Merry Christmas!

Chemo #13

Vince had his 13th chemo on Tuesday, Dec. 22. It was the one day outpatient treatment. He did extremely well, again! God is hearing all your prayers! He is so close to the end! We are praising God for His healing hand on Vince's body!

Our Christmas was so nice, we had a party at our house with Jim's family (30 relatives) last night and then today we had my parent's over for a few hours. It was nice to be able to spend some time with all our loved ones. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas, too!

Prayer Requests:

George-should be having his 14th and final chemo any day now, he has Ewing's, too. Pray for

minimal side effects and a healing 2010! He and Vince have journeyed neck in neck and

they are victorious!

Danny-his dad passed away just a few weeks ago. He is a teenager and needs lots of prayers

headed his way!

Tafi-my friend who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer 2 weeks ago. She is starting her first chemo

on Jan. 6th. Pray for strength and endurance as she begins her battle.

Tyler-pray for healing on his knee (Ewing's patient finished with treatment)

Brian-pray for healing in his back (Ewing's patient finished with treatment)

Friday, December 25, 2009-Pastor Greg Laurie

God Is with Us

"Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people."

— Luke 1:68

Immanuel: God is with us—God came to us. What a staggering thought. It is really the essence of the Christian faith and the Christian life. All other religious ideologies essentially tell you that you must do something: Do this, and you will find inner peace. . . . Do this, and you will reach nirvana. . . . Do this, and maybe you will make it to heaven. But Christianity says it is done—done for you at the Cross, paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ.

Being a Christian is not merely following a creed; it is having Christ himself live in you and through you, giving you the strength to be the man or woman He has called you to be. Jesus said, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (Matthew 28:20) and "I will never leave you nor forsake you" (Hebrews 13:5).

The message of Christmas is God with us. That is important to know, especially during those times when we are going through great difficulty. The psalmist said, "If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me" (Psalm 139:9–10). It is great to know that God is with you wherever you go.

The Bible never teaches that we will have problem-free lives as followers of Christ. But the Bible does teach that we never will be alone. And because of that, we don't have to be afraid. As Ray Stedman said, "The chief mark of the Christian ought to be the absence of fear and the presence of joy."

That is the message that this sin-sick world needs to hear: Immanuel—God is with us.