Popular Posts of 2011 – A Time To Look Backward and Forward

Today, the last day of 2011, I want to share some of the posts from the past year that have been popular with you, our visitors.  This time I’m going to do something a little different – I’m going to share the most popular post from each month.  This should give an interesting overview of the past year…

January:  Missionary Shot and Killed in Mexico (more on safety in Mexico)  It’s the question on so many people’s minds – is Mexico "safe"?  Almost a year ago I looked at that question in the light of a tragedy.
February:  English. Crazy, and getting Crazier.  A video especially for my friends who teach this crazy language.
March:  Spanish Bible Versions – Free Online  Coming out of our study Where did the Bible come from, I did a lot of research on Spanish Bible translations.  This was the most popular post of the year.
April:  Adults and Piñatas. Be Afraid.  A video showing the real Mexico.
May:  More Countdowns  May is often our craziest month of the year.  But while we counted down to things like birthday parties, Harold Camping was counting down to the end of the world…
June:  Vision Weekend: Day 1  My sort-of-live blogging as we got together to talk about the future of ministry in Ixtapaluca.
July:  We’re Trapped in Vegas  With a title like that, how could this post fail to be popular?
August:  Pastor Martin Falls and Survives  Still praising the Lord for sparing Martín’s life!
September:  Short Term Mission Opportunities!  Come on down!
October:  Van Bought.  Yes, a lot of people were praying about our vehicle hunt.
November:  Oh Deer! Depressing Drama during Drive Day 2!  And what do we do to the vehicle as soon as we buy it?!
December:  The Bone Is Not Broken  A popular post about something that didn’t happen…

Even this small sampling confirms what I’ve been thinking about 2011.  To quote Dickens, It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.  Such wonderful things happened, and such difficult things happened.

In many ways we’ll have fun for years looking back on what happened this past year.  But we’ll also be recovering for some time!  And I’m sure many others feel the same way.

It reminds me of the words of Peter in his first epistle – maybe this is a good way to end the year…

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!
According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith–more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire–may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Though you have not seen him, you love him.  Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
(1Peter 1:3-9)

May the love of Christ and from Christ fill us with joy in 2012 – in the difficult times, and the good times.