Some belated new year's inspiration

I thought for sure I'd post something before now but after the busyness of December, I spent the last week doing very little.  It felt good!

On New Year's Day we opted to watch church online, as there was only one service that morning and I thought it might be crowded.  There was a guest speaker (I actually don't remember his name, just that he is a pastor in Oregon) who gave one of the most inspiring messages I've ever heard.

It was on prayer, and wow, it was motivating!

Here is a link:

I've been looking for interesting stuff to listen to lately when I'm working on my crochet blanket project, or doing dishes, and I imagine I'll listen to this again.  It was that good.

On December 28th we had to drive our visiting foster child from Colombia to the airport in Atlanta to return home, so it was a long day in the car.  I randomly pulled this book off my shelf for the trip, I guess because it was short.  It has been sitting there for years.

So, when I was in college there was a dormitory on campus named after Samuel Morris (my brother lived there), but I never really knew who he was.

Once I picked this book up it was hard to put down.  Why is it so good?

Well, the story (it's not long) is about a teenage boy in Africa who had been captured by an enemy tribe and was being repeatedly tortured.  When he was near death God miraculously freed him, healed him, and led him to a Christian settlement where he learned about God, and gave his life to him.

Seeking a Christian education, he headed to America by ship and enrolled in my alma mater, Taylor University.

So why was it so good?

Well, the story begins with a series of miracles and continues with them; instance after instance of God healing, saving and setting people free.  Samuel Morris was clearly a man who God chose to use, and the hand of God was very clearly upon him.

I always enjoy hearing miraculous stories (who doesn't?); they leave me inspired to experience God in a deeper way.

I'm not quite done with the book, but I probably read most of it in two hours or less.

After a challenging year full of so much division and drama in the world, it felt great to begin the new year with a reminder of how powerful and loving God is.  The more we give ourselves to Him, the deeper we go in our knowledge of who He is.  

Our church is in the middle of 21 days of fasting and prayer to begin the new year; I'm excited to see what this month brings.

Happy New Year!