Our Favorite Restaurant in Muscat – D’Arcy’s Kitchen

  This is their placement which I think perfectlycaptures the atmosphere of this lovely restaurant.  In the 2008 Oman Restaurant Awards, Darcy’s Kitchen was voted as one of the three finalists in the category of “cafe” (along with Starbucks and Second Cup).   Pastor Michael Peppin and his wife Vinoo who we had the pleasure of having lunch with on Christmas Day after the 9am PCO church service.  Pastor Peppin has taken over the role of senior pastor at the PCO (The Protestant Church of Oman) since Pastor Ed left.  His sermons are incredible and he doesn’t water the gospel down as so many churches seem to do these days.  Prayers for our pastor would be appreciated!  The love of my life, Che Freo, in the mall section seating area of Darcy’s.  This was quite a while ago but I thought I’d add it to these “Darcy’s pics”.      We met Baxter, an old friend from Ibri College, and his new friend, Hadeel on Boxing Day (Dec. 26th).  Hadeel is from Syria and her name is quite interesting as it means “the cooing of the pigeons“! How poetic!  Managed to meet some other old friends from Ibri College on Dec. 30th.  Patrick is in Oman for a couple of weeks as he just finished his contract teaching in Afghanistan.  How exciting!  And Barbara is really enjoying her new job and life down in Salalah.  What a joy catching up with old friends!

A Farewell to Dear Students

  This picture gives just a small hint of what a fun group of young men I had the pleasure of teaching!  Our last class was on Sunday, Dec. 28th. ( 3 days off this week, Mon-Wed, due to the GCC meeting going on in Muscat and the Islamic NewYear).  Final Exams are next week and then Che and I are off to the Philippines on Jan. 7th to be wed on the 23rd  in Manila!  Here I am with 2 of my wonderful students.  Issa is on the left and his name means “Jesus” or “the Lord saves“.  Mazen is on the right and his name means “storm clouds“.  Put those 2 names together and it reminds me of a bible verse – “Revelation 1:7: “Behold, He (Jesus) cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see Him.”

Farewell to Pastor Edward and Tamera

  during Farewell Litany: “We  thank you, our sisters and brothers, for the love, kindness, and support shown to us these past years.  We are grateful for the ministry we have shared together.  With joy we recall what we accomplished with God’s help, and with sadness those dreams not fulfilled.”  From Pastor Edward and Tamera (in church bulletin): With love for all of you, we announce our future plans.  Our ministry with the PCO will conclude at the end of our current contracts in December.  After Christmas, we will return to the United States to spend time with our children.  Thank you for your friendship and support during the past three years!  The Reformed Church in America has selected an interim pastor who will begin ministry with the PCO in early 2009.  A BIG THANK YOU to all of you who contributed to Pastor Ed & Tamera’s Farewell Gift and contributed in numerous ways to the beautiful service last Friday.

Deceptive Advertising Practices of Starbucks Oman

Yes….this is a rant!  Prepare yourself, ha!ha!   What would you think after reading this sign? Most people would read it the way I did, I think.  After receiving my Toffee Nut Latte, I asked the man working there, “Where is my slice of swissroll that is supposed to come with my latte?”  He said, “No, sir.  We are just recommending it as something that would go good with that drink.”  Whatever!  I told him, “That is very deceptive and you should remove this sign!”  An Omani man behind me got quite excited and said, “Yes, it is very dishonest of them!  Very dishonest!“  Well, I think I’ll stick with Second Cup or another coffee shop that is at least honest about their overpriced coffee and what comes (or doesn’t!) with it!

