Christmas Blessings
December 2000
To Our Family and Friends,
This Christmas season, we've been reflecting on the question 'what would Jesus do?'. Well, besides helping, healing, providing for people and generally being the Son of God, we believe that Jesus would seek the truth. While on earth, He didn't do anything without talking to God first. Nothing was too small (changing water to wine) or too big (raising Lazarus from the dead) to bring to the Father in prayer. We believe Jesus is the Truth. He is the only one that chose to die for us all. He is the only one with an empty grave.
God has designed a different life's plan for each of us. The path He leads you down, we may never walk on. He loves us all so much and doesn't want anybody to die without Him that He chose the life plan for His Son to be eternal life for us. We don't believe He cares if you wear a pink shirt on Tuesdays or worship Him with all your heart at the edge of a lake instead of a church. He just wants your heart. That's what Christmas is all about, isn't it? God giving us His heart through His Son, Jesus Christ.
This is the biggest gift we could give you all this Christmas. As we go to the post office, we will pray for each one receiving this letter that God will reveal His Son to you in a very real way this Christmas. That His plan will he perfected in you. And most importantly, if you aren't committed to Him already, you won't wait any longer. Christianity is so very simple. Human beings are the ones who make it legalistic, judgmental and complicated... yet it's also a narrow path. Anyone can walk down wide one. Preachy? Maybe. But what have we got to lose? Could be He allowed cancer in our lives because of the size of the mouth He gave me... Anyway, we pray this will be the merriest Christmas you've ever had. Love and hug each other. Give to a stranger. Smile and forgive. Repair damaged relationships. Give Him your heart.
In the Name of the Greatest Gift of All,
Gary and Jo Stanley
Jo Susan Stanley left quietly to be with the Jesus she loved on April 15, 2000