One Person at a Time...

Looking forward to 2009!

I always look forward to a new year.  Even as the years pass, and I become more and more aware that the number of years behind me is most likely greater than the number of years ahead (in this world!), I still look forward to every new year.  Why?  Because while every day is a new day, turning over the calendar to January 1, and adding a digit to the year total reminds me that this is REALLY a new day, a new opportunity to give God control of my life more fully than ever before.  I don't make New Year's resolutions, but I do review my goals and set new ones at this time of year.  My biggest goal for 2009 is one that has been at or near the top of my list for all of my adult life:  Manage my time and my life effectively EVERY, single day.  Time is either an ally or an enemy for all of us.  As we age, we may see it more as an enemy, but the reality is the 24 hours God gives us each day, are a gift that can be used either to build up His Kingdom or be wasted--or a combination of the two.  While this fall saw me make great strides in "Life Management," I know there is a great deal of room for improvement.  Specifically, I want to invest more time in prayer, more time in God's word, more time with Nancy and the girls, more time in discerning, planning and implementing God's will for me, our family and for New Life. 

Are you looking forward to 2009?  What goals do you have for the New Year?  Why not take some time tomorrow and write down your "top ten" list for 2009?  Studies have shown time and time again that those with written goals are the most successful in life.  God's blessings as you and He plan 2009 and live it to His glory!

Connecting With the Extended Family...

I called each of my brothers today, and got to talk with two of the three and one sister-in-law.  All are doing well and I get to see my younger brother, Kenn and his family for a late lunch in Indiana, PA tomorrow afternoon.  At this time of year more than any other I realize how much my mother was the "glue" that held our family together.  Although this was our 19th Christmas without her, this is the time that she either got us all together, or made sure that we all knew what each other was doing.  Mom and Dad's house at Christmas was a fun place!  Mom always had parties and invited new friends and old ones to join in the celebration.  I still remember the last Christmas party she had and there were folks younger than I was there.  I asked her, "What are THEY doing at OUR party?"  She reminded me that she had been helping the young wife learn to cook and "take care of a home," and that after all it WAS Christmas....Mom always had a way of making everyone feel welcome.  Talking with my brothers and sister-in-law today reminded me how much of her is in us even so long after she has died to this life and gone to be with the Lord.  I hear her in my brother Jim's voice.  I know that sounds funny, because it's not that he talks WITH her voice.  It's the way he says things that reminds me of her.  In my younger brother's plans to visit with some friends from Gipsy, and go to see Aunt Grace and cousin Sandy, after our lunch tomorrow is the evidence of her compassion and care for others coming through.  All of it is part of the legacy that Ruth Marshall left to us.  It's part of what makes us family, and that's a good thing!

Great Family Day!

The Marshall family was on the move today!  We started with a trip to Ross Park Mall, where everyone but Nancy got a new winter coat.  (In the past I would have said that we "saved" a lot of money, but now I'd say that we spent a lot less than the list price, because you never "save" money when you spend it!)  Then we went to Pittsburgh's Heinz Hall for a showing of "Annie."  We all loved the show.  Then it was to Monroeville for Abby to pick up AiJay's birthday present at Best Buy, and to dinner at Don Pablos.   After that the girls went into the Monroeville Mall for another stint of shopping.   I stayed in the car and settled down for a short winter's nap!  All in all it was another banner day.  I love investing time with my family.  God has blessed me in so many ways, but one of the greatest blessings is my three girls!

Good News from "Life Cycle"

Two pieces of good news on the Life Cycle of a Christian front:  The official notification of my copyright came in the mail from the U.S. Copyright office; AND The Cokesbury store in Cranberry (actually Mars, PA), faxed me to request 4 copies of the book to put into their stock!  The book seems a lot more "official" now with those two developments.  If you haven't had the opportunity to get a copy, and you live in Cranberry/Mars, Cokesbury will have them available starting Monday!  If you are living somewhere far from western, PA and you'd like a copy, contact me at CMarsh1957@aol.com, and I'll be glad to see that you get one!

Christmas with the Family!

Yesterday was a great Christmas!  As always we enjoyed the day with just the four of us.  We started late--the girls didn't get up until after 10:00 a.m., and then followed our tradition of reading the Christmas story from Luke, opening presents and then having Christmas breakfast together.  After that we played board games, took naps, went to the movies to see Marley and Me (which we all gave two thumbs up!), then came home and played some more board games together.   Throughout the day we had the opportunity to laugh together, and during the movie to shed a few tears (no spoiler here, but there are some touching moments).  Nancy made a great Christmas dinner and it was a five-star day!

Do You See What I See --- was Great!

I hope you joined us last night for "Do You See What I See?" this year's Christmas Eve service of worship and praise at New Life!  Hats off to Worship Director Brad French, and Worship Assistant Mia Tepper, and their entire crew for a great presentation of the birth of Jesus in a refreshing and dynamic way!  God's blessings to all on this day after Christmas.

