God has wagered He can make something great of you; the devil has gambled that you will fail. Your actions will prove one of them right. 

Inside Agape

 In the up coming months, November and December, we will be asking you to pray for the families that are in need in many ways. Please pray about making a donation to the single mothers trying to raise a family that are in need of food. We try to help the families around Thanksgiving as well as Christmas. These are very meaningful times that we can reach-out and minister in many ways to these families. With your help, we can feed both, the natural body and spiritual body. If you are unable to help us financially please pray for the many families around the world that are in need of a Savior!

All of us would like to take this time and say God Bless You for your sacrificial giving. We could not reach out to anyone with out your support. We are not funded by any one church or denomination. We exist because of your giving and your love to reach the lost for Christ. Please pray about helping us further His Kingdom! Your donations are tax-exempt.

Most of all we covet your prayers. Once again, "Thank YOU" and be blessed in Jesus name for your sacrificial giving.

We would like to say a "Big God Bless You" to the volunteers at Agape. Thank you for many sacrifices to reach the lost for Christ. Thank you, for your time that you give to reach out in the many different ways to those that are hurting and in need.

Thank you for your faithfulness in feeding the homeless, to picking-up and delivering donations, to working on our newsletters, to going into prisons, nursing homes, and hospitals, to answering the phones, to being a pray warrior, to all the special projects ..... balloon launch to the calendars, and everything else that you make time for. Be blessed as you reach out in the name of JESUS to bless others, that they may come to know Him as their Lord and Savior.

Thank YOU for being apart of Agape Outreach. May God bless you as you reach out and bless others in so many different ways.

 

God's  Connections

The Lord has been leading Marybeth to write about the connections we make in prison.

Loneliness

For the longest time, I struggled with loneliness. You would think that living with 850 women that would not be the case. But I’ve found that it affects everybody, at one time or another. For me, it was very painful, but short-lived.

There is a difference in loneliness and solitude. Solitude involves a choice to draw away from others, in order to find creativity and refreshment. It is possible to be alone, without feeling lonely. Jesus is our example-He often withdrew to a solitary place so he could talk to His father. (Mark 1:35).

God design is for us to live in fellowship, both with Him, and with others. He doesn’?t desire for us to feel lonely. After pronouncing all His creation “good” (Genesis 1:4-31) He pointed out one thing that is not good for man to live in isolation.

I’ve found that if I stay in communion with Him, I can find answers to the loneliness. By praying-reading His word etc. God has placed believers in the church, which scripture calls the “?Body of Christ”. The parts of the body have different functions but are interdependent. In the same way, each believer has a spiritual gift - such as organization, mercy, exhortation, encouragement, etc. which is meant to benefit other members. By exercising their gifts, God’s children can minister to each other, and share the gospel with a world of desperate for hope.

If you feel alone today-you can reach out to God by prayer. If you are a believer I encourage you to start a Church. I promise you, God will fill that hole for you.

Be encouraged in His love!

Marybeth

 

Searching His Word

Messianic Prophesy Fulfilled.

Christmas is right around the corner, this is a great time to discuss some of the Messianic Prophesies and how Jesus fulfilled them. This study could also be used for Advent Readings.

1. Where, would the Messiah be born? And where was Jesus born?

- Micah 5:2

- Matthew 2:1-5

 

2. Whose son would the Messiah be? Whose son was Jesus?

- Psalm 2:7

- John 3:16-17

 

3. Would the Messiah come from the Tribe of Judah? Was Jesus born from the Tribe of Judah?

- Genesis 49:10

- Revelation 5:5

 

4. What kind of woman would give birth to the Messiah? Who gave birth to Jesus?

- Isaiah 7:14

- Matthew 1:18-22

 

5. Blessing to the firstborn? Was Jesus the Firstborn?

- Exodus 13:2

- Luke 2:21-23

 

6. Would the Messiah heal? Did Jesus heal?

- Isaiah 35:4-10

- Matthew 11:4-5

 

7. What kind of job in ministry would the Messiah have? What did Jesus do in His ministry?

- Deuteronomy 18:15 & 18

- John 7:15-17

 

8. Would the Messiah bless all nations? Did Jesus bless all nations?

- Genesis 18:18

- Galatians 3:8

9. Would the Messiah be the Promised Redeemer? Was Jesus the Promised Redeemer?

- Job 19:25-27

- John 5:28-29

10. What kind of humble animal would the Messiah ride when He entered the Holy city as King? What kind of animal did Jesus ride into Jerusalem?

