From the Editor

Dear Friends

I wish you the very best of God's blessings over this
season. It's a great time of the year for many of us.

I am mindful that for some, joyful festivity is an
impossibility at this time due to circumstances. I want to encourage you -–
that God is near to the broken hearted. He is near to those who call on Him. He
will sit with you over Christmas...open His Word and read with new eyes. Release
yourself from the cage of being a victim and you will be free.

As Patrick has stated in his article 'Is there any Christ
in Christmas'- "Surely the opportunity to express gratitude and love to
family and friends through the exchanging of gifts must have some merit...". I
like that! Even if only to get our eyes off of ourselves for one brief moment. I
like the blueprint given to us by Jesus.

Recently I had some perplexing decisions to make and I really
struggled. A good friend of mine tossed me a little pearl of wisdom which
helped. Teddy Roosevelt made a statement "The absence of options clears the
mind wonderfully". I have pruned back all of the 'possibilities' to the
one central issue of what I believe God wants Andy Smith and his family to
do! Not easy -– but clarity of mind and peace are the fruit. Now I just
need to diligently maintain the vineyard He has given me to manage.

Yours 'Happy In Christ'

Andrew