Happy New Year!

As the sky writer hovered over head in his airplane and slowly but surely spelled out his message for the one million plus people gathered in the Sydney Harbour below, one thing became very clear: Australia is not afraid to use the name of Jesus. "The . . . creator . . . is . . . Jesus," the message declared. Yes, truly, the heavens declare the handiwork of God and the heavens speak a continuous, silent message that there is a Creator. And as we enjoyed the $5 million fireworks spectacular last night, I talked with a woman from Fiji who was raised a Hindu, but married a Muslim, so she became a Muslim. I shared with her about the God who thinks more about her each night than the grains of sand on the seashores. I gave her a small bible and challenged her to get to know this God in 2009. As we left, the presence of this God in our midst was clear, as Susan gave away a pair of her sandals to a young, intoxicated woman whose shoe had broken. It was a touching sight. Yes, 2009 is here. It will be filled with its challenges and blessings (in no particular order, for it rains on the just and the unjust alike), so let me challenge you to resolve to know God more. For you were designed to know God, and once you start doing what you were designed to do, your life will be invigorating. Happy New Year!