- Zechariah 9:9

- Matthew 21:6-11

- John 12:12-15

11. Messiah would be declared the Son of God? Was Jesus declared the Son of God?

- Psalm 2:1-12

- Matthew 3:17

12. How would the Messiah be treated? How was Jesus treated?

- Isaiah 53:3

- John 1:11

13. Would the Messiah be beaten? Was Jesus beaten?

- Micah 5:1

- Mark 15:19

14. Would the Messiah speak in his own defense? Did Jesus speak up to defend himself?

- Isaiah 53:7

- Matthew 27:12-14

15. Would the Messiah be sold for thirty pieces of silver? Was Jesus betrayed for thirty pieces of silver?

- Zechariah 11:12-13

- Matthew 26:14-15

16. Who would betray the Messiah? Who betrayed Jesus?

- Psalms 41:9

- Matthew 26:14-16

- Mark 14:17-20

17. The innocent Messiah would be crucified? Was innocent Jesus crucified?

- Isaiah 53:8

- Matthew 27:1-2

- Luke 23:23-24

18. Would the Messiah be crucified with criminals? Was Jesus crucified between two criminals?

- Psalms 22:16

- John 19:17-18

19. Would the Messiah's clothing be divided and played for by gamblers? Was Jesus clothing divided by the soldiers, and did they cast lots for His undergarment?

- Psalms 22:18

- John 19:23-24

 

20. Would the Messiah be given vinegar? Was Jesus given vinegar to drink?

- Psalms 69:21

- John 19:28-29

 

21. Would the flawless lamb, the Messiah, have no broken bones? Where any of Jesus' bones broken?

- Numbers 9:12

- Exodus 12:46

- John 19:31-36

 

22. Would the Messiah die for our Sins? Did Jesus die for our sins?

- Isaiah 53:5-6

- 1 Peter 2:24-25

- Acts 13:38-39

 

23. Would the Messiah be raised back to life? Was Jesus raised back to life?

- Psalms 16:10

- Luke 24:1-7

 

24. Messiah's Kingdom triumphant? Will Jesus' Kingdom be triumphant?

- Daniel 2:44-45

- Luke 1:33

25. Messiah will reign forever? Will Jesus reign forever?

- Daniel 7:13-14

- Matthew 24:30

26. Would Jesus be born Messiah, would He be born a King?

- Jeremiah 30:8-9

- John 18:37

Let Every Day Be Christmas

Christmas is forever, not for just one day, for loving, sharing, giving, are not to put away 

like bells and lights and tinsel, in some box upon a shelf.

The good you do for others is good you do yourself.

T.C.C Visit

We would like to thank all of the woman who came out to sing and worship in September.

I was asked to give a little speech for the first time and was blessed to see everyone there that night. I talked about something that was near and dear to my hear that night. It is something that most of us Americans deal with on a day to day basis Depression. I wanted to relate with what some of us go through and I think I might have gotten my message across. I am thankful for God guiding me that night.

I hope to do even better on my next trip there. Thank you ladies!!

 T.C.I.

We are looking forward to having a great time in the Lord as we worship, sing, praise, and lift the name of Jesus higher on December 16th. Join with us in prayer for this service as we celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. This will be a great time as we exalt His holy name!

