Hello everyone and hope you had a blessed Thanksgiving. Welcome to December, 2014. Today has been a nice sunny day. Enjoy this weather, real winter is probably just around the corner.

Thought for today: Ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in wisdom today. You’ll accomplish your tasks at hand with quality results! (Joseph Prince)

“Upside Sayings” from the Guidepost magazine:

1. Current doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I will try again tomorrow.

2. A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they are not so good and sympathizes with your problems when they are not so bad.

3. Some people say that motivation does not always last. Well, neither does bathing. That’s why we recommend it daily. (Zig Zeigler)

4. If we truly love people, we will desire for them far more than is in our power to give them, and this leads us to prayer. Intercession is a way of loving others.

While looking for some material for this article, I found an article in a past magazine, “Aiding Achievement.” “Fostering your children’s self confidence will help them arise to life’s challenges. As a parent, you want what’s best for your children. You like them to take risks, meet new people, be happy, and not be anxious or worried about what others think of them.” (Some do’s and don’ts will be in next week’s article.) (Sept. Energy Times magazine)

Well Way Whole Health Shoppe (formerly Stan’s Natural Foods), now has a new owner, Karren Sawyer. With the same location and some of the same friendly faces, Karren and associates welcome everyone to come on down and check it out. And just like always, they offer a 20% discount on the first Tuesday of every month.

Church news: Over at First Baptist Church, the youth (PETROS) are raising money for their upcoming trip to Belize. So, you might want to take advantage of the “Rent-A-Senior” for any odd jobs you may have. At Victory Christian Church, a mission trip is planned for Nicaragua in May, 2015. At Pell City First United Methodist Church (FUMC), the Belarus trip group for their March trip (during Spring Break). Also, at FUMC, on December 14th, at the 10:30 traditional service, the twenty-seven voice Chancel Choir, along with a thirteen piece chamber orchestra, merry narrators, acolytes, the Advent Wreath Family and 20 candle and banner bearers plus many behind scenes people will be presenting their Christmas Cantata, Canticles in Candlelight by Joseph Martin (a light shines in darkness, yet the darkness has not overcome it. Jesus, the light of the world, has come and we are His children of light). This Sunday, December 7th at 5:00 pm, the children will present their annual Christmas pageant, “Lead the Way to Christmas.”

I went by the Landis Antique Mall for their 25th anniversary and annual holiday open house last weekend. It was a great success and very crowded. Check me out next week to see who won that beautiful antique clock. If you haven’t been by there, you should go. They have many special and unique items, so I am sure you will find (as I did) something you just can’t live without. You may also find that special Christmas gift you have been looking for.

The Landis’ had a special guest visiting over the Thanksgiving holiday, Gary’s sister, Jan Crawford. Jan is from Warren, Ohio and enjoyed being in Pell City and away from the cold and snow.

Birthday greetings go out to my Matt Mitcham, Joe Miller, Betty Cosper, Jo Ann Winnette, Jeremy Dudley, Eva Smith, Emma Baker, Bryan Whitten, Blake Gossett, and Lorene Smith and to all other December birthdays I may have missed.

Pastor David Weir of VCC is continuing his teaching on “Legacy.” Part 4 was “Understand God’s Promises.” In Hebrews chapter 11, the word faith appears 22 times and the word promise appears 7 times. God gives us promises to keep us going in the right direction, to give us positive motivation to seek Him, to demonstrate His faithfulness and presence in our lives and to encourage us during difficult times. There are two types of promises: common ones (to all of us) such as in 2 Corinthians 1: 18-20; and personal ones (just to us individually). Read His Word, seek His presence and listen for his promises. He always comes through.

The Pell City CEPA Center presents Gordon Motes on December 13th at 7:00 pm. Tickets are $15.00 and $22.50. Then on December 19th at 7:00 pm, the Voices of the South will present the “Voices of Christmas” Concert at the Pell City CEPA Center. Tickets are $15.00. And if you are interested in participating in the 2015 “St. Clair County’s Got Talent” contest, you can go to http://www.pellcitycenter.com and register. The actual contest will be on January 24th at 7:00 pm.

Remember His promise: All of your children shall be taught of the Lord. And great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13

And don’t forget: JESUS is the reason for the season!

God bless you. I pray that this year will bring all of you blessings, good health and peace and joy. Please pray for our country and for Israel daily.

Goodbye for now and hope you have enjoyed this week’s column. Please contact me with information about your family’s news and gatherings and watch for me next week. Have a wonderfully blessed and safe week and give me a call at 338-7746 with any news. You can also email information to my daughter at annette_snow@yahoo.com.