CONNECTION
Locust Grove Mennonite Church Newsletter
Fall/Winter 2010
“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord
shone around them, and they were terrified. But the angel said to
them, 'Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be
for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born
to you; he is Christ the Lord.” (Luke 2:9-11)
Pastor's Corner
by Max Zook
Do you Like Your Job?
How well do you like your job? What do you like most about it?
I was very surprised to learn that, according to a survey by the National Opinion Research
Council, the absolutely most satisfying career is clergy or pastor! Other satisfying jobs are physical
therapist, firefighter, school principal, artist, teacher, author, psychologist, and special education
teacher. A total of 88% of all people were satisfied with their job and 50% were very satisfied with
their work. Only 4% were very dissatisfied.
Well, I am definitely one of the 50% who is very satisfied with his job. Actually I like to think
that it is more than a job; it is actually a calling or a way of life.
Now are pastors the only ones who can feel that way about their jobs? I don’t think so.
I’ve heard other people say they same thing about their careers, people like farmers and
homemakers, even salesmen. In fact, one salesman just left my office who seemed very excited to be
called by God to help people get their needs met and save money at the same time.
It seems that the people who see their work only as a necessary bad thing in their lives to get
money to pay bills, afford vacations, or nice stuff are generally more inclined to hate their work. But
people who find satisfaction in their everyday tasks, seeing them as ways of serving God, find
enjoyment every single day of their lives. Then when they get paid, they see the check as a bonus for
an already delightful life.
You see, God created people to work and to find meaning in their work. Adam’s first job was to
take care of the Garden of Eden, requiring him to plant, prune, harvest, and study all the plants. His
second job was to name the animals. This job involved creativity in addition to observation,
classification, and study. Through these jobs Adam found ways to praise the Creator for the wonder
and variety of everything God made. He worked even before he sinned.
This means, in my way of thinking, that we will work in heaven. In heaven our work will be
worshipful, invigorating, and life-giving, not tiring, monotonous, or de-humanizing. You and I will
reign with Christ as kings and priests in very meaningful and fulfilling careers.
But here’s my secret wish: I really hope I have a garden out behind my little mansion in which
to try out some of God’s amazing varieties of mangoes. Maybe I can even try a new kind of broccoli
that doesn’t smell so bad when it’s cooked. Now that would be… well, heaven!
Youth Notes
Lyle and Diane Yoder
Hi. I am Lyle Yoder and my wife is Diane. I am a self-employed plumber/HVAC guy. My wife is a
florist, specializing in wedding flowers, and works at Garden Treasures during the spring/summer
season. She can also be found working part time at Peachey Foods in Belleville.
Diane and I have three children. Staci, the oldest, lives in Yardley, PA with her husband Mike Castello;
Joe lives in Strodes Mills; and Steven is in 10th grade at BMS.
One of the biggest reasons we agreed to help with the MYF is that Diane and I have always had a place
in our hearts for the youth. We want to be part of something that can be an encouragement for the
youth, who are constantly dealing with all types of stress and peer pressure, not to mention the distorted
world views that challenge their lifestyles and their beliefs.
This is why Diane and I feel it is so important to provide a place for young Christians to be encouraged
in their relationship with Jesus and also to help them gain a better understanding about their faith. Our
hope is that being a part of MYF strengthens their Christian walk. We have really enjoyed getting to
know the youth and have been blessed in ways we did not expect.
Danielle Strauser
My name is Danielle Strauser, and I am the daughter of Carl and Marybeth Strauser of McVeytown. I
have been attending Locust Grove for about nine years now, and I am one of the new MYF sponsors
this year.
I graduated from Belleville Mennonite School in 2008 and recently graduated from DuBois Business
College with an associate's degree in specialized business. I work at Mutual Benefit Group Insurance
Company in Huntingdon as a Human Resources administrative assistant.
I agreed to be an MYF sponsor because I want to be a part of helping youth grow stronger in their
relationship with Jesus Christ. I believe that the last few years of high school is an extremely important
time for kids to be building a firm foundation in Jesus before they are thrown out into the "real world"
and are faced with so many different world views. My prayer is that the youth at Locust Grove will rest
in God's truths this year.
