Frog City RV Park, Duson, Louisiana
…. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people! ~ Luke 2:10
Joy!
This morning we were blessed to be able to worship with the First Baptist Church in Rayne, Louisiana. Remember what I told you about Rayne? The frog capitol? Well,there were no frogs in church this morning, but there were a whole lot of really warm, friendly, smiling people. People filled with the joy of their salvation who love to pray for our nation, our military and our first responders.
The only unusual thing about this morning was the greeting time that took place as the song leader introduced and led the first hymn. All by himself. No one else sang, they were too busy talking to everyone. 😊
Today’s message was a reminder that we, as Christians, need to be so joy-filled that we can’t help but talk about our faith. Just like we can’t help sharing about our favorite memory, or movie, (or in his example – hunting kill 😊). We share with others what’s important to us.
The Pastor talked about Quirinius, the governor of Syria, whom everyone said never existed, thus disproving Scripture. Until one day . . . . archeologists discovered his existence at the exact same time period the Bible mentions him. “The spade of archeology has done much to corroborate Scripture.” He said.
He talked about how God can use anyone or anything He chooses to fulfill His plan. He used Caesar to order the census, specifically to send people back to their roots, in order to fulfill the ancient prophecy that Jesus would come from Bethlehem – some 700 years before His birth. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me One who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from days of eternity. ~ Micah 5:2 This Bethlehem was six miles south of Jerusalem.
He talked about something we’d never considered. The very first witnesses to Jesus’ birth were the animals who were being kept there. Jesus created those animals – and all others. And there they were. Celebrating the birth of the Christ in their own way. The God Who created them, come to earth in the form of a child. And you know they had to be, because when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on our Palm Sunday, He was admonished by the Pharisees to make the crowd quiet down, and Jesus replied, “I tell you, if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.” How much more then, animals who live and breathe?
He talked about the visit to the shepherd’s and their response. That people tend to believe that shepherds are these meek and mild men who are fearful. But they’re not. They are courageous men. Action-takers. Decision makers. They have to be. They’re tasked with the responsibility for the flock and there were wild animals ready to take any advantage they could get. And yet the visiting angel told them not to fear. Remember, courage isn’t the absence of fear. These men were visited by angels. These men were way down on the totem pole of life. And yet, they were obedient to what they’d been told, went to Bethlehem, worshiped their newborn King and then ran through the countryside telling everyone what they’d seen and heard. And yet, we’re afraid to speak out?
And then he finished by talking about how we give gifts because we love and care, but the greatest gift, the one that brings infinite joy, is Jesus! And still, people from all walks of life will die and spend eternity in hell, separated from God forever because they refused this gift.
Christmas isn’t really about gift-giving. It’s really about gift-receiving. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9.
I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people! Today, in the city of David, a Savior has been born; He is Christ the Lord! ~ Luke 2:10-11
Share your joy this Christmas season! Remember, it’s merry CHRISTmas!
Another day. Another walk in the Park. Today it’s Lake Martin Cypress Island Preserve. This day served two purposes. First and foremost, it offered another opportunity to get in five miles or so of brisk walking to pave the way for our pizza dinner. 😊 But it was also an opportunity for Blaine to check out the kayaking situation for after we return from Ohio – we’re staying about another week here before we move on to Texas.
It was a 2.5-mile flat walk on top of a levee. The levee is man-made and surrounds the man-made lake. Certain areas of the Park are closed from February-April, and again from June–September! They close February – April for migrating birds, and they’ve established a rookery for them. June – September is alligator mating season! Personally, I think they should be closed April & May for mosquito season, but maybe the people around here are used to them.
Anyway, many of our pictures look like they might be black and white. That’s because it was overcast and much of the scenery looked like watching a nature show on black & white tv. 😊
The other was at the end of our trail, but there were too many branches in the way to take a picture.
Deano’s motto is “Pizza like no other”, and it certainly was from our perspective! When’s the last time you had an opportunity to try a pizza covered with blue crab?? We may have to return to this place after we get back!
Loaded with pepperoni, Canadian bacon, smoked sausage, Italian sausage, bacon and beef!
Wonderful flavor!