Joy of the Christmas Season

I enjoy the Christmas season.  The opportuntities to share the love of Christ are all around.  I know many people are in a hurry, rushing from one thing to the next.  Trying to get everything done on their to-do list.  It's amazing what a smile, a greeting, a kind word will do.  These last two weeks I've been making an effort to do that everytime I go out.  Today being the day after Christmas, people seemed more relaxed.  Every person I passed I greeted and if given the chance talked with.  You never now what effect or impact we can have on a person, if even for a short moment.  One woman in her early seventies was rushing along and I greeted her and said, "Merry after Christmas and Happy before New Year."  She stopped, smile and said, "Thank you."  Nothing big happened....but I felt that something changed and I was an encouragement.  We never know.   I received a phone call 2 weeks ago from our auto mechanic that had work on our cars until 3 years ago when he sold his shop and went out of business.  He wanted me to know that he had accepted Christ and thank me for continuing to send him emails even through he had not responded.  He shared that his life took a turn in the wrong direction and he had remembered some of the talks we had.  I was so blessed and thankful for God's hand of love and care.  He never gives up on us.  I'm continuing to be reminded in my prayer time that God wants us to be our hands and arms to everyone.  That smile, greeting, kind word.  It not easy at times....but with His help He can shine through us. 

Thank you all so much for your prayers, encouragement and support.  The Lord has been keeping me busy  attending prayer meetings with groups that are praying for Signal Hill and the greater Long Beach area, I'm counseling three young men right now,  meeting with Pastor David weekly, visiting the homeless in the parks and praying with them, and ministering to people through facebook.    I'm starting a Bible study at the end of January covering the topic on End Times.   2010 has many challanges ahead for all of us but I'm excited about serving our Lord and seeing how he wishes to use me. 

Please pray for my health and strength, for oportunities to share Christ's love with others and for "The Light" Christian fellowship.  

May God Bless you with His joy, love and peace. And may His grace abound upon us all in 2010. 

Warmly in Christ,
Karl