Christmas is Coming!

Wow, in 28 days we will be sitting down with family and friends to celebrate one of my favorite times of the year. But I was giving some thought to this...why is this one of my favorite times of the year? Certainly we know that for some for a variety of reasons, don't particularly like Christmas...

For me...

• I loved my mom's baking...she made special cookies and treats!
• The gifts were always a hi-light, my dad worked hard to blessed his four children!
• Certainly being together was always a good thing because my dad was so busy with work, that sometimes, we didn't see much of him. Not complaining, just missed him.

Now some of you are going to wonder, what about the times with Church. Well growing up, we didn't go to church. Very few memories. But later in my teen years, I do remember going on Christmas Eve to what became my home Church. Pastor Stewart would lead in Carols, bring a strong message and it was like family. To this day, I have Christmas Eve Service because of the profound effect of Pastor Stewart. Good memory of my Pastor growing up.

So, this season, I hope that you will be blessed by all the activities that surround the season and make a new memory with God.

He loves you!

Merry Christmas everyone!

PB

Remembering...

Today my daughter asked me, if we had anyone who fought in any of the two World Wars. I was proud to say, yes, my grand father battled in the First World War. Secondly, I am very proud of my grandfather who fought in the war by farming and providing food. The story goes, as my farming Grandpa went to the recruiting centre, he was told, go home and grow food, we need you more in that field than oversees.

My dad tells me, he was saddened by the rejection but understood. His role was very important as well as my other grandpa who fought overseas.

Friends, each of them had a vital role to play. So do we, when it comes to church. When we all do our part, it is amazing how much more is accomplished for the Kingdom. But when we don't all do our part, we don't live up to the potential that God has given us.

Can I encourage you to consider your role carefully. If you doing your part, then keep going strong. If not, then consider what you think would be a good place to start. Pray and ask God, he is always looking for people that will serve him in a variety of capacities. You may be surprised at the outcome.

I Corinthians 12:18, 'But in fact God has arranged the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he want them to be.'

We all have a part to play...may God continue to arrange us as He see's fit!

I hope that on this day of remembrance, you took the time to honor those in your heart that gave of themselves for our freedom...lest we forget...lest we forget!

Blessings,

PB

Great View

I read a great statement from the book, the dark side of the soul...it reads..

“It’s not about turning away from the pain but learning to rest in it."

What a great thought....how often do we find ourselves trying to resist the pain in our lives when God wants us to embrace it. I am rediscovering how God is there in the midst of our darkness. He is actually much closer then we may realize.

The psalms is a great place to read when we are in pain. David and other writers were not afraid to idenitify the pain of there own hearts. There walk with God allowed them the opportunity to be vulnerable and open about there hurts, habits and hang ups.

May we all find that place where we can rest with our pain, knowing that God is there in our darkest moments.

How freeing is that?

PB