Southern Baptists Helping AlabamaTornado Survivors

I've asked in previous posts that you help out with the Tornado Disaster Relief in our home state, Alabama, after the historic damage of April 27, 2011.

This video will give you an idea of the devastation in many parts of Alabama, and how we, as Southern Baptists, are helping survivors of these tornadoes put their lives back together and give them hope for the future.

I consider myself to be blessed to be a member of a Christian denomination that anticipates the need for disaster aid and has crews trained and ready to go anywhere they are needed. There have also been countless numbers of local churches and members who have given selflessly to help those in such dire need.

If you have not already made a donation of time, goods, or money toward helping these people who have lost every earthly possession, please contribute now.

Alabama Baptist State Mission Board
Salvation Army
Red Cross
United Way

You can also MAIL a box of toys or baby clothes in good clean condition to be distributed to children who have survived these horrible tornadoes.

HE IS RISEN!!!

1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

2 And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre.

3 And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus.

4 And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments:

5 And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?

6 He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee,

7 Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.

8 And they remembered his words.

Luke 24:1-8 KJV

Merry CHRISTmas!!

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger."

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us." And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.
Luke 2:8-16

We pray that you know the Christ of Christmas as your personal Saviour. May the world's temptation to make Christmas all about Santa and gifts not overshadow this holy time of year for you and your family.

Love,

Fred and Rosemary

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

I think I've written Merry Christmas and said it more times this season than I have ever in my whole life. I always took that little phrase somewhat for granted, until it was obvious this year that most retailers were down playing the Christmas decorations and instructing employees to say Happy Holidays, or, in some cases, dictating that they not say anything at all!

"Then peal the bells more loud and clear, God is not dead, nor doth he sleep! The wrong shall fail, the right prevail, with Peace on Earth, Good Will toward men.""

So, to you and your family I wish you all a Christ filled Christmas!!!

The Reason for the Season - JESUS

Matthew 1:21 (King James Version)

"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins."

The last few years have seen an obvious change in the way businesses handle greetings for the Christmas holiday. When I was growing up, in fact, when our children were growing up, everyone wished each other a "Merry Christmas!"

But the last few years many stores and businesses have tried to be politically correct, so they started wishing folks "Happy Holidays" instead. This year, it seems like most of the clerks we have dealt with are just not saying anything. If we wish the clerk a Merry Christmas, we get a Merry Christmas in return. But if we don't say anything, they don't either. They just take our money, and go about their business. Has anyone else noticed this?

I realize that strangers who greet each other at this time of the year don't know if they are speaking to a Christian, or not. But hubby and I say Merry Christmas, regardless, because that is what WE are celebrating! Would I be offended if someone greeted me with Happy Chanukah? No, I would not. I would wish them a Happy Chanukah in return, without a moment's hesitation. Of course, Kwanzaa is not a religious holiday, but if I knew that someone was celebrating that time of remembrance, I would wish them Habari Gani, too.

I think the overall principle here is that it is to be a time of "Good Will Toward ALL Men." And that is what I try to live.

May you and yours have a wonderful Christmas time together.