It’s been a little bit of a wild ride since my last prayer letter. Two weeks spent in the Philippines, with two definite highlights, speaking in a women’s prison and officiating a wedding. Then the Sawdust Festival Winter Fantasy running for five consecutive weekends, a good show featuring really nice new work by Nikki. Followed by the wedding of Ken and Linda at the Presbyterian Church last Sunday evening. Wow, what a stunning couple.
Sandwiched in between was an advent message I gave on ‘peace’ at Little Church, a word that spoke more to me than probably anybody. This truth gripped me, the difference between the peace the world offers and the peace Jesus offers.
Human peace – a state of contentment resulting from no conflict or trouble; freedom from disturbances; tranquility; absence of noise; circumstances are good
God’s peace – a state of contentment, free from worry, even and especially in the midst of the most difficult and trying circumstances; trusting in God no matter what is taking place in your life.
Three Significant Verses Promising God’s Peace
“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid,” John 14:27
“These things I have spoken to you so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but take courage, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything with prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God, and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7
Here is the upcoming Christmas/New Year’s schedule at the church. Please pray over these meetings to be fruitful and full of God’s presence. It’s now 2:30 on Sunday as I write this
· Sunday eve, December 23, Final Advent Service at 5 pm
· Monday eve, December 24, Christmas Eve services at 4:30 & 6 pm
· Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day, Upper Room Prayer, 8-9 am
· Sunday, December 30, special end-of-the-year services, 9 & 10:45 am
· Tuesday, January 1, New Year’s Day, annual prayer time between 8-9 am at the fire road knoll between Moulton Meadow Park and TOW school.
· Tuesday, January 1, at 7 pm, Chris and the worship team leads us in another annual worship night in the church sanctuary
** Note – Nikki and I want to thank all of you who prayed for Mark, Nikki’s brother, who underwent an emergency brain surgery last night to remove fluids/blood. The surgery went extremely well and he is now recuperating in ICU. We are so grateful.
** My Christmas card to all of you…
Two Favorite Christmas Quotes…
“The rooms were very still while the pages were softly turned and the winter sunshine crept in to touch the bright heads and serious faces with a Christmas greeting.” –Louisa May Alcott, Little Women
“Christmas Eve was a night of song that wrapped itself about you like a shawl. But it warmed more than your body. It warmed your heart…filled it, too, with melody that would last forever.” –Bess Streeter Aldrich, Song of Years
My best to each one of you, Jay