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GLEANINGS FROM THE WORD Experiencing an extraordinary God in ordinary life Issue #383 January 14, 2002 Happy New Year No I haven’t lost my mind, and yes I do know what day it is. Yesterday, a friend reminded me that it was New Year’s Eve according to the members of the Orthodox Church, who also celebrate Christmas later than December 25. That reminder got me thinking (which my wife says is sometimes dangerous) about a conversation she and I had a few days ago on New Years Day. We’ve never been much to celebrate New Years, tending to keep it kind of low key, but there was one a couple of years ago that really made an impact on us. We attended a worship service that evening, which included a message, hours of praise music, a healing service, lots of testimonies and communion at midnight. It was an awesome blessing to be partaking of the elements as the church bells range in the New Year. It just felt right to be with the Lord and celebrating as the New Year rolled in. Since that time, we haven’t found a church that offers anything on New Years Eve. That struck us as odd. The two largest celebrations for most people during the year are Christmas and New Years. We know that many people who don’t normally attend worship come on Christmas Eve. We spend months in preparation, countless hours in prayer and planning in the hopes that on one day of the year those people might hear the truth about Jesus and be blessed. Yet, we do nothing for New Years. The same people are out there, looking for something to do and many aren’t into the large party scene. I asked a few pastors about the reason and was told that people (i.e. their members were too tired from Christmas or busy with other things). Wouldn’t it be wonderful if next New Years there were a place to fellowship with other believers and a place that was open for the lonely and hurting to come to? A place for those who wanted to celebrate but didn’t want to go to a party where they might end up having to kiss someone who was drunk that they wouldn’t kiss sober. The Psalmist says: I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you. Psalm 35:18 NIV When you celebrate the next new year’s arrival will you do so with arms open wide to those who may not know Him? Until next time, may you give Him praise and share Him every day not just on special occasions. God bless. Kevin To share your thoughts on this issue of Gleanings, or to share prayer concerns email us at corbin_writer@hotmail.com. or write us at : Gleanings From The Word, 114 Oak Street, Sherwood Park, AB, Canada, T8A 0V8 At Gleanings, we have a dedicated team of prayer warriors and all prayer concerns are kept strictly confidential. If you enjoyed this issue of Gleanings From The Word, email it, in its entirety, to a friend. For information on use of Gleanings in your church newsletter or other situations please visit the permissions page on our website
 © 2001 K.F. "Kevin" Corbin All Rights Reserved SUBSCRIBE TO GLEANINGS FOR FREE
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