Family

The Victory Tree: an opportunity to support the men in the Colony of Mercy. This year we have made available sponsorships for the men in the Colony. It costs the ministry of America's Keswick $65 a day per man. If you would like to sponsor one (or more) man for a gift of $65, we will send you a Keswick collectible tree ornament as our thank you. The ornament has a tag with information about one of the men in the Colony. We ask that you pray for that man for the next 30 days. The funds go to the Colony of Mercy fund. This is a great way to partner with us to make the men's Christmas special. To sponsor a man, please contact Guest Services at 732.350.1187 ext. 10 or visit our website www.americaskeswick.org go to the Support drop down menu and click on "Give Now" - in the Designation box - indicate "Victory Tree" and we will mail your ornament to you. Thank you for your partnership both financially and in prayer. Merry Christmas, Diane
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A little while ago I arrived at work and within moments was greeted by a brother (in the faith) who was a previous resident in the Colony of Mercy Addiction Recovery program. We chatted for bit, about family and the blessing of God in our lives, then we bid each other farewell giving glory to God for everything.

As I continued on into my office I couldn't resist a smile as my heart warmed over that simple exchange. The word that immediately leapt to my mind was FAMILY. Simply because God saw fit to bring me to this place called Keswick, I have a bigger family of sisters and brothers than I could ever have imagined. They come in all shapes, sizes, tones, hues, traits, characteristics, personalities, etc., and I get to call them family!

Dear sisters, once again it's the time of year where many of us will be gathering with family. For some this will be a long anticipated time of joy. Yet for many others it will be a time filled with anxiety and dread as well as much sorrow.

The reasons for the joy and the sorrow are as varied as the individual. The details of each situation can evoke strong emotions as memories from the past bringing laughter and tears.
Be it sorrow or joy, my encouragement to you is to pause and see the bigger who and whom of your family. See God in the very center of it providing for you, His child.

If your sorrowing is due to loss, be it divorce or death, and you are feeling alone and lonely, see the reality of FAMILY and rejoice! Be glad with the provision God has given you, knowing that even now, in the midst of the sorrow you experience His favor. You, dear one, are most certainly not alone!

"You will notice we say "brother and sister" 'round here,
It's because we're a family and these are so near;
When one has a heartache, we all share the tears,
And rejoice in each victory in this family so dear."

Chorus
I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God.
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,
The Family of God."1

No matter what, let's each one of us purpose to keep the Christ in Christmas; to keep each other in prayer; to remember that all is not well for some of our brothers and sisters and one of them may need us to be "Jesus with skin" for them. In other words, they may need us to be FAMILY.
More than anything else, let's remember to praise God!!

"My soul, praise the Lord, and all that is within me, praise His holy name. My soul, praise the Lord, and do not forget all His benefits. He forgives all your sin; He heals all your diseases. He redeems your life from the Pit; He crowns you with faithful love and compassion. He satisfies you with goodness; your youth is renewed like the eagle. The Lord executes acts of righteousness and justice for all the oppressed. He revealed His ways to Moses, His deeds to the people of Israel. The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and full of faithful love." ~~Psalm 103:1-82

Stephanie
Stephanie Paul, wife and mother of two grown children. An "instrument of change" in the Redeemer's Hand, in the lives of wounded and hurting women. Currently serving as a part of the Addiction Recovery Team at America's Keswick as Woman of Character Program Administrator.


DIGGING DEEPER
John 1
14And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.



1 http://my.homewithgod.com/heavenlymidis2/family.html
2 http://www.biblestudytools.com/csb/psalms/103.html