Christmas is Here!

Last night was our Christmas Eve Candlelight service here at Sunscape RV Resort.  It was amazing and beautiful and enjoyed by all, especially by those who had never attended a Christmas Eve service before.  The Spirit of Jesus Christ is real and alive.

Friend, Thelma, took our picture in front of the Christmas tree... it's a small tree. :-)

When we got back to the Q, we watched It's a Wonderful Life, a tradition.  Well, I watched the whole movie, Don took a short nap and missed part of it.  He could quote the whole thing anyway.  It's still one of the best Christmas movies ever.

So, now it's Christmas Day and unusually cold for Arizona, 29 degrees when Don got up this morning.  We even had frost on the truck... the truck that I washed yesterday.  I'm sure our friends and family in Oklahoma, under a thick covering of snow this morning, are yawning.

We got ready and headed into Casa Grande to help with the lunch served to anyone who wanted to attend.  It's a beautiful day here (more yawning?) and here's a shot of the Casa Grande Mountains as we drove into town. Sue Rossi has been organizing this meal for 15 years and she does a wonderful job that is greatly appreciated by all who attend.  I didn't take any only took a couple of pictures of the diners as I wanted to respect their privacy, but I did take pictures of the volunteers.  There were six couples from Sunscape there to help.  Here's Marlene helping with olives and pickles.  That's Jack peeking from behind Marlene. 

No, he's not white headed.  That's a kitchen cap.  His wife, Kathy, is trying to sneak out of the picture.  You weren't quite fast enough, Kathy.  (teehee)

Roger arrived at 8:00 this morning and did a great job slicing ham and turkey.

Larry and Larey helped, too, but I just happened to catch them visiting with Don.

Garth and Jack sampling the cookies.  Garth is so sad that they ran out of "kitchen caps!" 

It is just amazing how much work needed to be done this morning to be prepared for the meal to be served at 12:00 and it all came together, even in this small kitchen.  Many volunteered to cook turkeys and hams at their homes and then bring them this morning.  I caught Marlene, Roger, Shari and Leona all hard at work. 

Mrs. Claus showed up to help tie ribbons around the handmade placemats that went with the 180 meals delivered to the shut-ins in the area.  I helped, too!

Proof that Larry and Larey really did work.

Here's Shawn, Larry and Elaine's (in red) son who is visiting for Christmas.  His sons, Brock and Cole, also helped out.

Garth and Don chatting before the doors were opened.  Don and I manned the apples, oranges, and sack lunches "booth."  Everyone got one of each.

Santa Claus showed up for pictures and a delicious meal.

Don got his hands on the camera a few times.

Shari and Leona preparing the tables.

Ready and waiting for the guests.

The tables looked beautiful.  The guests were seated and served.   Don was asked to bless the meal and our time together.

I could not resist this picture during the prayer. It touched my heart.

A fun lover for sure.

Santa about to enjoy his meal.

It's clean up time!  (Ooops, I left the camera with Don again.) Notice the blouse?  My sweet husband took me back to JCP to get it yesterday!

Loaded down with left-over food, we headed back to the Q for a good nap!

We sure miss being with family this Christmas.  Our love and our thoughts are with you all.  We can't help but wish that you were all here and sharing in the experience we had today, serving others.  We are so blessed.

Christmas Day Greetings

DAILY VERSE
I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ.

Ephesians 3:17–18

---

DAILY QUOTE
God grant you the light in Christmas, which is faith;

the warmth of Christmas, which is love;

the radiance of Christmas, which is purity;

the righteousness of Christmas, which is justice;

the belief in Christmas, which is truth;

the all of Christmas, which is Christ.

Wilda English

---

DAILY THOUGHT

A Classic Devotional from Henry Van Dyke
The day of joy returns, Father in Heaven, and crowns another year with peace and good will. Help us rightly to remember the birth of Jesus, that we may share in the song of the angels, the gladness of the shepherds, and the worship of the wise men.
Close the doors of hate and open the doors of love all over the world. Let kindness come with every gift and good desires with every greeting. Deliver us from evil, by the blessing that Christ brings, and teach us to be merry with clean hearts. May the Christmas morning make us happy to be thy children, and the Christmas evening bring us to our bed with grateful thoughts, forgiving and forgiven, for Jesus’ sake. Amen.

