We have just finished a message series on hard questions and I have to admit that I could keep going on! There are so many difficult things that we face in this life and our faith is not one that blinds us to the difficulties; instead, our faith needs to equip us to face them.

My last topic during this series was about how worrying isn't helpful and how when we worry it makes our problems bigger. I know that this unearthed a lot of things for people as we deal with concerns about children, aging parents, health issues, the economy and so on. We cannot; ourselves away from our problems but we do have a God who promises to help us.

There are over 7000 promises in the Bible. I encourage you to look through God's Word and pay attention to these promises. Some of the promises are conditional if you do this... God will do that,; while others are not. We need to know that God desires for us to thrive in this life, not just survive.

If you are struggling with a worry or concern, turn to God. Focus on God, not your problem. His peace is available to us all; make reading God's Word a daily practice and open your heart to receive His Word in your hearts.

Last Sunday I talked about how, like the Apostle Paul, we often do the very thing that we don't want to do. Given the reaction of the people following the service and this week, I believe that I struck a chord. That's good news because we are broken people and obviously realize our struggles are real.

As I said last Sunday, there is good news but we need to stop working on the wrong thing. If we focus on trying to change our actions but leave it at that, the vicious cycle of repeating the same mistakes over and over will continue. To bring real change to our lives, to stop making the same mistakes again and again, we need to work on the right thing. What is that?

In order to change our actions, we must first change our minds. We delude ourselves when we don't come to terms with the fact that our bad actions are giving us some sort of payback. Ultimately, we know we shouldn't live this way but our mind tells us that, in some ways, we know better than God. God's Word tells us we must be honest in all of our dealings, yet if we just tell a "white lie";, well that's better for us... despite what God says.

To "change our minds" is to repent. It is to confess that we've gone our own way and ignored God's way. To change our minds is to say to God, "I trust you. I trust what your word says and I believe what You say is true." When we change our minds in this way, it changes our hearts. And when our hearts change, then our actions follow.

God wants us to live a life of purpose, meaning, significance and joy. He doesn't want us to continue to settle for the less when we could have the best! And the best thing I can tell you on this blog is that God is the God of second chances. So if you're caught in the vicious cycle of doing the wrong thing over and over (even when you know it's wrong), then focus on God's Word and let him give you the power to overcome.

​I was reflecting on the Sunday School class I teach on Sundays that I call "A Proffitt's Perspective." Last Sunday I talked some about how much change we have faced in the last several decades in our society and how we can't even imagine what may happen in the next few months and years. I recall saying that easily but my heart was pumping in my chest because I know it's not easy. Change is always difficult, especially personal change.

The state of "no-change" is called death but I wonder if there is anything more difficult in the Christian life than to allow God to change us. I'm sure we all feel great when we land at a place of comfort, a place where we know what the next day brings. It's great when we feel we're connecting to God and to one another. But even when we're there, God won't keep us there. He wants that connection to be even stronger and if that is to happen, He will have to change us.

I've seen that in my life over and over. While it may not be comfortable it's always exhilirating because God is in control and He knows what is best for me.... and for you. When we learn to trust Him more and more we can see this growth (for that is what God's changing us leads to) as part of the abundant life.

I want to be changed and I know as long as I seek His face, immerse myself in His word, and reach out to the world with His love, that is what will happen. The church has a fancy word for that process: sanctification. And sanctification is a life time process. It's part of God's plan for my life and for yours

May God be glorified in the way He changes me and changes you!

​I was just noting the difference between the temperature in Kansas and what we have here in Houston, and I've already decided it' great new year!

There are many other reasons I feel that this year will be a blessing. It is important to focus on blessings, because it creates gratitude in our hearts and helps us live lives of blessings toward others. &Here are a few of mine:

1. I am an adopted child of God through Jesus! I am an heir of His riches, there is no greater blessing than that!

2. Julie, my beautiful and sweet wife. She's moved here, left the house to be sold by the realtor, and blesses me by her presence in my life.

3. My children: Joseph, Emily and John. While they have returned to their work or colleges, my heart is full of the memories we had at Christmas. I'll see John late tonight in Miami, as we travel to the Orange Bowl to watch our beloved Jayhawks. Rock Chalk!

4. The Church of the Holy Apostles and each person who is a member and those who are joining. What an extraordinary congregation COTHA is! And we're growing... God is blessing us with more and more people because He is pleased with what we are doing. People are being called to COTHA because it is a place focused on Jesus, we don't have any distractions, and people are being fed by God's Word. If you are reading this but don't have a church home, I challenge and encourage you to come to COTHA and see/feel what I am talking about. I have never experienced the tangible presence of God any where like I do every time we gather! It is a profound blessing to be among you as the Rector/Lead Pastor.

My prayer for all of you is to have a wonderful week; plan on coming to church at COTHA this Sunday as we once again get blown away by God's tangible presence among us! May the blessings that God has placed in your life be celebrated today and this year!