Greenpastures313’s Weblog

We know how to breakfast. The crowd was a little slim for our annual Christmas breakfast, but those who missed just missed out. The aroma of bacon and sausage and eggs lingered in the building all morning. My mother made the trip from Albany and spent some time with us at home after services. The young people did a terrific job cooking.

The goodfellow on the left is Barry, our minister of music. Barry is an accomplished musician, owns a music store (my version of Chuck-E-Cheese), plays in more than one band or ensemble, and has led us (I think)in every song in the hymnal Songs of Faith and Praise. Very talented. 

Sister Levelle Bufurd – She just loves her preacher so much! Always giving out hugs and words of encouragement. She loves everyone and I’m proud to know her.

Another dear sister is Ruth Hamilton. Very sweet and sings beautiful alto part. She sits directly behind us in worship so I know.

This dear lady is sister Faustine Wiley (we call her “Tine”).  Very humble and kind spirited. She has become our Zoe’s adoptive grandmother. Zoe’ loves to go to miss Tine’s house.

And of course, Zoe’ was grandmama’s girl all day at church. Mom had a headache so she wasn’t feeling her best, but I’m grateful that she was able to be with us for the day.  Great food, great fellowship, great singing, great preaching (did I say that out loud??). It was a great Sunday! Thank you, Lord.

Think about her

It is the most wonderful time of the year, but not for her. She stares out a window watching and hearing rain pelt the glass and she weeps. Christmas was when her father died, the man who always gave her candy canes and oranges on Christmas morning, and gave her a doll when she was four. She remembers that year as she clutches it in her hands, hugs it. Santa gave her a bike one Christmas, and her father was the one who pushed her on it and taught her how to ride without the training wheels. He brought a puppy home another Christmas and put a big red bow on its collar. She was older then and knew how all the presents arrived, but she still smiled out loud when he exclaimed “Look what Santa brought for my little girl!” She went along because she loved him and his joy was so convincingly real. Now she’s forty something and many Christmases have come and gone, but those of late are tempered with heartache.

You might know this lady, or if not then you’ve at least seen her and without realizing who she was and what she’s going through, perhaps sidestepped her grief because you’ve got a million things to do this year to get ready, don’t you? It’s Christmas, the most wonderful time of the year and there’s shopping to do, and gifts to wrap, and cards to mail, and menus to prepare and oh so much more to do. But you and I must ask ourselves, what is she going to do? What can I do for her? How can I take some of her pain into my own heart so that her heart isn’t crushed under its pressure? That is the question. The answer is “be Christ.” The Bible says that he “became flesh and dwelt among us.” (John 1.14). That’s the extent of John’s birth narrative, but that’s all I need in her case. I must become her, that is, I must break out of my world and break into her world and there’s a thousand and one ways to do that if I just think about it. If I just think about her.

The Cheetah is a roller coaster at Wild Adventures, Valdosta GA. Here it is by day.

And here is by night.

Philippians 1.12ff

1. A different point of view is to see how events, even negative ones, can elevate your ministry in the world. Paul saw his chains as an opportunity to advance the gospel instead of a detriment to himself. To view life this way reveals the potential good in all things, which is the same as,

2. A positive point of view, that enables us to distinguish between what is important and what is mundane or of little consequence. This is a big picture point of view. The important thing for Paul is that “Christ is preached.” The end result is what counts here. We are able to choose this point of view in our daily life, therefore,

 3. A determined point of view captures our will and harnesses it to the will of Christ. “For to me to live is Christ” is the mantra of Paul’s life, even in prison. Notice the determination in his words: “I am set for the defense of the gospel” (verse 17); “I know that this shall turn to my salvation” (verse 19); “in nothing I shall be ashamed” (verse 20). These are words of will and determined faith.

Hope you find my brief synposis of this Sunday’s sermon meaningful and have a great weekend. Thanks for reading.

Glenn

Here are two very good friends, Jack and Shana Warren. Jack is one of our youth directors and he’s a good guy to have around. Jack’s great grandmother died last week. Her funeral was the day before thanksgiving. Shana was involved in a wreck Saturday in Macon while shopping. She’s ok, but very sore and needs a few prayers.

Thanksgiving Day began with a trip to the Christmas Tree Farm where Zack cut down a nice Leland Cypress, 8ft tall. We brought it home and got it in its stand before heading to my Mother’s house in Albany. My sister Barb, her husband Mike, and my nephews Richard, Jesse, and Nathan and Nathan’s little boy Jake were there when we arrived. Jake, who is my mother’s first great grandchild, is six months older than our Zoe’, who is mother’s eleventh grandchild. Wild, huh?  Anyway, we had a heck of a time at grandmama’s house! After a great meal, I took a nap (no surprise there), after which Vickey and I teamed up against grandma and Zack in a game of Canasta. We lost, but it was close.

And the hits just kept on coming! Driving home Thursday night, an antlered creatured jumped in front of the Suburban at a moderate rate of Speed (58) took out the driver’s side head light, spun around and caved in the rear passeger door. He didn’t survive.

I spent Friday getting the headlamp assembly back together and sitting in the doctor’s office with Emma, who came down with an ear infection, for which she was prescribed four different kinds of medicine, so we could leave Saturday morning for Montgomery AL. There we met up with Vickey’s sister and her neice from Mississippi to deliver a cooler full of homemade candy for one of vickey’s customers. We shopped for a while at the mall, ate an early supper at Applebys, and headed for home. Zoe’ enjoyed riding the carosel and the holiday train at the mall with her two cousins Josh and Jordan.

Sunday we decorated for Christmas. Emma’s new boyfriend, Cody, spent the day with us (this is so weird), but he’s a nice guy. He was at church both times Sunday, took Emma to eat at Zaxby’s, and helped us get decorations out of the attic and on the tree. Cody is Zack’s age and 6′2″. Zack and Cody played baseball together for several years.

It was a terrific Thanksgiving. We thought of loved ones we missed and other family members who were visiting other family. And the good news is, we get to do it all again in a matter of weeks, Lord willing. I hope you enjoyed thanksgiving as much as we. Thanks for reading.