Thank you for the encouragement that I have already received in making this decision, and I ask for
your continued prayers and support as I continue to be a part of MYF.
Poetry Corner
Search No More: God’s Love Letter to His People
by Marsha Buchanan
I originally wrote this poem for a Christmas Eve service at Locust Grove not long ago. Be sure to read
past the sixth stanza to get to the “meat and potatoes” of the poem. God is the same yesterday, today,
and forever!
Sitting there one day
With His hand upon His chin,
The Lord above got thinking,
Saying, “Where should I begin?”
He threw some plans together,
Using bits of this and that
(Some thumbtacks and some rubber bands),
Then gave Himself a pat!
“No, that’s no good,” the Father said.
“These things I’ll rearrange.”
“I’ll start from scratch to get it right;
“Like shadows, I will change.”
“I have a plan,” he said,
“To have the blood of goats atone,
A temporary fix
For all that sin to which you’re prone.”
Getting tired of ancient hist’ry,
Sitting back upon his throne,
“I’ll change this up,” the Lord announced
Across his megaphone.
“My old plan isn’t working,
That’s the law that Moses gave,
I made an error, so I need
A plan that won’t enslave.”
Hold it just a second!
This isn’t how the Lord
Quickly planned things in His head
On a day when He was bored.
Rather, Scripture from the start
Was a love story foretold
A tale that never changes
As the pages, they unfold.
The pages of the Bible,
Ancient Words and ever true –
The story goes like this,
Written long ago for you.
Take note and pay attention
To the words that I record
The rest of this account
Will come directly from the Lord.
“Mark my words! They will not change.
They’ve been around a while.
They’re from of old; I am the Lord.
They won’t go out of style.”
“I am not a man
That I should lie or change my mind.
The Glory of Israel from above,
I’m not like humankind.”
“I have done just as I promised;
Not one word of mine has failed.
My promises are good
And, in the end, they have prevailed.”
“My ancient laws, they haven’t changed
I planned them from the start.
And now these laws of mine
Are to be written on your heart.”
“My Word – it is eternal.
It’s standing firm today.
My faithfulness endures;
From my Word I’ll never stray.”
“So, I do not change like shadows.
I’ll always stay the same.
My years will never end,
And neither will my Name.”
“My child, you ask, ‘What’s all this talk
About your steady Word?
How does that relate
To any love story I’ve heard?’”
“My servant Micah once announced,
‘From Bethlehem will appear
A ruler, Christ the Savior,
From of old, but drawing near.’”
“And also, in the Psalms there are
Some pictures of my Son.
Foreshadowing of Christ
Shows that the love story had begun.”
“Isaiah was a prophet who
Foretold the virgin birth.
‘Immanuel,’ he said, would be
My Son, who’d come to earth.”
“So, all those ancient stories
Of the Savior on his way –
They happened just as they were told
One sweet December day.”
“The love story I speak of
Is the Truth of Christ, my Son.
Just by His name, ‘God with us,’
You see His love for everyone.”
“You’ve seen my words get carried out,
My promises fulfilled.
So trust me still, forevermore;
I’ll do everything I’ve willed.”
“There’s no more need to search
Because I’ve given all you need;
You have my One & Only Son
And my ancient Word to read.”
Our most recent Locust Grove attendees…
Madison Nicole Peachey – born to David and Brandi on October 9
Elizabeth Ella Plank – born to Rob and Rena on October 24
God in the Workplace
A Typical Day in Southwest Florida
“Let your glory be over all the earth.” Psalm 27:11b
by Quill and Ann Kanagy
Gator Wilderness Camp School
As the sun rises in the east on a typical day in southwest Florida, Quill and I prepare for our day at
Gator Wilderness Camp School. Our neighborhood is alive with the calls of little blue herons,
American coot, and mockingbirds while the early morning air forecasts a warm day with hope of an
afternoon shower.
