A Presidential Quote

"Through Jesus Christ the world will yet be a better and a fairer place. This faith sustains us today as it has sustained mankind for centuries past. This is why the Christmas story, with the bright stars shining and the angels singing, moves us to wonder and stirs our hearts to praise. Now, my fellow countrymen, I wish for all of you a Christmas filled with the joy of the Holy Spirit, and many years of future happiness with the peace of God reigning upon this earth."

—Harry S. Truman, December 24, 1952

And if every person who calls himself a Christian would do as Jesus did, the world would be so improved that we would no longer recognize it. God help us to do so.

Jonathan The Soup Salesman

Well, you didn't ask for it, but here it is anyway: me in my full Journey To Bethlehem regalia. It turns out that I am a soup salesman. Didn't really think that was the job of a guy at a campfire, but soup sales is what I now do. My character's name is Jonathan. It helps that I already have a Hebrew name!

The backdrop in this picture is actually not my set. I think that this is the seamstress tent... which has none of the connotations of a Terry Pratchett novel, mind you. This is, after all, a church production.

One thing that I am very glad for is that I don't have to sing this weekend. Three nights of hollering ,"HOT FRESH SOUP! SOUP FOR SALE! CHICKEN SOUP - CURES ANYTHING YOU'VE GOT! CHICKEN SOUP! LAMB STEW! LEEK AND LENTIL SOOOOUUUUUP!" and I doubt that I'd be worth anything on Sunday morning.

I am extreeeeeeeemely tempted to actually make some soup while I am out there. There is already a cauldron suspended over my campfire. Chickens are on sale at Food Lion this week for 69¢ a pound, and it would certainly be warmer if I stayed with the fire more. Plus there would be the wonderful smell and of course the tasting of the soup. I've just about convinced myself! The only problem is that I'll have to have a much better fire than the one that I had tonight. It was kind of lame. But a little charcoal and I'd be in business! And as the Good Book says, "When a poor man eats a chicken, one of them is sick!"

If you are anywhere near China Grove, NC you should really come out one of the next two nights and check it out. I think you'll be impressed!

Updated Information For Journey To Bethlehem

Hello, friends. I have some finer details about the upcoming Journey To Bethlehem pageant that my church will be doing next weekend. The dates are December 12th, 13th, and 14th (that's Friday through Sunday) from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

The church is located at 602 Stevens Street in China Grove, NC (28023). You may want to use MapQuest or Google Maps to get driving directions from where you are.

I would recommend getting there early - probably by 6:00 if you can. The police will direct you where to wait.

I hope you can come. I think you will enjoy it. If the weather is bad it will probably be postponed. Check here before coming. If for some reason it is called off or postponed I'll be sure to post about it here.

Also check back soon to see a picture of me in my costume so you may recognize me when you're driving through!

Christmas Tree Down

I finally took my Christmas tree down last night. I know it's the middle of February. I really don't feel bad about it at all. It might still be up if it weren't starting to turn brown.

I had decided to leave it up till the end of January anyway, (I didn't put it up until 2 weeks before Christmas) and since then I have been pretty busy between working on developing my website and getting started on my new career(?) as a heavy duty lift salesman.

There's a career that I doubt you will ever hear a kindergartener name when asked, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" As I am getting started with it I am really surprised at how big the market is for these things. It is amazing really.

I finished another part of the RealSalisbury.com page last night. It is the feature article about the house whose picture is on the front page. Please feel free to check it out and give me your feedback on it.

Well, I have to run and get ready for my jazz band gig this afternoon. If you are in the area, stop by Dixie's on Main Street in China Grove between 1:00 and 3:00. Dixie's is located on the corner at the main stoplight next to China Grove Hardware. Come on in, check out the StillWaters Jazz Band, drink some coffee, and get to know your neighbors in China Grove's coolest venue!

Merry Christmas

Two little words with such baggage! Merry Christmas means so many things. I suppose that for each person Christmas and the emotions and thoughts even the word conveys is as unique as that individual is.

I wish each of you a Merry Christmas, and hope that you are filled with the joy that knowing the Christ brings - for this is truly a reason to celebrate. Christmas is the commemoration of the day that God laid aside His majesty and was born a human in a dirty, smelly stable so that He could make a way for us to know Him. The beauty is that even today He isn't afraid to come into the dirty and smelly to save a life.

If you know the Christ of Christmas I pray that you will find time today in the midst of the bustle of our celebrations and reflect on Him. If you don't know Jesus I hope that you will meet Him today.

Merry Christmas.