Lord, this Christmas, please let Your kingdom come in me and make me more like You. Amen.

THE SIMPLE WHITE ENVELOPE

It's just a small white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas --oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it -- the overspending, the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma --the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else.

Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties, and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike. The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended.
Shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against another team sponsored by an inner-city church.

These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford.

Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat.

Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said.

"They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."

Mike loved kids -- all kids -- and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball, and lacrosse.

That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to the inner-city church.  On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree,the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years.  For each Christmas, I followed the tradition--one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas.  It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning, and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents.

As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there. You see, we lost Mike last year due to cancer.  When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing
around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope.

Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember Christ, who is the reason for the season, and the true Christmas spirit this year and always.

God Bless! -- pass this along to those friends and
loved ones who you know are the givers who understand the true meaning of Thanksgiving and Christmas.

[Many thanks to Nancy and George for sharing this story with me.  Upon doing a little research, I found this story was written by Nancy Gavin and originally published in the December 14, 1982 issue of Woman's Day magazine and posted again this year on November 10, 2009.]

An encyclopedia article on the city of Bethlehem and its history includes a history of the early tradition that Jesus was born in a cave.  This artist's rendering may be closer to reality than pictures we normally see of a a wooden structure.  Notice the shepherds in the shadow to the left.The Nativity (Yevgeni Demakov, 2005)

"God is committed to me"

You've heard the description of a particular book often as a "coffee table book."  The 10" x 10" book by Ann Smith, The Path Beyond the Gate, is a perfect coffee table book, not because it looks pretty and will decorate the coffee table, but because it intrigues you to pick it up and read it.  It's contents are life enhancing.

"Do you think of your life as a wonderful journey?  Ann Smith does.  Join her as she relates some discoveries she has made along her path. (84 years) Travel the road with her and uncover truths about becoming a trapeze artist, being real, embracing both pain and joy, celebrating every day, and making sure your shoes are on the right feet.  And remember:  This is only the beginning.  The journey beckons on beyond the gate!"

Gloria Gaither writes of Ann:  "If we take the glimpse she gives us, not only will we be more life-wise, we will be sent off on an expedition of our own, ultimately to find that even Ann has a huge, more fathomless Source, and this is what, in the final analysis, draws us to anything she has to share."

Each subject is so full of profound wisdom that I only read one a day in an effort to absorb and meditate on each topic fully.  I want to share this journey of "The Path Beyond the Gate" with you, giving you only a tiny snippet each day to whet your appetite to get your own copy of this wonderful book of twenty one devotionals from the life of Ann Smith.... for your coffee table.

"Not only is God committed to my journey, but God never gives up.  I love the scripture in which Jesus, in talking to the disciples, says, "Before this night is over you will all desert me.  But when I come back to life again I will go to Galilee and I will see you there."  Before they even failed, he was planning for beyond the failure.  If that is not good news, I don't know what good news is.  Talk about commitment!"

Reading this causes me to think about my commitment to God, and then I realize that I am not even able to be committed to God had He not first been committed to me.  I could not give my life to Him had He not first given His life for me.  I could not live for Him today, if He was not alive today and everyday!!

Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas

Today is our grandson, Blaine's eighth birthday.  Anyone with a birthday so close to Christmas, can sympathize with him.  He's not suffered or gone without because of it though. :-) 

Happy Birthday, Rocket!!!

Folks are bringing us so many wonderful and yummy treats for Christmas, I most certainly will have to double my bicycle time after Christmas.  We are so blessed to be loved by such wonderful people.

Don not only felt better this morning, he said, "I feel good!!  Let's go eat breakfast!"  So we did and then he took me to JC Penney (they're having a really good sale!).  I'm usually not in the mood for trying on clothes, but today I was.  It's a little tricky taking my own picture in the mirror in the dressing room.  I liked this blouse, but didn't get it.  Pants were corduroy and a size too big.  I really liked them, too, but they didn't have my size. 

I didn't get this blouse either, but I really should have.  It was sooo comfortable and I really liked it plus it was only $15.  What was I thinking?  It should be hanging in my closet right now!

I did get this outfit.  I've been looking for regular shirt type blouses and JCP had them on sale!!

Everything I got today is s-t-r-e-t-c-h!! Love it!

