To our dear church family at CGBC, Long Beach.
Christmas 2003 has arrived. It’s hard to believe that we are already four years into the new century. Sure makes you feel old to say that you were born in the last century!
This has been a wonderful year for Eva and me. For me it’s been a year of growing stronger both in the LORD and in my body. I believe that I have adjusted more this year than any other year following my stroke in 1999. I’m sure that Eva has grown in her patience and understanding. She’s had to put up with quite a bit from me.
I still write pen pulpits each week and I’m thrilled that so many of you comment as to how you have benefited from some of them. Thanks to Ken Victor for putting them on the internet.
Pastor Dale lets me preach on Sunday nights occasionally. I’m extremely grateful; but I’m still not very good at it, although some of you comment as to how a message has blessed you. Thanks for that. It’s not easy to come back following a series of massive strokes. The first time I preached after getting out of Mirada Hills, I was pushed to the pulpit in my wheel chair. The last time I preached, I walked to the pulpit. Praise the Lord.
Last summer our daughter, Kathy came down and drove us up to Washington and then over to Baker City, Oregon, for a few days and then drove us back to Whittier. We had a great time. In January, we are flying back to Dallas where my niece will meet us and drive us down to Shreveport, Louisiana, for my sister’s 59th wedding anniversary. We’re so looking forward to that time.
We owe so much to you, our wonderful church family. You’ve kept me on staff all these years – 1999-2003, although I’ve been able to come to church only on Sundays and Wednesdays for a few hours as well as special occasions. I’ve never been in a church before which I thought would do that. Thank you for being so gracious.
Eva and I are thrilled in the way Pastor Dale and Robin are leading the church. We’ve got a good and growing pastor. We want to hang onto him as long as possible. Amen?
Thanks especially to our seniors for their encouragement. All of you have been a special blessing to my wife and me.
I’d like to share with you a story.
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Who started Christmas?
This morning I heard a story on the radio of a woman who was out
Christmas shopping with her two children. After many hours of looking at row
after row of toys and everything else imaginable, and after hours of hearing
both her children asking for everything they saw on those many shelves, she
finally made it to the elevator with her two kids.
After what seemed to her an extremely long wait, the elevator
doors finally opened and there was already a crowd in the car. She pushed her
way into the car and dragged her two kids in with her and all the bags of
stuff. When the doors closed she couldn't take it anymore and stated,
"Whoever started this whole Christmas thing should be found, strung up and
shot."
From the back of the car everyone heard a quiet calm voice
respond, "Don't worry we already crucified Him." For the rest of the
trip down the elevator it was so quiet you could have heard a pin drop.
Don't forget this year to keep the One who started this whole Christmas
thing in your every thought, deed, purchase, and word. If we all did it, just
think of how different this whole world would be.
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We pray for all of you a wonderful and blessed Christmas season and be sure to keep CHRIST in Christmas. It’s all about HIM. God bless.
In His matchless love and grace,