With the new year swiftly approaching, what going to happen next? No one knows the future, but God. People go through all kinds of gyrations to prove that there isn’t a God. But the truth is that not only is He real, but intervenes in the affairs of man. As far as the future is concerned, God only guarantees now. We have no guarantee that we will live beyond today. We hope we will. But that isn’t a guarantee. This is where God comes into play. We all know that we are going to die. That’s a fact. Now we can choose where we will go after we die. That’s our choose in life. But once you are dead, it’s all but the crying. God has a plan for each of us. This plan is how to get home to heaven. You see, this isn’t our home. We are just strangers in a foreign land. The promised land is heaven, not earth. You can choose whatever plan you want. This plan you choose will lead you to either of 2 places, heaven or hell. Whatever way you choose, know that you are only guaranteed today. So what is going to happen next, I leave that up to God and His wisdom.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Joseph and Mary decided to stay in Bethlehem after Jesus was born. They began their life again. Joseph was a skilled carpenter. His services were needed everywhere. God came to Joseph in a dream and told him to flee to Egypt. King Herod wanted to kill Jesus. When Joseph woke up, he pack up everything and left for Egypt with his family. They lived there until another angel told him it was safe to go home. When they returned Herod’s son was ruling in Jerusalem. Joseph and Mary decided to return to Nazareth. To fulfill the scripture that says, He will be called a Nazarene. God orchestrated everything. His plan for Jesus was no difference than the one for your life. Because Jesus is our example. When you think all hell has broken loose, God’s plan is working. Open your eyes and see the hand of God working in your life.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What Christmas is really about.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Every family has their own style of Christmas. Usually it’s our parents that make the decision on what Christmas is all about. Our grandparents also influence the type of Christmas we celebrate. But the head of the family is our parents and they make the finally decision. It was not different with God. God being our Father and also in charge of the universe, makes the finally decisions about our lives here on earth. God didn’t make the celebration of the day Christmas. Man made that decision. But God decided to sent His son Jesus to earth to redeem us. With that decision, Man wanted to celebrate the birth of Jesus. Our family, grandmother, parents, aunts and uncle and all my cousins would gather at our home for food and presents. When we were young, we were 8 boy cousins and no girls. It was a lot of football, basketball and baseball. When we got older and our grandmother and our parents went on, our traditions changed. My cousins are spread out over this country. It hard to get together for the holidays. But the traditions are still there, celebrating the family, especially Jesus and our family. God spoke to me and told me that He couldn’t wait for me to get home. I want to go home not just for the holidays, but forever. So, celebrate the Christmas holidays knowing the God is except you home to celebrate with Him.

Joyeux Noel et bonne annee.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

What is the Joy of Christmas? I can remember when I was young, waiting for Christmas day to arrive. The anticipation of receiving gifts from Santa Claus. I know that my parents enjoyed blessing us with gifts. We were 4 boys and my parents had a limited budget. But amazing gifts always showed up. At the age of 9, I wanted to test the idea of Santa Clause. So, I asked for something without telling anyone. And of course, it didn’t show up. It shook my faith and trust in people. It took a long time before I trusted again. This revelation also took the joy out of Christmas. Many people think that learning the truth about Santa Clause is a right of passage for children. But it really shakes the faith and the ability to trust people. Our focus should be on Jesus and the gifts that God brings to us. When we believe in Jesus, he won’t let us down. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. It is because the joy of the Lord is our strength. We say that the reason for the season is Jesus, but we go around with our heads hung down and cussing. We spend to much money on nothing and hope that it will bring us joy. Having faith and trusting in someone is where Christmas should lead us. Jesus paid a price for us that we couldn’t pay. This gift is freely giving to us. And if we accept this gift from God, we will forever be transformed into the image and likeness of God. This gift is what we need to be excited about. Things are nice, but they don’t last. It is like happiness. It comes and goes. But the Joy that God gives will last forever. This is the true joy of Christmas.

May God bless and keep you in this Christmas season. And that Jesus will prosper you in the coming year.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Nehemiah and the Israelites had returned to the land of promise. He gathered all the people and had Ezra to read the Bible. He read from early in the morning until noon. The people began to wept. They hadn’t heard the word of God for years. The people were so upset that Nehemiah and the Levites had to try to calm them down. Nehemiah stopped the reading at noon. He told the people that the joy of the Lord is our strength. The Israelites had just come out of captivity. God had set them free, but they knew they had cause the captivity in first place. The people had repented of their sins when they heard the word of God. The word of God leads us to repentance. As it is read, we see the truth of God, how much He loves us and wants us to come home. For whatever reason you celebrate Christmas, if you turn your focus on Jesus you will see the real reason for the season. It isn’t that He was born. The real reason is that God loves us and is moving heaven and earth to get us home. Make your Christmas about Jesus, so your family and friends can see the truth of God. They may cry at first, but the joy comes in the morning. It is because the joy of the Lord is our strength. The word Christmas means having communion with Christ. Have a blessed communion with Christ and a prosperous New Year.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

