Merry Christmas and a Blessed 2010 !
The Thanksgiving-to-Christmas period is always a time of lengthy heart-felt reflection for Nancy and me. We have so very much to be thankful for: The joy of the gifts and the giving aspect of the season overarches every day.
Our family: This year we’ve enjoyed a new gift. Four of our five kids now live within 30 minutes of us… and note! Even our grandaughter Jodie and her family have moved back from Kentucky. We are praying that the Crosbys – our youngest daughter and family – will join the clan when Caitie finishes high school. To have family so close is a huge gift.
Our ministry: Again this year, we have nothing but praise as we rehearse the many facets of life-sharing opportunities that we’ve been given. Our one-on-one and couples’ work of encouragement has become even more wide-spread. AND! To be able to prayerfully support so many believers who are struggling with their marriages .. and .. to hold continuing dialogue with several people who are going through physical and/or emotional pain .. this is fruit produced by the Crossroads web site that we never expected.
Our message : The words that we share are seemingly repetitious. To those who have never been blessed with a genuine intimacy with the Christ of Christmas, the message may sound familiar. But! To those to whom our Father reveals His Indwelling Son, Immanuel, Life begins in a vibrant new way. More often than not, it is our theme verse that opens the heart so that Jesus can establish a newly blessed life. Hear Paul’s words once again !
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live
in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live
in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God,
who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2:20
His fruit: Nancy and I will never stop marveling at the wondrous work of the Holy Spirit that longtime believers witness when their souls truly embrace the death to Self. Again this year, we’ve been overwhelmed with the believers who have newly surrendered their lives to One Who could say, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” The new inner life in Jesus cannot be humanly generated; only the yielded life of Self can allow His Life to become theirs.
Crossroads’ weekend retreat with Wayne and Sara Jacobsen: This 3-day teaching by Wayne and Sara continues to bear fruit. The following Facebook page that we saw last night was penned by Rebecca Stanley: “If you were only able to say one thing to Jack Gerry for the rest of your life, what would it be? Thank you for hosting one of the most life changing weekends I've ever been a part of!!”
Nancy’s and my gift list: Although our list in long, near the top are the names of all of you, our friends: Having a network of committed believers, of which you are a part, is a gift that money cannot buy and no one can humanly produce.
To all of you .. we desire above all else that each of you enjoy the sense of His Indwelling Presence during this season like never before.
In His Consuming Love
Jack and Nancy
"The virgin will be with child and will
give birth to a son, and they will call
him Immanuel" — which means,
give birth to a son, and they will call
him Immanuel" — which means,
“God with us." Matthew 1:23