From the Pastors Desk

December 2009 
 

2 Corinthians 12:9 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. 

       The year, 2009 has been a very emotional year for me.   In January my oldest daughter announced that she and her husband were going to give us our very first grandchild and what a rocky pregnancy it was.  It seemed that everything that could possibly give her a hard time and cause us mental stress happened from January all the way through August.  In March my sister called and told us that she had breast cancer.  Through chemotherapy and radiation she lived.  It is amazing how strong she was and she has survived to finish all of that.  This was traumatic to say the least.   She is now waiting for the results of her PET-scan to see if she is cured.   Her attitude has been excellent, very upbeat and positive.  She has continually given God all the credit.    

In June my youngest daughter married right in the midst of all of these other things.  Marrying off your daughter is as emotional, stressing thing as I have ever encountered.   Then to top it off a manufacturing facility has been working day and night in my back yard, giving us concerns of having to move to who knows where, or at the least seeing a future with city traffic and all that goes with that lifestyle.   
A lifestyle we have been avoiding since we were married.  Then in August we received our first grandchild.  What a year! 

       If it were not for God’s peace and His grace and the support we found in North Central Baptist Church I am not sure I would have made it through this year. His grace does suffice.  He does give us the power to “make it through” even when things around us appear that they are about to crumble.   I thank God for His grace and mercy and for the perfection of His strength in and through our weaknesses. 

His grace has been sufficient this year in our family to say the least.  I pray that in the coming year, 2010 His grace is sufficient for you as well. 

This grace is because of the birth of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ.  This year as Christmas approaches we should have confidence that just like God in His sovereignty took care of the little baby that was laid in the manger, Jesus, He can take care of us as well.  This little baby proves that God has the ability to handle anything and everything.  Jesus is the only person who can make it possible for us to stand in the presence of God and expect entrance into an eternal heaven. Because of Jesus His grace is sufficient and His love is everlasting. 

I hope and pray that throughout this Christmas season we all remember that Jesus is the true one and only reason for this season!  Redemption brought to earth in the form of a little child.  Our faith rests on this our future is assured in Him.   Give Him praise this season and do not forget to say with boldness “MERRY CHRISTMAS”