Starting a New Year means starting a new sermon journal. It's a great excuse choose a blank journal, put a stack of CDs by the player, and create a bunch of nebulous backgrounds using your favorite paints, brushes, stamps, stencils, and ephemera. Since I know that the new year always erupts with too much to do and do little time to get it done, it's helpful for me to get a running start with painted backgrounds. It's also a relaxing way to de-stress from the hectic holiday season.
