Every time I smell the odor of Vicks it immediately takes me back to my childhood and memories of my stepmother spreading the salve on my chest and throat when I had a cold. On occasion she made me swallow a spoonful of the stuff for a sore throat. I don't know if the Vicks did any good but the touch of my stepmother's hand was always soothing when I was ill. What is more comforting than a mother's touch? When that is no longer available we still enjoy the warm touch of a spouse, friend, child, etc. It is good to remember to share that with others when the opportunity is available..

LaNell and I have the privilege of serving communion, once a month, to residents of a local retirement home. Most of the residents are widows or widowers, in their 70's to 90's; some without any living relatives. We make it a practice to touch the hands or shoulders of the women and men when they receive the elements. It reinforces our efforts to show that we care. LaNell has been led to kiss the forehead of some of the women and the recipients responded with tears. It's something they have not experienced in years.

God's spirit is present there in abundance. When we leave we feel we have gained more than those we came to minister to.

"Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble and to keep oneself unspotted from the world." James 1:27

************************************

Jesus said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea and Samaria and to the uttermost parts of the earth."

A preacher who has spoken in countries around the world said he has been to many remote and isolated places. Some were accessible only by riverboat, horseback or airplane. But every where he went he saw Coca Cola signs. So, he thought, the uttermost part of the earth must be somewhere beyond the ubiquitous Coca Cola signs.

In 1996 he preached in a Russian city 1600 miles northeast of Moscow, deep in Siberia. He looked around the city and not one Coca Cola sign was to be found. This indeed must be the uttermost part of the earth. Yet, at each home he visited, the host would proudly show him a Gideon bible printed in Russian; distributed by Russian Gideons. (Note: The Bible distributed by the Gideons is the Holy Bible, not an interpretation by the Gideons. Gideons are Christian laymen and members of evangelical churches throughout the world.)

It is estimated that, out of the 6 billion people on earth, 1.5 billion have never read the bible or heard the gospel. Among those are people in the U.S. and in your city wherever you are; maybe your next door neighbor.

When our church proposed a building to house a separate contemporary service it met with stout resistance from some longtime members who still refer to it as "that other church." Yet, in spite of the selfish objections, the service has prospered and there are now some young men and women members who previously had not set foot in a church or read the bible. My own voiced opinion about the service before it was implemented was, "If just one person receives Christ in that service, it is worth any amount of difficulty or expense." Luke 15:8 "I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance."

The Gideons organization has distributed millions of bibles in countries around the world, even beyond the Coca Cola signs, resulting in many decisions for Christ. 1.5 billion persons seems an insurmountable number to witness to. But Jesus knew it would be possible if those who have received the Holy Spirit will use the power He has given them. Otherwise He would not have commanded it to happen. (Acts 1:8) And who has received the Holy Spirit? Everyone who has confessed Christ as their Savior. The most effective method of witnessing is one on one.
*************************************
Before embarking on a long road trip we ask God to send angels to protect us as we travel and to keep us from inadvertently doing harm to anyone. I don't pray to angels. They are ministering spirits; created by God. They only obey God. Neither do I pray to saints, the Apostles or Mary. For any of them to answer prayer they would have to be equal with God. They're not.
*************************************
In Las Vegas it is unlawful to pawn false teeth.
*************************************
When Mr. Obama was elected I wrote in a blog that Americans would not like the "changes" he would promote. Bingo. I also wrote that beneath his shining armor we would find a Chicago politician, Double bingo. Thirdly, I said he would be unable to keep his promise to change Washington and that change would only happen when Jesus returns. Triple bingo. Shortly thereafter I stated that the Democrats seemed determined to self-destruct. For the sake of our country I take no pleasure that I happened to be right on these issues. Who is going to right our ship of state and keep it from sinking further?
*************************************
Add to the former list of celebrities: alligator hunters, pawn brokers, pastry bakers, loggers, motorcycle builders, wrestlers and ballroom dancers. If you don't find yourself among these I counsel patience because new categories are opening every day. Who knows? Someday there may even be one for dippy old men who write blogs.

A Holy and Merry Christmas to all.