Forget the fact that it’s cliche’, Time definitely DOES fly by.

It seems like we were just starting 2009 and now all of a sudden 2010 is sneaking up on us. I’m so thankful for another year that God has given me. Have I been the Christian I should have been this year? Probably not. Have any of us? However, even when I have wavered, God remained faithful to me. He has provided my every need and blessed me beyond measure over the past 11 months.

Since the last time I wrote, back in August, there have been many things to thank the Lord about and to pray about in the near future. First, as most of you know, Brother Keith Johnson passed away after suffering a heart attack almost exactly two years ago. While I am going to miss Keith, I am so amazed by the way God has used the Johnson family to touch so many lives over the past two years. “We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. ~ Romans 8:28″ Keith was definitely called for God’s purpose. He was faithful and finished his course. Roberta, Seth, Zach and Caleb are going to need lots of prayer, but as hard as things have been, it leaves me speechless to see the strength and grace that God has given them in these tough times.

Next, since the last update, a new ministry opportunity has presented itself and I would really appreciate all of your prayers for God’s provision and guidance as we get started. The Youth Pastor from my home church, Ryan Massie and I have been praying for a while about how we could KEEP our college-aged kids once they graduate high school. It is such a crucial time in their lives when they will really have to learn to stand on their own relationship with Christ. So many over the years have dropped out during this time because they just don’t seem to fit anywhere. This Fall we have started a weekly Bible study for our College/Career group at church and it has been very successful drawing not only people from our church, but from other local churches as well. Well, just last week we met with leadership from another local church and decided to pursue an on-campus ministry at Marshall University here in Huntington, West Virginia. At this time, there are several ministries on campus but finding one that is doctrinally sound and local church driven is rare, if not impossible. Please pray for us as we jump through the hoops required by the school. Pray that God will send the right group of students to get this off of the ground and all of the leadership that it will take to reach such a large campus.

Last, Dr. Gary Moore has lined up some short-term mission trips for 2010. We will be taking groups to South Dakota, Grenada and on two trips to Honduras. If you are interested in seeing lives impacted by short-term missions in your church or if you would like to be a part of one of these trips yourself, I would love the opportunity to come and share more information with your congregation. Truly, God does a mighty work with GPA Short Term missions.

Thanks again for your continued prayer and financial support for my ministry. May God bless you and keep you through the Holidays and the rest of 2009.

Amazed by Grace,

T.J. Lawhon