A glance, a gaze, and a note

One last “backward” glance…..

At this week’s end 2011 will be no more; it will forever belong to the annuals of history. One year ago, it was the beginning of a ‘new year’ and a symbolic ‘fresh start’. Now, looking backward as the “year that was” fades completely from one’s view, it is well and wise that all of us who read these words allow God’s Spirit to help in some final evaluations. Did we grow as Christians in the last twelve months? Did we reach any of our personal goals; did we even try very hard? Are we certain that the influences we left along 2011’s path will point other individuals toward Jesus? Are we willing to recognize our errors, admit our failures, and learn from the same? It seems to me that it would be wise for each of us to make some attempt at such honest personal evaluations.  

One new “forward” gaze…..

Also, by this time next week 2012 will have become a reality! God will give it to us—new, fresh, innocent, and filled with potential! A rather sobering thought is that the New Year may very likely be the last for some who read (or write!) these paragraphs. To those persons, 2013 will never dawn; rather “in the presence of the Lord” will become their new reality! Even as we continue in this life our thanksgiving for the mercy of God that has brought us to this juncture in time, let us give due recognition to the fact that the New Year is filled with heavy responsibilities and God-given assignments. In permitting us entrance into another year, surely God expects more in the areas of personal commitment, financial stewardship, and active witness. We must always remember that the year, the time, even the moment is God-given and God-allowed and we are to rejoice in it and seek to use it always for His honor and glory! 

One sincere “personal” note…..

Words fail me when I attempt to think of ways in which I can express my appreciation  to all of you who allow me week after week to invade your lives with thoughts that are personal to me – but desiring an avenue in which I can share them with others. The “thinking” part is not too hard but “writing what I think” often is very difficult. I would suspect that my audience sometimes muses that I have not thought hard enough, long enough, or even correctly enough before transferring them into the written word. Of such, I could not agree more. I have many times said that I might not always be right – but – I will always have an opinion! And you have granted that opinion entrance into your own precious time and personal thinking. I am humbled by such truth and awed that I have such a wonderful privilege. So, again I thank you and trust that what you read from me in the coming year will be worth the sacrifice of your time. I pledge to you that my writing will be as transparent as possible regarding my convictions while at the same time recognizing that my readers may not always agree with them. I promise attempts at humor and some GEMS that are not ‘heavy-laden’ with the ills and difficulties of the world. Most of all I give you my word that I will try my hardest in my writing to contribute something to your life so you can say after perusing a GEM, “I’m glad I took the time to read that!”  To a journalist, hardly anything would sound better.

Goodbye, 2011; Thank you, Lord, for granting it to us. Welcome 2012; and may God’s blessing be ours throughout its days. 

                                    Jimmy Jackson,  December 26, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

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