Corina Tweddle just called to tell me that there is a large hickory tree on the ground in their yard. You are invited to bring your chain saw and help yourself to the wood. (478-731-5183)

WHAT: New Year’s Eve Party
WHERE: The home of Dudley & Debbie Bluhm
WHEN: New Year’s Eve
TIME: 6:00 PM until

Well, Christmas 2013 is almost over; not quite, but almost! I trust that everyone has had a grand occasion, received all the presents they wanted, ate all the turkey they desired, visited with all the family they wanted to visit, and consumed all the sugar their bodies could stand. Not to worry, however, as New Year’s Eve is on the way! And, then, New Year’s Day itself!

I am not sure why this comes to my mind just now, but last night, as we were celebrating Christmas at Amy’s and Mark’s, it occurred to me that both of my granddaughters will be seniors in high school next year! That is correct: SENIORS! Before I know it, they will be in college preparing for their vocations. Hopefully, AFTER that, they will get married and have a wonderful life. That is my sincere prayer, but I am a bit skeptical. From what I can see, nobody will be enjoying a wonderful life by then, unless there is a major change in the direction this nation is taking, and that doesn’t seem to be on the horizon.

Oh, I forgot! It is still Christmas and I should not be bringing up such sad subjects, as how life will be in five or six years. Sorry! I will finish that after the first of the year. By that time, everyone will have affordable medical insurance, if they are RICH in dollars and are computer savvy. Unfortunately, the dollar isn’t worth anything, so maybe no one will be insured. Oops, again! Sorry! I promise to do better.

My MD put me on a Medrol dose pack last Friday and it has made my glucose levels jump through the roof. I am confident they will return to normal, now that I am off the med. Unfortunately, however, I have been unable to eat any cake, pie, bread, dressing, cranberry sauce, brownies, chocolate fudge, or sweet potatoes. All I have been able to eat during Christmas is lettuce and water and celery stalks.Not to worry, as better days are ahead!

There was some reason for my writing this but I have forgotten what it was. If I remember, I will let you know.

Oh, I remember: Kevin is still in pain and seems still to be as drunk as a million dollars. At least, that is what the video he sent out indicated. As soon as I can, I will post it for you. I am sure you will enjoy hearing from him. Don’t forgot to send him gift cards, pies, cakes, candy, nuts, fruit, and filet Mignon. He does NOT need any whiskey!

As always, your humble servant!

Kevin’s surgery went well, according to him. He told me he felt like a “drunk million dollars.” I am not sure what that means, but as soon as I find out, I will let you know. I called him just now, but got no response. Hopefully, that simply means that his phone is turned off, not that he is still drunk with a million dollars.

Anyway, have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS!

-Mac

Can you believe it? Right in the middle of all the Christmas rush, Sunday is coming! As wise Solomon once said, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under Heaven” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). Well, it seems that the appointed time for this Sunday is, well, the day after tomorrow. The important question, however, is this: has it been appointed for you to be at GCF this Sunday? If it has been, you will be there; if not, you will not be there. It is just that simple. Theology is really not all that complicated; we just make it that way.

To be honest, I am praying that I will be there, as I love the entire experience. Missing it is not on my planned agenda, but His ways are not my ways, and I know that quite well.

If what I have planned works out to be what He has planned, I will be preaching–again. It is my intention, if it proves to be His intention, to speak with you on this subject: “Several Truths that Will Make Your Life Much Less Cumbersome.” I know that title seems a bit long, so I might abbreviate it with something like, “Don’t You Want to be Free?”

Anyway, He just might change the entire message. If so, that is fine with me. All I am really doing, anyway, is trying to make your mouth water for truth.

On an entirely different subject: I have a friend, Will Crawley, who had a major stroke the other day. He also has cancer. I am confident that he would appreciate your prayers.

Try to stay out of trouble until Sunday, and I will see you then, IF IT HAS BEEN SO APPOINTED.