Dec. 26th Can Be The Hardest Day of the Year

The shepherds have headed back to their regular work, the wisemen have departed for their distant lands, the light of Bethlehem has dimmed…Time for the lights to come down, the Christmas tree to be put away, many dishes to be done…It CAN seem like Dec. 26th is the saddest time of the year but this is for those who merely enjoyed the flickering lights, mirrors and smoke of Christmas which are nothing more than a distraction from the true message of Christmas.  For most “Merry Christmas” means nothing more than “Eat, drink and be merry for tomorrow we die.”  This was one of the main thoughts of Pastor Michael’s sermons both on Christmas Day and today on Dec. 26th.  Today’s sermon was “The contrasts of Christmas” about God’s perspective versus the world’s perspective.  As an illustration, the pastor mentioned how a group of pranksters entered a shopping centre one night and didn’t steal anything but instead replaced the price-tags.  They put the high price tags on the lowest priced goods and the lowest price tags on the high-priced items.  When the store opened in the morning, people came in to shop.  Some complained about the rip-off prices in the store while others were amazed at the great bargains.     A good subtitle for this sermon might have been “Who switched the price-tags?”  This is exactly what has happened to our world.  Man has elevated the trivial and temporary things of the world  and have attempted to debase the important, eternal things of God.  “The value of human life is at an all-time low.”  A few examples of this contrast:

1)  The world caters to the rich and famous while God uses the humble/righteous.  God uses the lowly things of the world as expressed in Mary’s prayer, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour.  For He hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.  For He that is mighty hath done great things; and holy is His name.” (Luke 1:46-49)  This is also expressed in 1 Corinthians 1:27-”But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty;”

2)  The world is so preoccupied by pomp/power/splendour but God often works in silence.  The angels of God did not appear to Caesar Augustus who was ruling from Rome nor to King Herod (the so called “great”) ruling from Jerusalem nor to the chief priests or scribes of the people to declare glad tidings of joy, but to ordinary shepherds.  Caesar Augustus might have been laid out on a golden bed with silk sheets but the Son of God was put to sleep in an animal’s feeding trough!    

3)  The world judges the importance of an event by its beginning but God judges by the ending.  Great beginnings are not so important but rather how the thing ends.  As Paul declared, “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:” (2 Timothy 4:7)  The manger of Bethlehem ended in victory over sin on the cross of Calvary.  But that is not the END even…to see the end, we much look at Revelation 5:12 “ Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”

Nice message to think about on the day after Christmas I thought! 

From The 9am Christmas Day Service at PCO, Ruwi Church

   Such poor beginnings-for this promised one.  A small town in a small land.  Born nowhere important to no one important.  How often our God works this way-how often he comes quietly-and works his miracles in the most ordinary of places-and the most ordinary of people.  Behold, in a manger-our Lord, our Emmanuel.  A holy mystery, this babe, this child of Mary.  We do well to ask “What child is this?“-and we do well to listen to the answer-the answer made by the angels concerning “peace on earth among those whom God favors“-peace among those who truly understand this child as the gift of heaven, our Emmanuel.  THOU DIDST LEAVE THY THRONE                                                                                                                                                                Thou didst leave Thy throne                                                                                                                                                                               And Thy Kingly crown,                                                                                                                                                                                       When Thou camest to earth for me;                                                                                                                                                                   But in Bethlehem’s home                                                                                                                                                                                       Was there found no room                                                                                                                                                                                      For Thy holy nativity:                                                                                                                                                                                                 O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,                                                                                                                                                                   There is room in my heart for Thee.                                                                                                                                                       Heaven’s arches rang                                                                                                                                                                                           When the angels sang,                                                                                                                                                                            Proclaiming Thy Royal degree;                                                                                                                                                                           But of lowly birth                                                                                                                                                                                                 Cam’st Thou, Lord, on earth,                                                                                                                                                                                and in great humility:                                                                                                                                                                                                  O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,                                                                                                                                                                   There is room in my heart for Thee.                                                                                                                                                                 The foxes found rest,                                                                                                                                                                                              And the birds their nest,                                                                                                                                                                                           In the shade of the cedar tree;                                                                                                                                                                             But Thy couch was the sod,                                                                                                                                                                                       O Thou Son of God                                                                                                                                                                                                       In the deserts of Galilee;                                                                                                                                                                                             O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,                                                                                                                                                                   There is room in my heart for Thee.                                                                                                                                                              Thou camest, O Lord,                                                                                                                                                                                            With the living word                                                                                                                                                                                               That should set Thy people free;                                                                                                                                                                        But, with mocking scorn,                                                                                                                                                                                      And with crown of the thorn,                                                                                                                                                                            They bore Thee to Calvary:                                                                                                                                                                                       O come to my heart, Lord Jesus,                                                                                                                                                                       Thy cross is my only plea.  Indeed, O God, we believe in the one born in Bethlehem-and we give you thanks for all the gifts that you have given us through Him.  We praise you for his birth, for how He lived His life as the servant of your Most Holy Will-and for how, in obedience and in love He finally gave Himself over to death, even death on a cross, for our sakes-thereby opening to all people the gates of heaven and the way to eternal life  Wherefore O God we spread this table before you as He commanded us to do on the night He was betrayed.  We remember how He took bread, and gave you thanks for it-as even now we give you thanks O God for our daily bread-and how he broke it and gave it to his disciples saying, “Take, eat, this is my body, broken for you.” In like manner we recall, how, when the meal was done, Jesus  took the cup, the cup of blessing, and after giving thanks, offered it to his disciples saying, “Take, drink, this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant for the forgiveness of sins as often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me.”

