| December 23 '06 |
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| Volume 551 |
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December
Events By Barbara Carter
I am not sure if nostalgia
creeps up on you like age or not, but this year I seem to be filled with
more of it than in the past. Wayne mentioned that Katherine asked us to please
put colored lights on the tree this year and we did. Maybe, that ignited
the nostalgia, I don’t know.
I've always liked the Christmas tree, but this year with the colored lights,
I can just sit and look at it all aglow. As soon as the sun starts fading,
I flip the light switch to turn on the tree lights. If I'm home during the
day, I keep the tree lights on all day. Is there magic in the light from
the tree?
Early every morning, when I head for the kitchen, I first stop by the living
room and turn on the lights. If I get up early enough, after I've turned
on the coffee, I sit down in a chair and enjoy the glow of just the tree
lights. It's a quiet I can't explain. If I sit down with the lights off,
I feel sad, but the multi-colored glow gives off a warmth like a roaring
fire. (There aren't that many of them for that to be.)
Maybe, this is a flashback to my childhood, since all we ever had was
multi-colored lights. Ours, usually experienced a full strand going out,
at some time before Christmas, leaving a naked section of the tree. Our present
tree seems to have brought some kind of magic to me this year.
Thank you, Katherine, for insisting we decorate our Christmas tree this way.
I hope you get to share these lights with us some more before Christmas.
Merry Christmas!
December Wedding
Saturday, December 16, 2006 marked the beginning of Anna Claire Wood's life
as Mrs. Chase Jefcoat. Anna Claire is the daughter of Tommy and Anita Wood,
who just two years ago moved two doors to the south of us on Dogwood Circle.
Chase is the son of Mr. and Mrs. David Glen Jefcoat of Belden.
I dressed to go to the wedding, wishing all at our house could be as we had
planned. Wayne and I both had planned to attend the December wedding of our
newest neighbor's elder daughter. Earlier in the week, Thursday to be exact,
I came down with one of the latest "bugs" that's circling though town. I
had been in bed all day on Thursday and housebound on Friday. Saturday, I
was moving a little better, but still not back to one hundred percent of
my old self.
I asked Wayne if he were going to the wedding, expecting him to encourage
me to start getting dressed with his reply of, "Well, of course," but instead
he said, "I think I'm coming down with what you've had. I don't fee well."
Knowing I was over the contagious part of the "bug," I felt I should go on
to the wedding, and forego the reception. I made the decision to do just
that.
The auditorium of First Baptist Church is beautiful during the Christmas
season, but for this December wedding, it was absolutely breathtaking. The
red bows, garland, Christmas tree, wreaths, and poinsettias had been replaced
with garlands, white lilies, red roses, pillar candles, and antique white
ribbon edged in gold.
There were twenty-four attendants to witness this union at the front of the
sanctuary. There were two maids of honor, Anna Claire's friend, Kelli Cox,
and Anna Claire's very proud younger sister, Mary Beth Wood. There was a
junior bridesmaid, Shannon Montgomery, and a flower girl, Georgia Harris.
Young Rob Ferguson was ring bearer.
The music was a worship service in itself, being presented by the bride's
uncle, Randy Wood and his two daughters, Tara Harris and Miranda Maynard,
who doubled as bridesmaids.
The beautiful ceremony concluded with the newly wedded couple sharing in
the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, just prior to the recessional.
Since, I chose not to stay for the reception, I cannot speak personally for
it, but I understand there was quite a line waiting to attend, and I'm sure
it was equally as wonderful as the wedding.
Congratulations to the new couple, who are residing in Tupelo, and
congratulations to both sets of parents for rearing two fine young people
who surely have a wonderful life ahead.
Belmont Christmas Program
Life at the Carter household is never boring. There always seems to be stuff
to do. Our daughter's household is likewise busy.
Several weeks back, Rayanne had called to say she had asked Ellouise Dallas
to come up to Belmont and play solo handbells for FBC Belmont. We had assured
Ellouise we would take her up so she would not only have a chauffeur, but
some help with the bells, as well.
As the week preceding the Christmas program progressed and the "bug" invaded
our household, we weren't sure what the outcome would be. With Wayne catching
the "bug" on Saturday afternoon, I knew from my recuperation that he would
not be up to the trip. I barely was, but I didn't want to miss this for many
reasons.
Sunday noon, I informed Ellouise and Mrs. Virginia Dillard that I would be
driving us up to Belmont and that we would need to leave around 3:30 p.m.
The ladies were very disappointed that Wayne couldn't make the trip. I just
trust I didn't scare them with my driving.
I had asked Sara Sue to come along with us, since Felicia was out of town
for a few days. We loaded up and headed out for a "ladies only" night on
the road.
Rayanne had asked that we get there about five o'clock, in order to get setup.
