Jordan Newsletter
December 2003




Brittany Bateman 12-6
Allen Dalton 12-6
Allison Henry 12-07
Imogene Kinsey 12-8
Joseph Mangham 12-10
Joshua Mangham 12-10
Lacee Penner 12-13
Amber Penner 12-14
Jessica Freeman 12-16
Hannah Bateman 12-29
Kathryn Pettit 12-30



December
1/Romans 5-82/Romans 9-11
3/Romans 12-16
4/Acts 20:3-225/Acts 23-25
6/Acts 26-28/7/Ephesians 1-3
8/Ephesians 4-69/Philippians 1-410/Colossians 1-411/Hebrews 1-412/Hebrews 5-7
13/Hebrews 8-1014/Hebrews 11-13
15/Philemon., 1 Peter 1, 216/1 Peter 3-5
17/2 Peter 1-318/1 Timothy 1-3
19/1 Timothy 4-620/Titus 1-3
21/2 Timothy 1-422/1 John 1, 2
23/1 John 3-524/2 John, 3 John, Jude
25/Revelation 1-326/Revelation 4-6
27/Revelation 7-928/Revelation 10-12
29/Revelation 13-1530/Revelation 16-1831/Revelation 19-22



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. What 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 will find that the Bible was True after all!

Christmas is coming! Christmas is coming! Just for those that don't know, there are only 5 more Saturday's till Christmas. Wasn't that pleasent news! Remember, don't shoot the messenger! So, are you ready? Have all those presents bought, wrapped with names tags attached? I know some of you were finished last July. Well, not me! I'm sure I will be in good company when I say, "Really? Christmas is NEXT WEEK???". But, like it or not, it will come. So, don't stress, don't become anxious, remember there will be a Dec. 26th!
Sister Judy would like for me to inform everyone to be sure and stop in the foyer, she will be giving out "hugs and kisses" this year. Come on Chessa, step up and be brave! Hat Sunday will be on the 14th, time to break out those lovely Christmas hats you ladies don't get to wear often.
We have news about Jonathan Dalton. He graduates Nov. 26th, and has found he will be stationed in El Paso, Tx. I know Bro. Dalton and Chessa are thrilled to have him so near. He will be traveling home on Dec. 19th and will stay through Christmas. What a present for mama and daddy!. He has an email address that Sister Chessa has asked me to include, everyone with a computer, please drop him a line. I know he would be thrilled to hear from us. Email: pv214t@yahoo.com
I hope everyone has a wonderful Christmas. May God bless you richly this year.


Through Faith
by Mrs. Charles E. Cowman

"Pressed out of measure" (2 Cor. 1:8).

"That the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:9).

God allowed the crisis to close around Jacob on the night when he bowed at Peniel in supplication, to bring him to the place where he could take hold of God as he never would have done; and from that narrow pass of peril, Jacob became enlarged in his faith and knowledge of God, and in the power of a new and victorious life.

God had to compel David, by a long and painful discipline of years, to learn the almighty power and faithfulness of his God, and grow up into the established principles of faith and godliness, which were indispensable for his glorious career as the king of Israel.

Nothing but the extremities in which Paul was constantly placed could ever have taught him, and taught the Church through him, the full meaning of the great promise he so learned to claim, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

And nothing but our trials and perils would ever have led some of us to know Him as we do, to trust Him as we have, and to draw from Him the measures of grace which our very extremities made indispensable.

Difficulties and obstacles are God's challenges to faith. When hindrances confront us in the path of duty, we are to recognize them as vessels for faith to fill with the fullness and all-sufficiency of Jesus; and as we go forward, simply and fully trusting Him, we may be tested, we may have to wait and let patience have her perfect work; but we shall surely find at last the stone rolled away, and the Lord waiting to render unto us double for our time of testing. --A. B. Simpson