Christmas

I received this in a newsletter about the NEC that I subscribe to. I've been thinking a lot about it since I read it and wanted to post it. Merry Christmas, Jesus loves you:

To my Christian Brothers and Sisters

The following might be what Christ would like us to understand about His birthday.

Dear children,
It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. Maybe you've forgotten that I wasn't actually born during this time of the year and that it was some of your predecessors who decided to celebrate My birthday on what was actually a time of pagan festival, although I do appreciate being remembered anytime.

How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth just, GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER. Now, having said that let Me go on.

If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can and may remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15:1-8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list.
1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home. They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing George complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up. It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5. Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile it could make the difference. Also, you might consider supporting the local hot-line, they talk with people like that every day.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary, especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name. You may already know someone like that.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them (and I suspect you don't) buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Marines, the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

P.S. Don't forget: I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember,

I love you.

Author: Unknown

The Wonder of Pentecost

My pastor, Bro. White, has posted a great message on "The Wonders of Pentecost." I think you should check it out. It blessed me and it would explain the glory of the Pentecostal experience to you in great detail.

Baby Courville

Here's a shot of Baby Courville at their ~11 week ultrasound. Unfortunately we couldn't capture all the kicking and moving around! It was amazing! Anyway, thank God that the baby and mom are both doing great!

God's Grace

After posting the "Ace" entry. I loaded some pictures from the past month. There's a picture of the flood waters on the road by our house over the running boards on my truck. In the 15 months leading up to that, God kept me and my family safe in New Orleans on the eve of Hurricane Katrina. He let us be a shelter and help for my brother and sister in law. He protected Amanda, Ace, and I during and after Rita. He led me to pass my PE exam. He blessed Amanda and I with the little peanut she's carrying. Immediately after that, He kept me through the biggest project I've ever done (which He helped come in under budget and 3 days early). God's been more than good to us. . .

When those flood waters began rising around our house, I panicked. I realized that there was nothing I could do. I was reminded of a verse and song from my youth that we sang when flooding hit Kinder in the late 1980's. Isaiah 43:2 says "When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee."

Even though it was the hardest thing to do, I began to praise my God early that morning. I told Him how much I loved Him; He gave me peace and strength. For the second time in a year I told Him that I didn't care about the things in this house. I told Him that they were His things anyway. I know God just blessed us and kept those waters down. I know it's not because I'm any better than my neighbors, He just blessed me. But more than the blessing of keeping our house dry, I can never thank Him enough for the peace he brought me in the Holy Ghost. It was truly a peace that passeth all understanding.

Sometimes we just need to remember what he's done for us. . .

Great News!

God blessed us today by helping Ace to come home! My mother-in-law found him at Amanda's adopted Grandmother's house after a tip from Sis. Wanda.  

Ace had run off on October 28th. Apparently he found his way to Mrs. Jackson's house very soon after that. Sis. Wanda works closeby and had noticed a little beagle eating scraps at her boudin shop lately and this morning he responded to his name. Mrs. Stephanie found him this afternoon and he's back at home sleeping in his "Winter House!"

Once again, God has shown us that His promises are Yea, and Amen!

I am Thankful

On Thanksgiving I thought I should list some of the things I'm thankful for. In no particular order:

• My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Through Rita, the recent flooding, and everything in between you have been my rock and strong tower.
• My wife and the little peanut baby she's carrying ->
  
• Our family - Mom, Dad, Mr. Andy, Mrs. Stephanie, Matt and Tara, Alex, Austin, Luke, and last but not least our grandparents
• Our great friends that are too numerous to list; you guys have helped us grow and enjoy life
• Our church, Faith Tabernacle and our Pastors Rev. and Mrs. Jimmy White
• Our good jobs, homes, and all the possessions that aren't necessary but make life a little more enjoyable
• The blessing of living in America, in general, and South Louisiana, in particular. Our contry isn't perfect, but there's no where else I'd rather live. South Louisiana people are the most creative, friendly, helpful, and enjoyable neighbors I could imagine. I'm proud to be staritng our family here.

More Great News

A little update,
Amanda and I went to the Doctor today and found out that our little peanut is doing great. We even saw and heard the heart beating! The baby is 6 weeks 5 days along, and will be due June 30th, 2007.

Great News

Amanda and I are pleased to announce that we're expecting our first baby! The baby is "due" June 21, 2007. Mom and baby are doing great and we can't wait to meet the new member of our family.

We'll post and tell how it's going.

Updated Our Site

Amanda and I are updating our site at www.courville.us. Check it out!

Birthday Crusade

My beatiful wife got me a chain saw for my birthday! I'm using it to clear our backyard and to rid the world of Tallow Trees. So far I've only cut down 6, but I think the rest of them are worried.

FTPCKinder.org

The Faith Tabernacle Pentecostal Church Website is officially launched. We're very proud of it and hope that it helps extend Jesus' love to the whole world.

www.FTPCKinder.org

Fiath Tabernacle

Check out the church website, www.ftpckinder.org! Bro. Mike can even take requests for CD's online; look in the church blog!

God's doing something special for SW LA!

JRC

Updated Site

The church website is successfully updated and ready for web viewing! Check it out at www.ftpckinder.org!

God Bless!

New Site

Faith Tabernacle Pentacostal Church in Kinder, LA is online. The website is www.ftpckinder.org. It's in the early stages but will be growing soon!