When we walked out of JCP with my new clothes in hand, Don said, "Merry Christmas, Baby!"  Thanks, Sweetie!  You're the best!  Now I have to get rid of a few things out of my closet to make room for the new.

Well, when we started back to the Q, the wind had picked up, a lot, and the dust was blowing.  Something bad must have happened on I-10 because traffic had been re-routed over to 287.  The dust was probably so bad the travelers couldn't see and wrecked.  Sometime people just stop in the middle of the highway and that causes a pile up.  Sheriff's deputies were directing the traffic.

Traffic was backed up as far as we could see.

On down the highway, this truck was right in front of us and we almost lost sight of it in the dust.

Inside the part, the dust wasn't quite so bad, but the wind was gusting.

But as the afternoon progressed, the dust got worse.  We can't even see all the way past the cactus garden across the street.  Looks like a sepia print, but it's not.

That, my friend, is a dust cloud!

Don got in the kitchen again and made us a pot of vegetable beef soup.  We are so thankful that he is feeling better.  [Look at that beautiful jar of pie cherries someone gave us!  And next to it, a jar of fresh salmon, smoked.]

A few minutes later, I looked out the window.  Oh, my!!! Where did Jim and Toma's house go???  And then it start to sprinkle rain.  So much for wash job on the truck.  That's rain and dust on the window.

Trees and houses disappear and then they re-appear.  Awww, there's Jim and Toma's house.... barely visible.

Rain and dust... whoever heard of such?  And then the electricity went off and it started raining harder.  Yeah!  The rain is making dust settle.

The dust going east.

Before sundown,  the dust had cleared and the rain had left a fresh covering.

In a bag of goodies brought to us this afternoon, I found this beautiful Christmas dish towel.

So, I thought I would create this greeting for you followed by a poem written by a friend of another resident.

Jesus, the Gift For All

He's not just a baby,

Who was born in a stall

But He's God's only Son,

The Savior of all.

He isn't like Santa,

Showing up once a year--

He loves us so much,

That He always is near.

He has gifts to give us--

He hears when we pray--

So ask Him and thank Him,

For blessings each day.

When we open our gifts--

Like love, mercy, and peace,

Try them on and you'll find

That your joy will increase.

God knows what we need--

From His bounty He shares--

When we use them for others,

They'll know that God cares.

So show His love freely,

Share what God gave you--

His perfect gift, Jesus,

Perfect gift for them, too.

                             Nancy Shaffer 2009

Email from my brother

Greetings Family, Friends, and Acquaintances,
Attached are photos of Mama Trudy in relation to her move from Norman, OK, to Trenton, GA.  We got her stuff packed into the relo-cubes in Norman on the weekend of 12/12-13.  We caught a flight from OKC to Nashville on the 15th.  Timmy picked us up at the airport, we went out to eat at the Texas Roadhouse in Hendersonville, and spent the night with him and the girls.  [Mama Trudy with grandson, Timmy, and bashful great-granddaughter, AlexAnn.] After taking the girls to school we ate breakfast at the Cracker Barrel and he drove us to Trenton on the 16th.  After a little rest, I took Mama over to her apartment for her approval.  She was delighted.  Those of you who know her better can imagine a little hop and jig at this point.  The containers arrived on Friday afternoon/evening.  We got up Saturday morning and was making preparations for beginning to unpack.  Mama said, "Jonny, can I go with you when you go to the apartment to unload?"  I said, "Sure, you don't think I'm going to unload by myself, do you?"  She laughed.  Carolyn and I started unloading and one of the first boxes was marked "kitchen".  She opened it immediately and started unpacking.  She was like a
kid at Christmas.  Carolyn and I were able to get everything unloaded except three or four of the heavier items of furniture.  Blake (Sammy's oldest) and
one of his friends came by and helped with those things.  Sammy had to work.
We rested a while then continued unpacking; I began to put furniture items back together I had disassembled for moving.  Mama had commented that she would like to go ahead and spend the night there but she didn't have some of the necessary grocery items for doing so.  We stopped work around 5:30; and began to reflect on the work accomplished.  Mama got that "hop and jig" smile on her face and said, "It already feels like home."
She spent another night with us but as we got up Sunday morning she wanted to know what time we would be leaving for church so she could be ready to go
to her apartment at the same time.  The next thing we knew she had her two little suitcases setting at the back door; she was moving out!  She gave me a long list of grocery items to be picked up after church.  We
got back around 3:00 PM.  (We had left her a bowl of soup to have for lunch.)
I'll go over as soon as I get this emailed and help her today with the reassembly of some more of the furniture items, etc.  And guess what?  There is another couple in the complex where the lady is as passionate about quilting as Mama.  Mama is 91 and the other lady is 89.
Well, I know many if not all of you have been praying for us and Mama during these days.  Thank you.  We love every one of you and pray you will have a Merry Christmas.
Jon

