Happy New Year

Greetings Everyone, Hark! The Herald, Angels Sing, Glory to the New Born King! As we approach the end of this year, there are so many things to reflect upon. Since March, we have dealt with the COVID 19 Pandemic, many deaths and sicknesses, racial prejudice and civil unrest, police brutality, the murder of George Floyd, Ahmad Aubrey, Brianna Taylor and others. Protestors in the streets across the nation, anger, frustration and indifference, a lying spirit that seems to have inundated the land, and a Presidential election that has been contested. All of this is added to having to shelter in place, wear a mask, maybe lose a job or work from home, or even monitor children or grandchildren who are learning from home because they can’t go to the school building. During this season of love, peace and joy, I salute each of you who weathered the storm on top of other things that you may have had to deal with that you could not or did not share. Christmas traditions this year may be stifled a little. Most of us in the Western World love to gather with family and friends, have parties, give cards and gifts, prepare or purchase and eat certain foods and desserts. Sing and listen to Christmas Songs, tell the children that Santa Claus is coming to town and bringing toys on a sleigh with Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer pulling the sleigh along with Dasher and Dancer and other Reindeer who are headed to their chimney on Christmas Eve if they are good. Frosty the Snow man is sung about and you often find him in the yards of many people who love to build a good Snow Man if snow falls. Christmas Trees are decorated, wreaths, and garland are everywhere, and oh we can’t forget the stockings hung by the chimney with care. Yes, these are traditions that have been adopted and preserved for years, however, they really do not have anything to do with the real meaning of Christmas. Maybe, just maybe , COVID-19 is here to help keep things in perspective and help us to remember that “Jesus is the Reason for the Season”. Matthew 1:21 ” And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people form their sins.” Matthew 2: 1 “ Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem, 2 Saying , Where is he that is born King of the Jews? For we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. 5 . And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet……,……………………….. 9 …………….They departed, and lo , the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. 11. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down and worshipped him: and when they opened their treasures; they presented unto him gifts, gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. “ This is the Christmas story. All gifts should be given to Him, All adoration should be bestowed upon Him, All Honor is deserved by Him. So, as you celebrate this year during these very troubling and critical times, maybe this will be one of the best Holiday Seasons you have had, simply because we all are in a position to count our Blessings and give Thanks for the gifts from God that we are recipients of, i.e., Life, Health, and Hope. I wish you a Blessed and Healthy Holiday Season, Keep the Faith. Christ the Savior is Born !!!!!!!!!!

It has been an interesting but chaotic year. It started out with controversy and we find ourselves still in the throes of upheaval and uncertainty. My consolation is based on the Word of God in Isaiah 26: 3 "you will keep him in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust you." NIV So no matter what is going on in government, with the economy, with laws that are being passed, remember, God is still on the throne and He wants us to trust Him and not be shaken in our faith. I wish all of you a blessed and joyous holiday season. As believers, let us hold on to the fact that" Jesus came that we might have life and have it more abundantly." "Joy to the world, the Lord is come, let earth receive her King. " Peace and Blessings Dr. Odessa

Christmas is my most favorite time of the year. I love all of the rituals and customs that come with its observance; the tree and decorations, stockings, bells, lights, carols, cakes, pies and candy treats and the spirit of merriment. The fairy tales and traditional stories are a delight for children and adults alike. Many Christians criticize the pagan rituals and commercialization that seem to have overshadowed the real meaning of Christmas, but I believe people who know that "Christ, the Savior is born," celebrate Him all year, every year and can separate the rituals and customs of this season from the first advent and keep Christmas in proper perspective. For some, this season is depressing because of their situation in life. Maybe it is the loss of a loved one, the loss of a job, a problem with a relationship, lack of finances or just seeing people happy, when they themselves are miserable and suffering. I have suffered loss of loved ones, had problems with relationships, had financial difficulty, and would have been justified in allowing depression to reside at my house. I chose, however, and still choose to lay all up in Psalms 91, " He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide under the shadow of he Almighty. I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him will I trust"............... Psalm 23, 'The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want".............................. Psalm 34, "Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all."................. (KJV) eth on the end of the word denotes that he keeps on delivering. With all of the things going on in the world and in our nation to cause us to be sad, I am so glad that I know Jesus came, He lived, He died, He rose again, and He is coming back again soon. He gives me joy all year round so I can share it during this season. May the peace and blessings of our Lord be with you during the holidays and continually. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!!! Sincerely, Dr. Odessa

who defied all odds of ever getting in the White House. Certainly it shocked many of us, but I have come to this resolve, that as it is written in the book of Daniel concerning Antiochus who set his heart to break his Jewish covenant and plunder Palestine, and who was resisted by the Maccabees; chapter 11 verse 32 states" .........but the people that know their God shall be strong, and do exploits." We, the people of America, the Christians, need to seriously petition God for his care and protection and we need to bind our forces in prayer. Daniel prayed for his people who found themselves in captivity under a king who tried to turn their hearts from the true and living God and he was used in a mighty way to represent God in a polluted atmosphere. We are more than conquerors so our focus has to be on the Word of God and Prayer. We have to stay strong and we do have a voice, so we can use it to speak out against injustice and immorality, but ultimately, our battle will be won by being strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Do not fret, my brothers and sisters, God is still on the throne and He is our source. Peace and Blessings

The up-coming elections are a major concern and seemingly our nation is so split on all kinds of issues. Young African American males have been killed along with Policemen across the nation causing turmoil and upheaval everywhere. If we, the people of God , did not have a strong tower or a refuge in Jesus Christ, what would we do? I am so glad that we have a merciful, faithful God whose "compassions fail not, his mercies are new every morning, great is His faithfulness." However, we cannot bury our head in the sand and think that things will go away or get better because God is good. We have a responsibility to speak up, step up, and PRAY. Our young men need to be taught about racial profiling and the injustices in our society, but they also need to be taught about Salvation and the need to have a relationship with God. "In the time of trouble, He will hide us in His pavilion". African American men can teach African American boys how to be real men and men of God who are not ashamed to live godly and walk upright in this godless generation. Paul says it best when he tells his son in the gospel, Timothy, " In the last days, perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous. boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy....., but continue in the things which you have learned and heard, knowing of whom you have learned them" I Timothy 3 We stand on Christ, the solid rock, but we do what we can do , then trust God for the outcome.

There is one incident after another. These are some troubling and disturbing times, so believers have to navigate their way through these times with confidence in the true and living God. The old hymn of the church expresses well what our position should be." My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, all other ground is sinking sand." There are some questions that are raised, however, while we are standing on the Rock because too many things are happening too often. The questions are: a) What time is it in history? b) Is God trying to get our attention? c) Is there anything we can do while standing? The answers, in my mind, are : We should look at predictive prophecy and the eminent return of the Lord Jesus Christ; We should pray without ceasing; We should lift our voices against injustice and hatred every where that it exist in the world. God does not want coward soldiers, but He knows that we need His help in everything that we do. He tells us in scripture " Without me, you can do nothing." Believers, we have work to do.