Looking Backward, Looking Forward

Someone told me that the month of January was named after the two-faced Roman god, Janus. Sure enough, they were right. As we will soon be in the month of January and beginning a new year, I began to reflect upon what has been and what will be. I’m thankful that my past, present and future are in the hands of God and that there is meaning and purpose in everything, even if I don’t see it. So, if you do some thinking back and looking forward at this time of year, keep in mind that God’s wisdom has higher plans than we can see, that His power can redeem any tragedy, that His love can comfort our pains, that His Spirit can transform us that His peace passes understanding and that He will ultimately be glorified in it all. May we look back and forward with eyes of faith, believing in His holiness and goodness, finding our peace and satisfaction in Him. Wishing you all a Happy New Year of trusting Jesus.
Rom. 11:33-6
Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor? Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid? For him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.

Updates and Petitions

Thanks for praying for Paul Billings. His surgery went well last week. You can continue to pray for Paul and Mel as they were suppose to meet with the religious affairs dept. in Bishkek today (Dec 17th) regarding the church plant there. Pray that the church can be registered and that they will have continued permission to preach.
Also, please pray for Jake Knotts, that God would heal his kidney. You can read more about that on his blog if you like. There is a link on this blog.
Also, here's a fun tidbit: I was talking with Yulia (see earlier post) yesterday and she asked if God ever slept. It is amazing and sometimes startling to get insights into how she thinks about God . Certainly it was a joy and a privilege to share with her that God never sleeps and is always watching over her. Ps 121:4 "He will not allow your foot to be moved, He who keeps you will not slumber." Good news for weary souls!

Lift Them Up

Please pray for Paul and Melanie Billings. They are missionaries in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan and are currently in Hungary where Paul is awaiting surgery to repair damage done by kidney stones earlier this year. His surgery is scheduled for Tuesday the 11th. They have 2 boys and are expecting another child in the new year. Here is a poem dedicated to them:
Reaching to the sun
bending to the wind
the wind does blow
and I bend
I am bending
bare - blown - trusting.
oaks of righteousness have small beginnings
dry deserts have their season of rain
the water falls and goes deep
and the sun never fails to bring life
(see Ps. 84 esp. verse 12 and Isaiah 61:3)