We leave for our 35-40 minute drive to Gator Camp at 8 AM, and make a stop on the way at Ace
Hardware as Quill purchases supplies for both the maintenance department at Camp and camper group
supplies. When we arrive at Camp, Quill begins working in the Chuck Wagon where he empties
garbage and waste cans, cleans bathrooms, and dry mops or wet mops the floors, depending on the day
of the week. As the day moves on, he will repair small tools such as axe handles or others that have
broken as the boys used them working at campsite. (Visitors to camp are sometimes surprised that
campsites have a tool tent with items such as shovels, axes, rakes, and log skinners and wonder aloud
about safety with the boys using these tools. As the chiefs explain to visitors, the boys are taught to use
these tools and understand they are only for work. They take pride in their learned ability to work and
use the tools successfully.)
Inside the Chuck Wagon, I check our mailbox in Miss Sheri’s office for any phone messages that may
have come in. This morning there's a message from a parent (Dan) who had inquired in early May
about Gator Wilderness Camp for his 13 year old son. As I go to my office, I reflect on a call I received
several days ago from a gentleman (Aaron) in Austin, Texas. The Texas caller requested information
related to his 13 year old son. (Inquiries regarding prospective campers are all recorded on intake
forms.) As Aaron talked and I recorded the information on the form, I inquired about the boy’s
biological mother. It was then that Aaron reported the boy was “not really my son, he’s my step-son,
and he actually lives in Englewood, FL with his biological father.” Aaron eventually shared that his
wife was quite concerned about her son in Englewood, so as a step-father he was trying to help find a
solution. Before he hung up, he reported he would share the information I had given him with his wife
and the boy’s father in Florida.
When I got to my office this morning, I pulled the inquiry file, and understood that Dan and Aaron
were both calling about the same boy. The information I had recorded in May from Dan revealed that
Dan and his wife were just then going through a divorce. Now in September, Dan’s ex-wife was
married to Aaron and living in Austin, Texas. Even though the boy’s mother had recently remarried,
she was now very concerned about the boy she had left behind in Englewood, Florida. I left a phone
message on Dan’s phone and went on with my day reflecting on the webs we weave as we turn our
backs on God’s plan for families.
Dan called back later today, and we arranged for Quill and I to make a home visit at 7 PM on Thursday.
(Home visits are typically late in the day to accommodate the schedules of both boys and their
families.) In today’s phone conversation, Dan was quite anxious to get the boy into Gator Camp as
quickly as possible. As we talked, he mentioned he had seen us in the courtroom several weeks ago
when we represented Gator Camp as part of a probation plan for another young man.
My day is filled with updating communication sheets/case notes in campers’ files related to our
conversations and contacts with families, and answering phone calls (including several calls from a
current Buccaneer’s father who was quite upset with the court system and another camper’s father who
worries about how to handle his son during the next home visit, etc.) A mother whose son is scheduled
to be placed here on Wednesday calls with questions about medical and dental forms. There are always
e-mails to check and community events to follow, and today I finally take time to complete funding
package information for each boy’s file. The funding form helps us to identify the sources of each
boy’s stay, and contributors who are helping to sponsor a boy’s stay at camp are noted on the boy’s
form. McKay Scholarship work is also part of my day, and as I pursue this work, I praise God again
that He is providing these funds for His work here.
When Quill and I leave Camp today, the sky is dark with threatening rain clouds, and by the time we
reach our home, our part of southwest Florida is experiencing a heavy tropical rain. As we run from
the truck into the house, the glory of the Lord continues to be over all the earth, and we praise God for
the opportunity He has given us to advance His Kingdom in the hearts of boys and their families in
southwest Florida.
The Art of Furniture Making
By Jay A. Yoder
“Every day of furniture making is like a new adventure. And I love adventure – it makes me feel alive.
Working wood has that effect on me, there's a little bit of miracle making in every bit of furniture
making.”
Several years ago I participated in a woodworking class taught by Mr. Eugene Landon, a nationally
known reproduction furniture maker from Williamsport, PA. We learned about traditional furniture
design and construction techniques. Much of what we did in the class was using traditional hand tools –
hand saws, hand planes, moulding planes, chisels, and carving tools. We created dove tailed corners,
made mouldings by hand, and used wooden pegs to fasten various parts together. At the end of class we
each had a completed mid-sized blanket chest complete with old style, hand-gorged chest hinges. No
nails, screws, or other metal modern fasteners were used to construct the chest except for attaching the
hinges and lock used to secure the lid.
