Happy Saturday! 

I would encourage any of you who can to attend the 8: 30 or 11:00 worship services at Advent Lutheran Church.  Bruce and Geni are singing a duet at both services.  They sound really great together.  The occasion is the Baptism of Jesus Sunday. 

In case you do not know we have a new addition to our family.  His name is Luther Lamar Chrystie.  We bought him from a private owner in Oak Cliff.  He is a six month old completely precious, beautiful and totally sweet basset hound.  He came to us pretty underweight and ribs sticking out.  But as Travis says, “We can fix that!”  As I write he is lying by my desk chair peacefully sleeping with a fat tummy.  We stopped at Banfield Hospital at Pet Smart before we even brought him home to update his shots and get a thorough check up. They pronounced him in good health except for his weight.  He seems happy and behaves just like a basset with his ears in the water, eating like a horse and wagging his tail in a circle.  He also will roll over on his back and loves a good belly rub.  We love him and I think he loves us. 

Prayer:  Lord, sometimes life is hard and times are tough.  Sometimes pressures from work, school, family can really get us down.  And Lord, sometimes we get tired and feel as if we have failed.  And then, You say, “Take a step of faith.”  Sometimes that step of faith is really difficult. Help us Lord when we think we can’t to help us take that step of faith and draw us closer to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

“I can do all things through Christ that strengthens me.”

Philippians 4: 13

When I read this verse I always think about Carme.  She has founded a lot of her faith on this verse.  She is an extraordinary woman of faith and knows well that it is the strength of God that is the foundation of her faith.  I have always looked at Carme as having a “servant’s heart.”  She knows that her servant’s heart is dependent on God and the infusion of His strength for every situation.  The focus of this statement is not “I can”, but on “Christ who…”

Here is what we need to glean from this simple phrase that most of us have memorized.  First, the truth is in the realization that we are nothing apart from Christ and that we have nothing apart from Him.  We are dependent on God for our very next breath and all provision comes from His sovereign kingship of our lives.  We can do nothing apart from God, but with Him and through His strength working within us we can face the challenges of each and every day and run the race of life with perseverance and hope.

Carme runs a lot for Komen Cancer Research.  She runs with passion, perseverance and commitment.  But she also carries the same passion, perseverance and commitment in her servanthood to Christ. She does not say, “I can’t!” And neither should we.  In and of ourselves maybe we can’t, but by God’s perfect grace and strength “We can!” 

Take joy in the journey. Wear comfortable shoes and get some sleep. Count your blessings and say your prayers. Love you, Bruce, Gaylene, Geni, Travis and Sarah.

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.