News

Can you believe that Christmas is just a little more than three weeks away!? Where has the year gone? Time doesn't really fly by, but it sure feels like it.

As we are approach Christmas, let me encourage you to read a chapter of Luke a day. Then by Christmas you should have a greater appreciation for the birth of our Lord and Savior.

This week in my quiet time, I've been reading Revelation and will finish the book tomorrow. In chapter 21 it says, "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away." That is the end result of the birth of Jesus. Heaven! Salvation is a never-ending gift we receive from our Father in Heaven. Merry Christmas!

The first Christmas after Raetta and I started dating, she bought me a special Christmas gift. However, I didn't receive it until several weeks after the New Year's Day. You see, she ordered a personal monogrammed sweater for me. It took a long time for the store to get it embroidered, so I waited patiently. The gift did arrive eventually, and it made feel very special and loved.

This Christmas, remember that the gift of salvation through Jesus is only the beginning, the best is yet to come. The birth of Jesus led to Jerusalem, Jerusalem led to the cross, the cross led to the grave, the grave led to the resurrection, and that led to our salvation.

Truly a great eternal Christmas gift!

Tomorrow, we celebrate Thanksgiving. As you ponder all the blessings you are thankful for, add these to your list.

1. If you’ve heard of Jesus, you’ve had more access to the gospel than 4 billion people in the world.
2. If you have the entire Bible in your language, your language is one of only 700 out of 7000 languages with a complete translation.
3. If you worshiped this past weekend without threat on your life, you’ve had more privilege than many believers around the world.
4. If you have sufficient food today, you’re better off than 800 million people around the globe who are chronically undernourished.
5. If your children have clean water, good sanitation, and proper hygiene, they’re uniquely blessed (in fact, World Vision estimates that 15,000 children under five die every day from preventable causes like diarrhea, malaria, and pneumonia).
6. If your children have a roof over their heads, they’re better off than at least 150 million street children in the world.
7. If you’re a Christian, you’re redeemed, held in the hands of God, and destined for heaven. No matter what you’re facing today, you have reason to be grateful.

Onward and Upward!

Next Thursday is a day we celebrate as Thanksgiving Day. It is a day for us to remind ourselves of the many blessings we have received from our God.

God has blessed our church in mighty ways this pass year. He provided all the funding needed to finish the building remodel. He opened doors for us to receive a grant and a tax refund. He blessed us with an outstanding one day of sacrificial giving. In addition, He has brought us together in greater unity with our sister churches the Good Shepherd Church and The Filipino International Christian Fellowship.

On a personal note, He has blessed our family with a cute granddaughter. Raetta and I both have recovered from COVID -19 without any major issues. He has blessed my family in so many ways this year.

With all that God does for us, we should be grateful daily. I guess that's why Paul wrote in 1 Thessalonians 5, "In all things give thanks to God..." In between eating turkey, watching football or shopping; take a moment and thank the Lord for the blessings you have received. Be grateful this Thanksgiving!

Onward and Upward!

Over the years, I've been sick many times. This past week I've experienced a unique illness with COVID-19. On Wednesday of last week, I received my annual flu shot. Late Thursday, I began feeling like I had the flu and felt it was reaction to the vaccine. By Saturday, I knew it wasn't the flu but just a very bad cold. After our service Sunday, I tested positive for COVID. Thankfully today, I am slowly getting better.

This illness has really slowed me down. Yet, through it all I knew that my Great Physician was watching over me. It could have been a lot worse, and I am truly grateful it wasn't. I don't know where you stand on vaccines, but I would suggest you get the COVID vaccine. I wouldn't wish this virus on anyone. Thanks for all your prayers!

Onward and Upward!