Every life is a wonderful story worthy of being told.

Every life is a work of art, and if it does not seem so, 

perhaps it is only necessary to illuminate the room that contains it.

The secret is never to lose faith, to have confidence in God's plan

for us, revealed in the signs with which He shows us the way.

If you learn to listen, you will find that each life speaks to us of love.

Because love is the key to everything, the engine of the world.

Love is the secret energy behind every note I sing. And never forget

that there's no such thing as happenstance. That's an illusion

lawless and arrogant men invented so that they could sacrifice 

the truth of our world to the laws of reason.

                                                                                 Andrea Bocelli

One Step at a Time

Last Sunday we celebrated the 50th anniversary of the CROP Walk for Hunger. It marked the 26th year I have been privileged to raise money by participating with numerous others walking in the event nationwide. Our congregation has been involved in this great cause for the past 25 years, and we usually have 15 or 20 members doing the walk. The funds we raise from donations provide food here locally as well as nationwide. In 2018 $8,300,000 was raised by 87,000 participants in 800 walks around the country. 

I'm now 76 years old, and it has been my honor to work as a volunteer fund-raiser and sponsor for most of my adult life, serving non-profit organizations like Outreach International, World Vision, and Habitat for Humanity. In addition to donating money, I have always believed in the importance of active participation in the groups who are working to help those less fortunate and helping make the world a better place. My mother taught me that we should always strive to leave things better than they were before. So that has been my motivation throughout life. We clean up our messes by re-using and recycling. We help the environment by planting flowers and trees. We thank God every day for his beautiful creation and look forward to being in nature, walking and enjoying the all loveliness around us. We are privileged to live here and partake in the rich bounty which the Lord provides.

When I write my next book, I plan to include a number of poems and stories highlighting the wonders of nature I see all around me. Naturalist and author John Muir, the father of our national parks, has written about the wonder of nature with these words: "In every walk in nature one receives far more than he seeks." 

When I am tired and need some good exercise, I take a nature walk for half an hour. At those times when am feeling depressed or afraid or unsure about a looming decision I need to make, a walk among the trees and gardens refreshes me and lifts my soul; I feel a closeness to God that is indescribeable. I am never alone in nature. God is always by my side, and I walk and talk with him just as I would with my best friend, feeling reassured of his love and compassion and ever-presence with me. 

Muir reminds us that being in nature will help us to "wash our spirit clean." It works, and I recommend it for everyone every week. May the Lord bless you and keep you safe and healthy, and may you find joy in his presence as I do. Amen.

Gene Groner

Gene is the author of 35 books on faith, hope, and love. He also writes inspirational poetry and daily messages of peace, hope and love at www.amazon.com/Gene-Allen-Groner/e/B077YTVSJZ

Words of King David

Find rest, O my soul, in God alone; my hope comes from him. He alone

is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My

salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge.

Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to him, for God

is our refuge.---Psalm 62:5-8

I am reminded in this scripture of the words of counsel from Patriach Harold Velt,

who gave me my patriarchal blessing in 1966: "Trust the Lord and move forward 

in faith." I have often found comfort in these words as I have struggled through

difficult times in my life. Today is one of those times, and I know if I can muster

a little faith and come to God in prayer, trusting in him and in him alone, that all 

will work out okay. Perhaps you, too, are struggling today, and I would say the 

same thing to you: Trust the Lord and move forward in faith. I offer these thoughts

in the hope that you, too, will find the strength and hope to continue in the right

path, for this is the way of the Lord. And one day I hope to meet you in the realms

of heaven, where there is no more sorrow and no more tears. May the Lord bless

you and keep you is my prayer. Amen.

Christmas in the Smokies

Hello everyone! Today is the first day of October, and I'm celebrating by watching one of my favorite Christmas movies, titled Christmas in the Smokies.

Christmas in the Smokies was released in 2015, and it tells the story of a young woman struggling to save her family's berry farm in Pine Valley, Tennessee. And she does just that by organizing a Christmas concert in the beautiful Smoky Mountains. Starting out with my favorite Christmas song, O Come All Ye Faithful, and loaded with beautiful scenery, Christmas lights and decorations, and lots of drama and romance, this is a beautiful story of family love, hope, and of course a Christmas miracle on the horizon, beginning with Luke's story of the birth of Christ.

I just love a good story with a feel-good ending. And what could be better than a wonderful story at Christmas time that reminds us how good life can be if we look for those things that are positive and full of love and hope, especially the love and hope that came to earth with the birth of Christ. 

I hope you will love this movie as much as I do, and it's available on Netflix right now. Be sure and watch it, and start your Christmas season early and well!

Merry Christmas everyone!

With love,

Gene