Colossians 1:10 says, “Live a life worthy of the Lord and please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” To bear fruit and grow in the knowledge of God, we must cultivate the soil of our hearts and minds, and sew seeds of love and commitment. Growth is a process; it is a journey rather than a destination. Along that journey, we may experience highs, lows and growing pains. Philippians 3:13-14 encourages us as we grow, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” How can we stay connected to the Lord and inspired to keep working, growing and bearing fruit? How can we avoid complacency in our own spiritual growth and embrace the idea of continuous growth in the Lord? Be blessed as you read through this issue and may the Lord move you to recognize where He wishes to see you grow.

The beginning of a new year brings the opportunity to reflect on the previous year, on endings and beginnings, on opportunities and challenges. We have the opportunity to start a new year with resolutions, promises to spend more time in prayer, more time with God, more time on the treadmill, more time with our family. Our goals for the new year may be personal or they may include the entire family. Whatever they may be, we should be encouraged to let God guide and lead us with His renewed vision so that we can also be renewed through Him. In this issue of the Record, we reflect on the past while focusing on the future. We celebrate 120 years of the Record as a ministry, and we look to the future of it and all ministries as channels of sharing our faith and testimony. It is my prayer that we may be renewed and refreshed in 2022 with His vision.