The thief had nails through both hands, so that he could not work; and a nail through each foot, so that he could not run errands for the Lord; he could not lift a hand or a foot toward his salvation, and yet Christ offered him the gift of God; and he took it. Christ threw him a passport, and took him into Paradise. 

~ Day by Day with D. L. Moody , Moody Press, 1977.

Mikki and I should be headed toward home from Denver, CO by the time you get this email. We have been on our annual "Life Coaching" get away with Restoring the Soul Ministries. We made a commitment to do this annually as long as we could. We have discovered that it is extremely healthy to have a focused time just to process life in this way. A "tune-up" if you will. A time and place to reflect, ask tough questions, and experience more transformation and change. All of us need intentional times to do deeper work on our own hearts and souls. We are grateful to God and all of you for making this possible.

The ARK will be having Jonathan Welton this Sunday in their service. So for those of you who want a double blessing, you can remain over after our service and join with them as Jonathan teaches. He is a gifted and prophetic young man with a heart for God. Stan Tyra and Jonathan Welton in the same day. Wow!

We are happy to announce to you that the remainder of the "coins of change" you gave back in August has been sown into orphaned children in Russia to buy Christmas gifts. You were able to be a blessing to these children and share God's love with them. So, as they hear the Christmas story of God's gift of His Son, they will experience His love through the gifts you have given as well. Thank you for the hundreds of dollars your gave through the coins.

Jessica Clayton, a member of The Ark, is beginning a Wrapped in Love ministry. She will head up a small group to make easy 2-step blankets. She will teach a class at Grace House/The Ark on how to make these easy projects. Some of the blankets will be given to a new shelter in Sheffield called Heavenly Grace. The Huntsville police have also asked for us to donate for their domestic violence cases and rape victims that they often find unclothed. We will be a part of providing blankets for them to offer these women as cover when they go into these situations. Jessica said that we could help in three ways: monetary gifts, hands on making of the blankets, and actual donations of the fleece material for the blankets. If you'd like to be a part of this ministry, let me know or let Jessica know. 

We have an excited married couples class that meets each Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. in the Grace House Children's Center. Bryan and Melissa Gregg lead this group and there is rich fellowship, an interactive style of Bible study, and an atmosphere of love and acceptance. If you are a 20 to early 40 something couple, jump on board and see your marriage enriched!

We are so excited about "Rooted" which is our ministry to preteens led by Allison Fisher. They are currently working on a human video which they will be sharing in one of our services soon. Each Wednesday they meet to study the Bible together and learn how to live a life rooted in Christ during this important transitional time in their lives. Our preteens are awesome.  All preteens are invited to attend this weekly gathering to build relationship with Christ and one another.

Our service schedule will remain the same on Sundays, but we will not be meeting on the following two Wednesday nights.

We will be joining with The ARK during the entire month of January for a time of focused worship and prayer. Each day in January from 3 p.m. until 3 a.m. there will be worship and prayer going on in the worship center at Grace House. The ARK has hosted this the last few years for the month of January and it has always been a great time of seeing the body come together seeking God's heart. Everyone is invited to come and go as you please. There will be people scheduled to be present in these times as well. So there will be 12 hours of prayer each day of the entire month.