Brrrr! It’s cold this morning.  If this is “global warming” I’d sure hate to see “global cooling”.  Thank God for furnaces that work, car heaters and thermal underwear.  Wherever you are this morning, stay warm and be especially mindful of those around us who may be struggling to survive this cold weather.  If we can help, we should do what we can.  Let us know if you are aware of any particularly needy situations.

It was good to be back with our Parkway family this past Lord’s Day.  I feel like I haven’t seen some of you in weeks.  We had a great service for those of you who weren’t there.  Our District Superintendent, Greg Reynolds was present to bring us greetings from the District, plus he ministered to us in song.  Following the service he met briefly with the local church board. 

Well, this is the first “Tuesday on the Run” of the new year.  I don’t know about you, but there is always something exciting to me about looking at that fresh, blank calendar.  I went to Staples a couple of weeks ago and bought my new “Day-Timer”. Already it is beginning to fill up, even into the Spring and Summer. 

The question I always ask myself as I look at those blank pages is:  “Barry, what are you going to do with the 365 days of 2010?”  Will this be a year that counts for something or will it just be another year?  Will this be a year of personal and spiritual growth or more of the status quo?  In the light of eternity will this year have any positive results.

I’m convinced nothing of eternal value happens by accident.  It requires discipline, hard work and consistency.  That’s why we are beginning a new class this month entitled GROWING CLOSER TO GOD: “Spiritual Disciplines for Ordinary People”.  From now until Easter, we are going to examine twelve spiritual disciplines that have the potential to transform your life.  We will be talking about classic disciplines such as fasting, prayer, and solitude as well as disciplines like forgiveness, humility and rest.  These will be practical lessons with weekly assignments and lots of encouragement.  We are not just going to learn about spiritual disciplines, we are going to practice them!

As you may have noticed from the bulletin insert, this class will be offered at two times: on Wednesday night and during the Sunday School hour.  Our goal is  not to take people away from other established classes but to attract new Sunday School students.

There is a hymn we sometimes sing at the dawn of a New Year that was written by Francis Ridley Havergal in 1874 and was introduced in a Christmas greeting that she sent out to her friends.  It is a great prayer for us to consider as we face another year!

Another Year is Dawning

                                                    Another year is dawning,
                                                    Dear Master, let it be,
                                                    In working, or in waiting,
                                                    Another year with Thee.
                  
                                                    Another year of mercies,
                                                    Of faithfulness and grace;
                                                    Another year of gladness
                                                    In the shining of Thy face.

                                                    Another year of progress,
                                                    Another year of praise,
                                                    Another year of proving
                                                    Thy presence all the days.

                                                    Another year of service,
                                                    Of witness of Thy love,
                                                    Another year of training
                                                    For holier work above.

                                                    Another year is dawning,
                                                    Dear master, let it be
                                                    On earth, or else in heaven
                                                    Another year for Thee.

 - Francis Ridley Havergal

Philippians 3:13 “But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

 Have a great week
 Pastor Barry