Sharon and Tom

Monday -- I had to do our laundry this morning.  While I was doing laundry, Don took our empty propane tank up to the office to get it filled.

When I finished the laundry, we went to Casa Grande for lunch at Macayo's.  Don has not felt like eating Mexican food in a long time.  Just as our plates were set before us, I picked up my c-phone and called Sharon Peterson as I knew they had arrived in town last week.  They dropped what they were doing and came to meet us.  Oh wow!  It was so good to see them again after two years.  This is another wonderful couple that we met the first winter we were in Arizona at Quail Run. We had finished our meal, so we sat and visited with them, getting somewhat caught up.

Sweet little Sharon is all about making others feel good, so when I said, "Awe man, I always look like the Amazon next to you "shorties,' she jumped right up on the handy rock beside us.  And I felt so much better. 

We are so looking forward to spending more time with Tom and Sharon this winter.

 

Sunday Blessings

God, again faithful, gave Don the strength and the message this morning, "I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life," - John 14:6, as he proclaimed the salvation of Jesus Christ.

We met Rick and Wendy at the Olive Garden for lunch and enjoyed good fellowship with them.  It was great to get out of the Q for a meal with good friends.

This afternoon, we enjoyed the blessings of rest.  Don has hit a wall and needed his recliner.

Psalm 107:8
Oh, that men would give thanks to the LORD for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men!

Make A Joyful Shout

Our Daily Bread devotional

December 20, 2009

READ: Psalm 100

Make a joyful shout to the Lord, all you lands! — Psalm 100:1

Duke University’s basketball fans are known as “Cameron Crazies.” When Duke plays arch rival North Carolina, the Crazies are given these instructions: “This is the game you’ve been waiting for. No excuses. Give everything you’ve got. Cameron [Stadium] should never be less than painfully loud tonight.” Clearly, Duke fans take allegiance seriously.

The songwriter of Psalm 100 took his allegiance to the Lord seriously and wanted others to do the same. “Make a joyful shout to the Lord!” he exclaimed (v.1). His people were to freely express their praise to Him because He was the covenant God of Israel, the God over all other so-called gods. They were called to focus all their energies on Him and His goodness.

God’s goodness and grace should motivate us to freely express our love and allegiance to Him with shouts of joy. This may mean that those who are more reserved must push back the boundaries of restraint and learn what it means to be expressive in their praise to God. Those who are so expressive that they miss the beauty of silence may need to learn from those whose style is more reflective.

"Worship is a time to focus on our Creator, Redeemer, and Shepherd, and celebrate what He has done." —Marvin Williams

Shout to the Lord, all the earth, let us sing
Power and majesty, praise to the King;
Mountains bow down and the seas will roar
At the sound of Your name. —Zschech

Our thoughts about God should lead us to joyful praise.

See you in church!!

Park Parade

Don rested today in between  taking two walks outside.  That's something he has not felt like doing for over a week.

This afternoon was the park Golf Cart Christmas Parade, led by the fire department.

There were about six entries in the parade and they all had fun waving at everyone and throwing Christmas candy to those along the route.

I did the happy dance this morning because Don was back in the kitchen preparing dinner in the crock pot.

We have had so many park residents drop by with goodies or to just check on Don and pray for him. What a blessing.

Baby Jesus is Missing!!

 

 

>>Where is baby Jesus?<<

God speaks...

The following is what God revealed to Don this morning:

DECEMBER 17 - (devotional by Adrian Rogers)

God Is In Control

"For I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." - Isaiah 41:13 

Once I had the rare opportunity of visiting with Corrie Ten Boom. I drank in her words. I listened and kept my mouth shut. One of her statements went straight to my heart:

"There is no panic in heaven, only plans."

That is how God operates — no panic.

