 A Blessed Little Christmas
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Joy and I were so blessed to attend a Christmas banquet for staff, volunteers, supporters, and graduates of the Haven of Rest mission. The highlight was when the men stood as trophies of God's grace and sang Silent Night. It wasn't a polished group singing, but I know the Lord loved it! And I believe a host (millions) of angels sang along with them from heaven for the glory of Christ!
A MERRY LITTLE CHRISTMAS
While we were at the banquet, we became aware of a most fascinating background of the song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas. It was written by 26-year old Hugh Martin for Judy Garland in 1944 to sing in the movie Meet Me in St. Louis. However, the movie folks asked Hugh Martin to change the line "as the Lord allows." So, he changed it to "as the fates allow."
A VERY BIG TRANSFORMATION
Hugh Martin's songs for that movie brought him much fame...and also much emotional and physical pain over the next several years. Ultimately, his pain led Him to the cross where He received Christ for healing and salvation...not as the fates allowed but just as the Lord allowed!
A BLESSED LITTLE CHRISTMAS
As a Christian, God put a new song in Hugh Martin's heart (Psalm 40:3). Sixty years after Hugh Martin as a non-Christian wrote Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas, as a Christian (and 86 years old) he wrote another version of this song he entitled Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas.
Following is a link to Joni Eareckson Tada's tremendously uplifting radio interview with Hugh Martin in 2008 when Hugh was 91 years old (Hugh died 3 years later). Joni sings Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas (lyrics to follow) as Hugh plays the piano.
And if you want to be even more mightily blessed, the following link is a tremendously uplifting video interview between Joni and Hugh, including both of their testimonies. Absolutely beautiful!
Lyrics to Have Yourself a Blessed Little Christmas:
Christmas future is far away,
Christmas past is past.
Christmas present is here to stay
with a joy that will last.
Have yourself a blessed little Christmas,
Christ the King is born.
Let your voices ring upon this happy morn.
Have yourself a blessed little Christmas,
serenade the earth.
Tell the world we celebrate the Savior's birth.
Let us gather to sing to Him,
and to bring to Him our praise.
Son of God and a Friend to all
to the end of all our days.
Let us all proclaim the joyous tidings,
voices raised on high.
Send this carol soaring up into the sky!
This very merry, blessed Christmas lullaby.
Sing hosannas, hymns & hallelujahs, as to Him we bow.
Make the music mighty as the heav'ns allow.
And have yourself a blessed little Christmas now.
I made a Christmas card in the PS section for you. I was so captivated by the nativity scene in the picture that I received from another ministry this week, so I used it to make this card.
May you and your family indeed have blessed Christ-mas!
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PS
FOR UNTO US A CHILD IS BORN,
UNTO US A SON IS GIVEN.
(ISAIAH 9:6a)
Although there was no snow or lights at our Lord's birth,
this card symbolizes the warmth and light of His life.
Jesus said, "I am the Light of the world.
He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness."
(John 8:12)
Although He did not literally glow at His birth,
this card testifies that He is indeed the glory of God!
The Son is the brightness of God's glory
and the express image of His person.
(Hebrews 1:3)
Although there wasn't a church behind the stable,
this card shows a cross for which He was born to die upon.
When Christ came into the world, He said to the Father,
"A body You have prepared for Me...
to offer one sacrifice for sins forever."
(Hebrews 10:5, 6, 12)
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About 
Discipleship through
Counseling
Teaching
Training
Gregg Gibbons
Pastoral Director
Michael Chalmers
Training Director
Kellie Boggs
Fellowship Director
Joy Gibbons
Ministry Assistant and women's ministry coordinator
Carole Blyth
Board member and women's ministry coordinator
Randy Garrick
Board member and Elder Holly Ridge Baptist Church
Paul Crews
Board member and Pastor Mountain Creek Baptist Church
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Partnership
I believe with all my heart that ministry is through relationships.
I thank my God upon every remembrance of you for your partnership in the gospel (Philippians 1:3, 5).
 
YouTube link below of my ministry commissioning service that included testimonies from several partners, including Bobby Richardson, former 2nd baseman for the NY Yankees.
Please contact me to learn more about partnering with me. I'd love to hear from you!
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On September 19,
Lifetime Ministries published
the following Rest Stop article:
Ministry News
Gregg is mentoring teenagers, men, and couples in an office donated by Holly Ridge Baptist Church in Simpsonville SC.
Michael is mentoring men and couples in offices donated by Mountain Creek Baptist Church, Pendleton Street Baptist Church, and Earle Street Baptist Church in Greenville SC.
Gregg will be teaching Romans 5-8 January 24-26, 2013. This is open to the public and is the first step for applying for Advanced Discipleship Training starting March 2013. Clink link below:
Gregg teaches freedom from anger through Christ at The Haven of Rest rescue mission in Anderson, SC Mondays 6:00-6:45 pm. You are welcome to attend with Gregg anytime!
Gregg will be speaking at the Bar None Cowboy Church in historical Owings SC Thursday, January 3 at 7 pm. This is a new church to reach people who manage 3,700 horses in Laurens County SC.
Carole and Joy are preparing to lead discipleship Bible studies Jan 23 through March 20, 2013 for 7 female employees at an industrial plant.
Journey in Christ is partnering with Hunts Memorial Baptist Church of Greenville SC to teach at a women's retreat Saturday, April 20, 2013.
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Archives
Link for Rest Stops
since August 2010:
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Contact Info
JOURNEY IN CHRIST, INC.
655 Fairview Road
Suite H-188
Simpsonville SC 29680
(864) 483-3201 (Gregg cell)
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