Coming in January

Like everyone, I'm a bit concerned (I won't say "worried", 'cause worry is a sin!) about what 2009 is going to bring. The great thing is that God's not concerned at all. He knows what's coming down the road for me, my family, my church, my country. And He's got a plan.

My job - your job as a Christ follower - is to discover that plan and follow it. That may mean we all have to make some adjustments in our way of life. You probably already have. I'm always looking, for example, for simple ways to save money.

But it's the mystery ahead that often causes us to fear. We are naturally afraid of the unknown.

With that in mind, I'm starting January's first two Sundays off with a little mini-series I'm calling, "If Only I Had a Crystal Ball". The obvious implication is that I don't have one. So do I panic over what I can't see or know? I hope not.

The first Sunday I'll take us to some promises in the Bible about events God has planned that are getting closer every day, and why those events bring hope to us, even in the darkest of times.

The second Sunday we'll switch over to asking, "So what should we as a church be doing this new year full of unknowns?" As you did last Sunday from Larry Benson, you'll hear a word that might be somewhat new to you: "missional". And I'll talk about the difference between planning for the future and being prepared for it.

Then on January 18 Doug Whitley will be with us to help me launch into a new series on the life of Moses. I've wanted to teach through Moses' life for a long time. You can find out about Doug by visiting this site. But I promise you won't want to miss that Sunday.

Another thing coming in January will be the appearance of a new blog site (taking the place of this one) just for us at NHC to use interactively. I hope it's use will grow and be an encouragement to the church family as we share what God is doing and how He's growing us.

January is also a month when we support our local Crisis Pregnancy Center. You'll see baby bottles at church. Take one home and during January fill it up with change (or bills). Then at the end of the month we'll give it all to the Center to help them save the lives of otherwise unwanted babies and educate young girls and women on how to be good moms. They also share Christ very effectively with them.

So, don't be scarce in January! Lots of great opportunities to learn, grow and serve are ahead.