January 1, 2016.

Two years ago, I decided to start a blog.

It was then that I embarked on a journey that would prove enriching, challenging and defining, as day by day would bring something new. The first year, I often didn’t know how each days thoughts would go as I just set out to write about something religious in nature to bring myself and any who were willing to listen closer to the Creator. It was a wonderful journey, and one of the first resolution-like commitments, I believe, that I have ever really stuck to, by the grace of God.

The second year, I decided to do something more structured (and something some would say was overly ambitious), and take a 52 week plan to read through the entire bible, and I would write a commentary like post on each chapter. This journey has certainly proved more challenging than the first year, and sometimes I long for topical writing as opposed to chapter based writing. However, it too has been an invigorating experience. If you have been following, you know that I have not completed this journey quite yet (though I am close) because of the break I took in the summer for a mission trip and mental rest. I will soon be finishing up the project, and I do hope to combine all the posts together into a practical commentary on the bible, not for exhaustive study by any means, but for a practical start to study and finding connections in scripture. When I finish and go through the editing process, I’ll let you know.

For this year, I have decided to go to writing (at least) a blog post a week. I have given it a lot of thought, and I believe this model will give me time to devote to revenant topics and give me a change to expound on them and study. First, I will finish the project I am near the end of now, then I will take a small break again for metal and spiritual rest and rejuvenation, and then I will start back up (I’m thinking in February). I love writing, especially in the style I did in the first year, and I miss it. I am excited to get back to it. I hope that I can challenge you to think and study along with me as we search for truth together.

Also, this year a friend and I have a plan to start a series of books on restoration, the church and our God. The details are still being ironed out, but Lord willing, you can be on the lookout for this series as we are both very excited about them. More on this later (you can hold me accountable if a lot of time passes without a mention…).

All this to let you know where I’m at; 2016 promises to be a big year! I thank you all for your continued support and ears. I encourage you all to study and stay strong, as I feel the environment we live in will increasingly become harder to live comfortably while holding to Christian ideals. Though this thought can be frightening, it could also be very exciting and defining. Christ didn’t call us to a life that would be safe and easy; He called us to a life of surrender to Him.

I bless the name of the Lord and I thank you again for being here. Here’s to 2016. Let us lift up Christ and bring the good news to the world.

“How beautiful upon the mountains
    are the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,
    who publishes salvation,
    who says to Zion, “Your God reigns.”
The voice of your watchmen—they lift up their voice;
    together they sing for joy;
for eye to eye they see
    the return of the Lord to Zion.
Break forth together into singing,
    you waste places of Jerusalem,
for the Lord has comforted his people;
    he has redeemed Jerusalem.
The Lord has bared his holy arm
    before the eyes of all the nations,
and all the ends of the earth shall see
    the salvation of our God.”
(Isaiah 52:7-10)

Grace and peace.

-Walter