THE WONDERFUL CHRISTMASWritten by Irvin L. Rozier
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It snowed hard night before we left. Not only had it snowed, temperature had dropped and black ice had formed on roads. As I slowly drove that old Pontiac down those icy roads, we saw many vehicles in ditch. People in South Georgia are not equipped to drive in these conditions. As I pulled up to an intersection, I applied my brakes to stop. I hit a patch of black ice and said to my unsaved friend, “Brace yourself, we are going to crash.” Sure enough, we did, but Lord protected us both, only a small dent in car. We were stuck in ditch so we went looking for a kind-hearted farmer to pull us out. Shortly we found one. We asked for help. He pulled on his brogans, walked to shelter, cranked up his John Deere, and quickly pulled us out. We tried to pay him, but he refused. Thank God for people like this kind farmer. We arrived safely at hotel, checked in, then went and got a bite to eat. This was two days before Christmas. I then drove my friend to nursing home and went back to hotel and went to sleep. I woke up early Christmas eve and said, “Lord, I sure would like to go to church this morning. Show me where to go.” I picked up paper and saw where a church was having an early morning service. The Lord spoke and said, “Go there.” So I went, and although only about 30 people were there, it was a sweet service. I was blessed by words spoken about our Savior’s birth. After this was over I said, “Lord, I sure would like to go to Sunday school. Please show me where to go.” Well, Lord led me on a road out of town and in country. It surely was beautiful scenery: gently rolling, snowed covered hills, whiteness and brightness of everything. As I was driving, I thought about Christmas coming up. My friend was going to pay me $50 for driving him. Not much to buy Christmas for my children. While I was thinking about things, Lord interrupted my thoughts with a command, “Turn left here on this dirt road.” I did and about two miles down that road, I came up to a beautiful little country church sitting on a little hill surrounded by snow covered pine trees. The Lord said, “Here is where I want you to go for Sunday School.” The parking lot was full of cars, and I felt a warm and peaceful presence about this little place. As I walked in, I was warmly greeted and directed to right Sunday School class. The people there were friendly and warm-hearted. They made me welcome, and they were genuine, not fake like some places I’ve been. I thought to myself, this is a praying church that God loves. I didn’t stay for church services because Lord directed me to go on back to hotel. I did as He directed. After I had eaten dinner, I went back to room and laid down to take a nap. Around 2:30 p.m. , Lord awoke me and said, “Go on over to nursing home.” I obeyed. I found my friend and talked with him a few minutes. While we were talking, I heard sound of singing. I told my friend I was going on down there to listen as they were not only singing Christmas carols, but also singing old hymns. As I entered area where service was being held, I recognized many of folks conducting service. They were ones I had Sunday school with that morning. Nothing was mentioned in Sunday school class about a nursing home service. They recognized me and invited me to join them. I did as I enjoyed presence of Lord. After service, I said my goodbyes and walked down hall to nurse’s station. In a few minutes, preacher came up and said, “The Lord told me to give you this check.” It was for $150. I had only asked Lord for some money so I could buy my children something for Christmas. He tested my faith by ordering my steps. I passed; thank God! We came back home, and my friend paid me. My children came home late Christmas day. I was so glad to see them! I had missed them so. I told them I didn’t have them much for Christmas, but we were together. Thank you Lord for this wonderful Christmas memory! Isaiah 55:9: “For as heavens are higher than earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” Copyright 2003 Irvin L. Rozier, author of My Walk with Lord, www.selahbooks.com
Preacher, author, retired US Army
| | Your young men shall see visions...Written by David Lingner
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I look on this scene with delight, knowing this kind of "play" is precursor to what will someday become a young man's work upon envisioning and planning his dreams and goals in life. Thinking back on it now, that delight and warm feeling was rooted in a deep sense of fulfillment... What I was in fact observing, was a realization of a vision and a dream for Nancy and me. We envisioned a home rich with opportunity for imagination and good old-fashioned play. And we set out... selling our big house in burbs to live in a smaller house on land and home school our children... Our dreams have come true. Proverbs 29:18...Where there is no vision, people perish... Joel 2:28...And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions... Praise Lord.
David Lingner is founder of Christian Outdoorsman, an organization with the purpose of building a worldwide community of Christian outdoor enthusiasts, in order to use God's Creation to "Bring men closer to the Creator." http://www.ChristianOutdoorsman.com You can email Dave at: dlingner@ChristianOutdoorsman.com
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