Happy New Year!!

Hello,

Wanted to wish you a very Happy, Fruitful, Prosperous and Blessed New Year!

As I reflect on this past year, I am very thankful for many things including my family, church family, friends, and the co-workers all of the before mentioned that I'm blessed to know!

Most of all I’m blessed to be an adopted Son (One of the King's Kids) of the Most High King – The God of the Universe!

As you head into the New Year, may you fervently seek God will all your heart, soul, mind and strength!

We don’t know what 2014 holds but we can put our hope in a Great God who loves you and I and Who does know the future and will guide and direct our paths for His Glory and our good!

Here's to a putting the past year behind and looking forward with great hopes and expectations on the New Year ahead…2014!

Now - Bring on 2014!!! :-)

Your Brother and Servant,

rlk

I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day

Merry Christmas!

Have you ever wondered about the story behind some of the famous Christmas Carols we sing each year or maybe the hymns we sing from time to time? 

Some of the stories behind the songs range from tragic to triumphant - yet all of them I find fascinating!

One song that comes to mind this time of year is "I Heard The Bells On Christmas Day" which uses as it's lyrics a poem written by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, which is a name you may recognize as he wrote many poems. 

His poem was forged through tragedy but God used it in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's life to show forth triumph one Christmas day and today we see that through the verse of the song. 

Here's a good article (one of the many about this poem/song) titled "The Bells of Hope" that provides us with further insight into what was taking place in his life that moved him to write the poem:  http://www.familylife.com/articles/topics/holidays/featured/christmas/the-bells-of-hope

God can use any of our circumstances for His glory and our good and I trust that as you sing the songs of Christmas that you are filled with great joy and peace as you celebrate the true meaning of Christmas - Jesus!

Lastly, I wanted to share this updated version of "I heard the bells on Christmas Day" by Casting Crowns as I find it very moving and beautiful! Enjoy!

http://youtu.be/M7670CXvPX0 
Because He is the reason for the Christmas Season,

rlk