The A-B-C’s of SALVATION”

A = Acknowledge Self as a Sinner Romans 3:23; 3:10-12, Isaiah 53:6; James 2:10; John 3:3; Acts 4:12

B = Believe in Christ Acts 16:31; Luke 5:32; Luke 13:3; Romans 2:4; John 3:16-17; John 20:31; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; Acts 10:43

C = Confess Christ as Savior Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:15; Acts 19:18; John 1:9

Think about ETERNITY, it is a DESTINY that we cannot escape. Where will you spend it? You still have a choice

Covenant in the Blood

1. Through the blood of Jesus I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil

2. Through the blood of Jesus ALL my sins are forgiven.

3. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is cleansing me now from all sin.

4. Through the blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just as if I had never sinned.

5. Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart for God.

6. My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit --- Redeemed, cleansed, sanctified by the blood of Jesus.

7. The devil has no more place in me and no more power over me. I renounce him totally. I lift myself from him now and I command him to leave me in the name of JESUS. Psalms 107:2, Ephesians 1:7, John 5:6, Romans 5:9, Hebrews 13:12. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.

True Prayer

I asked God to take away my pride. God said, "No, It is not for me to take away, but for you to give it up."

I asked God to make my handicapped child whole. God said, "No. Her spirit is whole, her body is only temporary."

I asked God to grant me patience. God said, "No. Patience is a by product of tribulations; it isn't granted, it is earned."

I asked God to give me happiness. God said, "No I give you blessings, happiness is up to you."

I asked God to spare me pain. God said, "No. Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me."

I asked God to make my spirit grow. God said, "No. You must grow on your own, but I will prune you to make you fruitful."

I asked for all things that I might enjoy life. God said, "No. I will give you life so that you may enjoy all things." I asked God to help me love others, as much as God loves me. God said, "Ahhhhh, finally you have the idea!"

County Jail Communicator

The purpose of this column is to share the love of Jesus with you. May He speak to your heart through these words.

It's hard to care about unpopular people, isn't it? How would you like it if people saw you hanging around with Bernie Madoff or O.J. Simpson? Your friends may think you've lost your mind, and complete strangers may even approach you and remind you of what these men have done to others, and ask you why you're even talking to them.

What's that you said? You would never do anything that crazy? But you also say you are a believer and a follower of Jesus? Well what I just described is exactly what Jesus did.

In Matthew 9:10-13, Jesus went to a house of a paralytic that he had just healed. Once He sat at the table to have a meal with the man, they were joined by many tax collectors and sinners that joined Him and His disciples.

When the Pharisees (religious leaders) saw Jesus eating with these so called worthless low life people they asked His disciples they their teacher was having a meal with them.

Jesus overheard their questions, and said to the Pharisees in verse 12-13 "Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. But go and learn what this means: I desire mercy and not sacrifice. For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance."

I believe Jesus wants real Christians to care about the people most of us would prefer to ignore or hate. That's because Jesus does not just care about what we do , but why we do it. Some people didn't start evil, but became that way over time . Loving others is more important the doing things for God.

With God's love through us, we can help many people that society would rather see shunned. Jesus looks at a person's heart and soul. If satan's evil can make a man do horrible things, then it bears to reason that God's un-endless love can turn that same man's life around, and give him love and compassion for others. That's why Jesus ate with those men.

However, there is one more important reason Jesus allowed those tax collectors and sinners to be close to Him. He loved them.

He loves you too!! You may have done things too horrible to speak of, but Jesus still loves you. If you want His forgiveness for your past, just ask Him. Talk to Him just as you would talk to a close friend. He waits for you to reach out to Him. He will never turn you away. Only Jesus can be that peace you have always been looking for. Talk to Him now and discover how much He cares for you!

Gene

 

 I’m Thankful for You

 

Thanksgiving is the appointed time

for focusing on the good in our lives.

In each of our days,

we can find small blessings,

but too often we overlook them,

choosing instead to spend our time

paying attention to problems.

We give our energy to those who cause us trouble instead of those who bring peace.

Starting now,

let’s be on the lookout

for the bits of pleasure in each hour,

and appreciate the people who

bring love and light to everyone

who is blessed to know them.

You are one of those people.

