One of the benefits of my current handicap is I have time to read. My mind is clear and I can still learn. You will note I have read many books of late, and they have expanded my knowledge of my faith. I have particularly sought to read books by some of the great men and women of the past who contributed mightily to our knowledge of what authentic Christianity is about.
One of them is Thomas Brooks who wrote in the early 1600's. His description of the Precious Remedies Against Satan's Devices was most illuminating. Long ago I was told by the Lord that I did not take Satan seriously enough. Since then I have tried to learn as much as I can about Satan's work and person. One of his major devices is to tempt believers into sin. When he is successful the Holy Spirit is grieved and a person's power and anointing is decreased. Brooks helped me to see how we can "mortify" our sin and resist temptation.
So I want you to know that I am not sitting around waiting to die. I am still growing in my faith, and am still certain of the presence of the Spirit in me. Paul said that he knew how to be abased and how to abound in his walk with God. I am learning to do the same.

We had a wonderful time this Christmas. We had our dinner for the kids on the Tuesday after Christmas day. All of our five children were here, although two spouses did not come because they had to work. We had many of our grandchildren and one of our great grandchildren with us. I know like most of you we had food to feed an army. I won't tell you what we had since it was the usual stuff that southerners have. We love to eat good food so we prepare it for our Thanksgiving and Christmas meals. It is then that our gluttony shows itself. It is a sin to eat like we do on those days, but what is important is to have our family with us. We love them, they love us, and all of us share our love for the Lord as we celebrate his birth.