Happy New Year

Here we are again at the end of a calender year ready to begin 2008 and I am keenly aware that everything is right on time! Perhaps the sun came up today where you live and the new year is here again with that same predictable sensation. While time passes by dear friend, Jesus Christ our Lord who lives beyond time and space also passes by with concern and compassion for our lives. It is Christ the Lord who holds our times within his hand. Knowing him is life, and his life is without end! Let us therefore embrace this new year as we would a new day with the certainty that as time passes, Christ the Lord has not passed us by! We who are in Christ are eternal beings with a future and a hope. Having life without end, we can say Happy New Year!

Mark

Christmas

Christmas is on my mind as we approach the holiday. I think there have been years when the holiday was different for many of us. Like most Christians, in spite of our current circumstances the hope of the season always acts as a prevailing booster. Beyond the daily routine of our place in time and space there echos the good news that angels announced on a glorious night thousands of years ago. Regardless of our current position or place in life, the Lord is still well pleased to dwell among us and remind us that salvation has come and will come for every believing child of God. Joy to the world that knows more than a few sorrows and sadness. Peace on earth still resonates above the raging wars and inhumanities of mankind. There is still Hope for tomorrow when every tear shall be wiped away and we shall see Him truly as He is. This Hope carries me and helps me face the things that life may bring. And in the face of a child there is still the fresh reminder of all the years at Christmas when fun and surprise and happiness were the primary parts of the holiday we all so loved as children. I think heaven must surely be like Christmas was as we were awaiting that great day when we would wake up before sunrise and open our presents with sheer childish delight. Today Christmas reminds me of heaven, and that makes it worth celebrating again and again.

Merry Christmas,
Mark

Amazing Opportunity

Sometimes we meet great men or women of God. Last week, the Lord connected me with a brother from Pakistan who must be one of the most influential Christians in his country.

This dear brother oversees a ministry with a vision for 50,000 churches and 3 million
believers in a Muslim nation where Christianity is largely underground or just barely above the surface. Already he has planted thousands of churches and trained many leaders. Our meeting was a result of my divine appointment in Seattle a few weeks ago, where I met a brother from San Antonio who connected me with this great man of God. "Dr J" just happened to be traveling through Indiana for a few days so at his urging we met at the airport for a few hours.

I gave him some copies of my new book to take back to Pakistan and he inspired me to believe for much much more. It amazes me that the Lord keeps bringing me into the presence of greatness as I meet those who walk with him and slay giants by faith in the most difficult places.
Perhaps the Lord will allow us work together in the future and help each other in the great battle for the hearts of men and women. Until then, may the giant slayer within each son or daughter of the Most High rise with vision and faith to establish His kingdom on the earth.

Strength and Honor,
Mark