In an effort to be transparent, I am sharing with you the results of my recent visit to Dr. Plaxico, the local allergist. As you can see, I am allergic to plenty! I noticed that he did not test for food allergies, which is a good thing, as I would hate to know that I was allergic to fried chicken, peas, cornbread, biscuits, okra, tomatoes, rutabagas, turnips, collards, beans, and chitterlins!

From what I can see, when February, March, and April come, I probably need to move to Hawaii, as I am allergic to the pollen from every kind of tree that grows around here.

I guess I will have to move to the beach in the fall, as I am allergic to every kind of weed pollen but seaweed!

He also says that I am allergic to perennials, like HMRU and Pyrethum and Parakeet/Parrot, and Rabbit  hair, Since I don’t know what half of that is and I don’t have a parakeet or a parrot or a rabbit, I guess I can say in Macon for some of the time–summer, I guess. But  it is as hot as, well you know where, in Macon in the summer.

As you can see, I am also allergic to molds, so I guess that means I will have to stop buying molded bread.

Other than the distress these allergies cause me, I am really looking forward to seeing my internist on Friday. Maybe he can tell me what to do about old age.

Have a nice day, and peace brothers and sisters–peace!

For those of you who might not know, Shirley Hartley has ankylosing spondylitis, a chronic, degenerative disease of the spinal column. Unfortunately, it is accompanied with severe pain, when it shows it ugly face. Even more unfortunately, modern medicine has yet to find a cure. For the past few weeks, Shirley has been in the midst of one of these episodes and really needs our prayers. As I have often told you, I don’t know much about prayer and even less about Divine healing, but I do know that God is our healer and I also know that He loves Shirley; therefore, I know it is safe to trust Him. I also know that Satan is our defeated enemy, but enemy, nonetheless; consequently, he is busy doing whatever he can to cause grief among God’s people. He is, however, limited in what he can do. The story of Job tell us that.

With that said, I encourage you to pray for Shirley–fervently–as we are promised that that will accomplish much!

May the God of all peace comfort Shirley during this trying time!

Grace lavished,

Mac

Tomorrow will be quite a day. I am sure there will be tears. Tears of joy and tears of sorrow. Both are fine. There will be music. “I Can Only Imagine” is one of the songs that Damian will sing.Roger loved the song. He no longer has to imagine. For him, faith has become sight! Ironically, there will be food and plenty of it. Ironically, I say, because it has been so long since Roger was able to eat–really eat. Now he is eating and drinking true nourishment–swallowing at will. He will enjoy watching us celebrate his Home-going with food! Really, he will! There will be opportunity for some to share their love for Roger and Barbara. This will be a very special time. There will be a time of worship. Roger loved worship! He somehow knew that worship was about Him, not about him.

Roger wanted me to preach the gospel at this service. He did so because he believed the gospel with his entire heart. He never wavered–not once. I really need your prayers. I will have a very diverse audience. Time will be an issue, as there is much on the schedule of events. All of it is important. For several weeks,I have been sick with some kind of virus (I suppose), so my energy level is somewhat diminished. I know He will restore it! He always does. Even so, I need your prayers.

You can rest assured that Roger’s Memorial Service will be an incredible time of worship and fellowship. I am truly looking forward to experiencing what God has in store for each of us.

Please arrive early so you can get your food placed and be in your seat by 3:00 PM.

Grace to you!

Mac

Dianne Tomberlin is eager to receive your calls, letting her know what dishes you will be bringing to Roger’s Memorial Service on Saturday.As I said earlier, I know that Jesus fed 5,000++ with five loaves and two fish, but I do not think He plans to do that on Saturday. I could be wrong, but just in case, please call Dianne and let her know what to expect.

478-755-4538

I don’t want to have to post names, but, if necessary, I will. For example, Carolyn, Kathy, Melanie, Denise, to mention a few.

Thanks so much for your kind consideration!

Peace, brothers and sisters, peace,

Mac