Did you know the Holy Trinity never meets in an emergency session? God has never stepped down from His throne. Jesus has not left His right hand, and the Holy Spirit has not stopped interceding for you, His child.

Refuse to listen to Satan's lies of fear, discouragement, and despair. You are a victor. And God is in control!

Repeat the following throughout the day today, "God is in control of my life. He will not leave me. His right hand will sustain me all the length of my days."

And to me, through The Path Beyond the Gate by Ann Smith, God said:

"As I reflected on my journey of seventy years, I became convinced that life is both pain and joy, and both are an important part of the journey.  If I shut down my emotions in order to avoid pain, I pay a high price because I also shut out the capacity to experience joy.  The fact that I have the capacity to feel pain means I also have the capacity to feel joy.

"Jesus never promised a life of ease -- a life free from pain and suffering.  He promised a presence.  He also takes everything that comes into our lives and uses it to help us grow -- an that includes even the bad things.  He journeys with us, and that is cause for celebration."

He promised a presence!  His presence is always with me.  Always.  God, who created a universe for me to live and grow in Him in; God, who created me to live in the universe for Him; God, who provided Jesus for me so that I may live forever with Him, justified by His righteousness alone and fully sanctified by Him at the end of my life in this universe.  My God, who does all these things, is fully able to be present with me every second of my life and the God who promises is not able to break His promises to me. 

"For I the Lord thy God, will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee." - Isaiah 41:13 

Oh, to be able to shout from the roof tops:  God is mine and I am His!!!  

You pray, God answers...

So, this morning, Don and I go for a walk.  He has the strength to put one foot in front of the other, whereas, yesterday and the days before, he did not have that strength.  Thank You, Jesus!

We were told that they had prayer for Don last night at the Gospel Jam Session at the club house.  How this blessed us and we know God has heard and is answering all the prayers for Don.

We always see folks to chat with when we walk.  Bill and Rusty were walking, also, this morning.  Bill and Jeannette rescued Rusty, a two year old long haired dachshund who is finally beginning to trust others.  His fear of being abused still causes him to growl a little at strangers.  He has even bitten Bill twice, but Bill is so patient with Rusty and is teaching him that he will not be mistreated anymore.

Emmi was outside re-potting flowers.  We love this sweet, sweet little German lady with her heavy German accent.  Sorry that I didn't snap a picture of her.  She made macaroons for Don and a pretty red Christmas scarf for me and brought them over yesterday.  Have I mentioned how blessed we are?  Do you understand how God uses YOU in the lives of others to assure them of HIS PRESENCE?

When we got back to the Q after walking, these two lovely, fresh grapefruit were waiting for us.

The symphony of the Church is the most beautiful song in the world.

2 Thessalonians 1:3
3 Dear brothers and sisters, we can’t help but thank God for you, because your faith is flourishing and your love for one another is growing.

Wednesday wondering's

Tuesday morning and Don has been inside way too long, so he decided to walk outside.  I grabbed my camera and walked with him.  Jim was out in the cactus garden doing whatever it is that needed to be done out there this morning. 

We discovered a tree in the garden with strange orange pods.

Even in the winter, the garden is pretty to walk in.

Speaking of walking, Don got really tired before we got back to the Q.  The rest of the day was spent in the Q. 

Don wrote Sunday's Coming this morning.  He also called the doctor for an appointment and they had an opening at 1:00 this afternoon.  The doctor really didn't have any advice other than going to the Tucson VA ER if he doesn't start feeling any better.  She did advise him to call his pacemaker check center, so we'll do that tomorrow. 

We are overwhelmed at the outpouring of love and support from everyone.  We've had calls, emails, and visitors... folks here in the park (and out of the park) dropping by to check on Don and pray with us.   Thank You to all who are praying for Don to be back up, and out and about.

The state of Georgia now has a new Peach.  Mama Trudy is now a resident.  She loves her new apartment!  Her furniture will arrive Friday.  In the meantime, she will be staying with my brother.

Until the next post, I know it may sound strange at this point but, we are so blessed.

Christmas is coming

I'm so thankful to tell you that God was faithful, yet again, and gave Don the strength to stand and preach this morning.  He is still "weak as a kitten" and "pale as a ghost."  How appropriate that the sermon title was "I AM the Resurrection," as God resurrected Don to stand this morning.

