Merry Christmas!

Isaiah 9:6 (New International Version)

 ⁶ For to us a child is born, 
       to us a son is given, 
       and the government will be on his shoulders. 
       And he will be called 
       Wonderful Counselor, ^[a] Mighty God,
       Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Merry Christmas!  Praise be to God! 

In church we've been studying Isaiah 6:9 for the past four weeks leading up to Christmas. I was asked to write a poem about one of the four glorious descriptions of our Lord in that passage of Scripture and read it for the church. I didn't realize it was going to be recorded (it was!). I heard it yesterday and thought I'd share it with you too. That link there should take you right to it. Enjoy!

Love, Jeff

http://parkhillschurch.org/The_Messiah_Prince_of_Peacecopy.mp3

Please pray for safe travel for my brother Joe and his family whose flight was cancelled out of Dulles in D.C. because of bad weather in Dallas this morning. They're going to try again tomorrow My sister Karen and and her children are flying in from Malibu and my brother David and his wife Cheryl are driving down. Please remember them too. Thank you!
___________________________

I love you Evee!

All through our married life together Evee and I were encouraged in Christ through the ministry and laughter of Chuck Swindoll and Insight For Living. I rewrote a poem I thought went well with something Chuck wrote years beforewe met. Grateful for your love and prayers. Have a Merry Christmas!!!

Psalm 62:1

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

SILENCE

In this place of quiet rest
I listen to God, I hear Him best
I sense the Spirit speaking still
Part of me - part of God
His eternal will

In this place of silent prayer
I speak to God, I meet Him here

I walk with Jesus my Lord and Shepherd
Guiding me - gently carrying me

On the narrow road of His Word

In this place of tears and pain
I cry to God, I trust His Name
I try to remember He's still in control

Alive in me - the holy part of me

That makes me whole

In this place of joy and peace
I sing to God, I sound the best
I hear my Savior singing too
Loving me - Keeping me

Always in tune
___________

J E POLLOCK
DEC 14, 2009

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope
is from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation,
my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my
deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge
is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out
your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah]
Psalm 62:5-8 (NRSV)

---

Quietness by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 46, 131; Isaiah 30:15-18; Mark 6:30-32 It is almost 10:00, Monday night. The children are snoozing and snoring upstairs (or they should be!). Aside from a few outside noises---a passing car . . . a barking dog . . . a few, faint voices in the distance---all's quiet on the home front. That wonderful, much-needed presence has again come for a visit---quietness. Oh, how I love it . . . how I need it. One of my most poignant memories of quietness occurred in California when I was walking with a friend along the sandy shores at Carmel. The silence of that early dawn was broken only by the rhythmic roar of the rolling surf and the cry of a few gulls floating overhead. The same thought I had then I have now: I cannot be the man I should be without times of quietness. Stillness is an essential part of our growing deeper as we grow older. Or---in the words of a man who helped shape my life perhaps more than any other: We will not become men of God without the presence of solitude. Those words haunt me when I get caught in the treadmill of time schedules . . . when I make my turn toward the homestretch of the week and try to meet the deadline of demands, just like you. Alas, we are simply geared too high. Thanks to Alka-Seltzer, Excedrin, Sleep-eze, and Compoz, we repeat our nonproductive haste with monotonous regularity. As Peter Marshall put it: We are in such a hurry, we hate to miss one panel of a revolving door. Talk about pollution! I want you to think about what our nervous systems undergo just to stay afloat: Noise (music, news, talk, laughter, machinery, appliances, phones, and traffic) from 6:00 a.m. 'til midnight. Speed (bumper-to-bumper at 65 mph, on-ramps and off-ramps, deadlines and appointments) that makes us frown rather than smile . . . that causes us to check our watches more often than checking in with our Lord. Activities (meetings, services, suppers, luncheons, breakfasts, rallies, and clubs---all "necessary" and "nice") that have a way of dismissing quietness like an unwanted guest. Sure---some things are important---super, in fact---but not everything. Listen, if you and I really treasure quietness, we will have to make time for it. When you feed it only the "leftovers" from the schedule, it always goes hungry. Now, believe me, I'm not bitter. I'm just being direct and honest with you about an ingredient that cannot be ignored much longer in our lives without our paying a dear, dear price. I am jealous that we: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). I am desperately concerned that we slow down and quiet down and gear down our lives so that intermittently each week we carve out time for quietness, solitude, thought, prayer, meditation, and soul searching. Oh, how much agitation will begin to fade away . . . how insignificant petty differences will seem . . . how big God will become and how small our troubles will appear! Security, peace, and confidence will move right on in. This is what Isaiah, the prophet, meant when he wrote: And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places (32:17-18). You know something? That still, small voice will never shout. God's methods don't change because we are so noisy and busy. He is longing for your attention, your undivided and full attention. He wants to talk with you in times of quietness (with the TV off) about your need for understanding, love, compassion, patience, self-control, a calm spirit, genuine humility . . . and wisdom. But He won't run to catch up. He will wait and wait until you finally sit in silence and listen. Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by arrangement with Zondervan Publishing House. Reflections of Bethlehem Listen Now www.insight.org Christmas Sale IFL Bookstore

MERRY CHRISTMAS

SILENCE / Insight for Today

---

Merry Christmas,

Through our married life together Evelyn and I have been encouraged in the Lord by the ministry and laughter of Chuck Swindoll and Insight For Living. In case you're interested the holiday messages started today!

