Thanks Be To God: A New Year

Here it is, April 24, 2012.  I haven't posted for quite a while now.  Reading through older posts really presents a picture of the highlights and deep struggles of the last year.  I remember how God's keeping hand has guided our family through this past year.  I can be nothing but thankful as I look back and as I look forward with my hope fully placed in Jesus Christ.

For nearly a year, our family has been faithfully attending a small church in Waverly, OH (Grace Community Church).  I praise God that he has led us to this body of believers where we are hearing and growing because of the preached and taught Word of God (expositionally, of coarse!).  I am filled to the brim with such joy as I realize how much God has allowed us to grow in Christ.  I am also anticipating the day when we are accepted as members of Grace Community Church.  I feel like we are about to be adopted!  I am looking forward to the communion, fellowship, and accountability of the saints.  My soul desires to continue to put off earthly desires and put on Christ, as I decrease and Christ increases.

Lastly, I am still endlessly challenged by God's holy Word.  There are several weak areas in the life of our family that are in need of Sanctification by the work of the Holy Spirit.  While I understand that there is never to be a "plateau" in our growth and conformity to Christ, I know that I cannot manufacture spiritual growth; only God, in his loving and sovereign purpose and for his glory, grants knowledge and growth in his Son.  I see the need for my marriage to reflect Christ so much more than it does, our children to be taught more of the statutes and wonders of God, and the need for me to grow into the strong and compassionate leader of our home (which God has called me to).

Thanks be to God, who has called us and keeps us.  Thanks be to Jesus Christ, who has secured our salvation by way of the Cross.  Thank God for the atoning sacrifice of his Son!

Blessings to all who might read this.