This afternoon I had to stop by Publix to pick up something for Annis and I noticed the strangest happening. Grown me were walking around carrying armfuls of roses and boxes of candy. They didn’t seem to be going anywhere, but they were all in a hurry, like they were doing last minute shopping. Furthermore, there was a herd of panic stricken men (at least, that is the way they looked to me!) all gathered around the greeting card section. I looked more closely and saw that they were all looking for red cards and the stash was diminishing very quickly. I turned to go to the produce department and noticed that the stand where the flowers are usually located was completely empty–no balloons, nothing. Apparently, the lady who usually operates that department had gone home. As I moved over toward the toilet tissue department, I noticed several men walking around holding red balloons with white hearts, some had a dozen  or more tied to strings. None of them appeared to be gay or anything like that; in fact, some of them looked like the hulk. To tell you the truth, they looked kinda foolish. I made my way over to the candy aisle to pick up some M&Ms only to learn that the entire candy section was empty. It reminded me of the ammo section at Bass Pro a few months ago. I wondered if Obama had bought all the candy in his effort to keep everyone from getting fat. Then I sauntered over to the bakery department to pick up some muffins, and to my surprise, every muffin, cake, and pie was covered with red icing. I finally left completely bewildered. When I entered the parking lot I saw the most astonishing thing; grown men  trying to stuff all those balloons into either the back seat or the trunk of their cars. Several were trying to anchor them down in the back of their pickup trucks!

Will someone who is in the know, please tell my what is going on! Oh, I think I just figured it out: everyone is planning a big bash for my 72nd birthday, which happens to be tomorrow! Now, that is nice. I can hardly wait!

Well, it is for real at 111 River North Court–ice is forming! It seems that many around middle Georgia are without power, but we have been fortunate thus far. It won’t be long before I will be heading to bed (it is 9:08 for Pete’s sake!). Since I sleep with my eyes shut, I should be alright, as long as I have plenty of blankets, should we lose power. Thankfully, we do have a gas stove, so I will be able to eat! Fortunately, the temp will warm a bit tomorrow and the sun is going to be shining! That is a good thing! A very good thing!

Oh my, it just started raining–HARD! I have the feeling that it will turn to ice pronto!

Now, for the good news: it is Wednesday and Sunny Sunday is coming! I am looking forward to seeing you then and there! Remember: DIFFERENT IS THE WORD!

Grace to you and peace!

Mac

So far I have had Sue, Melanie, Barney (Melanie’s Dad), Dudley, and Debbie indicate they want to be part of a Bible Study.This is the last call, so please email me (212juniper@gmail.com), if you are interested. The day and time and place are yet to be decided.

It is 3:15 PM as I write this, which means that the conference will begin in a little less than three hours. I will meet the tech guys at 5:00 to tell them what I need set up for the sessions. Annis, Shirley, Dudley, and Debbie arrived around 11:50 AM, we had lunch at the local Cheesecake Factory, and then made our way to Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.

To put it mildly, I am excited. I am confident that He will be present and He will not be silent! I am trying hard to be calm, but it is difficult. In my mind, there is no doubt that I was born to teach the gospel. When I know I am going to have a room filled with hungry people, well, nothing compares.

My dear friend, Lynn, has already had me teach four Bible studies this week: one for men and three for women. She has a flock of women who truly love and trust her. The ministry God has entrusted to her is quite remarkable. I cannot explain it. You would have to be present to experience it.

Yes, it has been COLD in Louisville; however, it is around 45 today–a pleasant thing, indeed

Please remember to pray for me and for those who attend!

Grace to each of you!

Mac

I just talked with Bob! They will be in Atlanta around 6:00 on Wednesday evening. I hope they will be wearing their long underwear!

Now that the holidays have come and gone, it is time to refocus on the things that matter–really matter. One of  those things is Bible study. Yes, even Jesus likes a break; after all, He sat down when He finished with His work. As far as I know, He is still seated and comfortably so. As you know, we are not quite as familiar with His Word as He is, so it would behoove us to do a bit more study.

Anyway, we will begin our study of the letter to the Hebrews Sunday morning. Are you ready? I hope so! Please read over chapter one, not that we will cover all of it, but it will do you good and help you, too.

I will begin by telling you that no one knows who wrote this letter and that is a good thing–a very good thing. I will tell you why Sunday morning!

Amen!

-Mac

Tomorrow is New Year’s Eve! We are having a party! Attendance required!

The Bluhm’s Residence. Bring your favorite dish. I am seriously considering a pot of fresh-cooked, half-cleaned chitterlings. You know you don’t want to miss out on them. The hogs were fed on organic corn! Healthy!!

If you can’t make it at 6:00, not to worry, as you won’t be by yourself. Come as soon as you can, as you don’t want cold chitterlings!

I understand that Travis is bring filet mignon for everyone. Of course, I might have misunderstood.

Douglas said he might not be able to attend, as Valorie has a sore foot. She probably hurt it when she kicked him in the ask me no questions.

Jerry and Peggy are coming and, well that is all I’m gonna say about that.

George and Ann are probably going to be trying out their new boat. But George does like food, so it may win out.

I haven’t heard from jerry and Melanie, so I can only assume that they will arrive on motorcycle with home made cake in tow.

I hope Dudley and Debbie are able to attend; otherwise, we will have to party outside.

Looking forward!

Your humble servant,
Mac

Today, I mentioned Carla. In case you have forgotten, I told you that she, along with her two sisters, came to live with us as foster children, many years ago. She was 12 or 13 at the time. She is now 52. We love her quite a bit and, thankfully, she loves us. As I told you, she has raised her only child, Summer, to be an adult. She did it the hard way–working her fingers to the bone, doing whatever was necessary. Mostly cleaning houses. Today, she sent Annis this picture. Since I mentioned her to you, I thought you would appreciate seeing her picture, especially this one, as it is an excellent pic.

NOTE: You will have to go to gcfmacon.com to see the picture (I think).

Don’t forget our New Year’s Eve party at the Bluhms! I am considering a pot of freshly boiled chitlins.

-Amen

Reminder #1: It is Saturday night and that means that in just a few short hours it will be Sunday! That means that it is time for us to gather together for worship, teaching, communion, and fellowship. I know it is rainy and cold, but the building is heated and, as far as I know, it doesn’t leak.

Reminder #2: You are invited to a New Year’s Eve party at the home of Dudley & Debbie Bluhm. Please bring your favorite dish! Remember, a prize might be given for the declared favorite. Arrive around 6 PM and plan to have a party.

Your mostly humble pastor; well, maybe your mostly not-so-humble pastor,

Mac

Bring your favorite dish to the New Year’s Eve party at the Bluhm’s!

YOUR favorite dish! It can be whatever YOUR favorite dish might be: escargot, spinach salad, rainbow trout. lobster tails, chittlin’s, nutmeg casserole, fried chicken, baked o’possum, broccoli souffle, sardines with black olives, chicken feet soup, tripe stew, mountain  oyster extravaganza, oyster Rockefeller, or road kill with chardonnay sauce–just bring YOUR favorite dish.

We might have a contest to see who has the best dish! The prize might be considerable.

See you Sunday at GCF, and New Year’s Eve at the Bluhm’s!

Your humble correspondent,

Mac