FARE THEE WELL, 2009! Well, this is just unforgivable! It has been over a year since I've updated this page. Such was the overwhelming nature ( and general "busy-ness") of the past year, that I felt I hardly had time to slow down long enough to keep my various websites updated properly. My apologies. I'll try to do better in 2010. So how was this past year for ya? Head still in a spin from the world tilting on its edge, paradigm-shifting us all off our collective axes; spilling everyone's nest eggs away into a hyperspace of unreality? Life forcing some of us folks to take a hard, painful look at "real life," losing jobs, retirement hopes, health care uncertainties? And where, do you suppose, was God during all this? On vacation in the Bahamas? Too busy watching out for our men and women in uniform on perilous duties a half-world away? Or maybe He just decided finally to wash His hands of concern for us, once and for all. Hmmmm....those arguments sound a lot to mine ears like that old gremlin, Fear. Don't know about you, but I, for one, choose not to dwell there. In fact, it's a promise of God that I don't have to experience fear. "And do not seek what you should eat or what you should drink, nor have an anxious mind. For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. But seek the kingdom of God, and all these things shall be added to you." (Luke 12:32-34) So what do ya think? Some would accuse me of hiding my head in the sand and ignoring these very real issues which swirl around us and threaten to engulf. My answer to that is, I trust a God who is greater than the storm, Who indeed thrives in the storm, and helps me to thrive in the process. So, farewell, 2009. You gave it your best shot to knock us off our saddle. And guess what...we're still here, alive and kicking! ...and hello 2010. (You wanna piece of me?! Go for it!) Rick Trice 12/30/09

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