FFM Online Newsletter - December
"And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." John 14:1. December has been a month full of opportunities to "behold his glory"! We have worshipped Him in churches, with friends, and in our family times. We love to look for ways to honor Him and keep Him first during the Christmas season!
Our month began with a Ladies Christmas Brunch at our own church, Fairview Baptist, that Nancy and Leah enjoyed attending. It brought a little taste of "home" to begin our Christmas season! A big thank you to our pastor's wife, Miss Elaine, for her love and hard work on this special time of fellowship! Our family then ministered at Southgate Baptist Church in Scottsboro, AL. Pastor Ron Harvey and his dear wife were such a blessing to us. We then drove to Royston, GA to sing at a Christmas Banquet for Grace Baptist Church and Pastor Andy Huff. That night we drove on to Carrollton, GA and awoke the next day to enjoy the special fellowship of Central Baptist Church and Pastor Doug Bearden. That night we sang a Christmas concert and worshipped the Lord together.
During the week, we greatly enjoyed the sweet fellowship at our home church in Decatur. We even sang in the Christmas cantata. God gave us this time at home to knit our hearts with our pastor and church family!
Our worship continued at the Philadelphia Chapel in Cullman, AL. What a precious fellowship they share as they meet in the home of Marcus and Leah Day. The next day we rejoiced as we picked David up at the Huntsville airport as he returned from Mexico! We enjoyed his sweet spirit, his huge smile and his passion for souls in the few short weeks that he was home. Our family was almost complete that weekend as we sang at a Christmas Concert and Banquet at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Decatur. That Sunday, Christmas Eve, we returned to Emmanuel where David taught Sunday School and then we sang and Rick preached in the morning service. That evening, we worshipped together at our home church and sang the Hallelujah Chorus to end the service. Christmas Eve is always a special time for our family as we have our birthday party for Jesus.
Christmas Day began with a special blessing as we talked to Rebekah on the computer and actually got to web cam and watch her open her gifts!! God is so good! We prayed that God would slow time during this season, and it seemed that He did just that! How we enjoyed our slower December schedule, and the family times together! After enjoying a few days of R & R, we again headed out for Albany, KY where we enjoyed worshipping at Albany Independent Baptist Church with Pastor Melvin Daniel. Our New Years Eve was spent singing and preaching at their watch night service that began at 7 PM and lasted until 12:30 AM! We prayed the new year in!
As we look at 2007, we see a new beginning.... a new year to live for Him. What an opportunity! Our heart's desire in the Gilley home is to "Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." Col. 3: 16-17. Christ is coming soon!! May you know the joy of serving Him in 2007!