'Tis the Season

I'm not a big fan of Halloween. As a kid I would get all kinds of candy and loved it. I admit, I like passing out candy to the kids, especially the cute and polite ones. But, the scary, spooky stuff I can do without. Since so many businesses have gotten away from using the name Christmas perhaps we should change the name of Halloween. Maybe to something like "Candy Night" or "Kids Night Out." Get rid of the costumes and the ugly decorations in the yards and celebrate our children. Make it a national "I love kids" night.

On another note, if you like Christmas music like me you probably get an early start to listening to it. Here's an excellent website that lets you pick the music you like. You have to ignore some of the ads on the webpage. It's called www.pandora.com and it's free.

By the way, we had an excellent gospel singing last night at CrossPoint with Courtney Lynn and The Wilson Sisters. Next Sunday night (Nov. 4 at 6pm) we have another singing with Tribute Quartet from Nashville, TN. Hope you can come.

Talk with you soon,

Pastor Gary

What Will Fame Get You Anyway?

Walt Disney said, "As far as I can remember, being a celebrity has never helped me make a good picture .. or command the obedience of my daughter or impress my wife. It doesn't even seem to help keep fleas off our dog, and if being a celebrity won't give one an advantage over a couple fleas, then I guess there can't be that much in being a celebrity after all."

If you take all the "fame"ous (I know it's spelled wrong) people you've ever known of and put them in a room (assuming they are alive) and if they were totally honest, they would tell you exactly what Walt Disney said. Their dogs still have fleas, they still have family concerns, they still put their pants on one leg at a time. It's fun to know many of them, but they can't do a thing for you.

Hebrews 11 tells us of God's "fame"ous (I know, I know) people and how they are right now "a great cloud of witnesses." That means we can look back at their faith and how they trusted God and how He came through for them. He will do the same thing for you. The only famous Person to put your trust in is Jesus, our Lord and our Savior.

'Til the storm passes,

Pastor Gary

Only 61 Days To Go

As I write this blog I am listening to Peggy Lee sing The Christmas Song. I know, it's still over 60 days until Christmas but there's just something special about Christmas music that makes me feel good, especially some of the older songs that still talk about the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of our Savior. This year, enjoy the true spirit of Christmas as the onslaught of commercials, crowds, and sales fill our lives.

Sincerely,

Pastor Gary

The Wonder Of It All

It does not cease to amaze me how God works. He sometimes works through people. Sometimes through events. Sometimes through nature. Sometimes through His Word. However He chooses, it's a wonder.

My wife mentioned one time that the word "awesome" is supposed to be used only when describing God (she said something like that anyway). He certainly is awesome but I don't think we have the words to describe Him. And just think, He's on your side.

Have a blessed day,

Pastor Gary