This is the beginning of a new year that will be filled with opportunity and with challenge.  We can stay focused on the little things of life or we can take hold of the big picture of doing something great for the Lord. A lot of people have become familiar with the term “bhag.”  It stands for “Big hairy audacious goals.”   We need some Bhags in our life.  These ought to involve what we want to do for the Lord in the coming year.  It can’t be about what we want to accomplish for ourselves but how we are to use our lives to bring glory to Him.

At the beginning of the new year,  we are surrounded by the ideas of a “fresh start” and the desire to be more productive and successful in so many areas.  In a national survey, the top twelve most common New Year’s resolutions were:

• Drink less alcohol
• Get a better education
• Get a better job
• Get fit
• Lose weight
• Manage debt
• Manage stress
• Quit smoking now
• Reduce, reuse, recycle
• Save money
• Take a trip volunteer to help others.

We were created for more than this.  We cannot make the changes on our own.  If we are going to do something significant with our lives, it is going to begin with drawing closer to Him.  It has to be more than talk.  We have to see transformation take place.  Do you need to make a change?  Are you ready to make a change?  Now is the time for us to understand what it means to be transformed.  We will take some steps in that direction starting this Sunday.

It seems like only yesterday that I had just finished a church event and Andrew walked in and said he needed to talk to me.    We went down the hall to the parlor. I had no idea what it was about, but it seemed that his attitude was somewhat serious. It was not going to be just a casual conversation. As we walked into the parlor, it didn’t take long for him to share with me that they were pregnant.

These nine months has flown by. It is hard to believe in many ways that it is even happening, but it is here. There is a great sense of excitement and there is a great sense of urgency. The world that she is going to come into is a lot more challenging, and at the same time, offers a lot more opportunity. As I sit here I am reminded of how important it is for us to pray for our children and our grandchildren. I am also reminded of how important it is for our priorities and conduct to match our prayers.

This is one of those things that you can’t train for. You are not sure how you are going to react. I have seen people in every type of health situation. I’ve seen more new babies than I can count, but I’m don’t think anyone can prepare for this. I have been in this hospital hundreds of times, but when I walked in this morning, it was like I had never been here before. I needed to be here at the right time and needed to be in the right place. In most cases I always feel like I have an idea of what is going on. But right now I feel like a complete rookie.  I guess that is part of the excitement. My prayer is that from the very first moment God will have His hand on this little girl and in some form or fashion I will be the grandfather I need to be.

Today there are over 500 South Carolina Baptists that are coming together to talk about the impact of the Great Commission Resurgence.  This was a recommendation that was overwhelmingly passed by the Southern Baptist Convention this summer. It has to do with the way we have to look at missions, missions giving, and a lost world.

Over the last couple of days I have been rereading some reports preparing for this meeting today. It has reminded me once again of the importance of our missions conference and the sense of urgency that we need to have about a lost world. This week here in our church we are going to have the opportunity to see some great missionaries who are doing some significant things around the world. This is an opportunity that most people do not have.  My prayer is that our folks will take advantage of this opportunity and make it a priority. This is important for a number of reasons.

1. It gives a greater perspective of what we are to do with our lives.
2. It unites us as a church around a great purpose.
3. It reminds of us of the obligation that we have to take the gospel to the ends of the earth.
4. It ignites in us a sense of urgency as we realize that there are literally billions that have never had the opportunity to hear the Gospel.

I have been praying about this meeting today and my prayer is that we will be able to rise above personal interests and projects, our own philosophies and have a heart for the world. I hope that you will join me in praying for this effort. This meeting will be very significant for many people.

Mike