December 31

As a family we are hoping to read regularly from Spurgeon's 'Morning and Evening' in the coming year. Savannah is seeking a Bible reading plan for the new year and I am thinking of following it with her.

I plan to continue my sermon series in Acts this Sunday with more from chapter 9.

The vanity and superstitions of this time of year are mind-boggling. The pagans revere everything but Christ.

We studied Jude in our Thursday morning Bible study today. Jude thinks sound doctrine should be upheld and false teachers exposed. Shouldn't we do the same?

My prediction for 2010: the mainstream evangelical movement will continue to imbibe in pseudo-pagan teachings by attempting to further reconcile New Age "spirituality" and their unholy, libertine lives with the Gospel. And the reformed church will become more committed to the Truth as the widening gulf becomes more evident.

Late Evening, December 29

Just returned home from my parents house after honoring the 64th anniversary of my dad's birth. It is great to age. Do you ever wonder where you will be in 10, 20, 30 years? Tonight, I drew a comparison between my place in life and Dad's journey. This is my 1983 (dad turned 38 in 1983). He owned a home and a large number of cars. I rent a home and have 2 cars (only one is operable). He had a 12 year old son and a 4 year old daughter. I have a 14 year old daughter, a 13 year old son, a 9 year old son, a 7 year old daughter, a 5 year old son, a 3 year old son, a 2 year old daughter and a 10 month old daughter. He had a really cool, obedient dog. I have Rebel. His life has changed a lot since then. I look forward to that day when the swarm of grandchildren will come and visit. I don't want to be 20 again, life was too hard from there to here. I couldn't again survive the near loss of my wife to an ectopic rupture in our first pregnancy, the miscarriages, the tough pregnancies and births, sick babies and the multiple pneumonias of Caleb...
Lord grant me true wisdom in Christ. Oh! That I might learn the lessons that you have taught me and the life lessons I see in others. May my next 38 years, Lord willing, far exceed the first 38.

Monday, December 28

This is the week that doesn't seem to matter. Large numbers of people are off from work and there seems to be less productivity in the world. My dad will be celebrating a birthday tomorrow. Happy birthday Grandaddy! I am reading articles on preaching and a book on preaching today. I desperately need to grow in many areas. My personal devotional life is so critical to ministry.

I enjoyed meeting in the new church rental facility yesterday. There is something right about meeting in a structure intended for worship.

I hope your week is a testimony to your faith in Christ.

We will have our normal Thursday morning Bible study at 8:30 a.m.

Saturday December 26

We will be "trying out" our potential new church location tomorrow. Please check the website for details.

There has been an adrenaline drop today. You can see the energy drain in people as you pass by.

Enjoying sermon prep in Acts 9. Saul, the great persecutor, is God's chosen vessel in proclaiming the GOSPEL of Christ. He is Grace and Word is sufficient.

I received two great books from friends at church on Thursday evening. I look forward to reading them soon.

Enjoy this opportunity to spend time with friends and family. The gifts will be soon forgotten. Your relationships in Christ have lasting value.

Monday December 21

I am starting preparations for my message Thursday night.

As a devoted Floridian I don't mind this little cool snap we are having. We have a fire in the fireplace this evening and my wife is preparing dinner which creates a buffet of fragrant scents.

SuSu (Susannah), my 2 year old daughter has been pretty sick for a couple of days. Please pray for her.

Today, is the shortest day of the year (I think). One of my colleagues, a pastor in the south of London, UK said that the sun rose around 8 a.m. yesterday and set at 3:50 p.m. Now that is a short day.
The Lord has a special place in His love for the British Isles. Look at a globe and notice how far north they are. Yet, the gulfstream strangely traverses nearby keeping their climate temperate. It is green all year and rarely stays below freezing for any length of time. It is snowing today, however.

Friday December 18

We had a long and productive elder's meeting today. The work of the church is never done.

I had an eye appointment today. Contact lenses are a great blessing.

I am working on sermon prep in Acts 9.

There are some positive developments in our church meeting location search...

How can you advance the Kingdom of Christ today?

December 15, Goodbye Lyons family

I hope y'all had a good visit. I am thankful for your friendship and fellowship in Christ. Thanks for the awesome meal at Fish Bones. Jamie and I both put this restaurant near the top of our list of favorites.

Congratulations John on your promotion to homocide detective.

Tomorrow morning at 6 I will be meeting with some of my accountability/Bible study brothers.

CHURCH building...we need one.

Studying Saul's conversion to Christ in Acts 9 and Jude. I will also be diving into a redemptive-historical study of the "Parousia" (Second Coming).