Blogging feels a bit like dancing on a stage while being blind folded. You’re wondering how I know this to be true. I’ll save that post for 2014. Reading blogs is largely an anonymous activity. I can see how many people come and spend some time here but I do not know who does unless they comment.
God does provide regular conversations where someone will tell me they have read much of what is here. Or, sometimes they don’t tell me but they just reference issues that we have dealt with here. I share all of this with you to say that I will not refer to any blog readers as a community. That word is too important to me and I do not want to compromise the power of what God does through the kind of community He intends for His people.
However, we are fellow journeymen (or journeywomen?). Those who pass by are either on the journey of discovering Jesus or on the journey of following Jesus. This places us on a journey together. The writings here are meant to be words that God might use to either encourage, convict, or maybe just think deeply about our lives in light of the gift of His Son, Jesus Christ.
Thank you for journeying with me! Although I started writing weekly in October of 2012 this has been the first full calendar year of weekly writing. I am grateful for my good friends Joel & Emily Skaggs who felt like this was an important investment of time. I am grateful for the INCREDIBLE guest posts that we have had this year from Shayna Brown, Carol Kirschner, Mark Merrell, and Amy DuBose. I look forward to more from them and others in 2014.
I am thankful for those who have been courageous enough to comment. Whether it was to pose a question, voice disagreement, or just make a comment, all are valuable. As well, so thankful for those who were willing to share on twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, or any of the other ever growing social media outlets.
Merry Christmas to you all! Take a deep breath and do not allow the craziness of travel or traditions to get in the way of you reflecting on the life-alteriing gift of Jesus Christ. He brings hope to our hopelessness, grace and mercy to our oppressive guilt, redemption to our sin-stained souls, and inexhaustible joy to our despair. Worship our reigning King this Christmas as the One who was and is and is to come!
Matt Powell serves as teaching pastor at Crossings Community Church, a body of believers whose mission is to engage, equip, and empower homes for gospel transformation in Katy, TX.