Last year was remarkable and totally fascinating, although at times tumultuous. Those of you who have been long time readers of WFTD will remember that I was not spared personal sorrow and mourning last year as my stepmother and two of my good friends were all called home by the Lord. My father came to the brink and was loudly knocking on heaven’s door on a couple of occasions, but miraculously weathered those storms. My sister-in-law was diagnosed with colon cancer and although she had to undergo painful radiation and chemo, her prognosis for full recovery is excellent.
I was not immune to medical problems and was rushed to the emergency room with symptoms of a heart attack only to discover that my gall bladder needed to be removed and I spent a week in the hospital with that problem and its complications. I had three serious and painful surgeries on my teeth and gums and I also had two malignant skin cancers surgically removed. (I’m currently awaiting the results of a biopsy for yet another of those pesky critters). A suspicious node was found on one of my lungs, but so far it has not changed and does not appear to be lung cancer. I also had injections in my spine for a painful arthritic condition in L5.
If that wasn’t enough I was knocked down and briefly lost consciousness after being trampled by three runaway horses and not so long ago was bitten by a five foot rattlesnake, (thank goodness for snake proof boots).Our company experienced major upheaval and suffered serious financial loss when we underwent major theft at the hands of several of our most trusted employees, (former), who stole and embezzled all they could get their dishonest hands on.
On the other side of the ledger I gave my testimony at 39 events last year and saw literally thousands of people make decisions for the Lord both through my own little ministry and in being a part of other ministries including the Bill Glass Champions for Life Prison Ministry. I made major progress with Words for the Day and totally revamped my website and substantially increased the subscriber base. My ministry received good press throughout the year, the sales for my autobigraphy, Miracle on Luckie Street, were steady, and the Lord’s name was glorified.
Honey Lake Plantation and Resort was 90% completed in 2011 and it is absolutely gorgeous. We made good progress on the HLP website, WWW.Honeylakeplantation.com and now that construction is behind us, we have fought our way through the difficult operational start-up phase and have an excellent staff in place and are professionally conducting events nearly every day. I harvested a beautiful bull elk in Montana this year; my sons, daughters-in-law, and grandchildren are all doing well and in spite of the routine setbacks expected of an imperfect world, life is exceedingly good.
Yesterday Teresa and I started out our New Year by joining the church that we have been attending for some time and we are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead for next year.
My greatest prayer for 2012 is that Mr. Obama and his Democratically controlled senate will be given the boot and those who take their place will get our country back on track. I especially look forward to an end to what I view as Obama and his cronies’ war against Christianity, Israel, and morality in this country, not to mention their goverment spending frenzy and debt crisis. If that occurs, we can all look forward to a robust economic recovery, employment for those who want it, and to God blessing our once great country again.
I’m a realist; I’m 65; and in my lifetime I’ve experienced both tragedy and triumph every single year of my life without exception. I know that 2012 will contain both and I know that God set it up that way for His own good and perfect reasons.
Through the good and bad times I will remain faithful to my God every step of the way taking the tragedy and triumph in stride as best I know how. I will draw close to Jesus when satan comes calling with his sadness and discouragement, and I will thank God when He delivers me from demonic influence with an abundance of blessings. Most of all I will keep Him and His purpose for my life as my number one priorities.
I hope you will join me today in praying that our Holy Father’s will be done in our lives and especially in this great country throughout 2012. We have a brand new year ahead of us and with His capable assistance, combined with our hard work and determination, we can and will succeed mightily.
There can be no room for discouragement when Jesus Christ is in our lives and we put our complete faith and trust in Him instead of ourselves. The greatest encouragement of all is that God loves us so much that He sent His only son to die for our sins in order that we might have everlasting life. I’m very thankful for that. How about you?
Keep the faith my friends and HAPPY NEW YEAR!
John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.