Ladies' Pajama Party

January 23rd was our first ever "Pajama Party" at the chapel - Ladies' only! The ladies had become aware of the need for new children's pajamas for kids being sheltered in New Orleans. The shelters won't take used pj's, only new. It was decided that seamstress skills could be put to work, and for relatively little cost pajamas could be made. This proved to be a time of good fellowship and friendship. Truly, these were "workers together" with the hope of ministering to real needs in a practical way. Each finished pair was enclosed in a clear bag, along with a age-appropriate gospel tract. May HE get the glory!

A New Year's Prayer

Our good friend John Hughes shared the following at the "Watchnight" Service at Hope Bible Chapel in Birmingham, AL:

ANOTHER YEAR IS DAWNING

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be,

In working or in waiting, another year with Thee;

Another year of leaning upon Thy loving breast;

Another year of trusting, of quiet, happy rest;

Another year of mercies, of faithfulness and grace;

Another year of gladness in the shining of Thy face;

Another year of progress, another year of praise;

Another year of proving Thy presence all the days;

Another year of service, of witness for Thy love;

Another year of training for holier work above.

Another year is dawning! Dear Father, let it be

On earth, or else in heaven, another year for Thee.

- Frances Ridley Havergal

A challenging meditation for those who love Him.

Good News for Christmas

December 5th was the Annual Christmas Parade in Millbrook, which always offers the opportunity for vendors to set up booths in the Village Green Park. This marked the 5th year we've had the privilege to participate with our own booth - not to sell our wares, but to give away free items for children and adults. Balloons, Candy Canes, and a gentle reminder of the One who is the "Reason for the Season" - and the Good News that that means to us.

Some dear friends were present to help with the distribution of gift bags - a simply decorated bag that included a wallet calendar for 2010, a candy cane, and a little pamphlet with the "Story of the Candy Cane" printed in it. We also had brochures for the chapel for those interested, and free balloons for the children.

It was bitter cold, and traffic was sparse most of the morning. One might wonder, "Is this worth all the trouble?" Our answer came from a vendor who came by our booth and said, "You are always so good to do this each year. You never know who needs to receive this." And we don't. But we do know that many DO need to hear the Good News of Christmas - and of the Lord Jesus who came to be our Savior.

I'll probably be getting glasses before too long. I notice a difficulty seeing things up close now, particularly after a long day. I haven't "seen" to it already more from a lack of time to schedule a visit to the eye doctor than worry about appearance - vanity gave way to practicality a long time ago.
Which all reminds me of Paul's insight to the Corinthians - "For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face:" (1 Cor 13:12), and John's terrific promise - "When He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as he is." (1 John 3:2). Every believer is hindered in their vision now - what we "see" of Him is through eyes of faith. But then - what a day, when the scales will fall, and glorified eyes will see that Glorified Man! As the hymn writer said, "What a day, glorious day, that will be!"

Lines of Demarcation

A recent visit to Southern Pennsylvania gave the opportunity to see a marker for something many of us may have thought to be mere legend - the Mason-Dixon Line. Surveyed between 1763 and 1767, this line forms parts of the borders between Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia (then Virginia) and Delaware. The term "Mason-Dixon line" later became a popular if not totally accurate means of distinguishing the Northern States from the South. The stone referred to by the historical marker on the roadside sits about 500 feet to the east, easily seen to be jutting up in the backyard of a homeowner. I wonder how complicated it is for him to pay his property taxes.
Many want to "blur the lines" between right and wrong, or good and evil these days. We may thank the Lord there is a fixed standard - God's Word, the Bible. In it, God clearly marks out the "difference" between Himself (incomparably and absolutely holy) and us (ruined, guilty, fallen sinners). There is a marked distinction between His abode (Heaven - a place of eternal bliss) and Hell (the place of everlasting judgment and separation from Him). There is also a decided choice to be made, whether to repent of one's sins and to by faith receive His Son as Savior, or reject Him to one's eternal loss.
Just as we saw on the roadside, there is a difference. Make sure your choice is the right one. "He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God." - John 3:18

Jim Leaptrot update

Dear all,
Lisa (Leaptrot) Shepley has set up a CaringBridge site for her father - you can link it here: http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/jamesleaptrot1/mystory. Not much added yet, but it is a good way to keep up with things.
Linda is still staying in the area. Your prayers are coveted.

Inside the cup

"Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence." - Matthew 23:25 ESV. This Scripture came to mind as I looked down on my coffee cup today. It's a white cup, a gift from a vendor friend of mine. From the outside, it still looks like new. the inside tells the tale, however - my many cups of morning java have left some heavy staining. Before I commit it to the dishwasher, I am reminded of the Lord's words to those who put on a good front for others, but inside were not as clean as the outside appeared. How like us sometimes - putting on a good show for others, but if only others were to look inside! "For the LORD sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart." (1 Samuel 16:7 ESV). What does the Lord see in me?