The Christmas Season is upon us and I am excited for opportunities to share that the Peace of Christmas is available to all who feel that they are being pulled in many directions. Yesterday was the beginning of our focus on Christmas which leads to my musings …

-I enjoyed a wonderful Thanksgiving with much of our family. It was fun to spend time with half of my grandkids. To play games with them, read books to them, listen to them play and watch them enjoy each other’s company. It was great to talk with my daughters and sons in law and to play games and laugh a lot. It was great for all of us to skype with my oldest grandson who is in college. We missed, as we have the past 3 Thanksgivings, my son and his family. The commute from Africa was a bit much for them.

-Yesterday was reasonable attendance at both churches, especially for the Sunday after Thanksgiving. We did have visitors in both churches.

-There was not a lot energy in either building yesterday. Maybe everyone was still stuffed from Thanksgiving dinners, or needed to catch up on some sleep or maybe it was just one of those days.

-One negative of our Thanksgiving trip was that I had to buy 2 new tires. The positive was that we weren’t on the road when the first one went flat. Getting the flat tire off our vehicle was a whole story by itself and one I hope not to repeat.    

-I was humbled and inspired by my 6 year-old granddaughter as she prayed for one of our meals last week. She prayed for those who don’t know Jesus and for people to go and tell them about Jesus. The people she was praying for are the people in Tanzania. She has never been to that country, nor has anyone in our family. But God has placed a burden on her young heart for the people of that country.

-Our town is doing its best to rebound from the devastating explosion that occurred nearly two weeks ago.

-It has been exciting to hear some reports recently of situations for which I have been praying. Some of the people sharing with me did not even know that I had been praying about their specific situation. I was encouraged to pray even more specifically concerning some other situations.

-This Christmas season I am carrying a heavy burden for some families that need reconciliation. I am also mindful of many families who are facing their first Christmas season without a loved one.

-Praying, researching and doing a lot of thinking about how to unlock some of our ministries that seem to be stalled.    

-Had a great conversation with a fellow pastor this morning.

-Just got word of a man who has been struggling physically for a few years who just graduated to spend eternity with Christ. Praying for his wife, daughter and son in law who are all serving in ministry. There is rejoicing that the pain is gone, but there is grieving for those left behind. Practicing Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.”

Here’s hoping that you find someone to rejoice with and that you will find much for which to rejoice.

Dennis