The First Carnival of 2009

Today I am honored to host Christian Carnival CCLVIII, the inaugural edition of 2009. Let me say that I have been in a contemplative state of mind regarding goals for this new year and this carnival offers some wonderful food for thought. I think I'll dub this the guilt-free, indulgent edition! So, pull up a chair, grab your fork and spoon and prepare to enjoy a feast without all the pesky fat and calories!

Minister Mamie L. Pack ponders the purposes of A Simple Box over at The Life I Now Live. She reminds us that we're so much more than what we may appear to be.

I loved what ChristianPF had to say in 6 reasons to give more in the new year posted at Christian Personal Finance Blog. It's a terrific reminder that even in today's economy there are plenty of reasons to be a giver.

FMF presents Free Money Finance: The Bible on Today's Economic Woes posted at Free Money Finance.

Travis at Your Everyday Christian reminded me that being "in the world" and not "of the world" means continually reaching out to those around me in Jail Time with God and My Cousin.

Vickie Sloderbeck discusses how and why you might want to Establish a Weekly Date Night posted at Joyful Journey Productions.

Over at Heart, Mind, Soul and Strength Weekend Fisher challenges whether "historical grammatical" is really the best way to appreciate the Bible in Handel: Scripture is a symphony.

Richard H. Anderson gives us Outside the camp at dokeo kago grapho soi kratistos Theophilos.

Courtesy of Sidetracked Moms by Vickie Sloderbeck we have Some Ways to Help Eliminate Fighting. I may only have one child now, but I'm definitely tucking these ideas away for later use!

Rich shares his wonderful testimony of Papa's provision in Witness at his blog, Blogger For Christ . com.

Bible SEO walks us through a terrific study on Prepare the Way - Ministry of John the Baptist - Matthew 3:1-12 posted at Bible Study Exposition Online.

Raffi Shahinian educates us a little with Emergent/Missional/Post-Evangelical Definitions for the Layperson posted at parables of a prodigal world. I have to say that my favorite is #3!

Novelette gives us a tremendous example of A life of Service, the story of Father Damien of Molokai posted at Daily Gratia.com.

Vickie Sloderbeck and Faith Janes look at Frivilous Toys for the Sidetracked Mom posted at Sidetracked Moms.

This week at Light Along the Journey, John looks at the faith of the first woman mentioned in the Hebrews hall of faith and how her example applies to every wife (and every believer) in his post The Faith of a Wife: The Three-Fold Example of Sarah. Let me just say that this post is a home run!

Annette at Fish and Cans discusses what happened Today in Church.

As a worshiper and musician I was so excited to read Chris's thoughts in A Cheer For Music In Worship at his blog, Sing Louder Musings.

Jeremy Pierce takes a look at some arguments by Michael Craven on same sex marriage in his post, Michael Craven on Homosexuality and Same-Sex Marriage posted at Parableman.

And last, but I hope not least, (although reading this week's submissions it may be the least) is my post Pray for Me here at Fathom Deep: Sounding the Depths of God.

Well, that wraps up the 258th edition of the Christian Carnival. Man, it's like Christmas dinner all over again. I just finished and I'm already hungry for more. So, don't forget to submit your posts for the 259th edition next week. I can hardly wait!