Merry Christmas!!!

Well, it's that beautiful time of year, again! I love Christmas! I love the music, the decorations, the time with family, etc. I am grateful that I get an extra day off of work tomorrow! God has been so very good to me. This past year has brought difficult and trying things into my life. I have struggled in my job and yet God has helped me tremendously. Today at work, I had two opportunities to witness for Him! I was discussing holidays, etc with a young man from Africa. I was able in my conversation to tell him what Christmas was all about, Christ came to earth save sinners! I don't know what he thought, but I hope that what I said will be lodged in his mind for further use by the Lord. The second instance had to do with the lottery tickets that were handed out to each of the staff. I don't play the lottery, so I offered mine to him. I told him what the Bible says in Proverbs, "He who would get rich quick, will fall into many a snare." I told him that it wasn't right for me to get rich from someone else's demise. He agreed with me. He asked me if I celebrated Christmas and I said I did. My hope is that God will use my words for His glory.
I would love to hear from many of you! Have a wonderful Christmas wherever you will be spending it!

Wright Family Gathering

On the 20th, was our annual Wright Family breakfast. My Uncle Nathan organizes this each year. Here I am at the gathering with three of my piano students who just happen to be my little cousins. He had a special Christmas tree made with places to hang stockings for all of the kids 12 and under. It was fun to watch the kids open their gifts from different family members. Here are some pics from the gathering.

Wright Trio

This month has been a busy one for the Wright Trio! We did some songs at my church dinner on the 5th. Then, we went to Salina, KS for a service at Todd and Marla Hurst's church. This evening we are singing at a church in Olathe. Next Sunday on the 28th, we'll be at a church in Marshfield, MO. We actually turned down one other invitation. Here are some pics from the event at the church dinner.

What is Christmas?

What is Christmas? This question was recently asked at church. Is it giving and receiving presents? Is it parties, fun or lavish decorations? I believe the Apostle Paul had it right when he said, "Christ Jesus came into this world to save sinners..." (I Timothy 1:15) Yes, I love the baby in the manger...it's a beautiful story! But, as I tried to convey in Kids Church this morning, it's more than that. After showing them the manger scene, I showed them the cross and then the tomb. They really listened well! Oh, that we could remember how very important it is that Jesus did not stay a baby in the manger. But, as Bill and Gloria Gaither's beautiful song says, "He came to love, heal and forgive. He bled and died to buy my pardon..." I wish you a wonderful holiday, and a very Merry Christmas!

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving! I have so much to be thankful for...so very, very much. Has everything gone as I would've liked for it to? No, there have been many disappointments in my life, but I am so blessed even still.
I have lived all of my life in the greatest country that has ever been on this earth. I love America and am grateful to be free.
I am grateful for Christian parents and for most of my education being in a Christian environment. My parents sacrificed a lot to make that possible.
I am grateful for good health, family, friends, a car, a job and clothes to wear, food to eat...and I could go on.
The greatest blessings however, are that Christ came into this world to save sinners, and that included me. I am grateful that as a child I began to sense that I needed Christ in my life. In spite of my many failures, He has been more than faithful to me. For His precious Word, The Bible, I am grateful.
"Come ye thankful people come.
Raise the song of harvest home.
All is safely gathered in. Ere the winter storms begin.
God our Maker doth provide. For our wants to be supplied.
Come to God's own temple come. Raise the song of harvest home."


--- Henry Alford

I Still Believe

I still believe...in God who created this world. I still believe...that Jesus died for my sins and rose again the third day. I still believe... that God will have the final say in the affairs of this world. I still believe...that He is running this world. I still believe... that God caused men and women to come to this great land and build this nation from the bottom up. I still believe...that God will decide if this is the end or when that is.
I still believe...that He, Jesus, wants me to "look away unto Him, who is the author and finisher of my faith." (Heb 12:2) I still believe that ultimately the only way to change things in America, or anywhere else, is by introducing people to Jesus Christ as the Creator, Savior and soon coming King of this world!
In John 12:32 Jesus said "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself." In John 1:3-4 we read "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men."
Jesus is life. He is the only One who can bring purpose and meaning to this life. He is the One who can change people's hearts. He is the One I need to think about lifting up. How can I lift Him up?
In the secular work place, I can ask Jesus to live through me. I can ask Him to show me how to act and react to difficult things so that He will be glorified.
I can seek to spend time with Him in the Word and prayer so that my life might radiate His presence, beauty and holiness.
On a more practical note, I can search out a positive way to seek to lift Jesus up. I am considering becoming a more active part of the prolife movement. There is a crisis pregnancy center near here that probably could use some help. There will be the annual March for Life in January at the state capitol of Kansas in Topeka. There is the Kansans for Life organization that works tirelessly to promote life and save babies. I can seek to be God's instrument to change hearts of women who are considering what to do about their pregnancies. I can seek, with God's help, to show them that Jesus is Life. That He created them, that He came to set them free. That He understands and has forgiveness and cleansing and hope for them.

"Lord Jesus, help me to get beyond myself and beyond this election. Help me to go deep into Your heart, that I may be a light for You in this darkness. Show me how to be Your conveyor of life and peace."

The Day America Died

Did I become emotional tonight? Yes. As I watched beautiful, smart, intelligent Sarah stand on the platform as the America hero John McCain delivered his speech, it was a sad time. Here were two people with such credentials and substance. Not only two attractive couples, but people with character and values.
What has happened to America? She has gone mad. No longer does substance, character and honesty matter. All that matters is style and...what? Can somebody fill it in?
Our forefathers literally gave their life's blood for freedom. They came and fought with all that was in them to give us this wonderful country. Now, we have thrown it all away, for what?
We were the ones who stormed the beaches of Normandy to free Europe. Who will be there for us? When the extreme left liberals have their way, who will free America?
Today is the day America, true America died. This is a sad Requiem. What is our future?
Please forgive me for being so dark. God is still ruling and reigning. He has a plan and a purpose.