That experience was followed by a visit to the Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum in Delaware,
which contains one of the premiere collections of early American furniture. An 18th Century
woodworking shop from the New England area was dismantled and reconstructed as part of the
museum. The entire workshop measured 17' x 20' (about the size of an adult Sunday School
classroom). The workshop contained 2 wooden workbenches, a foot powered wood lathe, an early
version of a band saw, and a good assortment of hand tools. On display were several wonderful pieces
of furniture that were known to have been made in that very shop.
These two experiences began to awaken a part of me that I have found great fulfillment in. I enjoy
creating, looking at a rough piece of wood and bringing it to life in a piece of furniture. I feel the
excitement each time I begin a project when I choose the specific boards I will use. I choose certain
boards with special grain patterns to get a desired effect for key parts like a door panel or drawer front.
What looks like a pile of rough boards to some is to me a piece of furniture just waiting to be made.
I've always admired creative people who have the gift of taking ordinary, common materials and
creating something that “comes alive.” It reminds me of the story of a famous sculptor who was asked
how it was possible to carve an angel out of a large block of stone. His answer was simple: “Just chip
away everything that is not the angel.” In a similar way, I like to envision the finished furniture piece
while it is still a stack of boards lying across the saw horses in the middle of the shop.
The Master Creator, God, I believe has placed within each of us a bit of His image, the desire to create,
and the joy of finding satisfaction in that. God, of course, has created all things out of nothing. He has
already created the beauty in the wood; I simply help to bring it out.
I enjoy building with a variety of wood types. Each wood has its own special characteristics and
beauty. Each has its unique smell, from the comforting smell of pine, to the sweet smell of cherry, and
the enticing aroma of sassafras. A comment I often get from people walking into my shop is: “I love
the smell of a wood shop.”
My greatest satisfaction comes from seeing people use and enjoy the things I have made. It is indeed a
privilege to provide this type of service to others. I have been entrusted with a gift. My desire is to use
it well and never forget where it came from. To God be the glory!
Testimonies from God's People
Natalie Fuller's Story
I was raised in Paintersville Christian Academy and Maitland Church of the Brethren. My grandmother
took me to Sunday School and church. I had a good Christian background, and I was a good student.
My family taught me respect, values, and the importance of having GOD in my life.
I stopped going to church with my grandmother somewhere between middle school and high school,
which I think were the most impressionable years of my life. I started dating someone, who was
considered “bad” for me. I felt cool. I got pregnant with my son a month before I graduated from high
school. This was just something that did not happen in my family – “This is not the way we raised
you.” I did go back and finish high school, but college was now something that my family and I did not
discuss any further. I worked in sewing factories and gas stations. I still did not return to church. Things
quickly worsened in my life. I stayed with Chase’s father, who had no religion, respect, or discipline.
He was doing drugs and it was not long until I fell into a huge dark place with no friends, family, or
GOD. I used drugs and stopped talking to my family. I knew GOD was always watching me, waiting
for me to look up, but I was embarrassed and disgusted with myself, so I pushed further away. I lost
everything that was important to me. I got to the bottom; there was nowhere else to look, but up. I
prayed; I didn’t know what I needed or how anything or anyone could pull me out of this hole. GOD
reached for me!
Things slowly started to turn around. I stopped doing everything I was previously doing, stopped
talking to everyone I was previously talking to. I was not comfortable in the church I attended as a
child, but I was praying. I met someone, rented an apartment in Belleville, and had my second child,
Nola. I went on a job interview, a secretary position for an insurance company. They didn’t need a
secretary but told me that I could work for them as long as I could become a licensed insurance
representative within a reasonable amount of time. Chase, my then 8 year old son, was very involved in
sports, and I was meeting nice people at sporting events. Things were good. There was one little boy
that was on Chase’s baseball team. We went through 2 years of baseball together with this family. Once
they even invited us to attend the church they go to. They were great people and we talked about the
game, the weather, just making conversation. Last year I talked Chase into playing soccer instead of
football since I didn’t like football very much. Chase agreed to try it out. Luckily he is very good at
soccer and had a lot of fun. However, when your child starts a new team it’s kind of like the first day at
school for the mom. People stand in little groups, and you know they are asking, “Where are they
from?” or saying, “I haven‘t seen them around before.” You’re on their territory.
