Saturday surprise

MERRY CHRISTMAS, the day we celebrate the Savior's birth. This in itself should blow our socks off with excitement and anticipation. But for many reasons there are a lot of people out there that don't agree with even saying Merry Christmas. They believe so many people will be offended. Everywhere we went the people were happy to say Merry Christmas, if some don't believe in Christmas, they don't have to respond, or they can simply say, they don't believe in Christmas. That's their choice and that's okay, but why should everyone else pretend there is no Christmas because a few don't want to? Many of us want to celebrate that our Savior came as a baby, even if it's not the exact day, it's just good to give Him praise and thanksgiving for giving us hope and eternal life. So many live without hope and it can make such a difference to know the hope that Jesus brought us over 2000 years ago. Many people are hurting at this time, it brings back memories and some are very hurtful. Some marriages are broken and they need to deal with blended families, which isn't an easy thing sometimes. We need to keep these people in prayer and work to keep the marriages we are in getting better every day by giving in a little and not always expecting to get our own way. The saying that comes to mind is "Put your partner first."-Do you want it your way and always be right- or -D0 you want a good marriage, we all have this choice and now many are suffering the consequences.

This evening we got to do some carolling at a couple of senior's homes and what a great time that was. I've been told, I can't sing very well but by the grace of God and Diane's help and instead of being told that I can't sing she has encouraged me and little by little it's coming. It is amazing what encouragement can do to a person and we saw a lot of that tonight as we sang and hugged and spent time talking to many seniors. The smiles, tears and the look in their eyes said it all and they wanted to know when we would come back and do it again. What a blessing to be asked by the Alexander family to join them in blessing so many.

Well, we have most of our gift shopping done and we're getting ready for the family to arrive Monday. So our home will be filled with a lot of little ones, a lot of laughs and the best of all is we all know the reason for the season what joy that brings. I remember the first Christmas after we quit drinking it was so strange not to be pouring the drinks but what we got today is so much better than any bottle ever gave us. The spirit that we get to drink of today not only gives us life and hope but it's the life and hope we get to share to everyone. Someone once said to me, wish we had the old Harold and Diane back but they are dead and gone. P.T.L. It's amazing the people that God brings together, I remember a few years ago we were invited to a home in Caronport for a pre- Christmas supper with some other friends and after supper we all sat and passed a candle around and shared some of what we were thankful for. The reason it was a bit weird was across from me sat an RCMP officer that really shared and was open about the many blessing in his life and what God had done for him. WOW here was a guy that at one time I would have hated and feared and now was sitting across from me talking like this and today we are really good friends. The things God will do with your life and in your life all depends on if you'll give Him a chance. Sunday again tomorrow, well we know the best place to be is at church with our family, if you're wondering about a safe church to go to where you'll feel at home and be challenged draw closer to God in your walk, meet us at the Lloyd Gospel Fellowship Church 10:30 tomorrow morning. Hope to see you there, we'll be sitting near the front.