Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!

I pray that joy will fill your home, your family and your friends during this Christmas season! Remember the reason for this season is Jesus!!

He weeps for you!

As many of you know the past 2-3 years have really had it's toll on me. Sometimes it seems like the only emotion I feel is anxiety. I truly believe that when we suffer Christ weeps for us. The reason for his tears is two fold. 1) He is concerned because he loves you and 2) He is saddened because when we worry, we fail to trust that He is in control. I often have to stop, take a deep breath and cry out to Jesus. It never fails that I am comforted by talking to him. Jesus should be your best friend. He knows everything about you including your prayer before you say it.

So why does Christ allow us to suffer in the first place? Why doesn't he shield us from anything that would hurt us? If we are honest many of the things that cause stress in our lives are things we have done. When we stray from the Lord we settle into a void or darkness. We feel lonely and heavy burdened. Then there are situations that rip out our heart because other people have failed us. These are tough but they may be opportunities for us to show the love of Christ.

We live in a sinful world and we are sinful by nature. Because of sin the world has another master (satan). Now I'm not saying God always punishes us when we sin. Actually we punish ourselves. It's the failures of Adam to our own rejection of Christ that cause this world to be cursed. If you read the Old Testament you will find that when kings followed God their land would be blessed but when they turned their back on God their land would be attacked.

As long as we are living in this world people will suffer, people will die and evil will be present. But there is hope in Christ. Now if we turn our eyes on Jesus he will comfort us and give us peace. The more we trust Him, the more peace we will have.

33 years...

Friday, December 4 I will be married to my lovely wife 33 years. She is a dedicated wife, mother and grandmother. I was truly blessed by God when she became a part of my life. I love her so much!

At First Sight

Memories take me back,

To the night that I met you.

Back when we were young,

We found a love so true.

My heart skipped a beat,

As you walked across the floor,

Little did I know,

It was you I would adore.

It happened at first sight,

When you glanced at me,

I found love that night,

My true destiny.

Our love grew even stronger,

And we've raised a family.

After all the joys and sorrow,

You're still standing next to me.

So after all these years,

And all the time together,

You're still the only one,

That I'll love forever...

(Sharon Cutshall)

I love you Carla, thank you for all you do! You are the best. You have always be there for me and I know... "God blessed the day I found you!"