The year ended in an incredible way. Preached on the characters of Christmas on Sunday mornings: Joseph, Mary and Jesus. Got to do lots of reading and had a meeting with the Elders, men, and other people. Fought video problems in auditorium a lot, but got those solved by the end of the month. Did many festive things: parties, fellowships and enjoying friends and family. Ended the year traveling to my Mom’s which meant we celebrated Christmas with Meg’s family before the 22nd. Was able to get some thinking done about long-term personal planning for 2009. All in all, while the beginning of the year began with me praying about where God would have me, God seemed to confirm His calling in my life toward the end. I praise Him for a great 2008. More on where I’m headed in 09 later.

November continued with the busy pace I had set in August: meetings with Elders, men, pre-marital, discipline in eating/exercise and other administrative things. Enjoyed a report from one of our missionaries and church wide fellowships in this month. Officiated Theoden and Katie Wedel’s wedding. Voted and watched another candidate take the presidency. Hosted Joe Braden for our church’s Bible Conference on Loving Relationships in the Church. Preached at Dale Baker’s ordination in Kansas City. Watched my first KState football game at K-State. Continued preaching through Mark 12. Celebrated Thanksgiving. Watched with joy as our congregation met budget on the last week of this month. Devoured the book Because He Loves Me. We met our Thanksgiving offering goal as a church, too – which will greatly help one of our missionaries. As November ended finished preaching on Mark 12.

In October, enjoyed listening to the DG National Conference on the Power of Words. Good encouragement here. Enjoyed Elders Meetings, fellowship with men, couples, pre-marital work and other appointments. Continued preaching through Mark 12 and small groups began considering a ministry project in Hutchinson. Relaunched HomeWord for fall, looking on how marriage is to be esteemed. Got good reports from my doctor about my health. Had some work done on the truck. Wed PM class continued to work through Sermon on the Mount. Read Power Encounters. Got to speak at Spiritual Emphasis week at Central Christian. Had a good time dressing up Andrew on 31st.

Continued preaching through Mark, beginning chapter 11. Was pretty disciplined in eating, exercise, meeting with men, planning and seeking to serve family. Worked to serve Mae Schletzbaum’s family as she passed on to glory. Worked on some Scripture memory as well. Wed PM class started up studing Martyn Lloyd-Jones’ Studies on Sermon on the Mount, Vol. 2. Went to KC with Jimmy on a quick trip to watch Hutch High play at KC Rockhurst. Fair was in Hutch and that meant busy, busy, busy around town. Meg works at fair in girl scout booth. Read James McPherson’s Mighty Scourge. Watched Renee play some vball in Sterling. Meg started working with Mary Kay stuff. Finished Lincoln and 2nd American Revolution. Continued meetings with Elders, men and some premarital counseling work. Attended Shane and Shane concert.

As August began, we were at my Mom’s and I continued helping build that deck. Most of us were sick while we were there. We were blessed in so many ways during this trip. Came back to town and was immediately hit with some issues and felt swamped pastorally, but God was faithful to focus my attention back on Him and to give me encouragement through His Word and others. Continued preaching through Ruth in AM and on God’s Word in PM. Read Radical Reformission, Whiter than Snow, and Addictions by Ed Welch. Ended up being dealt with by God in huge ways to reconsider why I eat and how I eat. This led me to strict discipline in eating during the Fall (which would result in some 53 lbs. being lost). Celebrated my 4th Anniversary with Meg. So grateful for God’s gift of her as my wife. Ended month reviewing Mark’s Gospel (chapters 1-10) in a sermon.

As we came into June, I started a summer series on the book of Ruth. I was relieved to have the service of an intern, T.J. Warren, taking care of leadership on the musical side of corporate worship. Started VBS early in the month and had a great time there. Traveled to Tampa, FL area with Swisher clan to officiate Travis and Jill Achilles’ wedding. Labored to settle into a “normal” schedule with the arrival of Gabe, looking to serve Meg and Andrew and fight selfish desires to be served on my part. In the summer, small groups studied C.J. Mahaney’s curriculum Why Small Groups? and I watched God do amazing things in my life and those around me during these months. Had a storm rip the door of our house off, so we replaced that. Observed normal habits of meeting with men, getting to Y and looking to serve family.

In May, continued preaching through the end of Mark 10. Was called for Jury Duty, but ended up not having to report. Prepped for a summer intern that would come my way to oversee worship ministry. HomeWord was on parenting. Meg, Andrew and I were busy prepping for Gabe’s arrival and he arrived toward the end of the month. Visited some graduations and observed Mother’s Day. Cleaned out my files for the first time in a lot of years, which greatly helped my efficiency. Had some marital and pre-marital sessions with some couples. Got to be a part of Clint and Kylee Goodsen’s wedding ceremony. Continued prep for Ruth which was appropriate when Gabe was born on May 27. “The Lord gave conception…and she gave birth to a son…” (Ruth 4:13). Ended the month not sleeping well with the new addition in our home.

In April, Starbucks had Casi Cielo. Read Gracism, Do Hard Things, Dynamic Diversity, the Wit of Martin Luther, and advanced prep for summer series on the book of Ruth. Traveled to Together for the Gospel with the Elders. Hosted Humberto Alencar from Uruguay. Took special offering for Bill’s Oasis Center. Got Hillsong United’s new CD – The I-Heart Revolution. Continued Wed PM class, Sunday preaching through Mark 10. Conducted wedding for John and Genessee Hall. Also dealt with various pastoral issues.

Continuing posts reviewing year, we come to March.

Got news from Bill Bacheller that Humberto would be coming to us soon. Started preaching on Mark 10. Read Carson’s Memoirs of Ordinary Pastor and Murray’s Redemption: Accomplished and Applied. Met with Steve Hodgson, Pastor of Union Valley Bible, about a joint Good Friday service. Really wrestled with “fear of man” issues as it pertains to sanctification. Also read Ferguson’s John Owen on the Christian Life and Keller’s Reason for God. Continued to prep for Easter. Also read Triumph by Jeremy Schaap. Hosted Charlie Davis of TEAM for a meeting on vision and planning with all leadership and missions. Tried to learn how to receive criticism that wasn’t given well, seeking to learn and not allow bitterness to sprout. Celebrated Easter. Also read The Civil War as a Theological Crisis. Did some pre-marital counseling. Read Preach the Word and Liberating Ministry From the Success Syndrome. Continued with my Wed PM class as well. Ended the month in Galveston, TX for Meg’s mother’s Wedding.

Continuing this series of posts reviewing my year…

In February, read Ministries of Mercy by Keller, Sex & Supremacy of Christ, and Christ-Centered Preaching. Continued preaching through Mark 9. Giants defeated undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl. HomeWord was on Sex in Marriage. Preached Bob Fletcher’s funeral. Watched Central Christian basketball game. Also read In Christ Alone by Ferguson, April 1865 by Jay Winik and Christian Ministry by Charles Bridges. Continued regular habits of meeting with men, couples, and date night with Meg. Watched Hutch High basketball. Traveled to Midwest Founder’s Conference at St. Peter’s Mo. Was really edified by the time with men on the road, the teaching and fellowship at church.