I am listening to Christmas music and memories are flooding in my mind. I sang in the choir both elementary and high school, Music has been an important of my life. God is the person who invented music for worship and praise. When angels sing it’s such heavenly music. But the best song is reserved for the saints. It is the song of the redeemed. It is so sweet and beautiful that the angels stop and listen. As I was growing up, our family would always gather for Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter. But Christmas was so special. Usually it was at our home. When I was young, it was my grandmother, grand aunts, aunts and uncles and all my cousins and us. There was always room. The kids played outside, the women were in the kitchen and the men were in the front room. We all sat down to eat together. Afterwards we would open presents. Those memories are like they happened yesterday. I miss my parents, my grandmother and all the family that has gone on. My brothers and my cousins are scattered across the country. We don’t get together often. But I have my memories. I have tried to teach my children the value of family. I tried to make as many memories as I can for them. As you grow older, things change. Nothing remains the same. Except for one thing. Jesus is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. I want to encourage you to make as many memories for your family as you can. These memories will last for a lifetime. Merry Christmas and have a blessed New Year.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1627@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

Christmas season is upon us. Although it has changed due to Covid-19. This year has been life altering for most people. Sometimes change is hard. And with change comes the blues. There is such a disconnection between people with the social distancing and masks. With masks, people don’t know or see who you are. I see fear in people all the time. I tell people hello and some answer back. I tell people Merry Christmas and it is like I’m from another planet. Christmas is about family and friends, connecting or reconnecting to establish our relationship. But it is now about overcoming fear. Fear is unbelief and doubt. The devil is trying hard to discourage Christians from reaching out with the gospel. Unfortunately, it is working. Our life isn’t about food, shelter or clothing. As a Christian we were called to a higher purpose. Jesus gave us the example on how to live. The religious leaders of the day wanted to kill Jesus. And Jesus was stalked everyday. Yet you don’t find Jesus crying about it. He went about doing good and healing everyone that came to Him. Our path is clear. The road home is before us. Now if you walk down that road, you are going to receive opposition or persecution. Jesus said if the world hated Him, how much more will they hate you. So, what are you going to do? How do we overcome mountains? It is simple. We use our faith to navigate this world. Jesus always said it going to be simple to follow Him. He never said it was easy. Christmas season is a time for us to rejoice. Be joyful with your family and friends. Let them see Jesus in you. Then they will know that God is alive and real. And we fulfill our part of the gospel. I pray that your Christmas season is blessed and fruitful. Amen.

With the changing times, I added a donation button to the Menu at the top of the page. Thank you for your support. Crain.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It all started with hope. I wanted to believe in something that was worthwhile. As I came to believe in Jesus, I saw all the wonderful things that God had to offer. Christians have supported me and encouraged me to go on. But now I have to walk this walk and it seems that I am walking alone. I know that the bible tells me that I will never be alone, because Jesus is always there. But I don’t seem to feel His presence all the time. And it’s scary sometimes. As I begin to walk and do the things that God wants me to, it’s just me. I would feel much better if it were a bunch of people walking with me. This happens once in while and I love it. To have a group of people that are in one mind and one accord. We seem to accomplish many things for God. But I am by myself most of the time. I know that the bible says that I must work out my salvation with fear and trembling. This means that no one else can do this for me. I have to walk this walk with Jesus and endure to the end. I am a social being and want company. But I am responsible to God for myself. After Jesus ascended into heaven, each of the disciples knew that they were going to be die the same way as Jesus. They didn’t stop preaching the gospel to the world. All but the apostle John were crucified. The courage to walk this Christian walk comes from our belief in Jesus. Most people don’t understand that Jesus didn’t want to die on the cross. He wanted to stay with us on earth. But as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane, He submitted His will to God’s. For all practical purposes Jesus died in the garden of Gethsemane. This is why the bible says that He went to the cross with joy. We each have a plan and purpose from God. And only I can fulfill that plan and accomplish God’s will in my life. So this is where I go from here.

With the changing times, I added a donation button to the Menu at the top of the page. Thank you for your support. Crain.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com

It’s the middle of the night and you can’t sleep. Every thought about what is real or not comes to you and you wonder if you made the right decision. You have believed on the Jesus, but doubt has come and you wonder. Hope is where you started and you really want this to work in your life. You have read the bible and see the miracles, but now you have to stand. This is where the rubber meets the road. Either it’s true or it isn’t. Somethings have gone wrong and you are wondering. This isn’t unusual. Everyone will be tested to see if they believe. This isn’t a game that you play and walk away. You will always face doubt and unbelief. The apostle Peter talked about these trials we face. He called them fiery trial. The stronger we are in the Lord, the most the devil will fight us. It doesn’t mean that he will win. But it does mean that we have to stand against principalities and powers and spiritual wickedness in high places. As we begin to worship God in His holiness, we enter into His courts. The closer we get to God the further the world seems to be. And the closer we get to the presence of God. And in His presence there is peace and joy and love. All the things that you come to the Lord Jesus for in the first place. Do you understand that God is our Father and Jesus is our older brother? Though they are God, this is our family and heaven is our home. And our Father wants us to come home and be with Him in heaven. So until that time happens, we can visit home and our Father though praise and worship and have a relationship with our Father, God, and our older brother, Jesus. And where God is, there is no doubt or unbelief. And this is what I believe.

With the changing times, I added a donation button to the Menu at the top of the page. Thank you for your support. Crain.

Crain Blanchard.

Joseph1637@juno.com

Joseph1637.com