What Happened?

I guess it's life. Soon after I wrote my last post, life started up again on the campus of Continental Theological Seminary and you haven't heard from me since! Of course a newsletter has gone out, and there have been a few Facebook posts, but the blog has been silent. Forgive me.

Just after the school year began, I celebrated my 40th birthday. A milestone. Over-the-hill. Hard to believe, but it still happened! On that day, my colleague was injured and I did the job of 2-3 people for about 6 weeks. During that time, I got out of the habit of updating this blog and did only the essentials. Finally, after the Christmas holidays, I feel like a normal person who got some much-needed rest (well...as normal as I can be!). So it's time to blog again!

Starting tomorrow students will be taking first semester exams, and in less than 5 months we will hold yet another graduation of wonderful CTS students. How can time go so quickly? Life gets so full of activity, that sometimes I forget to cherish quiet times, building relationships, and thinking about what has been and what will be. I don't make new year's resolutions, per se, but I do take time to think about the year that has past. Boy...has it been a wild one. Full of God's favor, but not without its challenges. I have learned much, including forgiveness, long-suffering, adapting to change, handling disappointment, when to say no (well...i'm still working on that - a life-long struggle!), and so many other things.

But what I've experienced more than anything is God's faithfulness. No matter what situation we find ourselves in, or how much we do or don't achieve - no matter if people are disappointed in us, or if we feel like we have failed, God continues to remain faithful and unchanged. His constant presence sustains me. How could I live without Him?

There are days when I, like you, want to give up. There are moments when life is too overwhelming and it seems there is no one with whom I can talk. There are hours when the only thing to do is to hold tightly to Jesus. And He is ALWAYS there. Never failing. Never walking away. Never giving up. Always loving. Always forgiving. Always present.

There is power in presence.

In just a few months I'll be returning to the USA for my missionary furlough / itineration. These days will pass quickly. My prayer for 2010 is that I continue to remain faithful to God in every area of my life. I fail quite often, but I pray that I can hear His voice more clearly, be obedient to His bidding, and come closer to Him. This is the best goal I feel I can have for this year.

There is power in being in His presence.

Ministry will always be there. The work won't end. There will always be need - always want - always demands. But I can lose touch with Him if I don't stay close.

Jesus - teach me to stay close to you. Teach me the power of Your Presence.