Last Friday Five of 2007

It is hard to believe, but 2007 is about to be history, and this is our last Friday Five of the year.

With that in mind, share five memorable moments of 2007. These can be happy or sad, profound or silly, good or bad but things that you will remember.

Bonus points for telling us of a "God sighting"-- a moment when the light came through the darkness, a word was spoken, a song sung, laughter rang out, a sermon spoke to you in a new way--whatever you choose, but a moment in 2007 when you sensed Emmanuel, God with us. Or more particularly, you.

In no particular order:
1. Visiting Sarmakand, the legendary stop on the Silk Road. Besides the spectacular architecture, it was amazing to remember that in the period from about 1100-1400 when Europe was plunged into darkness, Central Asia, the Middle East and Islamic Spain were centers of great learning. It was there and then that great strides in mathematics, astronomy and medicine were made.

2. Gathering with friends in my new backyard this summer (before it got too hot and buggy). I love to have people over and don't do it enough. I wish I would do it more.

3. Going to the Arkansas Blues Heritage Festival with my son. Spending two and a half days in the hot sun listening to hot blues along the banks of the Mississippi.

4. Visiting Pompeii. I think I was most affected by the casts of the victims, particularly one person who was squating with his/her hands over her eyes. Death.

5. Our services of wholeness and healing. It is profoundly moving to have people come forward for prayers and annointing. To look in their eyes and see the tears. A woman who rarely attends said to me on Christmas Eve that the service she had attended had been so meaningful and important to her.

Glimpses of God. I usually think I see God most when I am in the mountains, under water, hiking around Phoenix Lake, but this year I had two profound experiences of God. In both situations, I believe God worked through me to bring healing to two members of the congregation. In both cases, it was pure happenstance that I was there when I was needed. (Happenstance=God's amazing presence)