One, Long Week...

It's the end of an extremely long week!  Two trips to Cincinnati, hosting a staff Christmas brunch, and a Ministerium Christmas Brunch as well as co-officiating at Mr. B's funeral yesterday, only sum it up from the standpoint of the "visible" events of the week.  Add to that visiting with old friends--a blessing, but when the visits start at 11:00 p.m. or later, and the mornings start at 7:00 a.m. or earlier, the result is exhaustion--at least for me and my 51 year-old body.  When we got home today, I took care of a few necessary items and then settled in for a much needed nap.  Then it was to the computer to review 80+ e-mails, review the message for tomorrow, and supply my items for Media Shout for tomorrow.  Also, since I was gone 4 days this week, my "planning ahead" didn't happen, so I had to take some time to look at the next couple of weeks and see what I really needed to take care of before I could call it a week.   I hope that all of you had a meaningful week.  While this week was exhausting it was truly a great week.  The relational connections that I got to make with my own family members during our travel time, and with the friends in Cincinnati and here at home were truly a blessing.  At the end of the day (and the end of the week) life IS about relationships.  Thanks to my relationship with Jesus life has meaning and purpose and thanks to my relationship with so many of you, that purpose is shared and extended every day.  God's blessings to YOU.  I hope to see you in worship tomorrow if you're in the Saxonburg area!

Travel and Celebration for Mr. B!

I probably won't have access to the Internet tomorrow as we'll be driving back to Cincinnati this evening for the service of witness to the resurrection for Mr. B.  It will be a celebration of a humble, but meaningful life, and for me the opportunity to share with family and friends Mr. B's faithfulness to God, family, farm and friends!  Mr. B was a life-long farmer, who became part of a suburban church, and made a great contribution just by being himself.  He worked hard on various building projects, worshiped faithfully Sunday after Sunday, and encouraged a young pastor in dozens of ways to become more and more what Jesus called him to be.  (You've probably guessed -- I was the young pastor.)  While I am no longer young in years, Mr. B's influence over the years has been steady, challenging and encouraging.  I am a much better follower of Jesus and person for having known and been influenced by him.  Please keep Mrs. B lifted up in prayer as a marriage of 64+ years is not easy to move forward from, and while she is grateful that Mr. B.'s suffering is ended, she will dearly miss him, as all of us who knew and loved him will.  It's one more case of grief AND hope, as the Apostle Paul reminded the Thessalonian believers:  we who know Jesus do not grieve as the rest of people who have no hope.  We grieve WITH hope, because we know that one day we will all be with Jesus FOREVER.  That's more than enough reason to celebrate!

This Sunday at New Life!

You'll want to join us this Sunday at New Life as we complete our Back to Basics series "Christmas in the Gospels" with the best known Christmas Gospel:  Luke 2:1-20.  The message is titled "A Savior!"  and reminds us all that the reason Jesus came was to bring salvation to all who would receive Him.  As we move to the "thick" of the Christmas season, may the focus be Jesus, and what He came to do for us. His humble birth, His "welcoming party" of ANGELS, the shepherd's proclamation--these and much more tell us that Jesus was no ordinary baby, even though He came to the world in the usual way and the circumstances of His birth were far from ideal.  This will be a great Sunday to be at New Life and to bring your friends!

Update on a Miracle!

One of our worshipers at New Life has a grandniece, named Mackenzie who went through a serious illness recently. (The illness was so severe that her kidneys shut down and the doctors were not optimistic that she would live.) He asked that we pray for Mackenzie, and a number of us did.  Here's an update from Mackenzie's grandfather:

     I wanted to update you on Mackenzie. This may be a sermon reference for your pastor.  They took Mackenzie back to Winston-Salem yesterday.  They did blood-work and a consultation yesterday. The tubes for dialysis will be removed from her stomach on Thursday. It seems Mackenzie was a lot worse off than any of us realized. The doctors told Curtis and Melissa that they didn't think she would pull through on a couple of occasions. Well, she did. Most kids who survive the severe case such as hers, usually are put on the list looking for kidney donors or they spend many years on dialysis. The doctors say it is a Miracle that saved her and that she won't need anymore dialysis or blood transfusions. The good doctors at this Baptist hospital know what happened. We all do. Prayers were answered. Hundreds, probably thousands of prayers were answered. And we are so thankful and blessed to have so many family members, friends, and complete strangers praying for her.We've had complete strangers come up to us and tell us they are praying for our grand-daughter. Please tell your pastor that we are thankful for the prayers of your church and that they were part of a special miracle! What a Christmas gift! And the doctor says a trip on the Polar Express is just what he is ordering for her! So, we're heading over to GSRR on Fri.  She will have to have 2 check-ups a month for 3 years and then she'll have 1 a month for 2 years.

Praise the Lord!!! Isn't God incredible!!!