  A CHRISTMAS CONFESSION (written by Pastor Michael Peppin)

I believe in Jesus Christ and in the beauty of the gospel begun in Bethlehem.  I believe in the one whose spirit glorified a little town; and whose spirit still brings music to persons all over the world into towns both large and small.  I believe in the one for whom the crowded inn could find no room, and I confess that my heart still sometimes wants to exlude Christ from my life today.  I believe in the one who the rulers of the earth ignored and the proud could never understand; whose life was among common people, whose welcome came from persons of hungry hearts.  I believe in the one who proclaimed the love of God to be invincible; I believe in the one whose cradle was a mother’s arms, whose modest home in Nazareth had love for its only wealth, who looked at persons and made them see what God’s love saw in them, who by love brought sinners back to purity, and lifted human weakness up to meet the strength of God.  I confess our ever-lasting need of God: The need of forgiveness for our selfishness and greed, the need of new life for empty souls, the need of love for hearts grown cold.  I believe in God who gives us the best of Himself.  I believe in Jesus, the Son of the living God, born in Bethlehem, for me and for the world.  Departing Prayer – The Canticle of Simeon

Having traveled to Bethlehem together and having beheld the Child, born a king, let us pray using the words of Simeon, a righteous and devote who looked forward to the consolation of Israel and who beheld His coming:       Lord, let your servants now depart in peace, according to your word; for our eyes have seen your salvation, which you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light to lighten the Gentiles and the glory of your people Israel.

Christmas Joy 2008 Event

   500 migrant workers from around the Ghala Church Campus were invited to join for a festive evening which included Christmas entertainment, the Christmas message, delicious food and several nice gifts. Pastor Tamera and others from the PCO and our sponsored congregations worked together on organizing this special event.  Don and Dotty serving in love!   These are some of the snacks we presented the factory workers with when they entered.  They were served a nice hot meal from “Spicy Village” restaurant about an hour later.  These workers make an average of 40 RO/month (only $100US) and to see the overwhelming looks of gratitude on their faces was such a joy and made serving them all the more rewarding!   Hmm….a “magic show” at a Christmas concert…sounds strange, doesn’t it?! Well, the magician, who is a Christian, explained to his audience at the end: “What I have performed here tonight are merely TRICKS.  What God did on Christmas morning was a MIRACLE.  God became flesh and entered our world to save men from their sins.”  Okay, so maybe some magic shows aren’t so bad after all!

Not the Best Name for a Hairshop, ha!ha!

  This hair salon is in Al Shatti Plaza, Muscat.  Imagine getting a bad haircut there and trying to complain.

customer: Oh no! What have you done to my hair!?

sylist: Ma’am, didn’t you see the sign?!  We ARE called “Ooooppsss!!!”, you know!

