Learning from the Word
One of my goals for 2005 was to read through the entire Bible. I didn't set the goal at the beginning of the year, so I really had to get after it to finish. Fortunately, I did with a couple of days to spare! The one theme that seemed to continually jump out in my reading was a warning against idolatry. While there is not an exact correlation to worshipping idols for most modern day Americans such as myself, there certainly are plenty of examples in our lives where people or things can become "idols." As I read, it became clear to me the lunacy of substituting anyone or anything for worshipping the one, true God.
He is a jealous God and is not interested in us sharing our allegiance with another. In fact, when the Israelites served other gods, the Lord described their activity as adultery and prostitution! This seems harsh, but what a blessing to know that the Lord is that interested in having a relationship with us.
He is the one, true God...the only God with a capital "G." And He is a good God!

A Look Back
I read recently that life is like a roll of toilet paper...the closer you get to the end, the quicker it goes. Wow, time does fly! But I am encouraged looking back not only on 2005, but also looking at the 2+ years that I have been in Fredericksburg. I whole-heartedly believe that our pastor's words in Nebraska have proven to be prophetic when he said this to us before leaving for Fredericksburg, in front of a congregation of a couple of hundred:
"The Lord has taken you, he has blessed you, he has broken you, and He is going to give you away. In your four years in Nebraska you have been broken and He has found you faithful in your brokenness. Now, He is going to give you away to the Church of Fredericksburg...not a Baptist church or Assemblies of God church, but to His Church - the Body of Christ. You will be given away like never before and it will be foundational for you for the rest of your lives."
It is so amazing at the level to which this has proven true already. Fredericksburg has become home so quickly that we cannot imaging living anywhere else. It is a pleasure to be in a season of bearing fruit in our family (tracing God's hand in our family and in our neighborhood and community) and in the FCA ministry.
I am fired up looking back at the wonderful things the Lord has done in Fredericksburg Area FCA. Trusting the Lord will continue to do His work in us and through us, I am fired up thinking about what the Lord could have in store for the next couple of years!
Grateful for you...
Kerry