Pastor Richard's End-of-the-Year Wrap-Up

December 21, 2021

{Well seasoned, also may be a bit spicy in parts, but as always, these are my thoughts and no one else's…at least, most of them.}

Well, less than a week before Christmas, and Senator Joe Manchin has let Americans down in his opposition to President Biden's BBB proposal. Who in their right mind could be opposed to Baking Better with Butter? His vegan constituency cannot be that large.

Every dad in America is preparing to assume his post on Christmas morning, giant black trash bag in hand, to quickly dispose of wrappings, ribbons, and bows before they have a chance to hit the carpet, tile, or hardwood floors.

I was really excited to get my Pfizer booster…with six more, my punch card says I get a free toaster! My wife only needs three more, and then she gets eggroll.

Speaking of Covid-19 {we're still stuck at 19, right?}, at this stage of the pandemic, it's clear to me that mandatory vacations are the way forward. It's time to get back to normal. People are tired and stressed out. We can't let the selfishness of a few, dictate the freedoms of the many.

Last Sunday, December 19, we had 111 people in worship. We are looking forward to a joyous Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 5:00. As always, we are careful, cautious, and unafraid. You might want to get here early, if possible. We will continue to livestream. Wherever you're at on the spectrum of concern, we will be worshiping together! God is good all the time.

I can't believe a megachurch in Dallas had a former President in their pulpit the Sunday before Christmas. Weird. At first, I thought it was satire from The Babylon Bee. But it {sigh} really happened {face palm}.

I'm supposed to get my blood work - lipid panel - done but I think I'll wait till after Christmas. All bets are off for the next week when it comes to diet. I'm concerned my blood will consist mostly of butter, sugar, and hops. You too?

Speaking of The Babylon Bee, Elon Musk joined their podcast yesterday. True story. Ain't the new media grand?

Speaking of Elon Musk, I wonder what my fair share of taxes are? Who decides? What's the criteria? The Bible talks about these things. Did you know that if you confiscated all the wealth of the top 1% wealthiest Americans you might get to enough to cover possibly one year of

government spending? Then what? Methinks the problem isn't who's pay what in taxes, but promiscuous spending.

There's promiscuous spending and then there's promiscuous fear peddling. Los Angeles Times Op-Ed from last week:

* "How can we prevent a second winter of despair with Omicron?"

I don't think I've ever had a "winter of despair" at any time in my life, and I certainly haven't lived a charmed life.

Then there's this pandemic panic propaganda from a well-placed source:

* "For the unvaccinated, you're looking at a winter of severe illness and death for yourselves, your families, and the hospitals you may soon overwhelm."

But wait. What about this from God's Word?

God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble at its swelling.

- Psalm 46:1-3

Or angels anywhere you turn in the Christmas narratives:

Fear not.

Or Jesus from John 14:27:

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I

give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.

My hope and prayer is all God's people will celebrate Christmas free from fear, trusting fully in Jesus' victory over sin and death. That is always a good thing.

Finally, your Moment of Spurgeon:

“We venture to assert, that if there be any day in the year, of which we

may be pretty sure that it was not the day on which the Savior was born, it

is the 25th of December. Regarding not the day, let us, nevertheless, give

thanks to God for the gift of His dear Son.”

And because it's Christmas, your Bonus Moment:

“May God give you peace with yourselves; may he give you good will

towards all your friends, your enemies, and your neighbors; and may he

give you grace to give glory to God in the highest.”

With Much Love and Affection,

Richard