Happy Tuesday!  (Even though this is being written in the wee hours of Wednesday morning.)

I have spent the day studying for my New Testament test and will continue all day tomorrow. Tonight I attended a service of remembrance held at Rush Creek Christian where I am a ministerial intern.  It was a simple service of prayers, meaningful readings, candles and a few others who had experienced loss of loved ones this past year.  We were given an opportunity to light a candle and share about our losses.  As I walked up and looked at the candles I realized that if I lit a candle for all of the losses we had experienced in this past year that no one else would get to light a candle.  I counted and we have experienced six losses of family and friends in the past year.  The first one being Mom this past January to a recently as last week with the loss of Pastor Susan.  Tonight I wore Mom’s sweater, two of her rings and the charm bracelet Sheena and I bought for her last Christmas. We divided the charms appropriate to our own family members.  I am carrying her Christmas purse and wallet.  On Sunday I am going to wear one of Pastor Susan’s stoles as I am presiding over Eucharist.  These two women have had a profound effect on my life and it is my humble honor to remember them in worship and prayer.

Prayer;  “Lord, I thank You that Your mercies are new every morning. I thank You that You love me, even when I feel unlovable and that You have a wonderful plan for me, even when it is hard for me to see it. I praise You for this gift called “today.” I know there is much You want to do in my life today. Help my heart to be sensitive to Your voice and open to receive from You. 

May Your name be glorified in me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”

2 Timothy 2: 2

After a long day of writing and studying I am going to summarize my devotion tonight.  This was written by Jeff Schreve of Texarkana, Texas—He says that God is looking for FAT disciples. Do not panic and go and chow down on a pan of brownies (even though right now that sounds amazing!!!) Schreve uses these letters for an acronym for Faithful, Available and Teachable.  God is looking for people who are faithful who will not shirk their responsibilities—and will not go AWOL! When the going gets really tough, can we be found faithful? Are we making ourselves available?  Are we ready for the assignments the Lord is going to give us?  When God asks us to speak to someone about Jesus are we making ourselves available to do so? Does God’s agenda trump our agenda? (boy, that is a tough question!) And are we teachable? Are we willing to be corrected? A teachable person says “I don’t have all of this figured out yet. I have lots to learn. Teach me, Lord!”  FAT disciples are willing to invest their lives in helping others and become FATter to reach the world for Jesus.  FAT disciples make others FAT disciples by helping others to learn about Jesus. Let us pray that we would become more like Jesus and ask Jesus to have His way in each of us. 

Take joy in this Advent journey. Wear comfortable shoes, throw extra quilts on the bed tonight and sleep well. Count your blessings, get FAT and say your prayers. Love you all, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni and Travis.

Gcapplenotes@aol.com     

I am not moved by what I see. I am not moved by what I feel. I am only moved by what I believe and I believe God. 

Prayer:  please offer an extra prayer for Travis tonight. He has an upper respiratory infection. No fun!! Thanks. gc