On Thanksgiving,

I’m thankful for you.

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

 

No matter where you are this day, make it a day of thanksgiving. As the Word says "This is the day that the Lord has made, we will rejoice and be glad in it!

'Twas The Night Before Jesus Came'

'Twas the night before Jesus came and all through the house

Not a creature was praying, not one in the house.

Their Bibles were lain on the shelf without care

In hopes that Jesus would not come there.

The children were dressing to crawl into bed.

Not once ever kneeling or bowing a head.

And Mom in her rocker with baby on her lap

Was watching the Late Show while I took a nap.

When out of the East there arose such a clatter.

I sprang to my feet to see what was the matter.

Away to the window I flew like a flash,

Tore open the shutters and threw up the sash!

When what to my wondering eyes should appear

But angels proclaiming that Jesus was here.

With a light like the sun sending forth a bright ray

I knew in a moment this must be THE DAY!

The light of His face made me cover my head

It was Jesus! returning just like He had said.

And though I possessed worldly wisdom and wealth,

I cried when I saw Him in spite of myself.

In the Book of Life which He held in His hand

Was written the name of every saved man.

He spoke not a word as He searched for my name;

When He said "it's not here" my head hung in shame.

The people whose names had been written with love

He gathered to take to His Father above.

With those who were ready He rose without a sound.

While all the rest were left standing around.

I fell to my knees, but it was too late;

I had waited too long and thus sealed my fate.

I stood and I cried as they rose out of sight;

Oh, if only I had been ready tonight.

In the words of this poem the meaning is clear;

The coming of Jesus is drawing near.

There's only one life and when comes the last call

We'll find that the Bible was true after all!

Unkown

 

 

Heaven at Last

Angel voices sweetly singing,

Echoes through the blue dome ringing,

News of wondrous gladness bringing...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Now beneath us all the grieving,

All the wounded spirit's heaving,

All the woe of hopes deceiving...

Ah 'tis heaven at last!

Sin for ever left behind us,

Earthly visions cease to blind us,

Fleshly fetters cease to bind us...

 

Like a pilgrim safely landing

See, the strange bright scene expanding...

Ah 'tis heaven at last!

What a city! what a glory!

Far beyond the brightest story

Of the ages old and hoary...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Softest voices silver pealing,

Freshest fragrances spirit-healing,

Happy hymns around us stealing...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Gone the vanity and folly,

Gone the dark and melancholy,

Come the joyous and the holy...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Not a broken blossom yonder,

Not a link can snap asunder,

Stay'd the tempest, sheathed the thunder...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Not a tear-drop ever falleth,

Not a pleasure ever palleth,

Song to song for ever calleth...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Christ Himself the living splendour,

Christ the sunlight mild and tender;

Praises to the Lamb we render...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Now at length the veil is rended,

Now the pilgrimage is ended,

And the saints their thrones ascended...

Ah, 'tis heaven at last!

Broken death's dread bands that bound us,

Life and victory around us,

Christ the King Himself hath crowned us...

Behind The Walls

This column is both written by and dedicated to inmates around the world. If you have a Praise report, poems, or something that you would like to share with others, please write us. Please make time to encourage others.

Christmas Poem

‘Twas the night before Christmas and all through the town Not a sign of Baby Jesus was anywhere to be found. The people were all busy with Christmas time chores like decorating, baking and shopping in store. No one sang “Away in a manger, no crib for a bed.”? Instead, they sang of Santa dressed up in bright red. Mamma watched Martha Stewart, Papa drank beer from a tap. As hour upon hour the presents they’d wrap. When what from the TV did they suddenly hear? Crept an ad... which told of a big sale at Sears. So away to the mall they all flew like a flash... Buying things on credit... and others with cash! And, as they made their way home from their trip to the mall, did they think about Jesus? Oh no... not at all. Their lives were so busy with their Christmas time things .

 

No time to remember Christ Jesus, the King. There were presents to wrap and cookies to bake. How could they stop and remember who died for their sake? To pray to the Savior... they had no time to stop. Because they needed more time to “Shop till they dropped!” On Wal-Mart! On K-Mart! On Target! On Penny’s! On Hallmark! On Zales! A quick lunch at Denny’s . From the big stores downtown to the store at the mall. They would dash away, dash away and visit them all! And up on the roof top, there arose such a clatter. As grandpa hung icicle lights up on his brand new step ladder. He hung lights that would flash. He hung lights that would twirl. Yet, he never once prayed to Jesus... Light of the World. Christ eyes... how they twinkle! Christ’s spirit... how merry! Christ love... how enormous!

All our burdens... He’ll carry So instead of being busy, overworked, and uptight. Let’s put Christ back in Christmas and enjoy some good night. Blessed Christmas, my friends!!!

 

Michigan

Here are a couple of poems written by Rebecca that we would like to share with you.

Best Friend

I have a friend that I can’t see.
We are best friends. Like friend’?s should be.

He has a name that is so clear.
And it is the best name I will ever hear.

I can call on Him both night and day.
He always knows when I need to pray.

He is good and He is great.
He is my best friend all the way.

Now is time to let His name be known.
Jesus is the name you should all know. Rebecca

 

Beside My Lord

The joys of Heaven's Blessings Are as countless as the evening stars. Splendid is the kingdom Reaching out to those both near and far.

Hallowed be the name of He Who shed His blood for me

Who mends our broken hearts and heals our scars.

I have found salvation through My Savior, Jesus Christ.

I've rendered forth my soul despite the devil's efforts to entice.

Here on Earth, open arms and turn away from sin.

Accepting God into my life, A life He will begin again. Faithful in my prayers,

I beckon to come my Christian friends,

And share what Christ has given man,

A place with Him. Amen Rebecca

Christmas

Christmas is a time for love and fun,

A time to reshape souls and roots and skies,

A time to give your heart to everyone

Freely, like a rich and lavish sun,

Like a burning star to those whose lonely sighs

Show need of such a time for love and fun.

For children first, whose pain is never done,

Whose bright white fire of anguish never dies,

It's time to give your heart to every one,

That not one angel fall, to hatred won

For lack of ears to listen to her cries,

Or arms to carry him towards love and fun,

Or friends to care what happens on the run

To adult life, where joy or sadness lies.

It's time to give your heart to everyone,

For God loves all, and turns His back on none,

Good or twisted, ignorant or wise.

Christmas is a time for love and fun,

A time to give your heart to everyone.

Unknown

 

What are you thankful for?

What are you thankful for this year? Remember to be thankful. Be thankful for the people in your life as well. Be thankful everyday as it is a gift from God.

Action & Relationships

This column is written by Dennis in hope that you will take the necessary action to have a true relationship with God.

Change

In our ever changing world, with its seemingly endless choices for contentment, pleasure and success. Where do you stand as far as your commitment and obedience to God’s law? How easy it is to get caught up in the life-style of what this world has to offer and its rewards as opposed to getting yourself caught up in the life-style of what God has to offer and His rewards.

In the Bible, old and new testaments, there are countless verses that urge and direct us to make the necessary changes it takes to gain eternity with God in Heaven. In Genesis 35:9, Jacob is telling His household and others there to get rid of the foreign Gods they may have with them, to purify themselves and to change their clothes. In Ephesians 4:22-24 it tells us to put off our old-self which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. Zechariah 1:1-6, tells us to return to the Lord and He will return to us and to turn away from our evil ways and practices.

Change can be tough; so don’t spend your time in looking for loopholes in God’??s law. Decide instead to work towards living up to His standards. When incorporating change into your life, be patient. Change may be slow, but your life will change significantly if you trust that God will change you. It’s not easy to believe that God can transform you when you see the mess you’??ve made of your life, but again, believe and trust God that He will in changing your life-style, let your past mistakes point you to God’s will. Faith and prayer if they are sincere and directed to the true God, can and will bring change in any situation.

