I hope everyone’s holiday has been a blast! Tonight was the first time I actually saw the fireworks show at the Space Needle for New Year’s Eve. I didn’t actually go to Seattle Center though. Some other 24-Seven peeps and I parked at St. Mark’s Cathedral, which has an awesome view of Lake Union and the Needle. The fireworks show was decent, although not the best I’ve seen.

This past Sabbath, Pastor Matthew gave an awesome message that has tons of relevance this time of year. We all make so-called new year’s resolutions. Some of us resolve to go on a diet and lose weight. Some of us resolve to start exercising regularly. Some of us promise to attend church every week. And some of us make more vague and less concrete resolutions, like a promise to be a nicer person. But how many of us actually follow through? Maybe we faithfully work out each morning for two weeks, but soon the novelty wears off. The only way to truly see a difference in one’s life is to stop making RESOLUTIONS and start seeking the true SOLUTION, that is, Jesus Christ.

I encourage you all to attend Vespers at UW this coming quarter, with the first meeting to be held on Friday, January 11th, at 8:00PM. We’ll be meeting in room 209A in the HUB on campus.

Growing closer to fellow Believers through fellowship and regular attendance at church functions is a crucial part of growing closer to the Father. Many people argue that church isn’t necessary, that it’s all about one’s personal relationship with Christ. It’s true that some may lose faith in God because they have lost faith in a church. But the church is an imperfect institution run by fallible humans. As long as we seek Him, we’ll find Him, in or out of a church. However, fellow believers can hold one accountable, can support us during our hardships, can form a family to which we belong.

I hope you all recognize the importance of finding a church family that suits you. I most importantly hope that that church family is 24-Seven Ministry Center.

Happy new year yo!