Some Reflections on the Old and New Year

Well, we've come to the end of yet another year. Time to take a moment and reflect on this past year (and the next).

This has been an interesting year for me and my family. 

My oldest son graduated from college.  He's headed to the job market and grad school.  I'm very proud of him.  Lord willing, my youngest son will end the year as a junior in college.  Proud of him too.  It all makes me very thankful, but feeling much, much older.  My wife (on the other hand) must have found the fountain of youth.  When we see old friends, they tell her "you haven't changed a bit."  When they see me, they say, "you look distinguished with that bald head and grey mustache."

My niece (who tragically lost her husband a couple of years ago to sudden illness) married a Reformed Christian in a Reformed Church.  It is always wonderful to watch the mysterious providence of God in action.

I taught a course at Westminster Seminary California, and then was privileged to deliver the commencement address.  Wow.  Who'd have thunk . . .

The Yankees and the Lakers (my two favorite sports teams) both won it all in the same year.  How cool is that? 

We've endured a remarkable year of congressional tyranny and malfeasance--never seen anything like it.   Hopefully, many in the Beltway crowd will get their comeuppance this November and join the ranks of the unemployed.

Horton's systematic theology will be out next year, along with VanDrunen's book on natural law and the two kingdoms.  Much good fruit coming from that "Escondido hermeneutic" (whatever the heck that is????)

The Riddleblog continues to roll along with about the same number of hits this year as last.  But I refuse to "tweet" or establish a Facebook presence.  A blog is plenty.

We've had an up and down year at Christ Reformed.  The economy has hit some folk quite hard, and our associate pastor has left.  Then, there are always people whom you love who are dealing with grief and loss, while others deal with the consequences of sin.  But our last new members class was full, we've got four young men attending Westminster, and as God graciously enables me, the word is preached and the sacraments are administered.

Didn't get as far with my writing projects as I hoped, but Lord willing, next year I'll make some better progress.

All in all, its been an OK year as years go . . .

So, all that is left is to wish you and yours God's blessings for 2010!  May God grant you good health, and a happy and prosperous New Year!

Comments

[Lloyd I. Cadle]

And to you too, Pastor Kim!

[pb]

And you accomplished a new, refurbished, and reorganized home office if I recall correctly...

[Karen]

As someone who just found your blog and the White Horse Inn this year, let me say thank you and Happy New Year! I have learned much from you and hope that God blesses you with many more years of fruitful ministry.

[R.J. Stevens]

I'd like to heartily second what Karen said. Can't thank you enough for your books and this blog. I've been introducing my mom to Reformed theology over the past year and she really benefits from the printed sermons you post here.

The Yankees won? How did I miss that. :-)) My Tigers only get weaker and the Yanks get stronger with the trade that gave them Curtis Granderson. Perhaps a new $1 billion stadium in Detroit will do the trick. :-)

I received my WHI CDs last week and really enjoyed the disc on the 20th anniversary. Excellent theology and some great laughs. I've heard the Robert Schuller piece before, but my jaw hit the floor hard several times on hearing him say some of the things he said.

20 years...I guess Steve Miller was right - time keeps on slippin' into the future.

Hope you and your family have a great 2010.

[Bill Weber]

Thank you for your service to Christ and his people, Kim.

[Matt Holst]

Thank you for your faithful ministry and for the encouraging blog. May the New Year be a further testimony to God's covenant faithfulness.

[Randy Gill]

Even though you are in California, and I am in Missouri, your ministry continues to bless me and members of my family. We all listen to WHI on a regular basis and your books and blog are part of my regular reading. And the mp3 downloads of your teaching on eschatology has changed my thinking a lot. May God bless you and your family in 2010.

[charlie]

Happy New Year to all! Almighty and everliving God, who providentially orders the course of this world with wisdom and prudence; we ask that the staff and congregation of Christ Reformed Church, with all true visible churches, might be strengthened and matures through Your Holy Word and Sacraments, solely through the merit and intercession of Jesus Christ, Your Son our Lord. Amen

[David Ross]

Happy New Year to you also Pastor, your family and all those who attend Christ Reformed Church. This New Year will see me following the Riddleblog, WHI as well as other Reformed resources. I am thankful for the abundant information so that I can continue to study Covenant Theology and Amillennialism. I am working my way forward from the beginning of the Riddleblog a little at a time as well as keeping abreast of current posts. I also signed up for the Daily Confessions sent to my e-mail as a handy way to study those as well. Thank you for answering my many questions and plan to attend as many church functions as I am able.

[Alberto]

Does the "Escondido hermeneutic" just refer to two-kingdom theology? I've only heard the expression from people who teach at WSC. It's also interesting to note that the word "escondido" is Spanish for "hidden"; I know the word is used because of the location of the seminary.