Great Commission Churches

January 2007

Dear Sisters,

This month is a fresh beginning, as Mary Knox has always felt about January. The blank pages of her new calendar have for some years prompted a day with the Lord, to seek Him and give the coming months to His loving care. Yet the last year has been one of “surprises” from God’s hands for our sister Mary. He has revealed Himself in fresh ways to her in the midst of those surprises.

Whatever “new” revelations Jesus Christ brings to you in 2007, I pray along with Mary that this year will be crowned with His bounty for you.

In His love,
Sandy

You Crown the Year with Your Bounty

By Mary Knox, Evergreen Community Church, Bloomington, MN

I just put up my new January calendar. I love a new calendar. A new year...a new fresh clean page...a brand new beginning. A blank slate. New dreams, possibilities, plans. And you know what I like to do sometimes in the first week of January? I like to find some time to get alone with God...[A "DAWG DAY" is what my husband so fondly calls it-- Day Alone With God- Day] ...a few hours, a day, a weekend...whatever can be carved out. I use Psalm 65:11 as my guide verse: "You crown the year with your bounty." I like to think about God, and what He's done in my life that past year. I think about what He's taught me...about Himself, about myself, about life. I like to praise and thank Him, for who He is, and what He's done. And I anticipate the coming year. I think about what I need to grow in and what changes need to be made. I think about goals for the coming year.

This year I'll do the same. But my past year has been off-the-charts 'Shock and Awe!' A little history first. God has given me a little message-series that I present at different women's events called SURPRISED BY THE GOD OF SURPRISES. Well, the GOD OF SURPRISES has surprised me this past year. He surprised me with a health challenge. Exactly a year ago, I found out I had Hepatitis C. My past nine months have been spent undergoing a year-long, cancer -cocktail treatment for the "cure." The treatment has been effective. The Hep C is "non-detectable. But they don't called you "cured" until 6 months after your last injection and the Hep C hasn't returned. My treatment ends March 7th. I'll find out sometime in October 2007 if I'm 'cured.' It's been a challenging nine months. The treatment has its myriads of sideeffects--mostly uncomfortable. But God gives grace.

My goal with this little letter, is NOT to tell you all I've learned through this experience. I'll share that another time, after the treatment is over. I know I'll have a BRAND-NEW message to add to my GOD OF SURPRISES series. But what's been awesome....is ALL that God has done in my FAITH this past year. Though I'd never CHOOSE to have Hep C and undergo this devastating treatment, God has kindly and lovingly revealed Himself, and His Ways, and His Personality and Character in ways I'd NEVER have discovered if I HADN'T GONE THROUGH THIS EXPERIENCE.

I've learned some new NAMES for God. If I was going to write my own book on The Names of God, my list would include:

* THE GOD WHO LAUGHS: I've learned God has quite a sense of humor, and He uses humor, and laughing to minister to me.
* THE GOD WHO COMES THROUGH FOR ME: He's my cavalry, coming to my rescue, in times of challenge.

There's more...THE GOD OF THE DEEP, THE GOD OF EXILE ISLAND, THE GOD WHO MAKES IT REAL...but that will be included in my new installment for the GOD OF SURPRISES series. You'll just need to invite me to speak at your local women's events in 2007 to hear it all. That's one of my 'goals' for 2007...to speak my little vocal chords off after my Exile Island experience is over.

This January when I have my DAY ALONE WITH GOD, I'll look back over my past year, and anticipate the new year and I'll marvel at how God "CROWNS THE YEARS WITH HIS BOUNTY. " But I'll be including the rest of verse 11, AND 12 in my meditation: "You crown the year with your bounty; even the HARD PATHWAYS OVERFLOW with ABUNDANCE. The WILDERNESS becomes a lush pasture, and the hillsides blossom with joy."

Please treat yourself to your own DAY ALONE WITH GOD. Reflect on your own list of 'the names of God" that you've discovered this year. And don't be afraid of the "The God of Surprises." His surprises are always Good.

And, hey, see you next year, when I'm done with Exile Island!