Top Ten Praises for 2009

As with any year I have many reasons to praise the Lord for what He has done (and what He has not done). As it seems "Top Tens of 2009" are popular right now, I thought I would join the Top Ten bandwagon with my Top Ten Praises for 2009.

10. Finishing (almost) my degree at Southern.
God's provision this year in physical and emotional ways could have been number one. By this time next week I will have completed my last class and all my requirements for my MDiv at Southern. However, in the greater scheme of life and eternity this degree doesn't merit a number 1 rating.

9. The Origins class during the Spring semester.
After studying the origins of the universe under Dr. Kurt Wise, I finally saw that you don't have to choose between holding to orthodox Christianity, or legitimate science.

8. We had a healthy 2009 with no major illnesses or accidents.
2008 had its share of significant hospital visits for the Smith family, so making it through 2009 without a major incident was a gift from God.

7. Having Amy's parents here in Louisville the last half of the year.
While the reasons for the having to come and live with us for a few months was not something to praise God for, the impacts of them living with us and now only a mile away have been a gift from God. Never before in their lives nor the childrens' lives have they been able to have so much time with them and be a part of their daily lives.

6. The recovery of Clifton Heights Baptist Church.
When 2009 started I was the acting interim pastor for our church here in Louisville. We were struggling and I was not sure what would happen with our church, would we be able to turn things around or close the doors? By June we had the new permanent pastor, Steve Matteucci, and were on the road to recovery. CHBC has made a great turn around and the Lord is at work not only in our church but the community around it as well.

5. My England-Scotland Study Tour in the summer.
I got to see some wonderful sites, like St. Pauls Cathedral, Buckingham Palace, the Old Course at St. Andrews, among many others. Again it was what the Lord taught me that was most important in this trip. I began to see that American styled Christianity isn't the only way to be faithful to Scripture and authentic in your Christian living.

4. The struggles and testing of my faith this year.
Trying to get all my degree requirements completed in 2009, meant an extra heavy load this year. The extra load was enough to test my faith. However, the academic struggles were only part of the challenges. The result was while I would not want to go through it again, the crucible of 2009 greatly strengthened my faith and trust in God's watchcare and provision in trying times. A lesson I will greatly need in the coming years as a pastor.

3. Israel Trip at the begining of the year.
On January 1, 2009 I saw the Qumran caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered, Jericho, the Judean wilderness, the desert oasis of En Gedi (where David hid from Saul), Masada and spent the evening floating in the Dead Sea (well Dead Sea water pumped into the hotel pool and heated, it was really cold outside that night!). My entire Israel experience could fill a book. The main thing from that trip that I praise God for is that I will never read the Bible the same way again. To walk on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, to read the account of Jesus night in the Garden of Gethsemane, in the garden of Gethsemane is beyond my ability to put into words.

2. God's unseen protection.
I have no idea how many times God protected me or my family from devastating events, both physical and emotional ones. Being in Israel during the Hezbollah rocketing last January and walking around Jerusalem during that heightened tension, I know we were protected from unseen dangers. However, just during the year how many times are each of us protected by God's divine hand from a swerve across the dividing line that leads to a devastating wreck? Our some distraction just as we are about to utter a careless and thoughtless word that can never be retracted, no matter how many times we say we are sorry?

1. That I know and have a fulfilling personal relationship with the creator and sustainer of the universe, Jesus Christ.
No matter what gifts and experiences I have during the year, the most important aspect of life is to have a personal relationship with Christ. All the thrills and opportunities the world has to offer will be hollow and empty if we never have a relationship with our God and King the maker of our souls. Life is never perfect this side of heaven, but nothing can satisfy the soul like walking with God and knowing Him as my Father. I pray that a relationship with Christ is true for you, if not do not let sleep come to your eyes until you have called on Christ as your Savior and redeemer of your soul.

Praise God for His great mercy and unending goodness, or as the Psalmist says, His steadfast love.