“It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas, everywhere I go!” ...and I am trying to make it look like it here at our house. That is my goal for this week: get the tree up, the mailbox done, the lights up, etc. We drove through Madison the other night and it is beautiful with all the Christmas lights outlining the buildings, the big tree on the post office square, and the greenery and lights on the light poles. Madison is a gorgeous town on its own, but the Christmas lights make it even more so.  

Some things that have happened these last few weeks have brought up a lot of memories for me. My daughter, Jennifer, has been babysitting for her cousin, Brooke Pittman's little girl, Gracie, who is 3. She has brought her over to our house a few times to give everyone a change of scenery and to play with our little Maggie who is two, so Gracie and I have really gotten acquainted lately. She is my Uncle Lloyd Pittman's great-granddaughter and Ray Pittman's granddaughter. Her grandmother is Linda Pittman, who I graduated from high school with, so there is a lot of history there. Gracie is a sweet, little girl and is, as they say, "the spitting image of her Mama."

Seeing Gracie, I couldn't help but think about her aunt and her great-grandmother, who she has never even known and that they aren't having the opportunity to watch her grow up. Her great-grandmother was my Aunt Catherine, who was my mother's sister, and her daughter, Mary Elizabeth, was just two years older than I. Mary Elizabeth and I spent many a night together when we were growing up, as cousins do. We were together a lot.

Sunday morning the church was full. It is always good to see it this way. We did have some visitors, we hope they could sense God’s presence and received a blessing by coming today. We welcome each one to come be with us again. Our doors are always open.

After the open prayer the choir sang, “Jesus, Oh What a Wonderful Child.” Christmas carols were sung by the congregation; special music, “Silent Night,” was song by Denny Pickett, Esther Atkinson, Bonita Crew and Pastor Ron. They chose to sing this without music. Another special was, “O Holy Night,” by Bonita Crew. Bro. Ron’s message, “Preparation For Christ Coming.” Many Old Testament scriptures prepares people for His coming. Some are Gen. 3:15, Isa. 7: 14, 9: 6. God’s son, Jesus, is the greatest gift anyone can receive. When they accept His free gift of salvation.

On Sunday night at 6 p.m. I attended the children’s musical, “The Best Christmas Present Ever” at Centennial Baptist Church. It was a very meaningful program and all the children did their very best. They learned the best present ever was Jesus.
The beautiful poinsettias in the sanctuary at Brownwood were placed in memory of the Blackstock Family by Mary Ann and Lamar Hawkins.

On Sunday afternoon Brownwood ministered to the residents of Nursecare with singing and visitation. Those going were Denny and Patsy Pickett, Betty Mullins, Ronald Atkinson, James Harold Smith, Esther Atkinson, Toy and Barbara Sims, Kittie Mayfield, Lovie McGiboney, Leslie Stephens, Jennifer Combs and Damion Roduquez.

Greetings December 6 Sunday afternoon. Old man winter and Jack Frost snuck in last night.

Christmas is around the bend and everyone seems to be having trouble keeping up with the time and activities connected to it.

It was a busy place down at the center making paper garlands and stringing popcorn that was used to fit in with the old-fashioned theme that decorated the Christmas tree on our float. Diane Malcom placed her mother’s old iron cook stove and an iron heater on it, a fire was made in the stove briefly for some smoke. We won the best in theme banner. All of us riding on the float were happy as kids, waving and wishing everyone a Merry Christmas. The credit for our winning goes to Diane in her tireless efforts. We may have gray hair but we sure can have fun at the Center, not getting depressed in four walls at home. We had a good time on the float.

December 21 will be the first day of winter and I believe it is already creeping up on us. It has been downright chilly and I am ready for these cold winter months. We’ll see. We had several out sick or traveling on Sunday. Attendance might have been down a little but we could still feel the Spirit. Our youth sang one of the favorites, “Jesus, Messiah.” That is what our minds are focusing on as we go on into December and the Christmas season. Lou then gathered the youth around the piano as he so often does and did a stirring heart song, one that everyone knows, “I’ll Fly Away.” Even though Lou is no longer our pastor he still takes a lot of time with his beloved youth. Thank you Lou from each individual.

What is the definition of “humble”? To become meek, not proud, not important, lower yourselves to name a few. The Bible leaves no doubt as to how to be humble. Derek took his message from 1 Peter 5: 6-7, and he taught, don’t try to humble the other person so that you can feel good.  Don’t make that person that we call “friend” look bad in others’ eyes. It is embarrassing and that is not a good feeling. Act Christ-like, try to lift up. When you need Him He’ll be there to lift – not push down. It’s all done through the work of the Holy Spirit. Humble yourself not someone else. God may have to do it for you; if He does it’s hard and tough. On Sunday mornings our day begins at 9 a.m. with the youth and their special devotional time. At 9:45 we have devotional time for the adults, then Sunday school at 10 a.m. and worship service at 11 a.m. Sunday nights our AWANA group and the youth study begins at 6 p.m. with a meal.

Wednesday nights we are studying in the book of Revelation so much is being opened to us that we did not understand. If you need a place to worship come be with us at 7 p.m.

Today the weather is really cold and cloudy and it seems as if the Lord might send us a surprise, whatever I accept what He sends our way because it is all in His hands. Praise God! I hope each of you had a blessed Thanksgiving with families and friends.

Today, Sunday I can’t begin to tell you what anointed was in God’s house this morning, when I walked in to Sunday school I could feel the spirit of the Lord in the place. Souls are being saved, lamed are beginning to walk, those that were wheel chair bound and on walkers only God can do such miracle through Pastor T. It was something to see on Sunday. If you weren’t there you missed your blessing.

Our pastor’s text came from the book of Genesis 1: 1-3, Text: “The Spirit of God induce labor so the Word can produce life.” In order for the spirit of God to induce you have to be under the anointed of the Holy Ghost. To understand your anointed Jesus Christ is the anointed one and you must be obedience to His word. Praise the Lord.  We all have a gift God called us to do. But if you refuse to praise God the things that lay in you goes dormant but if you let loose and start praising the Lord that dormant will break and come to life. Thank you Lord. I am going to praise the Lord wherever I go because He’s been too good to me not to give Him the praise. I just can’t tell it all I could go on and on about this morning’s message. Pastor T continue to preach and teach God’s word to the people. If you are in a church where the anointed is stay there and keep praising God until you get your break through. You’ll never be the same again, believe me.

Buckhead news is incomplete this week. Betty Moore was in the hospital the first part of this week.
Buckhead Baptist Church will present the Christmas Musical, “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” Saturday, Dec. 12 and Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. each night. The church is located at 1061 Parks Mill Road, Buckhead, and the phone number is  (706) 342-1823.