Biblical/Faithful Preaching Vs. UnBiblical/Unfaithful Preaching

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7zcDFyUN_I

“He Who is Without Sin Cast the First….Shoe?!” Musing and Choosing: New Shoes and Shoes in the News

2 new pairs of shoes that rock!  There’s something sweet about a nice, new pair of shoes.    “Momma always says there’s an awful lot you could tell about a person by their shoes.” (Forrest)

Speaking of shoes, it seems George Bush got himself a pair on his recent trip to Iraq so to speak…When I first heard about the “shoe incident” on the news, I really was not all that surprised.  A lot of the coverage was indirectly implying that he deserved it.  (Today’s objective news coverage for you…) Say what you will about Bush or anyone else in power in any country around the world, there is no denying that there is such a general lack of respect for ANYONE in power these days.  Look at how the hooligans in Thailand ruined everything for so many people like selfish little children as a quick example.  Everyone has their excuses and reasons for hating “such-and-such” or “so-and-so” and the world is full of proud, arrogant, opinionated citizens who think they can do whatever they want without ANY consequences.  The “gentleman” (for lack of a better word) who threw his shoes at a visiting head of state is looking at a minimum of 2 years in prison. (That’s one year for each shoe-hope he enjoyed it!) Some people even regard this guy as a “hero”.  Sad to think what makes someone a hero in today’s generation!  Here’s a clip of what happened, in case you missed it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duLds-TZMGw  The ironic thing about the whole situation is that the family of the Iraqi journalist that threw the shoes was arrested under Saddam’s regime!  What would have happened if he threw shoes at Saddam?!  Well, looking at the silver lining, one could say that it’s a sign that freedom is definitely alive and well in Iraq! (Or at least it’s “putting it’s best foot forward”…no pun intended)

Merry CHRISTmas to all from Andy and Che!

Without Love: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuUL87sFYu4&feature=related

The Purpose of Marriage: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4MVdoiw1NTk

I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMPjFVQv7vw

O HOLY NIGHT

  I love these scroll-like Christmas tree ornaments I bought here in Oman.  Check out the song this decoration quotes: Luciano Pavarotti’s version: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EbQYYaGdoM and Billy Gillman’s: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yRWysm9cHOU

An Evening of Christmas Carols at The Indian Embassy in Muscat, Oman

  The Muscat Mens Chorus was formed in 2000 by a group of music enthusiasts. Beginning as a male quartet, the numbers have now swelled to over thirty, and it is the only exclusively male choir of its kind in the Sultanate. The Muscat Christian Harmony, a mixed voices choir, was formed soon after. At present, the combined strength of both the choirs is over seventy.These are amateur choirs, with members from various Christian congregations and from very different walks of life. Under the direction of Dr. Dev Ebenezer, they have attained a diverse repertoire ranging from Classical choral pieces to contemporary works, traditional hymns to spirituals.  The Ambassador of  India, The honorable Anil Wadhwa, gave a short speech during the concert: 

To all the organizers and Muscat Mens Chorus and Muscat Christian Harmony and the pastors who are here, my dear friends, a very warm welcome. Some of you are coming for the first time to the Embassy and we’d like to hardly welcome you to your own embassy. It’s my immense pleasure that I could be a part of this function this evening together with all of you for these Christmas carols. These are being organized for the first time in the Indian Embassy and I think this is the initiative of the Muscat Mens Chorus and the Muscat Christian Harmony that this has come about. (To those of you who are standing in the back, take some seats up here, please.) So I’d like to thank all of you for being present here this evening.   I’m very pleased to know that… (goes on to read facts from the evening’s pamphlet mentioned above…)     Truly commendable! My appreciation is due to all the members of these groups and Dr. Ebenezer for their sincere efforts in presenting this choir group in the embassy today. Carols have contributed a lot to spreading the message of peace on this earth and even in the height of the first world war on the western front, Allied and German troops had stopped fighting for a whole day on Christmas in 1914 to sing carols together. Ladies and gentlemen, today we are all here to cherish the joy of Christmas which is celebrated throughout India and indeed the whole world by Christians and of course in India by many non-Christians as a secular cultural festival. Christmas marks and honors the birth of the Christ Child Jesus and when Jesus Christ was born of the virgin Mary. At that time and onwards, he lived an exemplary life; a life which men everywhere must emulate. This life and the faith that he shows us ensures us of salvation as well as of harmony and a good life on earth. Emulating the exemplary character of life, Jesus Christ, it is necessary that all men do their maximum in their human efforts. Peace on earth and good will to men. This was his first message. In the same manner, when he went to the summit of calvary, he gave up his last breathe in forgiveness to his very tormentors. With these remarkable messages of the Lord Jesus, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all members of different church groups for extending their regular support to the Indian community in Oman irrespective of caste, creed or religion and especially the labor-class and the house-hold workers who deserve it the most…if we join hands together, the problems of Indians in this country will be minimized to a large extent. The Indian Embassy, through the community welfare fund, tries to know the problems of the needy to its maximum capacity.  And it could be highly praiseworthy if each one of us comes forward and joins hands for these social causes however big or small the contribution might be…I once again express my sincere thanks and appreciation to the organizers for this excellent evening allowing the indian community to share the essence of this festival with great spirit. And I’d like to wish all of you here a merry Christmas and a very happy new year. This season of carols and Christmas is of course a time to reflect on all the events of the past year and make resolutions for the new year ahead. As we celebrate Christmas, I think we should shed a tear also for those who have lost their near and dear ones in the Mumbai carnage 2 weeks ago. I wish you all a very prosperous and a very happy time in the year to come and also in the future as you go along in life. Thank you very much for coming again.

