I think that the most wonderful theological thought is best worded in a simple song we often sing.  Jesus loves me this I know, for the Bible tells me so.  This week God’s names introduces us to a God who is both eternal and present.  God knows and cares for even the lowest individual.  This was true in Hagar’s case and it is just as true in your life.  It does not matter how “small” you are, or unworthy you feel, God knows you and sees you.  He is a God who sees and cares for each of us.  We are special to him.  And if more people would hear and understand this message, the larger our churches would be.  So let someone in your life know that you serve a God who sees.

Power.  It is something we all long for but few get.  However, we can be weak and yet powerful if we trust and rely on God’s Power name.  “One and God make a majority” is an old but true statement (Frederick Douglas).  We have the power to over come everything with God on our side.  “With God all things are possible.” (Mark 10:27) And the reverse is also true, without God, we can do nothing (John 15:5).  So lean into God and to the impossible.

My new year’s wish for everyone is to have a closer walk with Jesus this year than the last.  This is much more important than exerise, losing weight, eating healthier, spending more time with family, saving more money, or whatever resolution you can make.  Make Jesus a priority this year and all the other things will fall into place (Matt 6:33).

This is not December 26.  It is well after the holiday season has ended and family has gone back home.  It is wonderful (at least in my family) to be together at Christmas.  And even though the house is a bit crowded and places to sit a bit fewer, it is good to be with family.  And it was great to be with family on Sunday with our services.  We were able to celebrate together the Lord’s birth.  Who knows where we will be in 11 years when the next Christmas Sunday takes place.  So I hope you all a great Christmas and that you will have a wonderful new year.

It was wonderful to hear all the musical talents of our youth from our church.  They did a great job offering their gifts to the Lord for his praise and glory.  What is your gift for Christmas?

The flu is going around our house.  I pray that you will be healthy and be able to enjoy this season in it’s entirety.

Christmas time is here.  And it is wonderful to see all the light go up around the area.  Do you have any outdoor Christmas decorations?

Christmas time is here and I hope as we start this season of hope that we will see Christ anew.  He has given us so much to celebrate.  And he has given in a way that we need to respond with gifts back to him.  So come and receive, but also be prepared to give.

Yadah!  What a wonderful word.  And a wonderful concept.  Giving to the Lord what he rightly deserves.  Whether that is thanks or praise or confession.  It is just one word used in the OT to praise the Lord.  The more familiar one is Hallelu as in the combined Hallelujah!  So now you know two ways to praise the Lord in Hebrew!  For those of you who are NT scholars, you probably all know the Greek word for praise which is of course doxa as is doxology.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow!