Between A Rock and A Hard Place for Christmas #176

Philippians 1:21 For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (NAS)

Philippians 4:13 I have the strength to face all conditions by the power that Christ gives me.

Do you ever seem to accomplish getting between a rock and a hard place without even trying? What if the rock and the hard place was the choice between life and death? You might make that choice quickly because you like living. You might believe that you can accomplish more alive than dead; but for the Apostle Paul it was much easier. For to him, whether he was alive or dead, his whole life was Jesus. His life was more than the space of a few years between birth and death. His life was for eternity and he saw eternal life as Christ's life. In order to call death a gain you need to have an eternal perspective.

Paul also saw life as Jesus’ life. Jesus is the life that everyone desires. His life is full and abundant. It is not a life free from trials and tribulations, but a truly living in the midst of whatever would come your way.

The Apostle Paul saw not only that Christ was life; but also that He was the strength and the power to face all conditions. Another translation says, “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Life was never meant to be experienced apart from His life. Anything and everything else falls short.

The Christmas season is a wonderful time to find a meaningful and full life. The baby born in a manger was the one who came to give us His life. He lived a perfect sinless life, died on a cross for our forgiveness, and arose from the dead to give us a way to have a relationship with God. Jesus Himself was God in human flesh. He came to earth to give you life. Real purpose in life is having an eternal perspective on life and death through Jesus Christ.

_______________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ.,

Actually today it is a rainy and cold in Tempe. Guess that is beautiful for all of us here in AZ who seldom see rain or cool weather. I do hope you are enjoying your day. Have you finished your Christmas shopping? I am done!! Got a gift for Sandy. That is my one and only project. I let Sandy do the rest. I give her a little money and let her do her thing at the mall and online. Sandy has the house decorated and the tree is up. Under the tree are some wrapped gifts. I do hope one is for me. LOL

God has so blessed us. We have asked you to pray for Johnny. He had an MRI to determine if his enlarged head is hereditary or caused from fluid. We got word this week that he is doing great. No problems. There is a slight amount of fluid but he will outgrow it. We praise the Lord for that. He needs to be careful about choosing relatives.

Sandy is still dealing with some issues with reflux. She is on medication which we hope will help.

I have enjoyed teaching our Sunday School class. I was filling in for our regular teacher. I only have one more Sunday. So grateful for the opportunity.

Quartzsite Rock and Gem show is a little over a month away. We really look forward to sharing with our Campers on Mission group as well as the ministry in the streets.

Sandy will begin teaching again on Tuesday mornings in January. Pray for her preparation.

Our church is busy with music presentations this month. We so enjoy listening to them. Christmas is such a wonderful time for family and friends. I hope and pray you have a great time with yours.

God bless you all. Thanks for your prayers and love. It means a lot. ~ DGW

Take A Break! #175

Matthew 11:28-30

28 "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you best. 29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

"Wow! I am so tired." The words of the season seem to be expressed in those five poignant words. Do those words express the way you feel also? Work, school, family, holidays, pressure from finances, travel, and a fast paced life style all lend themselves to a tired, discouraged, and burdened down person. Jesus lived in a very different time and yet His observation of the people of His day concluded that they were also weary and burdened and needed rest.

Biblical lifestyle would seem laid back to you, but maybe the pressures were much the same. Jesus knew that people needed to eat, have shelter, support family and care for the needs of all, and yet He saw hurting people.

Jesus explained to the crowds that His concern allowed them to come to Him and find a gentle and humble heart, and a place of rest. The demands of life were shrouded in the pressure to perform religiously. How often do you find yourself burdened with your faith instead of freed from weariness and burdens of living up to the demands of religion and religious leaders. Take a break! Come to Jesus.

Jesus was surrounded with people who were overwhelmed with the rules and pressures of meeting religious expectations. He came to bring something different. He came to give "life and life more abundant." John 10:10 It is the "life" He offers you. The yoke Jesus brings is easy and His burden is light.

What a great time of year to learn to give your struggles to God. Let Him be your burden bearer. Let Him be your Lord and Savior and your very Life. Jesus says, "Learn from me." Undoubtedly Jesus exemplified a life that was filled peace, joy, love and patience in the midst of a chaotic world. Why not let Jesus have your burdens and weariness. Remember His yoke is easy and His burden is light.

