Roger Bennett's Midnight Meditations

Merry Christmas 2010!

I am hoping everyone is receiving the blessing of another Christmas, knowing the joy of a tiny baby who came to earth so long ago to bring us eternal life. It can get so busy this time of year, and we can easily forget the true meaning of this season. Take a moment to stop and thank God for His beautiful gift to us all. The rest of the chaos will fall into place!

Today as I write this, I am also thinking of another blessing in my life. December 23, 2010 marks the 60th anniversary of two people who fell in love and began a family in 1950......my wonderful parents, Bob and Louise Westbrook. They are an unusual couple in this day and age to celebrate so many years together. I am thankful for loving parents. They have their health issues at this stage in their lives, but they know the value of a loving relationship, and it shows in the care that they give to each other. Thank you, Mom and Dad, for being such a wonderful example to us all, and Happy Anniversary!

I was able to go to Los Angeles last weekend for a visit with Jordan and Jessica (and my grand-dog Charlie), since they won't be able to make it home for Christmas. It was a great visit, if a little soggy!

Keep us all in your prayers for travel safety, and for others who are traveling this Christmas/New Year's holiday. We will be heading to AR for a few days to visit with family, and snow is predicted for the travel days. It has been a cold winter already.

My prayers go out to those who are spending their first Christmas without a loved one. I have many friends and some family who are experiencing that painful event this year. My dear friend Becky lost her mom just a few days ago, for one. I am also thinking of Rick, and Chris, who are special people to me, too. May God bless all of those with hurting hearts this Christmas, and may He keep them, as He holds us all, lovingly

In His Grip,

Debbie

 

Finally Back

OK, so I have actually been back in the "real world" for a time, but just haven't really known what to post, so I have been putting it off (sorry). I do want to thank you for the posts and prayers. They were certainly felt.  I had a great time with my parents, and then an amazing time alone with God for about 10 days or so. He showed me so much, and I can say that the peace I had longed for was restored to me. God knew I couldn't last much longer without going crazy without that sense of peace!

I wish I could say that the circumstances all got magically sorted out, too, but they are more or less still with me. However, I have come to a place where I know that even though things might be rocky, GOD is never shakable! One of the first verses He gave me in my study time was "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. (Psalm 51:10)  What that taught me was that God is wanting to work on ME to be the person He needs me to be, and to bring me back to the faith that He is always in control. When I am pleasing to God, all of the other things will either (a) fall into place or (b) not get me down, because I have the faith to stand firm and know that, as we are told in Romans 8:28, "All things work together for good, to those that love God, and are called according to HIS PURPOSE."

So, after my sabbatical, I headed back to TN with a renewed spirit, and a gladdened heart. Well, as you can imagine, it took less than a day for Satan to start throwing some pretty poison darts my way. I was surely glad to have on the armor of God to deflect them! Honestly, though, I am aware that just because I have a different mindset, it doesn't change anyone else's thought process. I have been through some extremely difficult times before, though, and I know that God is the only reason I made it then........so I just have to remember that He loves me, and wants the best for me. I'm giving it all I have, and I still fail a lot, but I have a God Who never fails, and Who has a plan of redemption for me, and for all of us. How much more do we need? Like I said before, that peace is back, and although the trials may still be ever-present, I know that GOD IS..........and that's all I need to know for now!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, and are remembering during the busy times leading up to Christmas, just what the real meaning of the season is. If not for a miraculous birth that first Christmas, there would be no hope for any of us. And, a life without hope is just too hard to live. So, keep focused, and rejoice in the birth of a Savior Who wants to keep us all lovingly

In His Grip!

Debbie