Happy New Year!

Wow! It is hard to believe that it is 2008. The Christmas Holidays flew by. It seems like our kids are getting ripped off these days on holiday breaks. I can remember being a kid and getting 3-4 weeks off for Christmas/New Year's Holidays and 3 months off for the Summer. I guess that is why our kids are so smart. Well, speaking of our kids, I appreciate the incredible response to my mass email for pictures of your kids for our creative presentation this Sunday. We had well over 100 pictures emailed to me of Graystone kids. They are all very good pictures, but we only used one shot of each of your kids. We had to stop receiving pictures as of noon on Thursday, so if your child didn't make it to the BIG SCREEN, I'm sorry. One thing that I learned through this project is that Graystone parents love their kids. The record for pictures sent in goes to Kimberly Hartzog. She sent 21 pictures of Ethan. We thought about doing an Ethan highlight video, but we thought the other parents would get mad. (I'm just kidding with you, Kimberly. I know that you are a blogger and read my blogs.) A close 2nd place goes to Charlie Conn for sending 11 pictures of his two kids, Mickey and Jenny (Brice) who are both adults in their thirties. I got a kick out of seeing Jenny in her 7th grade cheerleading outfit.

Anyway, enough about all the kid pictures. This Sunday is going to be incredible, and I am really excited about the entire PARENTHOOD message series. I'm not really sure who is going to preach the sermon on January 13, How to Prevent Spoiled Rotten Kids, because I know all of our kids are spoiled. Speaking of spoiled kids, my kids opened gifts on four different occasions and received way too many presents. Although, I am excited about some of the gifts that we (I mean...my kids) received: ping pong table, Nintendo Wii, Pellet Gun, guitar, etc.
We (the kids) opened our last gifts on New Year's Eve. We spent New Year's Eve in Greenville, SC (part of our Holiday Christmas Tour) with Melinda's (Jennifer's sister) family. It was a nice evening at home with Christmas Dinner (turkey and the works), playing games (Apples to Apples is really fun), and bringing in the New Year with sparkling grape juice. Man, I felt sorry for Dick Clark and how about that dude jumping 322 feet and 7 inches on his motorcycle?

Well, are you making in New Year's Resolutions or goals for 2008? I know that a ton of you have set physical goals, because I have seen you at Bobyplex working out. But have you set any spiritual goals? I want to challenge everyone to read the Bible all the way through in 2008. I know this is a BHAG (Big Hairy Audacious Goal) but you can do it. I am following the plan that we gave out at church, and it is great. You can still pick up a copy of the Daily Bible Reading Plan at the Connect Center if you need one. I love reading the Bible. It is so raw, relevant and real. Last night, I was reading Genesis 6-9 out loud to Julia and I had to skip over a few parts. I'm still trying to figure out how Noah, a righteous man, got drunk and naked in his tent. I am glad that his two oldest sons covered him with dignity. The Bible does not sugarcoat anything. It tells you how it happened...the good, bad and ugly. So, let's journey through the Bible together this year and see all that God teaches us.

I know this blog is already lengthy but I have a few more thoughts as we start the New Year.

- I Like Mike...I know that some people think that pastors are not suppose to make political statements. Well, I just did and I really like Mike Huckabee. I am praying fervently that he will be the next President of the United States of America.

- I heard that the Youth Service last Sunday was AWESOME and the all the students did a great job leading the service, especially Kasey Gaines on the guitar! I listened to Dustin's message online and he is a great speaker. I am praying that all of our students will be 4:12ers and they will experience an absence of sin and the daily presence of God.

- I had lunch yesterday with one of our missionaries, Brian Lane. He and his family have been laboring for Christ in Belo Horizonte, Brazil for the past 9 years. They will be in the States for the next 3 months and are looking for a place to stay here in the Atlanta area. If you know of a basement apartment, an empty house, or an inexpensive apartment, please let me know (jonathan@graystonechurch.com). Brian, Candace and their 3 kids will be worshipping with us on Sunday.

- Jobs Needed...I know several people who are looking for part-time and full-time jobs. So, if you know of any job opportunities, please let me know.

- Weight Update: 220 pounds

- Please pray for our short term mission's team who is flying to the Dominican Republic today. There are 12 folks on the team from around the USA (Heath's "friends") and 5 of them are from Graystone (Heath Hollandsworth, Josh Johnson, Russell Nash, Matt Shirley, and Rusty Knight).

Well, I think that about gets me up to speed for the New Year. Many people have asked how Jennifer is feeling. The pregnancy has made her a little tired, but we think the morning sickness is over. Thank you for your prayers for a healthy mom and baby girl. Currently, our top names are: Jesslyn, Jessica, and Jeorgia.

See you Sunday and Geaux Tigers!
Jonathan