Exodus 20:24 says, “In every place where I record My name I will come to you, and I will bless you.” (NKJV).

I am reminded of the words of the Apostle Paul in 2 Cor. 5:17 when he says, “…old things are passed away; behold, all things become new.”

Of course that verse is talking about the way we are as a new believer in Christ, but it also applies to the spring season. The temperature is rising, the trees are budding, and the flowers are sprouting up from the ground. The old things of winter are being passed away and things are becoming new. Not only is this verse a beautiful reminder of the great gift of salvation, but it also should remind us of the almighty power of our Creator God.

I wanted to share a Praise Report from our personal lives with you that just took place the morning of the day we are writing this note (March 1st).

During our morning family devotional time, Caleb (our 6-year-old son) gave His Heart and Life to Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior!!! Erin was sharing with him about Rahab. He just looked up at her with sad eyes and said, “I’ll never get to go to heaven.”

Towards the end of January one of our regular Good News Club^® students, a fourth grader, came up and wanted to talk privately.  I took him aside, and he told me that because of Christmas break he had been forced to wait several weeks to tell me what he needed to tell me.

With every New Year comes some sort of new excitement. For CEF, 2017 brings a GREAT deal of excitement.

For those of us that have been connected with CEF for several years have been anticipating this year for a while. “Why"? you may ask? It’s because 2017 is the 80th Anniversary of Child Evangelism Fellowship! Just as with people, 80 is a monumental year for organizations. But a big difference, is with age people begin to break down, but CEF is stronger now and in better health today than it was when it started all the way back in 1937.

Let the words of this glorious hymn, “To God be the Glory” speak to you today.

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father thru Jesus the Son,
and give Him the glory, great things He hath done!
 

I think sometimes we forget what it’s like to be alone with God because even when we are by ourselves, the noise of technology has a tendency to drown out our senses. The computer’s on, the TV’s on, the phone’s on. Most people really don’t even know what silence sounds like any more. Most of us need to withdraw more frequently than we do to have a private meeting with God in prayer. I know that there’s been many times in my life that I have not taken that time and have regretted it deeply afterwards.