Merry Christmas

Christmas day in Mill Creek Canyon.

Jen was scheduled to work on Christmas day. The 5am phone call told her, “hey just take the day off.” So she did. She just laid around the house eating leftover Christmas candy and cookies and watching TV. Not! She suggested we go for a cross country ski trip up her favorite canyon. It is her favorite because it is the only one of the canyons that allows Uma to accompany her.

It was a beautiful day for such an outing. So beautiful in fact that we had to park at the 3rd parking lot from the main lot there were so many people enjoying the canyon. But by the time we had skied 2 miles we were pretty much out of the crowds, and off of the snow packed road. Now there were only two ski tracks through a foot and a half of fresh powder.



It was crisp up there. The thermometer said 15 degrees when we started. I suspect by the time we turned around it was around 0. It was ok as long as you were moving, and had shoes on. Uma was beginning to get pretty uncomfortable and when we started down, Jen put her on her back. Other than the people thinking she had the ugliest baby in the state, it went pretty good.


Christmas Eve we spent at Alta with Amy. We downhill skied that day. It was a pretty day until about 1pm when the wind started to blow and by 3 the snow was pelting us pretty hard so we wrapped it up. We went down the hill a little way to Snowbird where we attended the Christmas Eve service they have there each year.

They had asked me to preach the sermon, those were their words. But the storm coming in kept the pianist and the music leader from showing up. So in addition to preaching the sermon I was also privileged to lead the music without accompaniment.

I preached on The Birthday of a King. Using Philippians 2 I pointed out that Jesus’ birth was different than any other in that He was not born and then grew to be a king. He was King who emptied himself to become like us. When Joseph held the baby in his arms he was holding the creator of the universe. When Mary nuzzled his neck and kissed his face she was kissing the face of God.

I quoted from the song “Mary Did You Know,” The baby you delivered will soon deliver you.

I talked about the Herod and the Wise men in all of us. There is a Herod in me that resents another wanting authority in the kingdom of my life. But there is a wise man too, that if I will allow, will fall down and worship the Lord Jesus.

All in all it was a good Christmas. We heard from Nathan and his Amy as they celebrated in Texas. Krista called from North Carolina and helped us talk to Andrew. He said “hi” to me, on cue. (along with hanging up on us two or three times) That was special. Josh surprised us with a call from Afghanistan. He had “borrowed” a satellite phone and called from the top of a building in the north east corner of the country.



We talked to our families and some other friends throughout the day. Our plan of Green Chile Enchiladas for Christmas dinner fell through though. After the 6 mile ski trip, we were content to eat some left over chicken and call it a day.

I pray you each have a wonderful new year, a really happy 2008.

God Bless

Rediscovered Gems

While cleaning off my desk this morning I discovered an old pocket notebook. I have no idea how it appeared on my desk, except that in moving things have been displaced. Trying to fit all the tools from the two room suite Holladay provided for me into one little room at home that Jen allows me to use things are bound to show up in odd places.

It was one of those little pocket notebooks that I carried to make short notes in. It is from over 10 years ago. I thought you might be interested in some of the tidbits.

Jesus spoke of men who were alive as if they were dead. Paul spoke of men who were dead as if they were alive. –Rev. John Watson, Moab, Utah, at a funeral service 8/12/1983

God didn’t say to go into the world and pray. He said to go into the world and witness, and we can go into our schools and witness. –Dr. Frank Pollard

After holding hands in a circle of fellowship looking in we should turn around and hold hands in a circle looking out. –unknown

3 frogs are sitting on a log, one decides to jump off. How many are left? . . . Answer: 3. Just because you decide to do something doesn’t mean you do it.

The medical definition of death is a body that does not change.

Be anxious for nothing, prayerful, in every thing thankful, this is God’s will for you. ---Apostle Paul

7 first words of the church—“I can do all things through Christ”
7 last words of the church—“We never did it that way before”

Jesus can turn water into wine, but he can’t turn whining into anything.

Do you believe in God? I am not impressed. It is no big deal. You are in the company of the devil. He believes in god. Do you believe God? That is impressive! That is a big deal!

It is the voice of the church that is heard in singing together. It is not you that sings, it is the church that is singing, and you, as a member of the church may share in its song. – Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Questions for the believer:
In what area of your life is it hardest to obey the Lord?
What would your spouse say is your greatest contribution to his/her life?
What are you most apt to lie about?
What Christian character trait is your trademark?
What Christian character trait do you most lack?

A note made after attending a state board meeting of the New Mexico Fellowship of Christian Athletes. “Today I saw more concern for the lost expressed that in any Deacon meeting, Denomination meeting, Pastor meeting, that I have ever attended.”

For what it is worth. Have a great day.

Pastor Rodger