Bless you as you close 2010 and anticipate 2011!

Our Bishop Robert E. Hayes, Jr. has written a good word about the New Year entitled “The Place to Begin.” “In the beginning God…” – Genesis 1:1
I trust you will enjoy his insights and heed his advice.

No doubt you’ve heard the amusing story of the traveler in Ireland who was hopelessly lost in the vast countryside. He had been driving around aimlessly for several hours, and just as he was about to give up, he spotted a farmer in his field. He pulled close to the gentleman and summoned him towards the fence by the road. He asked with a puzzled look: “Sir, can you show me the way to Dublin?” The farmer ribbed his chin as he looked in every direction, and after a long pause he finally answered saying, “Mister, if I were going to Dublin I wouldn’t start from here.”

Obviously you can start from anywhere to get to Dublin, but on second thought there was probably more truth in the farmer’s answer that we may think. In his mind the starting place had as much to do with the destination, and when you think about it, the same is true in our spiritual lives.

As we enter this New Year, the place where we begin is so important. If we want to get to peace, happiness, joy and meaningful living, you have to start from the right place, and for us that starting point has always been and always will be God! Whenever we place God at the beginning of any pursuit or endeavor, you can rest assure that God will be present throughout the journey. Genesis, the very first book of the Old Testament gives us the secret of reaching the goals that God has set for us. It is no coincidence that the first four words of the Bible start with these words: “In the beginning God!”

How simple, yet how far removed it is from our thinking and our actions. As you step out into this journey of 2011 make God first in everything you do. On every page of God’s Holy Book you will find guideposts and markers. Verse after verse says, “This is the way, walk ye in it!” If you do, there will never be a day in this New Year that you will find yourself aimlessly lost!

Join us this Sunday January 2, 2011 as we begin the New Year on our knees at the Communion Table and I share a message entitled, “Walking with Jesus in 2011!”
Remember, Lighthouse Café at 9:00; Sunday School for all ages at 9:30 and Morning Worship at 10:45!

May the Lord Bless you in 2011!

Yours in His Love,
Mark

PS –Be sure to begin using your Bible Reading Guide on Jan. 1 with Genesis 1-2!
More copies available at First Church. Blessings!