Defining Moments

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

Here we are again at the start of a brand new year. Not only that but it is a start of a brand new decade. It seems really hard to believe that ten years have gone by that quickly. We started the decade worrying about the Y2K crisis. We saw 9/11 occur which impacted our lives in so many ways especially in the way we travel.We have watched an idea called Facebook grow and change the way we network and communicate.  Finally we have ended this decade going thorough one of the worst recessions in our lifetime. If you take a moment and sit down and reflect we all have been touched in one way or another by these defining moments. These are events that at the time we may not realize it but they are impacting us in ways that will change our lives and touch us in important ways.

Let me share with you personally how those three events have touched and changed me as a case in point. Travelling prior to 9/11 was easy. I used to work a job that required travelling. I could easily breeze through airports with no worries with what I was carrying or the time needed to get from one gate to another. Can I say that now? Facebook is now a major player in my life. I never used a MySpace or a blog but several years ago I began to Facebook (see even the terminology has changed), it has allowed me to connect with others in a ministry in a whole new way. Farmville aside it has proved to be a great ministry tool in connecting sponsors to children. The recession obviously caused me to be laid off for a period of four months and to find a lesser paying job (I'm still grateful though) and of course our investments became devalued. Each of these touched me in ways that I never anticipated.

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A New Year Without Fear

By Pat

As another year comes to an end, I feel a sense of joy in my heart, and as another year begins, I feel a great sense of anticipation. I look back at this past year and the many ups and downs in the road I traveled, and find that, although I didn't always get what I prayed for, I did receive what God knew I needed.

When I asked God for smooth sailing during tumultuous times, I see that God instead provided a sturdy boat in which to sail. When I walked in darkness, God reminded me of the constant light of Jesus, and found a way to open my eyes to it. When I prayed for God to help my friends and family through difficulties, I notice that He graciously used me at times as His means of helping them, in whatever small way I could, and for this I am grateful and humbled. When I cried, He sent me love and concern in the form of precious friends-and they helped to dry my tears. I felt God's love through their prayers and words of encouragement. When I may have been feeling just a bit too confident and sure of my walk, God allowed me to face situations that reminded me of my weakness and constant need for His presence, guidance and wisdom.

In every situation I faced, whether good, bad, or something in-between, God was there. And so I can look forward to a new year without fear, and with the comfort that no matter what lies ahead, God is with me and will hold my hand through it all. I will not travel alone. He will use my struggles to help me gain strength and to increase my faith so that I can better serve Him. I pray that He will use me to be a blessing to others, however and whenever I can. I am so grateful for God's promises, the one thing I can always count on. Have thine own way, Lord! And to all...Happy New Year!

"But as for me, I will always have hope; I will praise you more and more." (Psalm 71:14)

Pat is a good friend who is passionate about her faith and her family. She works from home supporting a family business, and loves to read, write and garden when she can, and spends every spare moment with her grandkids.

Whose Eyes Are You Looking Through?

By Chuck (Sharing Compassion)

This past Sunday at church, our sermon was on "Entering A New Year." Our pastor challenged us to Live for Eternity & Live with Passion. Somewhere near the beginning of the service there was something he said that triggered the title of this post. I spent some time reflecting on it and thought it was a great way to begin this year....it is a question that we should all ask ourselves. It is a question that can change our focus and perspective for 2010. As far as I can determine there are really two answers to this question that really impact us.

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