Friday Dec. 23, 2011 The Journey 2011-37

When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in their heart. The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.

 Good Friday Morning, my dear brothers and sisters. It is Friday and a beauty here in Central Pennsylvania, home of the Southern Location of the North Pole. Friday and the day we pray for all the workers in God's fields, and folks, each and every one of us needs to be on that list as we all should be workers in His fields. Today is Communion Day on the line.

Yesterday I asked for prayers for Dolores and myself as we headed out to Lawnton, the last public school we have been going to. Yes, we leave the message of the Lord. Our bus had some mechanical issues so we headed out in our pickup, also red and lettered for Christmas. We first went to the Antique Auto Museum located on 161 Museum Road, Hershey, Pa. They gather food and toys for us at Christmas, and again they filled their pickup and we loaded it into ours. It was the THIRD full load we took out this year. Folks, if you like old cars, buses and toy trains, try and get down between the holidays. It is beautiful and if you go, mention our name, Carry The Light Ministries, as we want to keep this partnership going. Ok, on to Lawnton School. We pulled up outside and called them to let them know we arrived, and they put the children into the gym on the floor. They had K through 3 in the gym for us. Then it happened, the NEW principal came out to greet us and the first thing out of her mouth was you cannot say anything about Jesus this year. I heard you tell the Christmas story and that is against separation of church and state. After nicely telling her that is not in the constitution of the United States, I went on to tell her if we cannot talk about Jesus then we don't do the job. Now the kids were waiting and I am not going to put them in the middle.

So I asked her if I could sing one song about Jesus and she after some talking said ok, one song and no preaching. So we went in and had a good time with the kids as always, and at the end I said, folks, this is what makes Christmas, and we sang Away in the Manger. The kids sang along and most teachers sort of did not. The aids who had us there did sing. The Principal said we could not talk at all next year or even sing about Jesus... SO WE TOLD THEM, SORRY WE WILL NOT BE BACK. If I can't tell the kids about Jesus when I do Santa, we do not take the job, we have been invited to be paid at Malls, we have turned them down... Thanks for your prayers... Folks, we must get Jesus back into our schools...

The Journey 2011 Day 37... Luke 2:15 - When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, "Let's go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about." 16 So they hurried off and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby who was lying in the manger. 17 When they had seen Him, they spread the word concerning what had been told them about this child, 18 and all who heard it were amazed at what the shepherds said to them. 19 But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in their heart. 20 The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told. (NIV)

Remember now, my name is Jack, and I am the donkey that transported Mary and this special child to the manger. Am I a blessed donkey or what? Boy, it is getting busy here in the stable, these shepherds have come and they looked and they were amazed, first they said nothing, I heard them praying then and thanking God for this special child. After the shepherds starting talking again, I heard them talking about those angels and how bright they were, and then before the angels left the shepherds, they said this, and I heard the shepherds saying it over and over again... "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom His favor rests."

Now folks, it is time we jump ahead in time a little bit... I am out of the donkey suit and back to Pastor Dan... You know our Lord Jesus was born on Christmas day, He was named later but we have known what it was. This baby was born to die... As we all are going to leave the earth someday, and I pray all of you are saved and go to heaven, and that all of you work to tell others. Right now I want to take you ahead to that last supper, where we are going to commune with each other...

Dear Lord, please forgive me of my sins and please forgive all those who are asking as they take communion. Lord, bless the bread as Your body and the fruit of the vine as your blood... In Jesus' name, Amen.

Luke 22:19 - And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body given for you, do this in remembrance of me." (NIV)

Take now your bread, the body of Jesus, and eat giving thanks to God... Thank You Jesus, I love You Jesus...

Luke 22:20 - In the same way, after the supper He took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood which is poured out for you." (NIV)

Drink now the fruit of the vine, the blood of Jesus... Thank You Jesus for shedding Your blood for me. Amen.

Tomorrow, a special message from Dan... What Happened on Christmas Eve 1990 that changed the life of an old man.

Be blessed folks, and share those blessings... I love ya, Pastor Dan.