"Word" for 2009

I've never been fond of New Years resolutions, it feels weird naming something to change about me in the coming year that I could have been working on 6 or 8 months ago.

The pastor of our church, David Uth has the perfect twist to this old tradition. He has all of us start praying in December for our "word". At the end of the year we all ask for one word from God that will some how effect our life and in January we begin to use that word to make a difference in our relationship with Him.

Today is January 3rd and He just gave me my word. My word for 2009 is "bold". To some of you reading this it may seem strange to you if you consider the work I've been doing with HEsentme.org. The truth is, is that I haven't really been "bold" about much in my life but I now know that it's time for a change.

I looked up the word bold in the "index of notes" in my Bible and this is what I found:"May the bolts of your gates be of iron and bronze; may you be secure all your days. There is no one like the God of Israel. He rides across the heavens to help you, across the skies in majestic splendor. The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, Destroy them!" Deuteronomy 33:25-27

For the first time in my life I want to be engaged in a discussion about my faith. I don't mind people thinking I'm silly for what I believe in. I love praying out loud. Saying grace over a meal, praying with a friend that just lost their job or a loved one or seeking guidance in their life.

I just heard from the missions pastor yesterday that our trip to West Africa in February looks "weak". We have no one that wants to lead us on this trip until April. It's funny because the first thing that I thought of was that I would go alone. Bold or stupid? I haven't figured it out yet but I'm sure that prayer is the answer....