They are safely in their underground burrows having survived last year and waiting for the warm spring weather of the new year. They are friendly, sociable, live in groups and are primarily vegetarians. Yes, they have enemies like snakes, hawks and owls to mention a few. And then there is the problem of floods and droughts. The ground squirrels remind me of something in the Bible. For whatever reason God has allowed us to survive last year and given us the hope of a new year. God has a plan and purpose for each and everyone of us, (John 5:30). First, He wants us to acknowledge Him or revere Him, (Deuteronomy 5:29, Matthew 6:9-13). Second, He wants us to trust or accept His Son, Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, (John 1:12&3:16). Finally, He has left us here to bring light and hope into a dying and lost world, (Matthew 5:14-16, John 1:4&5). And as a good friend wrote me how God has touched his heart, "-I have been reminded this Christmas season, perhaps as never before, that there are so very many all around us who still know little, or nothing about Christ. Above everything else I might resolve to do during this next year, I want to be a more faithful witness, both in word and in lifestyle, that Christ does, indeed make a difference in a person’s life". See you in Church next Sunday. Brother J