Friday 24 December 2010

Merry Christmas from Mama & Papa!

Mama and I want to take this time to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. We have had a tough year in 2010 in some ways and yet our Savior has been there to help us through the rough spots. We are doing fine now and looking forward to 2011.

Our prayer for 2011 is that we will be His servants and that He can use us and that our hearts and minds will be obedient. Pray for us.

Part of our concern for 2011 is health concerns. We are both doing "fine" but we are approaching our 70's very quickly. I struggle with some moderate affects of Parkinson disease but refuse to let it slow me down anymore than I have to. But I am also learning my limits.

Mama has been my partner now for 45 years. We are halfway to our goal of 90 years together - we think we can make it. So, In 45 years, 2056 lets have a big party if we make it - okay??

God Bless !! And again, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

Saturday 18 December 2010

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas!!

Ho! Ho! Ho! Merry Christmas! What do you think? Is Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus a real part of Christmas? Is there room in this holiday season for them?

A couple of good questions to ponder. Do they really fit and if so - how??

I think they do. If somehow they were removed from Christmas I think we would lose some of our Christmas festive spirit. It is a part of the season. If Christ were walking around, in the flesh, I think He would want to help us spread good will and cheer through the season. I think He would decorate, I think He would have a tree. I think He might even sit on Santa's lap and encourage Santa. Maybe I am wrong, but its my blog.

Christmas priority is the Christ child and the activities surrounding that. But if your moaning and groaning over the other aspects of Christmas and not spreading good will and cheer - you are closer to the Scrooge side.

Curious, if I am wrong, and that Christmas should strictly be about the birth of our Savior, born on December 25, 0000, tell me, how did they celebrate Christmas on December 25, 0001 ? I would like to know.

Saturday 11 December 2010

Merry Christmas!


Merry Christmas everyone! I know, we still have two weeks until Christmas. I hope that the next two weeks will find you smiling and getting excited about the Christmas Holidays. That means no complaining!

Listen to your words, even your thoughts. Christmas is a time of joy and gladness. Not a time to complain and protest. If the school or mayor's office refuse to display a nativity season, put one in your yard. Even a nice one in the window helps. You can still wish people "Merry Christmas!" Smile when you do!! Give generously this time of year! Get excited!! And most of all be sure to remind people about the Saviors birth - after all, it is "The Reason for the Season!"

Monday 6 December 2010

We Are Blessed!!

Mama and I are blessed to have two church families. The churches are 1200 miles from each other. The picture to the left is the church up north, Michigan. We attend this church from late April until the end of November. The other church is in central Florida and we attend that church from December until the latter part of April. Our ministry involvements are different in both churches - but each church has a priority to serve the community outside their doors.

And yet the church is a close knit family. The year 2010 was a "difficult" year for mama and papa. We suddenly found both of us struggling with cancer. Mine was skin cancer. I was told, "If you have to have cancer that is the best kind to have." For some reason, that was not too reassuring. Mama's cancer was more serious, requiring surgery with 7 weeks of daily radiation treatments. Both churches rallied around us with prayer, cards and phone calls.

Both of us have been attending church since we were children. It has been a major focus of our lives. The church has been a place to worship, to serve our community and to draw ranks when the family is in need.

Have a great day and week serving Christ!! Pray for us as we pray for you. We are doing fine and serving our Lord.

Thursday 2 December 2010

Good Morning Florida!!

Yep, we are now in Florida to keep warm!! However, it is chilly this morning. The white in the background is beach sand, not snow!! Today's high will be 60 by noonish. We are glad to be here. Its 7AM and the sun is already shining and it stays lighter longer as well!

Started the day with prayer, praying for many of you. Trying to make prayer a real focus of my life. As Max Lucado says, "Pray first, pray most".

May God bless you today no matter where we live. Make Christ your focus - whether your standing in white beach sand or snow. However, I admit I prefer the beach sand!!