12.29.05
New Year
Well, today it is Thursday; one day until Friday (a.k.a. the weekend), two days until the 31st and the beginning of a new year, and five days until we Raider’s start classes again. In retrospect, it seems this year has gone by really fast but I guess that can be said about most years. Internationally, the world saw one of its largest natural disasters in the form of a tsunami that killed just under three thousand men, women, and children. Not much farther away, many more lives (well over a thousand) died in an earthquake in Pakistan. Some things didn’t change, we still are facing ongoing carnage with daily road side and suicide bombings in Iraq that has led to 2,000 American deaths and over 30,000 Iraqi deaths (30,000!!!!!). As the year comes to a close, the world continues to struggle with an unmentioned genocide in Sudan and an ever growing number of diseased and starving population in Africa and other poverty stricken areas of the world. Nationally, America has been dealing with numerous hurricanes that have ravaged Florida and left New Orleans as a virtual waste land.
On the flip side of that coin the world has seen Iraq undergo two successful elections for both a president and assembly. In other important and revolutionary elections, Chechnya spilt from its ruling power and now stands as an independent nation and Afghanistan. returned to the polls to for another round of violence free elections. International pressures from the U.N. and United States were great enough to prevent Putin from turning Russia into the Communist dictatorship that Stalin and Mussolini held so tightly. From North Korea, a team of scientists published an article in the journal Science that they successfully cloned a line of stem cells from an individual donor egg. As far as what has happened for good nationally, we have had an overall mild winter and the David Crowder Band released their best album to date.
As far as what has happened with me over the past year, I have first and foremost become married to the most wonderful and beautiful woman God has ever graced the earth with. There have also been many other accomplishments along the way, I became certified as a medical assistant (C.M.A.), I got a new job at Wright Patterson Air Force Base as a student researcher, I bought and moved into a new house, and many other things which escape me now. Most importantly, I feel this past year, and most recently at that, I have really come to understand what it means to find joy in having a relationship with God. I have made a commitment to the Lord which has truly changed me whole perspective on everything. I am so appreciative of the amazing friends I have who wait patiently on me as I slowly come to understand how I am to walk through life with my eyes focused on God and his glory.
As with a new year transition, I have a few resolutions (in no particular order). Number one, I am going to try to strengthen my relationship with Patrick and Laura, my younger brother and sister, and become a stronger force in their lives. I also want to do the same for my Mother during her time of illness. Secondly, I want to regain my relationship with my older brother and soul-mate Chris which is not as strong as it once was and truly is an anchor on my heart. Third, and most defiantly most importantly, I want to fully focus all that I do on knowing Jesus more fully in my life and marriage and proclaiming his glory to those who do not know it. Finally, I hope to become a better person as a result of these things.
What is your story from this past year? What has changed you and shaped your life? What do you want to change for next year? Leave a comment and let me and everyone else know.
Gwen Said:
January 1, 2006 at 6:23 pm
Perry,
From spring break of last year til now, I have seen the ways you have changed. I am so thankful for you and Miriam and I am excited to see how God will use the two of you to glorify Himself. He has given you great intelligence, humility, kindness, and a desire to help others. I pray that you will continue to find your joy and strength in the Lord and that you may be an encouragement to other believers and that we may continue to be an encouragement to you.
I hope that this new year truly will be a year of immense growth through trusting and rejoicing in Christ alone that you may be found worthy of the wonderful calling you have received.
Lamentations 3:19-26 “I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me. Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.” The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”
Bobby Fleck Said:
January 1, 2006 at 6:38 pm
“God of Abraham, God of Isaac, God of Jacob, not of philosophers and scholars. Certainty, joy, certainty, emotion, sight, joy God of Jesus Christ. . . .” (Blaise Pascal after he made the same commitment that you have). Perry, I am so excited for you and I thank God for the way he works in the lives of humble men.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 15:13).
Chris Said:
January 2, 2006 at 2:56 pm
Brother,
That was major encouraging! I’m so happy to hear how you have grown in your perspective and worldview. I concur with your 2nd resolution.
Love,
me
Matt Said:
January 3, 2006 at 9:22 am
Perry, I can’t express my joy!!! Even if ever it seemed like it was inevitable, it is a miracle that you are now alive, and what amazing grace has been poured out on you. I can’t wait to see how the Lord uses you to bring glory to His name!
John McClure Said:
January 13, 2006 at 2:05 pm
Those are some good resolutions! Sounds like you have some solid friends up there in the Dayton area.