Good morning, everyone! I’m sitting here, listening to Walt Mills, and it’s 6:10 a.m., Friday. Pastor Tom got me this CD just the other day, and “Oh, there is power in HIS name!” Amen? Our little dog, Chloe, just came out to check on me. The men are still asleep in the men’s quarters, and all is right with the world!

I just contemplate the time I’ve spent writing this blog sometimes and shake my head. It was, at times, God-inspired, and at times, it was “just me”. But at all times, it was joyfully written, knowing that God would give the increase, amen? God is so very good. Thank you to all who have encouraged me and to God, especially, for all the confirmation I receive in response to these “entries”.

As I hear God calling for me to come to Him in prayer, I make a note of last night’s teaching by Sister Sarah Gibson…a wonderful Lady in the Lord. I took the notes you read previously; her teaching was very enlightening! Thanks again, Sister Sarah!

Nicholas, one of our “keepers” here in the Home, helped me to lead the singing at our Bible study last night, a first for both of us. He has a “can-do” attitude and is a young man who has a calling on his life. God has sent people into his life to tell him that he should be a Preacher, and Nick has embraced that concept.

We also just received another young man named Wilson on Tuesday afternoon. Originally, he is from Louisiana. He has already begun to inch himself into our hearts here at VFO. God makes all our troubles but momentary when it comes to our calling here, on 488 and 21 in Philly, and we anticipate more participants in the future that we can help onto the road to recovery from addictions.

The road is scheduled to come through here, someday, and this house may be demolished then, but for now, we’re doing what God has called us to do, and that is to help others to shun evil and do good, glorifying the Father and saving souls. Whatever may happen, God is still in control and He has a plan, of that we can all be sure and all be comforted.

There are so many hurting financially this Christmas season. There is one family looking for a Christmas tree, another lady looking for appropriate clothing in order to attend church and to go to a job interview.  If you can, try to help someone this Christmas season; God will reward you, and you will see smiles of joy and will feel the most heavenly warmth in your heart! For God did not intend for us to “hoard” all that we have been blessed with; if you have two of anything, it probably means that we should share (this advice from Bro Ricky Rogers, a minister of the Gospel we hear here in Chapel service on some Fridays @ 7:30)!

What a humbling experience it has been, this last few months, to have a Godly calling and to have it begin to build up…God alone can make it possible for me to do all that He is wanting to do. I think that the thing that we should guard against is that temptation to believe that we are to please the folks in our lives, and not the Great and Mighty God who provides everything we need to do HIS WILL! If we get lost in the expectations of others, we cannot possibly run, without God’s Supernatural power, the race He has set before us. So how do we succumb to that Power? Through prayer and the reading of the Word, causing the renewing of our minds, which will enable us to understand what our calling is…and what to refuse to worry about when it comes to tomorrow! And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, will then be ours.

It’s like the tithing principle. If you are faithful, and do that simple thing, (be faithful in the small things) God will supernaturally stretch and multiply your finances! God also does that in the areas of our obedience to His Will and our tasks to those He has assigned such an honor! It is an HONOR to serve God, just as it was an honor to serve my Country…only this time, it stores up heavenly rewards, those that last throughout all eternity!

The men are helping two ministries today, before they come home to set up for Chapel services tonight. Today will be a busy day for them. They truly deserve a good Christmas, and this is the reason God revealed to me that I began this blog. I am requesting your help in giving our three men a memorable one. If you have any gifts to give, please send them to our Home at 15071 Hwy 488, Philadelphia, Miss. 39350, and if you would like to make a donation, please send it per PayPal on the “Needs of the Home” page in this Website. It is secure and an accepted way to give during this special time in the lives of these men, who are finally getting a look at the beauty and the kindness of Jesus Christ. God will surely reward those who help those who cannot repay the favor, amen? This is just a Godly principle that many have discovered and can attest to.

Well, the door downstairs slammed about thirty minutes ago, and Pastor Tom is up and ready to go. It’s seven o’clock; it’s a rarity for him to get up at this “late” hour…he got some rest, for once!  He gives me a “peck” and he’s gone to be with the men downstairs; another day at VFO. God bless you all, and Merry Christmas!

Teresa R.