But I also got lucky; there was this great family from baseball season. I became closer to them each
practice. For some reason I was drawn to this family. I started to confide in the father of a little boy on
my son's soccer team. I told this man about my life, where I’ve been, where I want to go, and step by
step where I was in life. Believe me, I told this stranger all the dark and sad parts of my life, but he
didn’t judge me. At that time my family and I were looking to buy a house. I filled this man in on every
stressful and hopeful detail that I never thought I would get to go through. He invited me to his church
again and he gave me a program from the last Sunday's service. I threw the program into my car and
went home. We got home and I was digging cleats, shin guards, and water bottles out of my car and I
grabbed the program. I went inside and took a look at it. I thought it couldn’t hurt and I knew I needed
a church family in my life again. The top line of the program said: Pastor – MAX ZOOK. I froze. I
read it again, thinking, “This can’t be. The man that gave me the program was Max Zook. The man I
just told my life story to was Max Zook.” Now, everyone says, “Who better to tell your story to?” The
next practice I asked Max, “Are you sure you want me at your church?” He said, “Yeah.” I told him I
have two children, I’m not married, and I have tattoos, but that didn’t matter to him. I took the invite,
and the first, second, third, and so on services I felt like the message was speaking to me – exactly what
I needed to hear at exactly the right time. GOD has perfect timing!
We bought a beautiful home in Yeagertown on a back road with lots of kids. My family comes to visit,
and I have some great friends. I feel whole inside. The most recent hurdle was this insurance licensing.
I studied the best I could with 2 children, a full time job, pushing for deadlines (and no time at all to
study). I scheduled the trip to Harrisburg to the testing center after my boss politely told me that I was
out of time. I crammed for 3 nights after the kids went to bed, going over any test questions I could
find. I knew I was not going to pass the test this time. The people I worked with all took it at least 4
times before they passed it. I prayed and prayed for guidance, for strength (and for the right answers). I
finished the test knowing that when I came back to take it again I wouldn’t be so nervous. The last
screen popped up and in the top left corner very small it said, “STATUS: PASS.” I walked out of the
room, straight to the front desk, and I asked the woman if she could tell me if I passed or not because I
didn’t know if I was reading the screen correctly. She said yes. I said, “I'm sorry, what was that?” On
the way home from the testing center I called Max to tell him the good news. He said that he was
praying for me that morning and GOD had spoken very clearly to him. I did not need prayer for today, I
needed prayer to trust in GOD everyday! GOD turned my entire life around, gave me a career, a home,
a beautiful happy family and great friends like Max and Brenda.
A few months ago I was baptized with Katie Peachey & Angie Yoder. We had classes all summer
before the service. These two women have taught me that I am not alone on this journey. The amazing
GRACE & LOVE that GOD has given to me can overcome anything.
I cannot express the peace this church family has given to me & I can’t thank Max & Brenda enough
for being the wonderful listeners they are. I also cannot praise the LORD enough!!
Katie Peachey's Story
I can still remember the day my Mom died. It was sunny outside, and my family was eating breakfast
in the kitchen. My Dad went in to check on her, and when he came out he had tears running down his
face. My older brother started to cry, but my sister and I, in our youthful inability to comprehend what
was happening, just kept eating. I can’t remember the sound of her voice, or any stories she read to me
at night, or any trips to the park, but I remember the day she died of cancer. That was a huge turning
point in my life, because six months later my Dad was remarried and everything changed.