Christmas Ornament of the Day

from Ruwi Bible Society bookstore

Wedding Dress Options

Che with her good friend, Janet, looking at possible wedding dress designs.  She said that the regular price for a wedding dress is 450-700 RO ($1170-1820) here.  Are those normal prices?!  We’ve decided it would be best to just get the dress once we get to the Philippines.  You can get a new wedding dress there for 100-300RO ($260-780). Anyone out there buy their own wedding dress?  If so, what was the damage?!

Heavy Traffic

There may be heavy traffic on your journey through the day,

so proceed with extra caution in all you do and say.

Stop any hurtful rumors that others pass along,

trying not to yield when you’re tempted to do wrong.

Keep right on doing right, avoiding the danger ahead.

Steering clear of every detour that you could take instead.

Jesus is the truth and life, the one way to salvation,

The right turn on the narrow road to a heavenly destination.

(Got this sign at the Bible Society bookstore in Ghala!)

Pick a Card. Any Card.

I bought these cards from The Bible Society bookstores in Ruwi and Ghala.  Which one would you choose as the best?  (inside) In celebration of the One who is everything! Have a Wonderful Christmas and a Blessed New Year  (“There is none like unto Thee, O Lord; Thou art great, and Thy name is great in might.” (Jeremiah 10:6))  (inside) May His love make your Christmas wonderful! (“The Mighty One has done great things for me-Holy is His Name. (Luke 1:49))  (inside) May all that He is bring you all that you need at Christmas and throughout the New Year. “My God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19)  (inside) (“..Let them shout from the mountaintops.  Let them give glory to the LORD…” (Isaiah 42:11,12) May the good news of the Saviour be proclaimed throughout the world! Blessings On Your Christmas      And of course there are some people who would not like ANY of the cards above but would rather have the “Seasons Greetings Card” with no mention of CHRIST, without whom Christmas is meaningless.  For such people, the following card would be the best option.  The reason I took this picture with the card IN MY HAND comes from the verses: “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.  I and my Father are one.” (John 10:28-30)  Seasons Greetings Merry CHRISTmas, everyone!!!

The preaching pulpit at Ruwi church with “I AM the light (of the world)” banner in the background

“And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose;” (Nehemiah 8:4)

On a 6 day holiday! Eid Mubarak!

We are off from today (Wed, Dec. 8th) until next -Saturday (Dec 13th).  Nice to think that my next day at work won’t be till Dec. 14th!  I will mostly just be relaxing, attending church functions  and enjoying some time with my fiance, Che.  For all of you in Oman, have a great holiday!!!

2nd Week of Advent: PEACE

On Sunday, Dec. 7th, during Ruwi Church Service, the service had music led by Muscat Mens Chorus and Muscat Christian Harmony.

One of our church families lighting the 2nd candle of Advent: The candle of PEACE.