____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbuck in beautiful Tempe, AZ,

Merry Christmas! One of my grandsons asked yesterday, "how many days it was until Christmas." I guess that is the question being asked not only by the children, but by Moms and Dads, Grandparents, and everyone with a list. Well the answer is, "Way too soon." At least that is the way some of you feel.

Sandy has been on line with Amazon.com the whole week. UPS knows our house without even looking. Saves postage and taxes. Not a bad deal. What I like is it saves a trip to the Mall.

We are in the swing of birthdays. We celebrated Roger's 40th and Susan's 32nd this week. We had our usual birthday bash. Sandy has a hard time not having a big party for all holidays and birthdays. We have one three more birthdays. Mandy and Collin were also born in December. Although most question if Jesus was really born in December we still celebrate His birthday also.

What a wonderful Savior we have. This week for some reason I was hit with a new reality of the humanity of Jesus. I was overwhelmed to think of this baby being born in a manger in Bethlehem and realized that would be like someone being born in a barn in some little town in the midwest or Why, AZ.

Nothing in His birth said He was more than a baby with some strange things taking place. Not many babies have angels announce their birth.

I am still teaching Sunday School. I am enjoying sharing the first three chapters of 2 Corinthians. These verses are so filled with great truths and are such an encouragement.

Sandy and I will again be leading the devotionals at Quartzsite, AZ at the annual revival at Quartzsite Southern Baptist Church and sharing with the people on the streets. The annual Gem and Rock show brings thousands of people to this little desert town in January each year.

This week is concert week. Bennett has both a choir concert and band concert. Burke and Collin have band concerts. We so enjoy watching the grandsons perform.

Although this is a busy time of year I hope and pray you will remember it is the celebration of our wonderful Lord Jesus. I pray you will be encouraged because of your personal relationship with Him. May God bless you and your family. ~ DGW

Is Your Christmas Merry? #174

Matthew 2:13-18

13 After the wise men were gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. "Get up! Flee to Egypt with the child and his mother," the angel said. "Stay there until I tell you to return, because Herod is going to search for the child to kill him." 14 That night Joseph left for Egypt with the child and Mary, his other, 15 and they stayed there until Herod's death. This fulfilled what the Lord had spoken through the prophet: "I called my Son out of Egypt." 16 Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men's report of the star's first appearance. 17 Herod's brutal action fulfilled why God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: 18 "A cry was heard in Ramah - weeping and great mourning, Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead."

Christmas is not always the joyous, merry experience that the media or even the church portrays it to be. For many, and maybe you, Christmas is everything but a wonderful time of the year. For Mary and Joseph Christmas was a time of running for their child''s life. Herod heard rumors that a new king was born. His fear of losing power caused a chain of events that endangered the very life of this newborn baby boy named Jesus, who was God in human flesh. Joseph received a dream in which he was told to escape to Egypt with Mary and the baby.

Herod, in order to make sure he remained in power, ordered his soldiers to kill all boys two years and younger. The cry was heard throughout the town of Bethlehem because of the sorrow. What a difficult time of the year to celebrate. It may be the same for you. Memories of Christmas may not be pleasant. Your family, your church, your own personal life may be overflowing with sad thoughts of the season that is supposed to be filled with joy.

Remember that Herod himself died. Matthew 2:15 He remained (Jesus) there until the death of Herod. This was to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: "Out of Egypt I called MY SON."

Mary and Joseph along with Jesus returned to Israel. The Merry Christmas we share is because of the victory of Jesus. He lived, He died, He arose, and someday He is coming again. Although you may have experienced sad times at Christmas, remember so did Mary and Joseph. In the end they found victory. We are also victorious. Celebrate a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS no matter what the past of the present, because Jesus is our victory.

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ.,

I do hope you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. Sandy was up early in order to have four pies made by 6:30 AM. I sure married good. She fixed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. The whole family came to our home. We had a great time.

Sunday I was privileged to teach our Sunday School class. We have over 50 in the class. The next three weeks I will continue with the study in 2 Corinthians. The class is so responsive. They are a joy to teach. Sandy will begin teaching again in January on Tuesday mornings. She is looking forward to sharing with the ladies of our church.

In the meantime we are busy with band concerts (all three grandsons), birthdays (all three kids and one grandchild, choir presentations, and putting up Christmas decorations. We have a real band with the three older grandsons playing percussion, trumpet and trombone. I think Johnny may play a hockey stick like his dad.

