That Time of Year

It happens every 7 years, Christmas falls on a Sunday, which means Christmas Eve is Saturday night. We have just entered into our 7th year of marriage, last time it didn't matter. This time we have 3 kids! What to do , what to do. We have Christmas Eve Service at our church so we can't open gifts then. I figure our kids won't let us sleep that late anyway! I thought perhaps we could wait for gifts till we all got home from church as the regular Sunday morning is pretty busy...I don't think the kids will go for it. Since we have moved and it will be only 2 adults making a duck and a turkey seems silly, so I think I am making a duck and a chicken. RevDr's favorite around the holiday's is Goose Liver Pate...which no one sells in this area...suprise suprise. In other news Presbyboy turned 6,Presbybaby is now 1 and walking. I also have chicks inthe incubator that should hatch tomorrow, if the kidshaven't been to rough with them which is a high possibility!

Tuesday Afternoon Jesus

The Tuesday Afternoon Jesus All of you know my husband, You know the man who stands before you on Sunday morning, the man who visits you if you're sick or comforts you at the grave side of your loved one. Some of you know him more intimately as a friend whom you laugh with at lunches or work on projects with, but none of you really know him as I do. He is my “bride groom” the man whom I consult with on many matters, raise children with when I am sick he takes over many of my duties, when I'm weak he carries me when I'm over reacting or full of nonsense he tells me, when I'm sad he consoles me and much sooner then we think we will grown old together and go from this earthly life. You know my Sunday morning husband, but I know my Tuesday afternoon husband,the two are the same the difference is the relationship. Everyone in this room knows Jesus,even if you've never been much of a church goer you know from the media that church is where people go to talk about Jesus and that Jesus is God's son, someone to cry out to when something bad happens. Maybe someone to blame when cruel life doesn't go as you wish it did. You think that Jesus lives in the beautiful church building the one you visit to get married, baptized or to say a final farewell to a loved one, but there's another Jesus, the Tuesday afternoon Jesus. Several years ago a very bad storm came through the town where I grew up, everyone's power was out for several days, it was bitterly cold and no one could really drive anywhere, not that there was any place to go. Suddenly in the space of a few days I began to know everyone on my street very well, the people who had fireplaces offered to let those who didn't come and sleep in their homes to stay warm, everyone pooled their food and we cooked it on a grill and entertained one another, playing board games and listening to a small radio. In those few days I got to know the people I had lived within just a few feet of most of my life very well, not because I particularly wanted to but because I needed to in order to survive. The funny thing that happened, was as soon as the power was restored and the danger over we all went back to our own homes,and we went right back to the relationships we had before of the casual nod and a slight wave. Almost as if we had forgot how much we had needed one another just a few days before. The discomfort and danger was over. We could rely on ourselves again . Revelation 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will commune with him, and he with me. There is a Tuesday afternoon Jesus that wants to speak to you every day not just on a Sunday. There's a Jesus that if you'll ask him will care if you ran out of gas on the way to work, lost your check book or don't know what to do with your rebellious teenager. Sometimes you hear Jesus knocking loudly on your heart's door, but much more often it's his slight, constant tap asking to be let in, maybe so quiet that you've learned to ignore it, yet he patiently stands outside your hearts door, you pass him everyday, like that next door neighbor casually giving him a nod or a wave, but never really going beyond an acquaintance. Maybe many years ago you knew him quiet well but now you only speak occasionally. But still he waits patiently for you to ask him in, to help you in your daily struggles and to comfort you in your Tuesday afternoon problems. Asking Jesus to come in is something so simple even a little child can understand it. Hell is still hot, the Devil is as real as you and me but Jesus' blood can still conquer them both. GO INTO ROMAN'S ROAD PLAN OF SALVATION. Praying and asking Jesus to come into your life isn't made up of magical words that save you it's the believing in your heart. Sample Prayer “Dear Jesus, I know I've done thing wrong in my life and that I need you desperately , not only to be my Savior but to be my friend and guide, thank you for shedding your blood on the cross to cover my sins and promising me a home in heaven someday. Amen.