The Great Cover-up

We had snow for Christmas!  God created beauty as some of the dirtiness of our environment was covered with snow.  There was a freshness in the air.  Activities not done for many years (snow shoveling, watching grandchildren sledding, driving in snow, etc.) created new memories.  It seemed as if we were living in a different world, a new place.

As so often happens, reality has struck.  We have experienced some warming temperatures and even some rain. Patches of grass and other sights hidden for a few days are becoming visible.  The piles of snow from driveway shoveling are decreasing in height.  The sense of living in a new place, a new time is disappearing.  The sense of freshness was only temporary.

Something similar is likely to happen with the new year.  We have many hopes and dreams.  Yet, just a few days in, many of the familiar things are reappearing.  Are we able to continue to do things differently?  How long will it last?  Will it be temporary like the snow that covered  things for a few days.

God has promised to make all things new.  We experience that now as we believe in Him, but there is also a future not-yet-experienced aspect to what has been promised.  Will this be the year that we will experience that?  Will this be the year that Christ returns as King?

There are some things from the way life is that we cannot change.  At the same time, we can choose to focus on that which is important.  Jesus said: “the Good News about the Kingdom will be preached throughout the whole world, so that all nations will hear it; and then the end will come.”

Let’s pray for that to happen.  Let’s find ways to facilitate that happening in 2022.  Will this be the year when many Taiwanese hear the gospel and choose to believe?

Prayer Initiative

Thank-you to those who are participating in the prayer initiative that started January 1.  We encourage you to make a three-week commitment to pray that people who have not heard and and experienced life with Christ to discover a purposeful life in Christ.  If you would like to join in, click here and receive the daily email with the prayer guides.

Praise and Prayer

• The number of participants in the Baozhong Alliance Church Christmas events was less than we hoped.  The events did provide a connection with some people who had not attended church services recently.  Please pray that relationships with those people will deepen.  Pray that God will use what was heard at Christmas as a foundation for a closer walk with Him.
• The leadership of the Baozhong Alliance Church is encouraging members to share prayer needs and participate in praying this year.  Please pray that they will be filled with faith to ask God for good things and that they will see answers to prayer this year.