Our XYZ seniors group met today. Amidst the roast beef, potatoes, carrots, salad and great dessert, we had two special guests.
Karen Kotanko is new to town (when you consider the average age of our seniors groups is well over 65 years, 4 or 5 years in town is new!). She is a musician of exceptional quality. A mini concert highlighted the superb dinner.
Then our speaker, Pastor Jonathan Bloomfield, stood to speak. Our tradition has been to have various pastors in town give us a Christmas message. Jonathan is a personal friend of mine. He is fun, sensitive, and a great addition to our town’s ministerial.
His theme was the matter of peace that the Christ child brings. His story was an example of that. He grew up on the “wrong side” of the tracks. His parents were not the outstanding examples we all would like. He seldom wore clean clothes and his bathing habits were sporadic at best. And yet, some Christians showed the persistence to show him Jesus – in the flesh, their own flesh. So the once incarnate Jesus became obvious to Jonathan through the flesh-and-bone people who surrounded him.
In this type of story is great impact. I have heard his story before. I’m sure I’ll hear it repeated again. May God continue to enliven Jesus through Jonathan’s life to each one of us.
Hello Ron
Yes someone is reading your blog from time to time. I value the straight forward and homespun wisdom of your mental meanderings! Thank you.
It is so good to hear the stories of our journey of faith, especially when the church is at it’s best and we love as Jesus has asked us to love. Out of our willingness to connect with others in the name of Jesus amazing things happen that make a difference in eternity and indeed on this earth.
Merry Christmas to you…