Believe it: Christmas is coming in less than a month

Do you realize that one month from today will be Christmas week. Time has a way of creeping up.
On Sunday, a little chilly but warm inside, Butch, in much pain, brought his message to us. He took his sermon from Psalm 12:6-8 with a topic of "Who can you believe?" This topic can run in many directions, but always coming back to the true meaning, and that's always believe that what God says is always what you must believe. Different ones might quote from this or that, but go back to the true Bible– it tells nothing but the truth.
 As I said in the beginning that Butch was in pain on Sunday– as most of you know, he recently had a birthday and to prove he was still a young man, well, he did prove something. In his mind he was still that 15- to 16-year-old out tussling in the yard with a football. Turns out that this football caused him to stumble and fall hard, bruising ribs and other places. Very painful. We could not even tell him something to make him laugh. I guess he wanted to cry. Anyhow, we found out that he ain't the same kid he used to be so pray for a quick healing of these bruises and scrapes on his body.
 It was all in fun but sometimes we do get to the age where we can "watch" that football game instead of trying to be a "hero." Our love and sympathy to you Butch.
 On Sunday night we just had a casual singing,  mostly from our beloved old hymnal, with a few specials.
 So many of us enjoyed the Thanksgiving time with our families. Most tables were full of wonderful food, shared with your loved ones and friends truly giving thanks for all our blessings. Most of our family was able to get here. I didn't get to enjoy my dinner as I had a bad reaction from my shingles shot but my family certainly did. Thank You, Lord, for bountiful tables of food.
 The beautiful flowers we placed in memory of Mary Creek, whose birthday would have been the 18th.
 Rusty, Kim and Ryan Johnson, Tina and Ben enjoyed a nice weekend in Pigeon Forge last week. 
 Ruby is putting a lot of time and effort into our upcoming Christmas program. She's asking that if you are in the program, do not miss a practice. It will be held the night of Dec. 9 at 6 p.m.
 On Saturday, Dec. 1 several Sunday School classes will enjoy going bowling and pizza. 
 Tuesday night was the last night of our Antioch College Bible classes. Those that hung in there learned a lot that we didn't know, very interesting.
 In December, we will have our combination Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner on Dec. 2. Then on the  Dec. 22 we'll go caroling.
 Steve and Cindy Smith celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary on Sunday with a dinner with the whole family. Congratulations to this great couple.
 I want to send my love and sympathy to my family.    My first cousin, just a year or so older than me, passed away on Saturday. Thomas Ford was the oldest child of my mama's sister, Annie B. and Otis Ford of Snellville. And the brother to my dear cousin, Carolyn Gaylor. Sympathy to Susan Gibbons, the only daughter of Thomas, and the rest of the family. His funeral is on Wednesday in Snellville and I have the honor of singing. 
 Happy birthday to two dear men today. Bud Malcom and James Buice know what the 80s feel like.
 Blessings for both of you. Also, to Tara Elliott, Kelly Sears and Richard Ferguson. Dec. 1, Taylor Ferguson; Elizabeth Lawson on the 4.   Anniversary blessings for Christy and Kenny Barbaree on the 3.
 Not much news from this end of the line.
 So until next week, may the Lord bless you real good.

Printed in the November 29, 2012 edition.