Monthly Archives: December 2022

Have you ever gotten to the end of a really good book and felt a sense of sadness that the story was over? You’ve connected with the characters and it’s hard to let them go. But then you turn the last page and you see these words, “Be sure to read the second book in this series…” Suddenly, you can hardly wait to buy Book 2 and find out what happens next.

That’s kind of how I feel today. Last evening I finished my last shift at the Walk-in Clinic. After over 15 years I’ve come to the end of this chapter in my life. It’s been a wonderful experience working with the amazing staff there. They have become so much more than co-workers. Through the years they have become friends and even a second family to me. I will truly miss each one of them.

In spite of the mixed feelings I have about leaving, I also am looking forward to what lies ahead. Today is a new beginning, a new chapter in our lives and I can hardly wait to see what God has in store for us. In a few days I will start a new job and soon we’ll be moving to Walla Walla to be closer to our children and grandchildren. It’s a fresh start, a new beginning. It’s a little scary too, but I know God is in control.

As this year ends and a new one begins, that is the thing I want you to remember – God is in control. No matter how this chapter of your life is ending, tomorrow is a new day, a new year! God says to you today, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18, 19 NIV).

New chapters in life can be scary, because we don’t know what comes next. However, we don’t need to worry, because Jesus is “the author and finisher of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). He loves you with an amazing love and He promises “that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28).

God’s plans are “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” (Jeremiah 29:11). He’s writing your story right now and you get a say in how it all turns out. Give him your life today. Let Him have control and you’re going to love how the story ends!

You too are starting a new chapter tomorrow. Don’t be afraid to turn the page. The best is yet to come!

Our daughter, Rishana, was helping out at the Journey to Bethlehem reenactment in Spokane, WA a couple weeks ago and she told us about something special that happened that night.

As one little girl walked through the streets of Bethlehem that night, she was overwhelmed by what she was seeing. She was filled with wonder by all the sights and sounds around her. She petted the sheep and goats, listened to the music, and listened attentively to the story the actors told at each stop.

Finally, they reached the stable and this little girl gazed in awe at the baby asleep in the manger. She heard the shepherds as they circulated through the crowd, spreading the good news, “The Messiah has come!”

So totally was this little girl caught up in the story, that she couldn’t hold back any longer. Running from the stable, she went out into Bethlehem’s streets, telling everyone she met, “The Messiah has come! The Messiah has come!”

People laughed at this little girl’s enthusiasm, but when I heard this story it made me think. What would happen if we all got as caught up in this story as this little girl? What if we believed like she did? I think we’d be joining her, telling everyone we met the good news – “The Messiah has come!”

This Christmas I pray you will rediscover the little child in you. This morning, as you read about the babe in the manger and the shepherds and wisemen, let the wonder of this story fill you till you can’t hold it any longer. Then, like the shepherds and this little girl, go and tell everyone you meet the good news, “The Messiah has come! The Messiah has come!”

God bless and have a very Merry Christmas!

It’s Christmas Eve and for many it’s a time for shopping for stocking stuffers or that last minute gift. Others are baking cookies, sipping eggnog, or preparing for Christmas dinner. Millions of others are traveling home to spend the holidays with family. It’s a busy, sometimes frantic, day, but one we look forward to all year round.

The scene on the first Christmas Eve, over 2000 years ago, was far different. Forced by Rome to leave their home in Nazareth and travel over dusty roads to Bethlehem, Mary and Joseph arrived tired, dirty and sore, alone in a strange place where they didn’t know a soul. Knowing time was short, they frantically looked for a room, only to be turned away time-after-time.

Mary has already suffered so much. Pregnant out of wedlock, she’d been scorned by family and friends, nearly rejected by her fiance, forced to travel long distances while 9 months pregnant. After dealing with all that, she must have wept when Joseph told her they’d have to sleep in the stable. After all, a girl can only take so much. Then, as if things couldn’t get any worse, the contractions started.

Some romanticize this story, as if Mary’s delivery was painless and easy, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Being her first pregnancy Mary probably suffered for hours, as wave after wave of contractions hit. There was screaming, sweating, blood, excruciating pain, then blessed relief with that final push.

Exhausted, Mary just lay back in the hay and listened for a moment to her baby’s first cries, joy and wonder filling her heart. Then she gently lifted Jesus to her breast for the very first time, giving the Life-Giver the gift of life.

Ahead lay many sleepless nights, diaper changes, and midnight feedings. There’d be first steps, toilet training, scratched knees, and hurt feelings. When Jesus grew up, there’d be worry and pride, inexpressible heartache and grief at His crucifixion, followed by joy unspeakable at His resurrection.

All this lay ahead, but none of that was important right then. All that mattered to Mary on that first Christmas day, was the babe in her arms, Emmanuel, God with us.

Nothing has changed in over 2000 years. It’s not the gifts under the tree or the stockings “hung by the chimney with care” that are important. It’s not the bright lights, the shopping or the carols at night that should consume our thoughts. The only thing that really matters this Christmas and all through the year is Jesus, Emmanuel, God with us. He truly is the “reason for the season.”

May His love surround you throughout this Christmas and may His peace fill your heart throughout the coming year is my prayer.

Merry Christmas!