2015. It's still weird to write, say, and think that this year is already here.
As I look back at the past year I'm impressed by what God did through Family Life Ministries. I feel blessed by what God did in my own personal life. And I'm excited about what God will do over the next 12 months.
But as I look back it also forces me to look forward as well. I look back to see where I'm coming from to project what the future may look like. When I finally look back on 2015 I want to be able to say "I'm closer to God this year then I've ever been!"
In The Lil Rippers we've been teaching something similar and to be honest it's not an easy task. We have jobs, families, school events, work events, church events, life events (I'm abusing the word events now aren't I?), etc. We're busy people and to take a step back and choose to spend MORE time with God seems impossible.
The truth is giving God MORE doesn't always mean more time, money, or even energy. Sometimes it just means more faith, more trust, more appreciation, or more invite in your life.
Getting closer to God can be as simple as recognizing Him in the small things every day. It could be deciding to pray each day when you wake up and go to sleep. Or it could be finally making that phone call you've been putting off.
At Coastline Community Church we have a 4 part Vision. Part of that Vision is "To Impact Future Generations For Christ." This makes our job simple, everything we do should be to impact future generations. If you walk in the office and catch me responding to an email, see me buying things at Walmart, or hear me talking to someone on the phone - it's because I want to value the time given to me this year to impact future generations.
If I can stick to that one goal throughout the year it makes decisions much easier. If it doesn't align with my the Vision it may not be important enough to pursue.
Further, each ministry within Family Life Ministries has their very own 3 part vision. When it comes to the individual ministries, we focus on those 3 things all year long. You can check out the Vision for volunteers and kids on our blog page under the "Volunteer Vision Plan" tab if you're interested.
As you plan your year or dream of what could be ahead - allow God to speak to your heart and cast Vision in your own life!
James 4:8 "Draw near to God and He will draw near to you."
Proverbs 29:18 "Where there is no vision, people will perish."
We love you each much and are praying for you and yours!
Ben and Ashley Kingdon
Family Life Ministries