I rewrote a poem I thought went pretty well with something Chuck wrote on our need for quietness. 

I am so very grateful for your prayers this Christmas.

WithLove, Jeff
_______________________________

Psalm 62:1

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is from him.

            SILENCE

In this place of quiet rest
I listen to God, I hear Him best,
I sense His Spirit speaking - still 
Filling me - the peace of God,
His eternal will.

In this place of silent prayer
I speak to God, I meet Him here
I walk with Jesus my Lord and Shepherd
Guiding me - mostly carrying me
On the narrow road of His Word

In this place of tears and pain
I cry to God, I trust His Name
I try to remember He's in control
Alive in me - the holy part of me
That makes me whole

In this place of joy and peace
I sing to God, I sound the best
I hear my Savior singing too
Loving me - Keeping me
Perfectly in tune
___________

J. E. POLLOCK
DEC 17, 2009

For God alone my soul waits in silence, for my hope is 
from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my
fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my deliverance and my honor; my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. [Selah]

Psalm 62:5-8 (NRSV) 
   

---

Quietness by Charles R. Swindoll Psalm 46, 131; Isaiah 30:15-18; Mark 6:30-32  It is almost 10:00, Monday night. The children are snoozing and snoring upstairs (or they should be!). Aside from a few outside noises---a passing car . . . a barking dog . . . a few, faint voices in the distance---all's quiet on the home front. That wonderful, much-needed presence has again come for a visit---quietness. Oh, how I love it . . . how I need it. One of my most poignant memories of quietness occurred in California when I was walking with a friend along the sandy shores at Carmel. The silence of that early dawn was broken only by the rhythmic roar of the rolling surf and the cry of a few gulls floating overhead. The same thought I had then I have now: I cannot be the man I should be without times of quietness. Stillness is an essential part of our growing deeper as we grow older. Or---in the words of a man who helped shape my life perhaps more than any other:  We will not become men of God without the presence of solitude. Those words haunt me when I get caught in the treadmill of time schedules . . . when I make my turn toward the homestretch of the week and try to meet the deadline of demands, just like you. Alas, we are simply geared too high. Thanks to Alka-Seltzer, Excedrin, Sleep-eze, and Compoz, we repeat our nonproductive haste with monotonous regularity. As Peter Marshall put it: We are in such a hurry, we hate to miss one panel of a revolving door. Talk about pollution! I want you to think about what our nervous systems undergo just to stay afloat: Noise (music, news, talk, laughter, machinery, appliances, phones, and traffic) from 6:00 a.m. 'til midnight. Speed (bumper-to-bumper at 65 mph, on-ramps and off-ramps, deadlines and appointments) that makes us frown rather than smile . . . that causes us to check our watches more often than checking in with our Lord. Activities (meetings, services, suppers, luncheons, breakfasts, rallies, and clubs---all "necessary" and "nice") that have a way of dismissing quietness like an unwanted guest. Sure---some things are important---super, in fact---but not everything. Listen, if you and I really treasure quietness, we will have to make time for it. When you feed it only the "leftovers" from the schedule, it always goes hungry. Now, believe me, I'm not bitter. I'm just being direct and honest with you about an ingredient that cannot be ignored much longer in our lives without our paying a dear, dear price. I am jealous that we: "Be still, and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10 NIV). I am desperately concerned that we slow down and quiet down and gear down our lives so that intermittently each week we carve out time for quietness, solitude, thought, prayer, meditation, and soul searching. Oh, how much agitation will begin to fade away . . . how insignificant petty differences will seem . . . how big God will become and how small our troubles will appear! Security, peace, and confidence will move right on in. This is what Isaiah, the prophet, meant when he wrote: And the work of righteousness will be peace, And the service of righteousness, quietness and confidence forever. Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places (32:17-18). You know something? That still, small voice will never shout. God's methods don't change because we are so noisy and busy. He is longing for your attention, your undivided and full attention. He wants to talk with you in times of quietness (with the TV off) about your need for understanding, love, compassion, patience, self-control, a calm spirit, genuine humility . . . and wisdom. But He won't run to catch up. He will wait and wait until you finally sit in silence and listen.   Excerpted from Growing Strong in the Seasons of Life, Copyright © 1983 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by arrangement with Zondervan Publishing House. Reflections of Bethlehem   Listen Now   www.insight.org   Christmas Sale IFL Bookstore

  

HOLY NIGHT

Hush, 
The Baby sleeps

In the arms of His loving mother,
The night is still
And the beasts of the stable
Hover near
In soundless adoration.