Sandy and I will be doing ministry again this winter in Quartzsite, AZ during the Rock and Gem Show. The First Baptist Church of Quartzsite sponsors an annual revival. I found out yesterday that my friend of almost 50 years, Henry Smart, will be preaching. Sandy and I will lead the daily devotionals for the Campers On Mission team. It is always a highlight of the year for us.

I know that you will be having family get togethers during this special time of the year. I do pray you will enjoy one another, remember the reason we celebrate Christmas is Jesus, and that you will be safe.

May God bless you during this wonderful season of Christmas. Tell someone about Jesus. Love your family. Celebrate life. Take a nap now and then. Give to someone who cannot return the favor. And as Ron Dunn used to say "love God, hate sin and watch out for big trucks". LOL

I love and appreciate you all. ~ DGW

Are you facing the Lions? #173

Daniel 6:10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. (NLT)

Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. (NLT)

Daniel found himself between the proverbial rock and a hard place. The administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors told King Darius, king of the Medes and the Persians, that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. The orders said that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human - except to Darius, will be thrown into the den of lions. Daniel of course could not follow that law. He knew that if he did not follow the law the result would conclude with him becoming lion food.

Daniel did his usual thing; he prayed. He went to his room with its windows open toward Jerusalem and prayed. His normal custom was to pray to the Lord three times a day. This day with a den of lions awaiting he still prayed. HE GAVE THANKS. What a time to give thanks. Circumstances say he should be praying for rescue, intervention, and protection Instead he gave thanks to God.

What are you facing today that feels like a hungry lion is lying in wait to attack you? What is your response? Is it giving thanks in all circumstances? Is it a choice to not worry? Is it your choice to pray about everything?

When you experience life's difficulties it would be easy to complain, worry, fret and give up. God's encouragement to you is to give thanks in all things. How can you do that? You can pray and give thanks because no matter what you are facing you know that you are in Christ. The Bible does not say, "Give thanks FOR all things, but IN all things. God loves you and cares about everything you face. Give thanks IN things.

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We all have so much to be thankful for that it is hard to even think of mentioning them all.

• I am so thankful for my Lord Jesus. He is not only my Savior and Lord, He is my very Life. He said in his own words that He came to give us life and life more abundantly. I believe that and am so grateful.
• I am thankful for my family, my children, my son-in-law and daughter-in-law, my grandchildren, and my Dad. And of course all my extended family.
• I am also so very thankful for my wonderful wife, Sandy. She has been my love, my encourager, my support, my joy for over 45 years now. How thankful I am that God has allowed us such a wonderful life together.
• I am thankful for friends all over this planet. God has allowed me to meet people from all over the USA and around the world. It is such a blessing for which I am very thankful to have had the opportunity to know these special friends.
• I am thankful for the material blessings from God. He has richly blessed my life.

This past week Sandy and I had lunch with one of the Doctors who cared for me when I was at my most critical point. It was so good to meet with him and his medical assistant as friends. They are special people. I am thankful for them.

We are having our family over for Thanksgiving dinner. I am thankful we all can be together. What a blessing!

I do hope and pray you have a wonderful time celebrating God's blessings and thanking Him in all things. It would be so great if I could see all of you during the holiday season. Quite impossible, except in my thoughts. You are special and I thank God for you.

God bless you and all yours. ~ DGW

Are You Chained to the Chariot? #172

1 Corinthians 2:14

14 But thank God! He has made us his captives and continues to lead us along in Christ's triumphal procession. Now he uses us to spread the knowledge of Christ everywhere, like a sweet perfume.

15 Our lives are a Christ-like fragrance rising up to God. But this fragrance is perceived differently by those who are being saved and by those who are perishing

16 to those who are perishing, we are a dreadful smell of death and doom. But to those who are being saved, we are a life-giving perfume. And who is adequate for such a task as this?

Picture in your mind an army general riding through the center of the city. He has just won a great victory. Behind him is the conquered general of the opposing army tied to the chariot and led through the city. Often you may think of yourself as the conquering general riding in the beautiful chariot or on the back of a white horse when in fact the scripture says you are the captive. The conqueror is King Jesus. He leads you in His triumph.

It is not your victory; it is His. The Apostle Paul writes that he is thankful, full of gratitude to be led in Christ's triumph. He sees himself as being carried through the city as a

spectacle. Although Paul's discovered an open door for the gospel was available in Troas he had no peace about staying there. Instead, grateful to be led in Christ's triumph he ends up in Macedonia. He was committed to finding Titus. That was God's leadership for his ministry.