I grew up in a small Oregon town in a pretty house, and outwardly I was a normal kid. I liked playing
with friends and riding my bike and doing normal kid things. Inside that pretty house, however, a very
different reality surrounded me. I could write a lot of details, chronicling a childhood of abuse and
neglect, but it’s not in those details that I came to know God. I can tell you that on the days when I was
beaten severely I cursed Him. On the days that I got screamed at for no reason I cursed Him. On the
days that I was assaulted I cursed Him. Years later, when my first marriage fell apart and I gave birth
to my second child alone I cursed Him. I spent years of my life carrying so much contempt for God,
believing that He was to blame; believing that He should have protected me. The sharp knife of
suffering was cruel to me, and my faith paid the price.
I can remember being a girl, hiding in my bedroom closet, and begging God to deliver me from that
nightmare. I begged, pleaded, and bartered with God, but to no avail…for the next day and the next it
was the same as the one before. I have to admit that most of the time when I spoke to God I was asking
Him for something. It never occurred to me that even in the midst of all of the hard stuff, I was still
loved. My Mother died an untimely death. I had an abusive Stepmom and an absentee Father who
never paid any attention to me. I had low self esteem and I made bad choices and I sinned. I felt
unworthy and ashamed. The people in my life hurt me, and somehow I managed to convince myself
that God should have saved me from all that. I am reminded of the poem “Footprints,” that in those
times when I felt so alone I saw only one set of footprints because He was carrying me, and giving me
the strength to get through each day.
Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans that I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you
and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” I was given a small card baring that verse
by a friend I worked with in Oregon 11 years ago. Even when I wasn’t going to church and I had very
little faith at all, I would read it and it would make me feel good. To this day that verse means so much
to me.
It took me a long time to finally see that my story isn’t a story about a girl who grew up hard, or who
had bad things happen to her, but rather a story of God and His amazing love for each one of us. In
spite of our struggles, He is there, and He is good. I am not defined by my sin, or by my suffering, but
by my unique relationship with a loving Father who even in the darkest times has never forsaken me.
Once the hurt finally gave way to that truth I realized that even the pain was a blessing, because it led
me here, to a life of peace and happiness. I am so blessed to have people in my life, who without even
knowing it, helped me take each small step down the long, painful road toward forgiveness. Being
baptized for me was more than just saying I believe in God. It was finally knowing God, accepting his
forgiveness, and loving Him with my whole heart.
Angie Yoder's Story
Hi everyone! Most of you know me. I am Angie Yoder, married to John F. Yoder (better known to most
as "Johnny") and I have two wonderful sons, Derek and Jacob. This past spring/summer when Max
announced that there would be a class for adults for baptism I felt that I was in need of this class, not
because I didn't love my Lord and Savior, but because I was never baptized as a young adult or in my
adult life and I needed to make that public commitment. As Max and Brenda taught the class, I realized
that it was so much more then just making a public commitment; it was letting go of past sins and being
a born again Christian. I was very fortunate to have made two wonderful friendships along the way
with Katie and Natalie as well.
It was amazing how many people came up to me when it was announced in the bulletin who was going
to be in the baptism service and said with a smile, “I am praying for you.” It has brought tears to my
eyes just remembering their faces. GOD is awesome and amazing. PSALM 63:8 says, “My soul clings
to you; your right hand upholds me.” Sara and Irv Hartzler gave me an inspirational card and quoted
this verse in the card. I have read and reread the verse so many times since receiving that card, and it is
amazing the peace and grace a person can receive after reading it. I know I am in good hands at any
given time while I am on this earth. Even when times are tough and sickness of love ones is upon us,
He will ALWAYS hold me up!
Thoughts on Christmas This Year
Wondering… What Is So Amazing about Christmas?
by Max Zook, originally written for Brotherhood Beacon
I couldn’t believe my eyes. It was only September when I ran into several cartons of Christmas
decorations in a store, ready for the shelves. This had to be a mistake.
