Rex Miller

Most of us will have an opportunity to pause, be with family and reflect on 2009.

Some will unfortunately feel pressed, alone and or will have shifted their worries to 2010.

If your world hasn’t been shaken in the last 18 months you certainly know people who have had their world turned upside down.

Our family and I want to wish you the blessings of Christ and for His transcending peace to pervade your home and extend outward to others. We truly feel for those who have been hit hard by life over the past few years. We haven’t been immune to being tossed around both from the outside and the inside. Our faith is deeper, our friendships stronger and our hope is encouraged because of the first two. I like this quote from Margaret Wheatley:

We cannot know the future… but we can prepare for it by knowing each other.

This is something I’ve held on to for several years and see the profound wisdom of it even more in these times.

I hope you have time to count both the blessings and miracles that have crossed your path in 2009. Lisa, the kids and I did some of that this morning while we talked about the incredible event of Christ’s birth.

I hope you have time to reach out to some friends who are struggling. The challenges of the world and the extraordinary circumstances of our times have uprooted many and they do appreciate knowing that others care.

I hope you have time to listen to or watch something truly inspirational. Emotions are stirred this time of year. They are not far beneath the surface of our expressions. Those core emotions simply need a nudge and they’ll come forth and offer a new window into ones soul.

I hope you’ll have time to gather with some old friends and some new friends. One for remembrance and the other for discovery.

I hope you’ll have time to write down a few lessons learned for 2009 and some aspirations for 2010. Without a rudder its impossible to steer and without a vision its impossible to navigate and stay the course.

I’ve been spending time each day just reading through my New Living Translation, a wonderful rudder. Oswald Chambers casts a challenging vision each day that consistently brings me to the feet of Christ.

If you haven’t found something inspirational to watch and listen I’ve attached this Youtube introduction to Susan Boyle. She is the British singer who surprised and shocked an audience on the TV show Britain’s Got Talent. It has some personal meaning for me. A little over two years ago I was given an opportunity to tackle a project that many felt was valuable but few thought would accomplish much. That all changed on Monday, October 12th.

Peace on earth to men of goodwill!