We're singing Christmas carols in church this month and we all love it.

A very interesting thing happened during the sermon.  As Don was preaching, he quoted the shortest verse in the Bible, "Jesus wept."  This was in regard to the news that he received that his dear friend, Lazarus was dead.  Oddly, Don asked the congregation if they knew why Jesus wept and several said, "yes," but one lady in the choir behind Don said, "I know."  Don turned and asked her, "why did Jesus weep?"  And she said because, "Lazarus was in heaven and Jesus was going to bring him back to earth."  Wow.  Don was visibly amazed at her answer.  We usually hear that people believe that Jesus was compassionate in regard to Mary and Martha and others who were grieving the loss of their brother, or a similar reason.  Her reply prompted him to relate a story from his life similar to that of Lazarus.  Don wasn't dead for four days, as Lazarus was, but for a few seconds.  Long enough to be released from the pain he was suffering and to be suspended in peace that was beyond description, from a position above himself, watching the medical professionals work on him and as they approached him with the "paddles" he remembers thinking "NO, don't do that, leave me alone, I don't hurt, it's wonderful here."  But they "zapped" him back to life... to pain... to live... to die, again, one day in God's timing.  Going from earth to paradise and back to earth is worthy of weeping.  Can't you just imagine that Lazarus was saying, "I'm good, Mary and Martha. You can't imagine how wonderful it is here. Oh, no, Jesus.  Please let me stay here. NO, No, no.....  Oh, hello again."  And Jesus wept because of love for the people on earth who He is going to die for himself.  He reveals His resurrection power to them through Lazarus, by bringing him back to earth.  Lazarus was not the only person resurrected.  Others were in the Bible. Jesus was resurrected, but the only difference.... Jesus never dies again.  That's our assurance that He Is God.

Well, after church, Don was sitting at the door, where he usually stands, and the lady from the choir game by and told us that she had had the same experience when one of her sons was born.  Her story was amazing.  She was in distress during labor, the baby was in distress and not expected to live.  She died during delivery, thinking she did not want to live if her baby wasn't going to live, and from that peaceful position she watched the doctor literally pull her child from her and then she heard her baby cry and instantly her spirit reunited with her body.  The first time she read that scripture, she said, she new why Jesus wept.  And God provided validation for her through Don.  Today, her son is healthy, brilliant and never experienced any of the handicaps predicted for him. 

We just never know what God has in store for us.  It is exciting.

Two separate couples stopped and prayed for Don as they departed church this morning. What a blessing of tremendous love and support and we are so thankful.

Back at the Q (I drove), I fixed lunch, Don ate small helpings and then he relaxed in his recliner to watch football on TV... through the holes in his eyelids, I guess.  It was good to watch him resting so peacefully.

We are so glad this demon of a virus is gone and it is not ever welcome here again!!!  In fact, it's just plain rude... we never invited it in the first place.  However, we know for sure that we are in God's hand and He got us through it.

JOY TO THE WORLD!!!

Christmas Angels: Joy to the World

[Weekend, December 12 & 13 devotional by David Jeremiah]

Then the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid, for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people."  Luke 2:10

Recommended Reading
Revelation 7:11-12

Understandably, the initial reaction of most people in the Bible who encountered an angel was fear (Numbers 22:31; Matthew 28:5; Luke 1:13, 30; 2:10). Once the shock subsided, those who saw an angel usually received a message of comfort or assurance. In the case of the shepherds on the night of Christ's birth, the angel's message was one of "good tidings of great joy"--the message that "Christ the Lord" was born in Bethlehem (Luke 2:10-11).

The great hymn "Joy to the World" remains one of the most beloved hymns in the world. Angel ornaments are often placed at the very pinnacle of a Christmas tree to picture the angels who appeared in the sky above Bethlehem, announcing the joy that had come into the world that night. The joy that filled Bethlehem is the same joy that should fill our hearts this Christmas: "Joy to the world, the Lord has come!"

If you hang an angel ornament on your tree this year, be reminded of the joy they came to announce--and be a messenger, spreading that joy to others.

Read-Thru-the-Bible
2 Peter 1:1-3:18
1 John 1:1-3:24

Dr. Jeremiah is posting and advent calendar of Christmas activity every day.  Today's is a Christmas trivia contest that you might enjoy, alone or with your family.