Elohim so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son...

Who are my brothers, my mother and my sisters? Those that do the will of my Father.

Our Father which art in heaven, hallowed be they Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done.

Last night in our new home He was worshiped and praised. The family came together to worship and to fellowship. The team led by Billy Patterson, Taharqa Patterson, Andrea Patterson and Christine Patterson gave their all as Allen and Leah Cuffey shared their original music and their hearts in praise. Leslie Ming and Al - the one name Bass player were in the house and New Lewi gave his best in Gone - as in the guilt is gone. Pastor Ann laid hands on those who came forward releasing a powerful anointing to remove burdens and destroy yokes.

Bobby, Pedro, Joe, Nathan, Rachel, Evelyn, Todd, Jo, Emma, Eden, Lonnie, Kayoni, Tabara, Xavier, Kim, Di, Mary, Tamiko, Sheila, Grace, Vanessa, Kim, Donald, Larry, Samuel, Elaine, Yadira, Pierre, Juliette, Joshua, Mark, Vincent, Angel, Mac, Kathy, Gloria, Charlotte, Jimmy, Frederick, Lisa, Suhaib, Ken, Judy, Debbie, Donald, Yvette and others were in attendance --

And as I watched these people lift their hands in praise, the pastor in me prayed for the others that were home with their families and out ministering where they were. Daniel, Renee, Caleb, Ashley, Sheri, Jacki, Melissa, Neubela, Keith, Sonya, Darius, Luis, Rosa, Marjorie, Carolyn, Nancy, Aladryn, Leroy, Daraka, Collie, Claudia, Shelley, Maury, Carmen, Maria, Anthony, Kelly, Rachael, Isaac, Scarlett, Aaron, Chris, Judi, Elah, David, Maxine, Asher, Benjamin, Leah, Beverly, Eric, Asako, Kim, Michelle, Matthew, Melissa, Lauren, Annie, Michael, Denece, Destini and others --

It amazes me to think how personal ministry is for me. How each person holds a place in my heart. It was really good to see people I hadn't seen in a while and to see people I see regularly praising and spending family time together. I can only imagine how deeply He loves each person. As the names of each person rolls around on His tongue. As He contemplates each individual in their beauty and their grandeur - their simplicity and their complexity and then how they relate each to their families, circumstance and surroundings. And what amazes me most is how He rejoices when each one acknowledges Him. He is blessed when people choose to - in the middle of all we do - to take time to pray, to read our bibles, to make our way to church and then to teach others to do the same.

O Come all ye faithful - joyful and triumphant. I love that. The faithful are the joyous ones. They are the champions the victorious ones. Those who faithfully remember to acknowledge, to dialogue and to honor their true Father - their Master Craftsman - the One who knows. These the faithful are considered the citizens of heaven. As I contemplate these things, it is not just theoretical it is personal. The contemplations have faces and names and each face and name has a future and a hope - a purpose and people that they love and cherish.

As I reflect this morning, I read that Michael Lewis's new album is all about reflection. Jackie DiMaggio's Christmas cd is playing in my home and 20 years of ministry dances in my memory and my imagination.

Merry Christmas to all who are about the Father's business. You are my family and I am thinking about you today.

Written by :

Dan Stratton