Another year ends, and a new one begins

it is saturday nite, i am watching football, reading the last three chapters of revelation to finish the bible for the year, and i am thinking about the last few days and how much i have enjoyed them. we had a nice visit with dan and lana, friends from our past. we hadn’t seen them for 25 years, and were able to eat some mexican food together, and meet their two kids, i think they were brock and paige. our last time together was nearly 25 years ago when we went to their wedding. my girls were there, and were the best rice girls ever, except that they couldn’t say “rice”, they said “lice”. i think this old picture is from the church where they were married. i still have a beatles album that dan gave me when i bought a stereo from him and lots of stories to share. marge, dan and i saw e.t. together and he liked it better than poltergeist, which we also saw together, but poltergeist scared him if i remember correctly. i worked in camp with dan’s dad who was a very good guy, and enjoyed the times we shared back then.

this is the best part of the holidays, remembering the people who have shared their lives with us. Lord, please bless and protect this precious family. we spent the day with ken and jan -can this be the 25th time?- we have ended our year with cards, laughing, and talking about the year to come. Lord, i have been richer because of the people who have allowed me to see you in their walk. these friends of mine have been generous, have opened their homes and hearts to my kids, and have given me a boost when things were down. I pray that you will use me to do the same for others, when they cross my path.

Lord, you know my heart, and my strengths and weaknesses. i give these to You as a gift, and thank you for working within me. in ten days, i will meet with ten to twelve men, to study the screwtape letters by c.s. lewis. this group is called “BIOS” which stands for By Invitation Only Students” and we will have a few weeks to study, pray, laugh and to grow together. i am excited about this group. Lord, help us to be confidential, and yet open to growth and sharing with each other.

one guy teaches at the college, he will be helping me. another guy teaches at the university. two are already friends and are leaders in our church who want to be more valuable for you LORD. One is going through a tough time with his family, and can use this as a time to look for your work in his life. two are very pensive and come to this group with strong desires to study and grow. the last three guys are new to my fellowship, but have maturity in Christ already to go with their desire to grow. LORD, when we start this group will you give us grace to grow and change and support each other? some of the things we are going to do include the reading of the book by lewis, one verse of the bible on warfare or fear, pray and support for each other.

what do i expect to happen? well, i can’t help but think of the times i have spent with friends like ken and jan through the years, and the intense time of growth that dan and lana were part of 25 years ago. who knows, LORD, i want to look back on this group in 25 years and praise you for the people you are bringing into my life to grow with today. Lord, we commit ourselves to you tonite, and tomorrow, as we start the new year. God, please bless those i know and love, marvino