If you are separated from God by sin, no matter How far you may have wandered from Him, He has promised a new beginning if only you will turn to Him through change.

So if you are carrying a load of guilt because of this and you think you aren’?t good enough for God. Take another look at Jesus death and what it means to you and then change the things you are doing. It’s far better to begin a new spiritual heritage then to hold on to the traditions of sin. There can be no healing if you rebel against God unless change is made and your relationship with Him is made right.

Further, in changing, when you are uncertain about what to do, ask yourself which course of action best demonstrates your love for God and others. Remember also, do your words and actions match when you profess to love God and others? If not, then consider a change of mind and heart that will protect you from making a terrible mistake. If you are just giving God “lip service”? then it’?s time to change.

Finally it’s no easy task to be Holy in an-unholy world. Remember though God does not ask or expects you to accomplish this on your own. He is there to help you in making the change that will give Him the honor and glory He deserves. Remember to, that when reading your Bible be on the alert for lessons, commands or examples that can help you in changing your life for the better.

Remember always that God and only God is… The Final Solution!

Dennis

 

Bitter Winter, Better Thanksgiving,

the story of Miles Standish

"Then the sickness began to fall sore amongst them, and the weather so bad .... the Governor and chief of them, seeing so many dye, and fall down sick daily, thought it no wisdom to send away the ship...."

Capt. Miles Standish had been much at his wife Rose's bedside. As much time, that is, as he could spare from stalking game, guarding against savages, and felling trees to construct crude homes on shore.

A bitter wind whistled through chinks and cracks in the Mayflower, anchored in Plymouth harbor that winter of 1620-21. Rose's chills would turn to uncontrollable shaking. Then just as suddenly, her body would be ablaze with fever. Herbs from the surgeon's chest did little to relieve her. By spring only five wives remained out of the eighteen who had sailed to Plymouth. Rose was not among them.

Thanksgiving? What was that? The golden dreams of a New World that Miles and Rose had cherished together had evaporated into hollow hopes. And yet that fall Capt. Standish joined other bereaved Pilgrims in the first Thanksgiving celebration.

The real test of thankfulness is whether we can give thanks from the heart for what we do have, despite the wounds and pains of yesterday's struggles. Ours is not some fair-weather faith, but a resilient trust in in the midst of pain. The Pilgrims lived close to the edge of survival. Perhaps that is why they were so thankful.

How about you? Does your material bounty cause you to neglect thanks? When your clan gathers this Thanksgiving will a prayer of thankfulness be forgotten between moist turkey and pumpkin pie? Will your children see you bow your head to give thanks, or merely ask for another helping of dressing and cranberry sauce?

Children will be watching, you know. And their little faith is being formed by what they see. Your family's Thanksgiving celebration will instruct them about thankfulness, for good or ill.

Will they see you too wealthy to be thankful? Too independent to need God any more? Too bitter, perhaps? Or will they watch you truly give thanks for God's blessings on this special day? And maybe as they watch, they'll catch a hint that mom and dad and grandmother, in spite of painful seasons they have faced, have seen these bitter winters bear fruit in better thanksgiving.

A Christmas Story

It's just a small, white envelope stuck among the branches of our Christmas tree. No name, no identification, no inscription. It has peeked through the branches of our tree for the past 10 years or so.

It all began because my husband Mike hated Christmas---oh, not the true meaning of Christmas, but the commercial aspects of it... overspending...the frantic running around at the last minute to get a tie for Uncle Harry and the dusting powder for Grandma---the gifts given in desperation because you couldn't think of anything else. Knowing he felt this way, I decided one year to bypass the usual shirts, sweaters, ties and so forth. I reached for something special just for Mike.

