Okay, we opened up some gifts early!  We received 2 packages today.  So, we decided to open them up.  It was a lot of fun.  The kids tried to convince me to open the others.  It was a valiant try but they did not succeed!  We are looking forward to celebrating Christmas and going over to the Dorsey’s tonight for a special meal. 

What kind of special traditions does your family do or have you established recently?

Merry Christmas

Since we have arrived in Canada in 2006, we have been blessed in numerous ways.  God is faithful and God is good.  He has equipped us for this task and we know that He has sent us here.  Nonetheless, the devil tries to implant false thoughts in our minds and tries to shake our foundation.  This also has been made very clear in recent months.  Please pray for our family as we continue to move forward in our church planting efforts here on the island.  Specifically, pray for my dear wife, Sheena.  There are many difficulties at times and seasons in church planting.  I was reminded tonight by Sheena that God is faithful and Christ is our anchor and hope even in these times.  We must keep our eyes on the prize and long for our blessed hope–Jesus Christ.  Paul always focuses his thoughts on Christ, realizing that hope in Him is not for this life only.  We see that also in Titus 2:13-14

13while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,

14who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. 

Thank you for your prayers for our family!  Continue to pray that we will stand on the promises of Christ and that we will demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5).

Adam and Christi Dorsey and their son Jacob are our dear friends and faithful ministry partners here on the island of Newfoundland.  If you would like to learn more about them, please visit their site www.evidenceofgrace.net

(buy one of their music CD’s –they are great!!)

Christi Dorsey has a liver disease and has been on the liver transplant list for over 6 years.  In recent weeks and months, some new symptoms have appeared that has shown what the doctor seems to be a progression in her disease.  Christi goes for more bloodwork tomorrow (December 17) to monitor how she is doing.  Please pray for this appointment as well as her overall health.  Christi has a cheerful spirit and knows full well that God is in control!  Also, pray for her strength and that she gets much needed rest during the upcoming winter months.

5 Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him.

6 He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken.  

7 My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

8 Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.   Selah