Remember when you find no rest for your spirit, and you are staring at an open door for ministry that you are chained to the chariot of Christ. He is your leader and he leads you in His triumph. The open door at Troas closed, but a new door opened. Paul understood that change of ministry assignment is a result of being chained to the charity.

How utterly impossible it is for you to accomplish the ministry of the gospel in your own strength and power. Christ is our sufficiency and our adequacy. Be glad that you are chained to His chariot. Your life and ministry will to some be a fragrant aroma, to others the stench of death. Some will see the life of Christ in you as you are led in His triumph. Others will not understand and reject Christ and will see your life as wasted.

Be grateful that you are chained to His chariot. You will be led in victory!

________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

We all have heard the saying, "Time flies when you're having fun." I must be having a really great time, because time seems to fly by. My Dad used to tell me that as you got older time went faster. Wasn't so sure he knew what he was talking about. I have changed my mind. He knew exactly what happens as you get older. It is almost Thanksgiving 2011. It was only two years ago that I was unsure I would make it until Christmas

. But I am THANKFUL that I am still around, although time is moving very fast.

Sandy finishes teaching the Tuesday Ladies Bible Study this week. She has enjoyed sharing with the ladies at First Baptist Church. I am looking forward to teaching Sunday School Nov 27, Dec 4 and 11. Some of you caught the error last week when I mentioned the class met at 1:00 AM instead of 11:00AM. Some of you were concerned I would have no one to teach that time of morning.

The picture is of Burke and Johnny. Burke is Roger and Jen's youngest and of course Johnny is the preemie who has grown up. Burke is 10 and in fifth grade. He loves to play with his little cousin. The pic was taken on the bunk bed. Johnny is having

an MRI of his head. It is larger than normal and the DRS want to find out if it is fluid or just hereditary. Most of you have accused some of our family with big heads. LOL Please pray for a good outcome of the MRI. It is not scheduled yet. He did weigh 20 lbs 15oz this week. A long way from the three pounds he weighed at birth.

Roger has started his own law firm. He has a web site up and running and already has clients. Check out his web site. www.jrogerwoodlaw.com. He is excited.Pray for his new venture.

Sandy and I are already looking forward to our annual trek to Quartzsite, AZ. We do ministry during the annual Gem and Rock Show. Thousands of people gather in the desert to buy and sell rocks, gems, jewelry, and junk. Sandy and I will be leading the morning devotionals for the people doing the ministry. Really looking forward to the opportunity again this year. The dates are January 21-28, 2012. Begin now to pray for those who will hear the gospel and those who will do ministry.

I pray for you that you will have a wonderful holiday season. Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years seems to be a time when many people think about God as during no other time of the year. Even though we have greatly commercialized the season I believe we can still use the season to share about our wonderful God and Savior.

May God bless you as you gather with family and friends to enjoy this special time of year. Thanks for taking time to drop me a note. It means a great deal.

May God bless you with peace in your spirit. ~ DGW

Victory Is Ours #171

1 Samuel 30:8

And David inquired of the LORD, saying, "Shall I pursue this band? Shall I overtake them?" And He said to him, "Pursue, for you shall surely overtake them, and you shall rescue all." (NAS)

When David's family was attacked and his wives and daughters and sons carried away into captivity by the Amalekites David and all of Israel wept until they could weep no more. Then when he had no strength left he inquired of God who told him not only to pursue the enemy, but that he would also have victory and all of the captives would be rescued.

The Amalekites were the descendants of Esau. When Moses brought the nation of Israel out of Egypt they were attacked from the rear by the Amalekites at Rephidim. By approaching from the rear they killed the weakest of all the people. A battle ensued and Israel prevailed. Moses then declared to Israel that the Amalekites would always be their enemy. Later Saul is called to battle the Amalekites with the instruction to kill everyone. Saul disobeyed and brought back the King of the Amalekites, Agag.

Some have compared the Hebrew's battles with the Amalekites to the Christian's battle with their own flesh. The flesh is not the physical body, but the selfish desires, lustful ways, as seen in the fruit it produces: Galatians 5:19-21"The fruits of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God." Galatians 5:22-23 "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law."

