at work and deadlines with the bulletin. There are appointments to keep and birthdays to buy for. There are mailings to get out, we have a gospel meeting coming up, and I must begin to read my Bible through. There are school functions and school projects to help with, and before long the boys will be back in baseball, and that will mean three nights a week shot to pieces. more...

The Journey of a New Year

We are about to embark on a journey. It begins with this first month and will end at midnight on the last day of the year. Our journey is the one which will carry us through 1999, and like any traveler, we do not want to be unprepared for our journey. more...

The Preacher's Pen

I love January 1. I love New Year's. It is such a wonderful finish to the holiday season. I love New Year's parties and kissing my wife at midnight. I love the Tournament of Roses Parade. I love watching more college football in one day than I have seen the rest of the year. But more than anything else, I love the feeling of a fresh start that each January 1 brings. I am an incurable optimist and so I relish the New Year and its chance to examine where we've been, think a little about where we're going and try to do just a bit better. more...