A King Is Born

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasting father, the Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. (isaiah 9:6-7, kjv)

Today is a day to celebrate the birth of a king, the promised messiah, who came to give his life for us. On this blessed day (which, depending on where you are, might actually have some snow!) as you open presents and eat a good meal with family, don't forget to think about the real reason to celebrate.

Merry Christmas everyone!

-AMR

Faithfulness

It's been a tough couple of weeks but I was reminded of why I like to send these out, so I thought I'd get back into the weekly installments with a little something I wrote a few days ago. I think of it as a simple reminder that it's all about perspective...

God Bless
-AMR

Tuesday, December 10, 2002

After 6 days without electricity (including heat), I have finally had it restored. I also turned in my exams today so things are starting to look up. All I need now is my car back (i had it in the shop for some repairs and a tree fell on it during the ice storm so i'm waiting for them to get a chance to fix that...).

In spite of this very trying week, I've definitely been able to see God's faithfulness. The power went out at 3:40am last thursday, and i was able to find a place to stay by 6pm that night. God was definitely looking out for me because i was horribly unprepared. My only flashlight was in my car, which was at the shop and my only phone is a cordless, and therefore needed power to work. The previous day I had gotten a ride home with a couple who lives near me, and they had happened to give me the phone # of the girl i've been staying with for the past week (who is the only one i know who never lost power at all). Being new to the area, i still know very few people here, and of those people, i know hardly any last names, so trying to use a phonebook to find them would have been very difficult. I was able to use a neighbor's phone to call, and within 20 minutes i joined the crowd of (20+) "refugees" at her apartment. She lives 10 minutes from my apartment, so I was able to go back and forth to get the materials i needed this week as i worked on my take home exams. I think i finally know the true meaning of "southern hospitality".

It was anything but an ideal working situation, but as I walked around the neighborhood, i saw people who had trees fall through their houses and I thought about all of the people who were not fortunate enough to have somewhere warm to stay.

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea. Psalms 46:1-2