A whole lot of appreciations going on…
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Last evening we had a marvelous meal with the Campbells and the Fredericks, blackened redfish, smothered with shrimp and a white sauce, and the trimmings. Wow, what a delightful meal.
The evening was simply warming to the heart. Plenty of good ole down-to-earth fellowship. Lots of laughter to go around. And the kids had a blast. Suppose there is nothing in the world like Christians having wonderful times of togetherness.
Hello world — I hope that one day you’ll tuly discover the master key to life.
Yep, October is ‘Pastor Appreciation’ month. We’ve surely been blessed. Of course the three Christian Challenge pastors with our wives are relishing every moment. And the three ‘relishing’ pastors are, Nathan as Senior Pastor, Jon as Youth Pastor, and yours truly as Founding Pastor.
The Campbells and Fredericks were the latest in our ‘appreciation’ venture. Still have more to go. :) We really appreciate all the love that has been sent our way.
Thanks mucho to Edward and Sue for the special treats they’ve brought to the parsonage. Edward and Sue have to be one of the sweetest couples on God’s good earth. I have more fun picking at Edward than just about anyone. Thanks Edward and Sue.
Last Saturday evening also took the cake. After the water give-away, we saundered on out to Sharp, where Bernett, Lane, and Martha Jane prepared us a meal of rib eye steaks with all that goes with steaks. Boy, just thinking about those steaks makes my mouth water.
It wasn’t just the steaks that made the evening. Cousins Jerry and Jerome brought their guitars and off we go for a good ole country gospel hoe down — I’m on the banjo and guitar, Jerry and Jerome on the guitars, with Nathan on the base guitar and piano. The only thing missing was cousin Jamesette on the fiddle. He was out-of-pocket. That boy can play a fiddle like a house on fire. 
Got to wondering this week where the word ‘Christmas’ came from ...
I’ve always been puzzled about the word Christmas. For years I thought the word Christmas came to us by way of the Latin language via the Catholic Church, and that it meant Christ Mass. It was interesting to find out that this really isn’t the case at all. At least not in its etymological sense. (How do you like that fancy title for the origin of words.)
Laying aside all consideration for what or what may not be of pagan origin, the word Christmas literally comes to us by way of late Old English. It was spelled ‘Cristes-messe’ which meant the festival of Christ. ‘Messe’ meant feast, festival, or celebration. (First found in 1038 - In Latin the term is Dies Natalis - the nativity.)
There is a lot of lore about Christmas, but let me add something to the pot. There really is no Hebrew, Greek, or Latin word for Chrismas. Yet there is a Greek word that sounds very much like it and may have something to do with where the term truly came from.
The word for Christ in Hebrew is Messiah. In Greek it is Christos. Both words speak of the anointed one. However, in the Greek language the word for the anointing is ‘Chrisma. It is pronounced very near to our english word Christmas. This word is pronounced khris’-mah.
So when someone says to you, ‘Merry Christmas,’ just keep in mind where the word most likely came from. Now doesn’t that sound a lot better. :) Just having fun - Don’t be mad at me for being a smarty.
Off to Anderson this Friday…
Its time for another check up at MD Anderson. This is all part of the ’staying-on-top-of-things’ regimen. We plan to leave early Friday morning and return later that evening. About nine to ten hours driving time. Most of my tests are in the morning with the final one at 1:20 p.m. (Go back on the 30th to meet with my doctor.)
But we do have a couple reasons for the fast turn-around. One is ‘voting’ time Saturday. Another is our church soft ball outing. I really love these fun get-together times.
Testimony time…
Our Wednesday evening service is a special time for Christian Challenge. For a number of weeks we’ve had members of the congregation share their testimony. It has been such joy to hear how folks came to know the Lord. Debbie will be sharing this evening. What a treat!
They are new every morning…
Following Debbie’s testimony I’ll share a bit of study. For anyone interested, my text this evening will be Lamentations 3:20-25. Only have two points: The Sacrifice of Love, and, What the Human Race Needs to Know.
I’m going to do things a bit backwards. I’ll advise folk up front that it will be at the end of the study before I tell them why I brought the study. There is an objective, but the objective needs to be the icing on the cake. Interested? You can sit in on the study via our web site at http://www.christianchallenge.org/
Ok, thats it for now.
CJ sends his best.
Much love coming your way from the Martin plantation,
Buddy