As Christians we can have victory over the flesh by walking in the Spirit. The battle between the flesh and the Spirit is ongoing and will be all of your life. The Christian is never free from the battle, but can be victorious over the flesh. Galatians 5:16 "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." The battle will always be raging, but victory is ours through God's Holy Spirit.

_____________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ

Sandy and I are home once again for the Thanksgiving, Christmas and all the family birthdays. We have such a great time during this season of the year. The only thing we have discovered is that as we have begun to mature we get tired a lot quicker. An afternoon nap sure is nice.

Our friends, the Tuttletons, went home Wednesday. We had a wonderful month with them. It was quite a big difference from two years ago when they also stayed with us a month to take care of me and Sandy when I was so critically ill. Great friends are hard to beat.

the retreat in Ohio was a wonderful blessing. We have been meeting each November for nine years. It has been a joy to watch the whole group mature in their faith and walk with god. Bob and Pat Moser, the leaders, have been teaching this group over twenty years. Time makes a difference.

Yesterday Interstate 10 was closed because of an oil tanker fire. You may have seen it on the news. The school that was evacuated is the school tow of my grandsons, Bennett and Burke, attend. They had an exciting day.

Sandy is about finished with her Tuesday Bible Study. She has enjoyed teaching. The plans look like she might be teaching again in January.

I will be teaching our Sunday School Class on November 27, December 4 and 11. The Watchmen's Class meets on Sunday morning at First Baptist Church of Tempe and 1:00 AM. I am excited about filling in for three Sundays for our teacher. Please continue to pray for opportunities to share God's word.

May God continue to bless you with His overwhelming power and strength. ~ DGW

Let Go Of Your Load #170

Psalms 55:22

"Cast your burden upon the Lord and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken."

Ever pick up something too heavy for you to carry by yourself. No matter how hard you tried. groaned or grunted you just couldn't pick it up. Some things are too big to budge. It is not necessary to make attempt after attempt and continue to fail. You need victory. God has an answer, "Cast your burden on Him."

The word picture in this Psalm is a person carrying a burden too heavy to bear alone. The Psalmist reminds you that God is able to receive your load, bear it and to carry your burden. As in most things there is a perquisite. Something has to happen first. You have to cast your burden off of yourself.

You may attempt to convict yourself you can do it alone. You can try to convince friends and family that you can go it alone. You may try to convince God that you don't need His help, but think again. You need help. Be encouraged that God will sustain you. He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.

So when you attempt to handle life's burdens and be in control of the outcome you are merely fooling yourself. God desire is for the righteous. His children, to never be shaken or to become unstable or fearful. You will be shaken unless you learn to cast all our burdens on the Lord.

The promise of never being shaken is yours. What are you carrying around right now that has you "shook"? Give it up! Let Jesus have your load by first letting go of your struggle and then, "Cast all your cares upon Him, because He cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7

_________________Today's personal note from Dennis

Greetings from Starbucks in beautiful Tempe, AZ,

By this time you receive this we will be in OHIO! Brrrrrrr!

Thanks for your notes of support and words of prayer you have shared with us this week.

Sandy and I are both doing well and are excited about our time in Ohio this weekend. We are teaching on several Biblical characters and how God used them for His glory when it seemed He should not have. The title we have chosen is: "God is not finished with you yet." Pray for us as we share God's word.

We had a great time this week watching our oldest grandson,

Bennett, in the musical "OKLAHOMA".

He is a freshman at Horizon Learning Center. We are really proud of his accomplishments. He has been blessed with musical abilities like his Dad. (see picture)

Sandy continues to teach on Tuesday mornings at First Baptist Church of Tempe. She has been asked to teach in the spring again. She is praying about that opportunity. Pray for her decision.

I have been asked to teach the Watchmen's Sunday School class on Sunday mornings at FBC November 27, December 4, and 11. I am really excited to give our wonderful teacher Steve Landis a three week break. The class is around 50 in size and primarily folks in 50s and 60s. Great fellowship.

We look forward to being home for the holiday season. Of course for our family that not only means Thanksgiving and Christmas but birthdays. I often joke that with Roger, Mandy, Susan, Collin and Jesus all celebrating birthdays in December. I end up broke at the end of the month.

Thanks again for your prayers and support. You mean so much to us. Take a minute to read today's devotional. I think it will bless you.

God bless all you do and may God be your strength. Ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit in order to serve Him. ~ DGW