Dear Friends,

The Lord said, “I make all things new” (Rev. 21:5).  This is the time on the calendar when you hear a lot about “new”.  It comes in the form of New Year, new opportunities, resolutions to do better, 2^nd chances, do overs, and start afresh!  For us as believers our “all things new” started before the world began in the heart of God.  This “new” comes with our salvation, but the “new” continues to transform us through out all our lives.  Romans 12:1-2: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.  And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.”  If we know Christ as our Savior – every moment, every hour, every day we make the decision to renew our mind and think as He thinks.  In eternity our minds will agree in all things with God.  All will be completely new!

New Year, new opportunities:  I fly out for Kansas on Friday, January 9^th, for about a month to help in the ministry of a special church (Calvary Baptist of Valley Falls) where I grew up and spent time as a teenager.  In early February Beabea and I will be in a conference at McGrath Road Baptist of Fairbanks.  We thought that would be a really “cool” thing to do that time of year. It will be great to see so many precious friends again.  The last of February and early March I will be in churches in Florida.  The whole state of Florida is filled with close friends who have been such an encouragement to us and our ministry.  I am so looking forward to seeing as many as I can while there.  Beabea will not be with me during the Kansas & Florida trips.  She continues to work as an elderly caregiver to supplement our support.  I appreciate her willing heart, but I do look forward to the day we will make most of trips together.

Thus 2015 begins “new” for us with a very busy schedule, but that is not new.  We do appreciate your prayers for us as we travel or stay at home.  Thanks for being our friends in ministry!

Finally, we had a great Christmas watching all our grandkids open presents.  What a thrill to listen to Laurie (the oldest – age 5) talk about God and spiritual things with a sincere heart.  Children are the “new” of the future.  What a privilege to be a part of their lives!

Your friend and fellow laborer,

John

Home: (765) 889-3264 (New)

Cell:     (765) 753-0056

Commissioning Church: Shepherd Road Baptist Church, P.O. Box 1054, Mulberry, FL  33860

Barnabas Enrichment Ministries
P.O. Box 229
Elkhart, IN 46515-0229

(765) 667-2532