Its officially 2013 and I was woken up by the popping of the Old Sacramento Fire Works display that was scheduled to ring in the new year here in Sacramento. Sacramento was interrupted by some tragic news last night. The largest New Year celebration in our city (over 40,000 people) was shut down because of an unthinkable shooting in Old Town Sacramento with 2 killed and 3 injured. This happening in the wake of the recent shooting in Connecticut leaves me feeling vulnerable and hits a little to close to home for my comfort.
It was just a month ago that I was in Old Sacramento shooting a series of videos for the Launch of Society Church to promote the series we will be starting on our launch Sunday called “The New Society”. This series will be focussing on this idea of developing a firm foundation for living and center on Jesus teachings from the Sermon on the Mount.
Sometimes in life it seems like one thing after another, after another challenge us. Sometimes life seems to test us with the challenges and tragedies we face, I am sure the family and friends of those who lost their lives ringing in the New Year feel that right now and my heart and prayers go out to them. However in the reality of this sad and unfortunate news I still believe that 2013 is a year of HOPE for the people of Sacramento.
I truly believe that this promise of God from Jeremiah 29:11 is for us today, it says,
“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a HOPE and a future.”
Gods plans are the best, he desires not to harm us but to bring us a fullness of life that can’t be found any other way. He brings us HOPE even amidst desperation, despair and the tragedies of life.
Here is to a year of HOPE, a year where we continue to discover and live out the teachings of Christ and find a firm foundation for living even amidst the storms of life. A year where we can find the peace, love, joy, and kindness of God growing and prospering in our hearts and homes.
Here is the first video in a series of three that we will be releasing throughout January 2013 to invite you to join us on February 10th, for the Launch of a new church, and a new series about developing a firm foundation for living.