Each year the consumerism of Christmas grieves my heart. My Christmas spirit dries up when I
realize that the holiday has no meaning to many people beyond gifts, retail volumes, year-end
consumer spending, and a long vacation. The religion of Christmas demands pilgrimages to shopping
mall shrines and requires sacrifices of lavish spending and months of penance in repaying credit card
debts. In the spiritual wasteland of sale fliers, Santa Claus, and long check-out lines, I echo David’s
prayer, “My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?” (Psalm
42:2NIV)
Historically the wonder of Christ’s birth always focused on the incarnation. “The Word became
flesh and made his dwelling among us.” (John 1:14 NIV) In earlier days when the material world
seemed sinful, unsafe, and depraved, the fact that God chose to take on human flesh and enter this
world was quite miraculous, indeed.
Today that has all changed. In our present cultural perspective, the material universe holds
ultimate meaning. What you see is all there is. And so the former miracle of the incarnation has
diminished into a celebration of the lights, glamour, and latest gadgets of our culture. Of course God
chose to enter this world. Only a foolish god would live through eternity without experiencing for
himself what life in this world is all about. Our world is the best reality anywhere in the universe. Any
god in his right mind wouldn’t dare miss entering our world.
So where is the miracle of Christmas today?
Oh, the miracle is still in the incarnation, but now I suspect it is in the divine side of the
incarnation more than in the human side. In other words, the amazing part of Christmas is that there
truly is a God, the Creator of the universe, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Eternal One. He
chose to enter our world to call us to follow Him into His better world that is full of love, joy, and
peace. His world is defined, not by material glamour, even though the streets are paved with gold, but
by spiritual oneness, complete joy and abundant life. In His world pride, selfishness, greed, hate, and
envy simply do not exist.
The wonder of Christmas for modern Americans is not so much that God chose to enter our
world, but that Christ invites us to participate in His world. The angels announced the coming of this
reality when they proclaimed, “Peace on earth and good will toward men.” His kingdom is here
already, but not yet in its fullness. The Word became flesh in our world, not to celebrate our material
universe, but to invite us to join Him in His kingdom. We have the opportunity to participate in His
divine nature. This is what makes Christmas so amazing.
Let us be moved to worship our King this Christmas. And let us celebrate His first coming with
gratitude because he invited us to enter his better world that lies beyond this world, to which he will
take us when he comes again. Thank God for that blessed hope!
Christmas Quotes – Something to Think About
There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child.
~ Erma Bombeck (1927-1996), American author and humorist
Remember, if Christmas isn't found in your heart, you won't find it under a tree.
~ Charlotte Carpenter
To the American People: Christmas is not a time or a season but a state of mind. To cherish
peace and good will, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas. If we
think on these things, there will be born in us a Savior and over us will shine a star sending its
gleam of hope to the world.
~ Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), American president, Presidential message (December 25, 1927)
Christmas, my child, is love in action.
~ Dale Evans (1912-2001), American film actress, singer and songwriter (Wife of Roy Rogers)
Christmas gift suggestions: To your enemy, forgiveness. To an opponent, tolerance. To a
friend, your heart. To a customer, service. To all, charity. To every child, a good example. To
yourself, respect.
~ Oren Arnold
I sometimes think we expect too much of Christmas Day. We try to crowd into it the long
arrears of kindliness and humanity of the whole year. As for me, I like to take my Christmas a
little at a time, all through the year. And thus I drift along into the holidays – let them overtake
me unexpectedly – waking up some fine morning and suddenly saying to myself: “Why this is
Christmas Day!”
~ Ray Stannard Baker, pseud. David Grayson (1870-1946), American author, journalist
Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas...perhaps...means a
little bit more.
~ Dr. Seuss (1904-1991), American author of children's books (How the Grinch Stole Christmas)
Feature Cooks
Rena Plank
Chocolate Glazed Chocolate Tart
For crust:
9 (5- by 2 1/4-inch) chocolate graham crackers (not chocolate-covered), finely ground (1 cup)
5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
For filling:
1 1/4 cups heavy cream
9 ounces bittersweet chocolate (not more than 65% cacao if marked), chopped
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
For glaze:
2 tablespoon heavy cream
1 3/4 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1 teaspoon light corn syrup
1 tablespoon warm water
Preparation
Make crust: Preheat oven to 350°F with rack in middle. Stir together all ingredients and press evenly
onto bottom and 3/4 inch up side of tart pan or pie plate. Bake until firm, about 10 minutes. Cool on a
rack 15 to 20 minutes.
