Wednesday, December 31, 2008

looking back

It is good to look back and give thanks to the Lord, for all of his goodness to us in the past year. I believe in calendars, and increasingly in the church calendar. I think these help us keep on track; after all we are creatures of time and space.

Looking back on this past year I have seen some amazing breakthroughs, small and not so small in my life. We've seen the birth of our first grandchild, Morgan. God has provided for us. And God is giving us more and more the passion and resolve to put him first in both seeking and serving him.

God is good no matter what. In the end in Jesus this faith will be fully vindicated, even though we live with unresolved questions now. We need to simply remain true in living by faith as those dependent on God and interdependent on each other. As we seek to let our light so shine before others that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father in heaven.

What about you? Is there anything you'd like to share about your past year, or any thoughts on these thoughts?

8 comments:

Lanny said...

Your words are so true. We do "need to simply remain true in living our faith". Today I had another twinge of uncertainty as our recently widowed landlady spoke of the possibility of not being able to hold on to the land here. But God once again gently pulled me in and spoke reassurance that no matter what happens He is faithful in His promises and those are far better than living a few more years in a place we have come to love. Thank you for your encouraging words I hope they were encouraging to you as they came to your mind and you wrote them.

Anonymous said...

it is not good i know, but, i must say that i often have taken your faith, you and deb's, for granted. i come here and i think that i expect to see you here once again writing about your faith and love for God. about your family and community. and i hope now that in some way i have washed your feet and deb's feet the way that you both have been here to wash mine.

Halfmom, AKA, Susan said...

My goodness, the things that have happened over the past year are too numerous to count! Life simply does not look anything at all like it did one year ago today!

I do wish you the most joyous of New Years - to you and to Deb!

Martin Stickland said...

Hey Ted! A happy new year to you and all your family!

Have a groovy 2009 my old friend!

Love Martin

Ted M. Gossard said...

Lanny,
Thanks. Yes, I believe these words were encouraging to me, or came from a well of encouragement in me the Lord has been giving.

Blessings on you and yours in this coming new year!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Nancy,
I much appreciate you as a sister and sojourner in Jesus with us. I have to say I increasingly do not take my faith for granted. It is daily a gift from God, of course we're dependent on God all the time. Through the hard places is where our faith comes to grow the most, or at least in ways that are needed. And in that there is joy.

Blessings on you and yours in this coming new year!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Susan,
Thanks so much. Yes, I was talking to Deb about what the year looked like a year ago after seeing your comment here. Hard for me to remember, though in general I remember some things. The Lord has done a lot in my life! Plenty more for him to do, I'm sure of that.

Blessings on you in the new year! And on yours!

Ted M. Gossard said...

Martin,
The best blessings on you and on your family as well! Hope your fingers are warmer than mine are right now. It's cold here! But normal.

Thanks for your humor and here's to a special year for you and yours!