We hope everyone had a very blessed Thanksgiving focusing on the grace and mercy poured out upon us by our sovereign God. Even in the midst of all that is going on around the world and within our own nation, those who are the children of the Most High God are always greatly blessed and highly favored.
And as we now turn to celebrate the Christmas Season let us not be so troubled, or so busy, that we do not fully and properly acknowledge the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Let us rejoice and give Him praise in whatever way we are able, with humble heart in sincere worship.
“For God did not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love, and of self-control.”
2 Timothy 1:7
Looking beyond Christmas to 2021, it is my prayer that we, as a nation and as a people, will return to our Judeo-Christian roots. That we will seek out God’s wisdom, trust in Him, and be fearless once more.
Let us never forget that freedom requires courage. Our 15th Annual Day of Praise was a great success. The turnout was good and several hundred followed on line. The Gospel Light Christian Fellowship Praise Team was awesome and Pastor Chris Spear’s message was on point, quite relevant to the times we are in. We greatly appreciate all who attended or viewed on-line. We serve an amazing God. We simply cannot glorify Him enough.
“Let us not become weary of doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
Galatians 6:9
November 9th Mayor Andy Arnold, on behalf of Lafayette’s City Council presented the Care Mission Food Pantry with a Proclamation stating that November 9, 2020 was Care Mission Day in the City of Lafayette. This was to honor the Care Mission for its 15 years of service. On behalf of our volunteers and supporters, we are humbled and honored to be recognized for the work God is doing through the Care Mission Food Pantry. Without encouragement it’s easy to become weary.
WRCB-TV 3 recently spotlighted the Care Mission as part of their Share Your Christmas promotion. If you missed it you can see it at WRCBTV.com search for Care Mission.
We’re so grateful that the Lafayette, Mission Ridge, and Fort Oglethorpe Food City Stores are collecting non-perishable food and monetary donations for us through the Christmas Season. We’ve also been blessed this year to have monetary donations being collected for us at these Lafayette area businesses; Bank of Lafayette, Bountiful Blessings, Chapman Jewelers, Cost Kutter Grocery, Dale Wilson Service, Dari-Dip, First Volunteer Bank, Hammon-Jones Hardware, Handy Mart, Lafayette Golf Course, Lafayette Nutrition, Medi-Thrift, Performance Physical Therapy, Real Deal, Shear Time, Strandz, Synovus Bank, and That’s So Mimi. Look for our collection cans when you visit them.
In our first newsletter of 2021 we will report this year’s statistics. We closed July and August for my hip replacement and a week in October for another hospital visit, so our totals for the year will be down. But, I’m certain our monthly average will be up as we are now helping more households than ever.
Our trust is in the Lord. We know He is faithful to provide for our needs.
Please pray for; those we serve, that they will see Christ in us; our volunteers and supporters; our food supply sources to be open; wisdom and discernment for our Board of Directors and for us; our monetary support; and our continued healing, Kendra and I both are dealing with health issues.
Food for thought…
“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18
I am a man that cannot smile.
In the early morning hours of October 19th I was hospitalized for three days with sepsis. I was very ill. I had a dangerously high temperature for almost 24 hours. I was told by doctors and nurses that I was very fortunate. I know I am blessed. While in this weakened state I had a relapse of Bells Palsy.
About eight years ago I was first struck with Bells Palsy, which attacks your facial nerves and muscles giving you stroke like symptoms. While folks most often recover from this in a matter of weeks, some never fully recover. I am one of the latter. I have never regained full use of the right side of my face. But, this time the Bells Palsy attacked the left side of my face as well. So at this moment I am a man that cannot smile, or whistle, or kiss properly, or speak plainly. There are others dealing with much more serious issues. I don’t mean to over dramatize the matter. But, it is dishearten at times.
I must accept, for now at least, that I cannot smile. But I have chosen not to be a man who cannot laugh. I refuse to surrender my joy. I have my moments of depression, but in those moments I consider all my blessings and rejoice in gratitude for them.
I am blessed to be covered by the Blood of Christ, my salvation secured by Him. I am blessed to have a Godly woman as my wife; a steadfast partner in ministry for over 30 years. I am blessed to have my children and grandchildren; each one anointed by the Holy Spirit for His purpose. I am blessed that my mom is still with us and faithfully supports and encourages our work for the Lord. I am blessed that God has surrounded me with mighty prayer warriors; men and women of God who love me warts and all. I am blessed that even during all that’s going on in our world, our nation, and in my life, God has filled me with a sense of peace; I am anxious for nothing. I am blessed to have been chosen by God to serve Him by serving others regardless of all my many, many flaws. Notwithstanding my current health issues, I am blessed with good health. I am blessed indeed.
Having taken inventory of my numerous blessings, how can I not be filled with joy?
How can I not give thanks? And even if I cannot smile, how can I not laugh?
Thanks for your prayers and support in 2020. Have a Merry Christmas and a wonderful New Year.
Be Blessed,
Deon and Kendra