I wish you the very best in this new year.  Enjoy all the challenges and opportunites that it brings.

Psalm 63:1 “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”

Boy has it been hot and dry here in North Louisana!  Every day I look at the 10-day forecast and weather radar and hope for some rain, but for the past couple of weeks there has been none.  But there is hope.  The forecast for tomorrow and the day after is 50% chance of rain each day.

Our recent weather reminded me of the verse in Psalm 63 when David was out in the wilderness running for his life.  But it wasn’t just his body that was thirsting - within his soul he had a thirst for God.  We can all sometimes get into that same condition.  And the remedy is always the same – reaching out to God.  He is there ready and willing to fulfill the desires of our hearts.  So if you are in a “dry and thirsty” place in your life, go to God’s well and drink freely.

Jesus told us we are to pray the Lord of the harvest that laborers would be sent into the harvest. 

In our church we have long needed someone to lead youth ministry for us.  I have been praying that someone would come along to fill that huge vacuum.  This past week I received a call from a young man I knew 6 or 7 years ago while he was in a local church program called “Master’s Commission.”  Since then he has been married and has an eight-month old son.  Now we are seeking God’s direction while he and his wife pray about coming along side us and being our youth pastors.  We feel that God will without doubt show us if His plan is for us to work together.  His will be done.

Last year my wife “rescued” some petunia plants that were in a vacant lot, bringing them home and setting them out behind our house.  All three were single-stem twigs that looked like they may or may not survive.  They even made it through the winter which really surprised me. 

This spring they took off with renewed life.  And they have turned out to be really pretty. 

As I look at them I am reminded how often God takes those who are insignificant, perhaps even ugly, and makes something beautiful of them.  Never underestimate God’s power to change lives.  You may feel that nothing good can ever come of your life, but I challenge you to never give up believing.  You too can blossom like these petunias and bring glory to God with your life.

Have a blessed day!

In case anyone cares, this is a picture of me and my wife of 44 years.  She has been a great asset to me in ministry.

We have three children: a son, Ronnie, who is Downs, and is 43 years old.  He still lives with us.  We have twin daughters who are 35 years old.  Sherrie lives with her family (one granddaughter) in Boulder, Colorado.  Jennia lives here in West Monroe with her family (two granddaughters and one grandson).