2017 was a year of mixed blessings for me.

There were many things I wanted to accomplish this last year which I did not. I was unable to find a job using my skills for ministry. My chronic pain persisted, keeping me from returning to a full-time work schedule. My dating life was pretty much non-existent.

I did, however, meet some of my goals for the year:

1). I published my first book, a children’s story called The Valley of the Borfkins, through amazon.com.

2). I found a church that I can call home (St. Barnabas Episcopal Church in Chelsea, MI); and made some good friends through this community.

3). I became part of an interfaith discussion group here in Jackson, and made a couple of new friends there as well.

4). I recorded an album’s worth of new music for my solo project, Oddkin, some of which is available online (oddkin.bandcamp.com).

5). I survived several demonic attacks on my faith and spiritual growth, and reached a level of intimacy with God far beyond what I have ever known.

My list of goals for 2018 is a lot shorter and more modest than what I set out to do in 2017; but there are some important things I hope to accomplish in this coming year. My goals for 2018 are as follows:

1). Start clinical pastoral education (CPE) training, and get a clearer sense of what my call to ministry involves.

2). Finish writing my second book.

3). Release a full-length album of Oddkin music. 4). Continue to expand network of local friends. 5). Change at least one person’s life for the better.

For all of you who have been reading my blog, thank you! I really appreciate your support, and hope 2018 turns out to be a year of many blessings for you.