Make filling: Bring cream to a boil, then pour over chocolate in a bowl and let stand 5 minutes. Gently
stir until smooth. Whisk together eggs, vanilla, and salt in another bowl, then stir into melted chocolate.
Pour filling into cooled crust. Bake until filling is set about 3 inches from edge but center is still
wobbly, 20 to 25 minutes. (Center will continue to set as tart cools.) Cool completely in pan on rack,
about 1 hour.
Make glaze: Bring cream to a boil and remove from heat. Stir in chocolate until smooth. Stir in corn
syrup, then warm water. Pour glaze onto tart, then tilt and rotate tart so glaze coats top evenly. Let stand
until glaze is set, about 1 hour.
Toffee Bites
2 sticks of butter 1 sleeve of saltines
1c. sugar 1 bag of chocolate chips
Line cookie sheet with foil. Line sheet with crackers, salted side down. Melt butter and sugar. Cook
until light brown. Pour over crackers. Bake @ 350 degrees for 13 min. Remove from oven and
immediately sprinkle chocolate chips over top and spread. Cool. Break into pieces.
Marsha Buchanan
Spiced Pecans
1 c. sugar ! t. ground cloves
2 t. cinnamon ! c. water
1 t. salt 3 c. pecan halves, toasted (bake for approx. 10 min. at 350°)
" t. nutmeg
Combine sugar, cinnamon, salt, nutmeg, cloves, and water in a small saucepan. Cook over medium-low
heat, stirring constantly, until sugar dissolves. Cook 9 more minutes (or longer) on medium-low or until
a candy thermometer registers 236° (soft-ball stage). Do not stir. Place pecans in a large bowl; pour hot
mixture over pecans. Stir until they start to lose their gloss.
Spread pecans on waxed paper and separate quickly with a fork. Cool completely. Store in an air-tight
container. Makes 3 cups.
Icy Holiday Punch
1 package (6 ounces) cherry gelatin 1 can (46 ounces) pineapple juice
# c. sugar 6 c. cold water
2 c. boiling water 2 liters ginger ale, chilled
In a 4-quart freezer-proof container, dissolve gelatin and sugar in boiling water. Stir in pineapply juice
and cold water. Cover and freeze overnight. Remove from the freezer 2 hours before serving. Place in a
punch bowl; stir in ginger ale just before serving.
Yield: 32-36 servings (5 # quarts)
Editor’s Note
“Meaningless! Meaningless! Utterly Meaningless! Everything is Meaningless,”
says the author of Ecclesiastes.
This year more than ever I have witnessed the unfortunate meaninglessness that
seems to accompany the Christmas season, even for Christians. We shop until we
almost literally drop (or until our bank accounts do); we get up early or stay up
late to wrap gifts that we're worried the recipient may not even like; we get so
consumed with the stress of the holidays that we end up making ourselves
physically sick; we attend family events, indulging in the most delicious treats, regardless of whether
we're hungry or not; oh yeah, and we go to church on Christmas Eve and the Sunday after Christmas to
make sure we're “keeping our focus in the right place.”
Chasing after these things, which may satisfy us for a time, we fail to pay homage to the One who
provides these good things and intends for us to experience them in moderation, to the One and Only
who came to earth as a babe and ultimately gave His very life so that we might experience life more
abundantly. Do shopping, wrapping, and overeating bring abundant life? (I don't think I have to answer
that.)
I am convicted every year of these truths. But when will the time come that my focus is on the Lord
Almighty's birth and His power to save all mankind? When will I no longer need to feel convicted
because I'll actually be living out these truths? I hope next year.
Jesus Christ, the Messiah, came that we may have life, and have it to the full. He is the Good Shepherd
who laid down His life for the sheep (John 10:10, 11). May we honor and exalt Him as we place the
gift-giving, family gatherings, and holiday treats on the back burner in order to more fully focus on the
birth, and ultimately the death and resurrection, of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.