Honestly . . . A New Year

I stand amazed.

I'm the pastor of a great, loving expression of the church. A husband of 23 years to a faithful, gracious wife. A father of 4 teenagers who all follow Jesus and have made great decisions (for the most part :)

And yet I have a confession to make. For the last week I've been a grumpy old man.

It all started on our trip back home from Lubbock . . . . . and yet all of that is not really relevant. What is relevant is the condition that I find my heart in (just trying to be honest here) and a seeming inability to do anything about it. Ever find yourself there? Locked in a struggle with your own soul? Yes, we all have.

Those Psalm 32 moments (see vs. 3-5).

And I find myself knowing that it is in these moments that we choose. Is God really able to change me? Is He really in control of this planet and able to bring peace and joy to me?

In just a few minutes I go to the building to be with a bunch of sweaty students for the next 6 hours. How will I choose to respond to them? What will I choose to believe about them? About God?

Here's where I'm going . . . I'm reminded today - and thankful (even in the midst of not quite yet turning the corner) that God is a God of New Beginnings. A new sunrise every 24. New opportunities. New bursts of forgiveness. A New Year.

So, wherever you are now, or you've been this year - hear what the psalmist says as he continues in verses 6 & 7 . . . I'm trusting in His promises:

"Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you

while you may be found;

surely when the mighty waters rise,

they will not reach him.

You are my hiding place;

you will protect me from trouble

and surround me with songs of deliverance."

Roselands and Gustavo Update

It's cool to watch people like Richard & Ximena Roseland pursue the God-passion that has been set before them!

Some of you may remember my post about Gustavo a few months ago - the young man who the Roselands had come to love at the Pan de Vida orphanage in Mexico. (This first pic is the Roselands with Gustavo who is second from the right.)

The Roselands recently left Pan de Vida, have been at Oso Creek the last few months, and are now seeking God's next station for them on the journey.

The cool news is that the Roselands now have Gustavo with them in Ecuador as they seek out their next place of ministry. (This is Gustavo 'monkeying around.')

Pray for the Roselands as they consider going to an orphanage in Quito, Ecuador. And pray for Gustavo and the possibility of being able to go with the Roselands and finish his education.

New Years Eve Bash!

We're having a New Years Eve Bash at the building tomorrow night from 7pm to 12:30am!

It's aimed at our students but everyone is invited who wants to play dodgeball or just hang out with me!

Click here to check our more info . . .

Holiday Power!

Hope everyone has had a great holiday! We were blessed to be able to go visit family in Lubbock and San Angelo. Had a great time and got to wake up to temperatures of 10 and 15 degrees with snow on the ground.

One very cool thing that took place while most of us were hanging with family is that a group of Vietnamese here in Corpus used our building on Christmas night to have a service. They had an awesome time worshipping together and four of their friends gave their lives to Christ!

Awesome! And Creekers you were a part of it, generously providing them a place to gather! Please pray for their group as they have a vision to be gathering on a weekly basis!