Scripture

Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift!

~2 Corinthians 9:15

Quote

You can’t out give God.

~Jim Elliot

Some twenty years ago, Billy Graham said Americans sit on thirty billion dollars in unused gift cards–gifts that are never redeemed. The figures today are slightly less. Recent surveys indicate that around 43% of U.S. adults have at least one unused gift card or store credit, with an average unused value of about $244 per person. Taken together, this totals an estimated **about $27 billion worth of unredeemed gift cards nationwide. Before I say anymore, I am the world’s worse. Holly gets my billfold at Christmas and cleans out the gift cards that I have not used. She will be disappointed this year because I have used them all. One thing you need to be aware of: the corporate world is all over this and many cards have expiration dates. The best thing to do is use them ASAP. The reason I use the ASAP is that I forget I have them.

Most of you know this little trick already but if you go to Krogers on Friday, you get quadruple points for the purchase of a gift card. June bought $650.00 worth last Friday and I got 35 gallon of diesel for $2.45. At regular price, it would have cost me $125.00. It is like killing two birds with one stone. Going out to eat, purchase yourself a gift card to pay for the meal. Kill two birds with one stone.

Of course, the greatest gift is Christmas; Christ coming to this earth and dying for our sins. The NLT says it is a GIFT to wonderful to express with words and I agree. Had not God cared about our condition, He would not have come, but He did care and He did come. This is what Christmas is all about. God is the one who initiated GIVING at Christmas. God gave His only begotten, the wise men gave Him gold, frankincense and myrrh. The shepherds gave Him praise. What are you going to give Him this Christmas?

Extra

Another good LORD’s day yesterday and our attendance was up just a little. We will meet again Wednesday evening at 5:00 for a candlelight communion service.

We had June’s family down for Christmas yesterday. Christmas is huge at our house. I have two daughters that love Christmas and I am thankful. They never knew their Great Grand Mother Mama Halbrooks Blackburn, but Mama loved Christmas also. When I was a kid, it was by far the biggest day of the year. Of course then, I loved it for the wrong reasons. I wanted a toy and some candy. Now a days kids get toys and candy everyday but it was not that way in the 50’s. Christmas was huge.

There is a family in Athens I want you to pray for. The Father, Steve Jacobs, had a heart transplant that went bad. They unplugged him yesterday. All he is getting now in something for pain. Steve’s dad Ken lead music at First Baptist Athens for many years. Steve lead at Sardis Springs my home church. Steve’s uncle Earl the pearl was here at First Baptist Hartselle for many years. He use to bring his Senior Adult band to Danville. Earl played the tub. Of course Earls speciality was humor. Earl knew how to tell a joke. Steve’s mother is still living. She is over 80 and a beautiful woman. She and the kids are having a tough time. Her name is Mary Ann.

Have a great day and thanks for reading the blog.