It has been a good year, very difficult at times, but good. We know, because of what each of us have gone through this last year, it will have an effect on all creation. I am just so glad that our Father loves and cares enough for us to let us go through the difficult times. He does not "wimp out" and make things easy. He is all about sons growing up and becoming as he is.
Speaking of which, let me say that I find Christmas an amazing season. It comes and goes so rapidity. It seems like every January, I have all the time in the world to prepare, but the next minute Christmas day is upon me and it is too late to implement all my good intentions. I guess I should learn a lesson from the old adage, Never put off until tomorrow what you can do today. When we put things off for another day it is called, procrastination and I am certainly guilty. I do not know about anyone else, but every year I hope to do better at getting everything done earlier. However, the year comes and goes before I realize it.
So, as always, I turn to the Word to find an example to encourage me. This passage came to mind, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Phil. 4:8). You might ask, What does this have to do with procrastination? Well, we are admonished to do these things and it does not say, Do them some time in the future. This means that we must practice lifting our minds above the mundane, everyday stuff that goes on in our lives. More importantly when we exercise our minds with such positive thinking it produces a change within our lives.
Remember. We can not put off until tomorrow manifesting as a son of God. Our day is here, it is now, and unless we act on the revelation that God has given, our day will slip away completely. There are those who say, I thought God was doing something. Others continue to ask, When will creation be set free. All the while God is waiting on us to practice being the sons that we are. Let us move into the fullness of God TODAY.
Let me share with you about our trip to Florida. We traveled
to Tarpon Springs, FL, in December, to 
minister
at New Beginning Ministries. Michael & Mary Lou Hollis
have a wonderful ministry to the saints in that area. Stacy
went to dialysis on Wednesday morning before starting toward
Florida. He drove about 250 miles or four hours and we stopped
in Tifton, GA, for the night. That made a very full day for
the two of us. The next morning we drove to Chiefland, Florida,
where we spent a second night. Only a few hours of travel
because Stacy was extremely tired. Then on Friday we drove
into New Port Richie, where we would be staying with our
good friends, Marvin and Norita Smith. However, we went directly
to the DaVita Dialysis Center where Stacy had his appointment
for dialysis. From there we went immediately to New Beginning
for our first meeting. After a nights rest we gathered at
the Jacobsen’s home, on Saturday evening, with some saints
for fellowship. Again, Stacy tired out before the night was
totally finished and wanted to go back to the Smith’s so
he could get rested for Sunday morning. We did so and learned
a valuable lesson, Stacy just cannot handle the constant
going that he used to do. We believe that restoration is
coming to Stacy, but until it manifests we will need to take
things a little more slowly. The next morning he was
fully rested and ready to go back to New Beginning’s to
minister the word.
After the meeting we broke bread together and shared one on one with the saints. "One on one" has always been Stacy’s favorite time of ministry. This time of fellowship was sweet in the Lord and we look forward to our return visit in the near future. We have included a picture of the Sunday morning fellowship. Our trip back home took two days and we stopped for dialysis at the Ellijay Clinic on our way. Over all, everything went very well and we hope to do more traveling as the door opens and the Lord directs.
Stacy an I send you best wishes for a happy Next Year. We pray that 2005, brings an increase in every area of your life. We look forward to a great year and an increase in kingdom life throughout this year.