The program included choir performances from the children, youth, and adult
choirs of FBC, Belmont, solo handbells, a presentation by the Sign Language
Team, and a display of the church banners as our daughter and the church
pianist played a magnificent Christmas medley. Finally, the church puppet
ministry sang a Merry Christmas wish.
The entire program, A Musical Christmas, was very good. I'm always
amazed at the quality and volume of the music from the adult choir at Belmont.
They are always a blessing to me, whenever I hear them. I was not disappointed
on this occasion, either. The children sang out, and the participation of
all those involved in the program was amazing.
Ellouise played the handbells with such ease and presented a program that
blessed all of us in attendance. She had carried her own bells, but Rayanne
had set up two of the church's handbell tables for Ellouise to use. This
was fine except that from her stance in the choir loft, the table tops were
too high for Ellouise to reach her bells, properly. A quick adjustment with
first one riser and then another solved the problem. Floating atop the risers,
the heavenly sounds of the bells rang out the joys of the season and certainly
inspired all who heard the performance.
I'm sorry Wayne missed the program and the fine food, which is characteristic
of our new friends at FBC, Belmont, but I certainly enjoyed the evening and
managed to get everyone back home safe and sound before nine o'clock.
God’s Still
God Christmas Top Ten
The following was received in a recent email from my niece in Southaven.
I’ve not been able to verify the source is actually from "The Most High",
but it sounds just like Him.
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking
My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually
born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors
who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan
festival. Although I do appreciate being remembered anytime, I have never
mentioned celebrating my birth.
How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily
understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own.
I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just,
get along and love one another. Now, having said that let Me go on.
If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting
My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in
a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that
there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there
would be many of them all around town.
Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree,
instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may
remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish:
I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation
to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgot that one, look
up John 15: 1 - 8.
If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish
list. Choose something from it:
-
Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being
celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They
are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all
the time.
-
Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally.
They just need to know that someone cares about them.
-
Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his
staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be
praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice
hearing from you again.
-
Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they
don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why
I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them
that I love them.
-
Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.
-
Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life
this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know
who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make
the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local Hot-Line: they
talk with people like that every day.
-
Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday,
be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind
word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't
keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the
store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees
spend the day at home with their families.
-
If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially
one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.
You may already know someone like that.
-
Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town
who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any
presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't)
buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some
other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.
-
Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in Me and your
loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that
you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you
are one of mine.
PS: Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love
Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check
out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the
ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all
those whom you love and remember, I LOVE YOU.
God
Bodock Beau
Postage Stamps
On behalf of Ridge Rider News, I would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas
and a Happy New Year.
What denomination?
A woman went to the Post Office to buy
stamps for her Christmas Cards.
"What denomination?" asked the clerk.
"Oh, good heavens! Have we come to this?" said the woman. "Well, give me
30 Catholic, 10 Baptist ones, 20 Lutheran, and 40
Presbyterian."
=======================
Three blondes were all applying for the
last available position on the Texas Highway Patrol.
The dbetective conducting the interview looked at the three of them and said,
"So y'all want to be cops, huh?"
The blondes all nodded. The detective got up, opened a file drawer and pulled
out a folder.
Sitting back down, he opened it and pulled out a picture, and said, "To be
a police officer, you have to be able to detect. You must be able to notice
things such as distinguishing features and oddities such as scars and so
forth."
So saying, he stuck the photo in the face of the first blonde and withdrew
it after about two seconds.
"Now," he said, "did you notice any distinguishing features about this man?"
The blonde immediately said, "Yes, I did. He has only one eye!"
The detective shook his head and said, "Of course he has only one eye in
this picture! It's a profile of his face! You're dismissed!"
The first blonde hung her head and walked out of the office.
The detective then turned to the second blonde stuck the photo in her face
for two seconds, pulled it back and said, "What about you? Notice anything
unusual or outstanding about this man?"
"Yes! He only has one ear!"
The detective put his head in his hands and exclaimed, "Didn't you hear what
I just told the other lady? This is a profile of the man's face! Of course
you can only see one ear! You're excused too!"
The second blonde sheepishly walked out of the office.
The detective turned his attention to the third and last blonde and said,
"This is probably a waste of time, but..."
He flashed the photo in her face for a couple of seconds and withdrew it,
saying, "All right, did you notice anything distinguishing or unusual about
this man?"
The blonde said, "I sure did. This man wears contact lenses."
The detective frowned, took another look at the picture and began looking
at some of the papers in the folder.
He looked up at the blonde with a puzzled expression and said, "You're absolutely
right! His bio says he wears contacts! How in the world could you tell that
by looking at his picture?"
The blonde rolled her eyes and said, "Well, Helloooo! With only one
eye and one ear, he certainly can't wear glasses."
Shared by Ed Dandridge
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