The inspiration came in an unusual way. Our son Kevin, who was 12 that year, was wrestling at the junior level at the school he attended; and shortly before Christmas, there was a non-league match against a team sponsored by an inner-city church, mostly black. These youngsters, dressed in sneakers so ragged that shoestrings seemed to be the only thing holding them together, presented a sharp contrast to our boys in their spiffy blue and gold uniforms and sparkling new wrestling shoes. As the match began, I was alarmed to see that the other team was wrestling without headgear, a kind of light helmet designed to protect a wrestler's ears. It was a luxury the ragtag team obviously could not afford. Well, we ended up walloping them. We took every weight class. And as each of their boys got up from the mat, he swaggered around in his tatters with false bravado, a kind of street pride that couldn't acknowledge defeat. Mike, seated beside me, shook his head sadly, "I wish just one of them could have won," he said. "They have a lot of potential, but losing like this could take the heart right out of them."

Mike loved kids-all kids-and he knew them, having coached little league football, baseball and lacrosse. That's when the idea for his present came. That afternoon, I went to a local sporting goods store and bought an assortment of wrestling headgear and shoes and sent them anonymously to

the inner-city church. On Christmas Eve, I placed the envelope on the tree, the note inside telling Mike what I had done and that this was his gift from me. His smile was the brightest thing about Christmas that year and in succeeding years. For each Christmas, I followed the tradition---one year sending a group of mentally handicapped youngsters to a hockey game, another year a check to a pair of elderly brothers whose home had burned to the ground the week before Christmas, and on and on. The envelope became the highlight of our Christmas. It was always the last thing opened on Christmas morning and our children, ignoring their new toys, would stand with wide-eyed anticipation as their dad lifted the envelope from the tree to reveal its contents. As the children grew, the toys gave way to more practical presents, but the envelope never lost its allure. The story doesn't end there.

You see, we lost Mike last year. When Christmas rolled around, I was still so wrapped in grief that I barely got the tree up. But Christmas Eve found me placing an envelope on the tree, and in the morning, it was joined by three more. Each of our children, unbeknownst to the others, had placed an envelope on the tree for their dad. The tradition has grown and someday will expand even further with our grandchildren standing around the tree with wide-eyed anticipation watching as their fathers take down the envelope. Mike's spirit, like the Christmas spirit, will always be with us.

May we all remember Christ, and "give" in a Christ-like manner. After all, he is the reason for the season, and the true "Christmas spirit" this year and always.

Unkown

Life isn't about keeping score.

It's not about how many friends you have

Or how accepted you are.

Not about if you have plans

this weekend or if you're alone.

It isn't about who you're dating,

who you used to date,

how many people you've dated,

or if you haven't been

with anyone at all

 

It isn't about who you have kissed.

It's not about sex.

It isn't about who your family is

or how much money they have.

Or what kind of car you drive.

Or where you are sent to school.

 

It's not about how beautiful

or ugly you are.

Or what clothes you wear,

what shoes you have on,

or what kind of music you listen to.

Life is about God!

 

God has wagered He can make something great of you; the devil has gambled that you will fail. Your actions will prove one of them right.

 

Make Time to Encourage

 

We need to encourage one another in the Lord. If you have some words of encouragement, poems, or a short story you would like to share, please mail it to us, or email it to us. When you send your letter please print so we can read it. It's good to encourage one another. We all need it. I would like to thank everyone who has mailed articles in over the years. May the Lord bless you as you reach out to encourage others. Our address; Agape Outreach P.O. Box 8183 Canton, Oh. 44711 or email to; Newsletter@agapeoutreach.org

 

Would like to take this time to thank you for taking the time to send in your poems and words of encouragement. It's always good to share with others.

 

 

 

 

Make Time to Encourage

We need to encourage one another in the Lord. If you have some words of encouragement, poems, or a short story you would like to share, please mail it to us, or email it to us. When you send your letter please print so we can read it. It's good to encourage one another. We all need it. I would like to thank everyone who has mailed articles in over the years. May the Lord bless you as you reach out to encourage others. Our address; Agape Outreach P.O. Box 8183 Canton, Oh. 44711 or email to; Newsletter@agapeoutreach.org

 

Would like to take this time to thank you for taking the time to send in your poems and words of encouragement. It's always good to share with others.