Dear Friends in Christ,

     Thanksgiving was a time of mixed emotions for me, as it has been for many of you. With a father in declining health and a mother who is doing her best to care for him, I found myself reflecting on all the blessings God has brought into every member of our family's lives through these two wonderful people. Over the years they have demonstrated the power of unconditional love and practiced it faithfully. Through them we have seen the testimony of what a vital, heart-held faith in Jesus Christ can do in good times and in bad; in them we have always seen the strong witness of what it meant for a family to be committed to Christ and the Church. We were nurtured by that commitment and profoundly affected by it. While growing up, my brothers and I knew that Sunday meant Sunday School, Church, and in the evening, youth fellowship, worship, and recreation. No other activities were allowed to be more important that our grounding in the faith and our attendance at Church and Youth.

     Perhaps more important than that, we witnessed first hand what it meant for parents to sacrifice for their children--to give of themselves and to give up some of their own dreams and desires to make things possible for us. They modeled what Christ-centered parenting looked like. Whether it was supporting my older brother's desire to purchase a little red Ford convertible with a continental kit on the back, or his love of horticulture and raising orchids in his backyard greenhouse, to supporting me in my scouting and Indian dancing

activities, or my younger brother's track star career, they were always there for us. During my younger brother's tour in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division, they prayed fervently for his safe return and for peace on earth--the same yearnings and prayers for our military so many of us still lift up today.

     Every Christmas reminds us that the hope of the world is named "Jesus," proclaimed "Prince of Peace." It is only as he enters the human heart and cleanses it of evil, sin, hatred, greed, and unrighteousness, that the world stands a chance for lasting peace.

     So this Christmas, let us count our many blessings, commit ourselves to true discipleship, fervently nurture our children in the faith, setting a good and Godly example for them. Let us pray daily that God's Holy Spirit will work in us, through us, and in the lives of enough people around the world to create a renewed good will, and eventual peace among all the nations of the earth. It's not too much to ask for...

     May God continue to bless you with Grace and Peace.

Bob

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