The First Candle- HOPE-The PROPHETS foretell the coming of a Messiah.  (song-”Jesus, Oh, What a Wonderful Child”)

The Second Candle-PEACE-The SHEPHERDS hear and share the Good News (song-”Rise Up Shepherds and Follow”)

The Third Candle-JOY-The ANGELS announce Tidings of Great Joy (song-”Hark the Herald Angels Sing”)

Fourth Candle and Christ Candle-LOVE-CHRIST THE SAVIOUR is born.  WISE MEN visit the Holy Family (song-”Silent Night”)

A solo of O Holy Night by Carina Krough

From church bulletin:  Last week we lit the first candle in our Advent Wreath, the candle of hope.  We light it again as we remember that Christ, who was born in Bethlehem, will come again to fulfill all of God’s promises to us.  The second candle of Advent is the Candle of Peace.  Peace is a word that we hear a lot.  It is one of the things that we hope for.  Christ brought peace when He first came to us and He will bring everlasting peace when He comes again.  The prophet Isaiah called Christ “the Prince of Peace”.  When Jesus came, He taught people the importance of being peace makers.  He said that those who make peace shall be called the children of God.  We light the candle of peace to remind us that Jesus is the Prince of Peace and that through Him, peace is found.  (Congregation-”Peace is like a light shining in a dark place.  As we look at this candle, we celebrate the peace wefind in Jesus Christ.”)

Favorite lines from “Hark the Herald Angels Sing”:

“Born that man no more may die,

Born to raise the sons of earth,

Born to give them second birth.

Hark! The Herald Angels sing,

“Glory to the new born King!”

Christmas Shopping in Oman-Filipino Style

                                                                                    Che introduced me to www.natasha.ph which is a great place to shop for casual clothes here in Oman!  (warning to North American women: There are images on this website of gorgeous, petite Filipina ladies which may cause severe pangs of envy to soar through your body, ha!ha!)

GLORIA: The Muscat Mens Chorus & The Muscat Christian Harmony

I love this photo that Che took of Dr. Ebenezer as he was conducting The Muscat Mens Choir and The Muscat Christian Harmony during the Christmas Concert they gave titled “Gloria” on Dec. 4th, 2008.

Childrens Christmas Play at Ruwi

Children and youth led us in a celebration of Christmas on Sunday, Nov. 30th.

Christmas in Oman!

Many things going on with the church in Oman during this special time of year!  Christmas concerts, special combined services, childrens drama and portrayals, carols, party for low income workers, a candlelight christmas eve service with communion and a new years eve “watchnight” communion worship service! 

By the way, under the PCO brochure of Christmas events is a manger set I bought here in Oman at Carrefour.  I must admit that I was surprised that anyone can buy a manger scene set here! (And it was only 2.89 RO or $7.50 CDN for an 11-piece set)

Reminder/Warning

“This is a reminder to all PCO members/sponsored congregations.  Excerpts from the Circular 1/2006 issued by the Ministry of Religious Affairs-(MERA) are given below.

Gatherings of religious nature are not allowed in houses.  It is not allowed to conduct religious activities on an individual basis and as per the values and customs of the society bearing in mind respecting its traditions and feelings.  It is not allowed to set up or manage worship places for Non Muslims unless after obtaining the approval of MERA.”  Members are requested to adhere to these regulations.  (from church bulletin)

Advent Candle #1: HOPE

Advent means “coming”.  Advent is the church season of preparation for Christmas.  Many churches observe Advent during the four weekends prior to Christmas.  One of the ways we prepare our hearts is by making an Advent wreath, lighting its candles and reading Scriptures to help remind us of Christ coming to the world some 2000 years ago.  

The Advent wreath includes many symbols to help us think about Christ and His gifts.  The wreath itself is in the shape of a circle.  A circle has no beginning and no end.  This reminds us that there is no beginning and no end to God and that God’s love and caring are forever.

Hope is like a light shining in a dark place.  As we look at the light of this candle, we celebrate the hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Thank you, God, for the hope you give us.  We ask that as we wait for your promises to come true, and for Christ to come again, that you would remain present with us.  Help us today, and everyday to worship you, to hear your word, and to do your will by sharing your hope with each other.  We ask it in the name of the one who was born in Bethlehem.  Amen.

Hello world!

Testing! Testing!

My first post on wordpress.com!

My other site at www.andyinoman.blogspot.com ran out of space so here I am!