Hush,
The world's asleep
In the dreams of this loving Infant,
And our hearts are still
In boundless adoration.

Sleep, Child, sleep
Your sleep of purity.
Sleep, world, sleep
In God's security. 

                            --- Van Havner

THE CHRISTMAS STORY !!!

---

Your E-mail and More On-the-Go. Get Windows Live Hotmail Free. Sign up now.

GOOD MOURNING

PSALM 30:5
Weeping may endure for the night, but joy comes in the morning.

GOOD MOURNING

If it's truth you're looking for,
Choose God's perfect word;

Trust in Jesus Christ alone,
And know he is your Savior.

If it's peace you are pursuing,

Find Jesus' rest in every storm;
Call on him with the faith you have,
And awaken to more trust in the Lord.

If it's joy that you are after,
Get to know God's mercy and grace;

And when true sadness steals away your laughter,
You still can rise and wear a real smile on your face.
If it is love that you are mourning,

Guard your weary heart with holy truth:Weeping may last for the night but joy comes in the morning:That faithful promise of God's peace and comfort is for me and you.
__________

Jeffrey Pollock
December 11, 2009

http://wandascountryhome.com/joy/ 

TRY / "By The Grace Of God I Am What I Am"

Encouraged by an Utmost I almost didn't read I thought I'd rhyme a poem; hope you're encouraged too. Merry Christmas!

TRY

If I can encourage you with just a word
That word would be TRY
Try and do the thing you think will help
Someone else give life a try

Try with all your might
Try and make a difference
You might never know how much your life
May have shown someone the love of Jesus

God gave us life for living
For as long as He decides
But you won't enjoy the time you're given
If you don't give life a try

JEFFREE
DEC2009

Please note: forwarded message attached

"By The Grace Of God I Am What I Am"

Date: Mon, 30 Nov 2009

BY THE GRACE OF GOD I AM WHAT I AM

    His grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain.

    1 Corinthians 15:10
    http://www.SearchGodsWord.org/desk/?query=1co+15:10&sr=1

The way we continually talk about our own inability is an insult to
the Creator. The deploring of our own incompetence is a slander
against God for having overlooked us. Get into the habit of examining
in the sight of God the things that sound humble before men, and you
will be amazed at how staggeringly impertinent they are. "Oh, I
shouldn't like to say I am sanctified; I'm not a saint." Say that
before God; and it means - "No, Lord, it is impossible for You to
save and sanctify me; there are chances I have not had; so many
imperfections in my brain and body; no, Lord, it isn't possible."
That may sound wonderfully humble before men, but before God it is an
attitude of defiance.

Again, the things that sound humble before God 'may sound the
opposite before men. To say Thank God, I know I am saved and
sanctified is in the sight of God the acme of humility, it means you
have so completely abandoned yourself to God that you know He is
true. Never bother your head as to whether what you say sounds humble
before men or not, but always be humble before God, and let Him be
all in all.

There is only one relationship that matters, and that is your
personal relationship to a personal Redeemer and Lord. Let everything
else go, but maintain that at all costs, and God will fulfil His
purpose through your life. One individual life may be of priceless
value to God's purposes, and yours may be that life.

PEACE

 The name of this poem is simply

       PEACE

       In this and every Christmas season
       With rumors of wars swirling 'round in our heads
       As we stop to give thanks to the Lord
       The reason for the season
       We are drawn to just how wonderful God is
       In the heart of every human is a light
       Brightly burning or barely shining in the night
       As we humble ourselves before the Lord
       The maker of our souls
       We are drawn to proclaim how He does all things right
       In the midst of my grief there is perfect peace
       Beckoning me - come closer and believe
       As I come into God's heart I now see
       Evelyn is singing and dancing and laughing with Jesus!
       Peace, perfect peace, there's no pain in heaven
       Peace, wonderful peace, no crying is allowed
       So as Christmas comes again with all its earthly baggage
       Turn your sights toward helping others
       And turn up the Christmas music really loud
       In this world you will have much trouble
       But be of good cheer, Christ has overcome the world

       JEFFREE
         DEC2009

       Turn it up!

HUMBUG!

Found this in one of my old wallets while cleaning through our old
house; I thought it definitely had a Christmas ring to it, but just to be
sure I added a Humbug to the end of it for you to click on.  Enjoy!
_____________________________________________

Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see
the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

BORN AGAIN

Behold the Babe

Born in a feeding trough

God - come to us the human way

Cradled by a mother's love

Behold the Boy

Listening at the temple

And with authoritative voice

Reveals wisdom to the simple

Behold the Man

Baptized in the Jordan

Witness God's unfolding plan

To give Hope and Victory to man

Behold the Teacher

Living to showing us the Way

Our Shepherd and Healer

First must die -- to be raised

Behold our Savior and Lord

Alive through the Holy Spirit

He's the Bright and Morning Star

Born again in my heart!

JEFFREE!

DEC2003

HUMBUG!