Oh, say, can you see by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
Through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming;
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave,
O’er the land of the free – and the home of the brave?

Clockwise: James Morton, Paul Friedman, Jonathan Jeffrey, Charles R. Grisham, James Morton, Jr., Frances Grisham

Over Friday and Saturday, (May 29 & 30,) the brothers from New Life traveled to Nashville for a visit with Bro. & Sis. Grisham. It was a time of blessing and encouragement for all. Click on links - 09Jn_Pg6 & 09Jn_Pg7 – to read excerpts from the June issue of The Apostolic Writers’ Digest containing reports from each of the brothers!

Announcing…

We’ve added

a new page!

The Lord Jesus has been answering prayer in a marvelous way and we’re celebrating… we want to give Him all the glory! As testimonies of good things come our way, we will publish them on their own special page, located on the right sidebar, just under the section titled, Prayer Requests. Please click on “Praise Reports & Testimonies“ to read the latest entries…

“That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving,
and tell of Thy wondrous works.”
(Psalm 26:7)

“…a good report
makes the bones healthy.”
(Proverbs 15:30b)

Let Your

Light

Shine

in 2009!

    “Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

(Matt. 5:14-16)   

By Pastor Ken Foreman

Christmas is truly the most wonderful time of the year. It is a time of singing carols, spending time with loved ones, enjoying good food, and giving and receiving gifts. During the holiday season, we will occasionally see the politically correct version of the word Christmas re-spelled as X-mas; with an “X” where the name Christ should be, in order not to offend a small percentage of people.

The other day my wife, Pauline, received the responsibility of planning and preparing the Christmas dinner for her co-workers. This also included the purchase of a cake for dessert. When she saw the display of cakes in the store, the choices were cakes with the words, Merry Christmas, or Merry X-mas written on them. Pauline said that it crossed her mind that getting the cake with Merry Christmas on it may cause some to become offended, but she said they should not have sent a Christian to do the Christmas shopping. So she purchased the one that said, Merry Christmas and thought, “If anyone says anything negative, I’ll eat the part that reads Merry Christmas.” During the office party, to her pleasure, she didn’t notice anyone complaining and the cake was wonderfully enjoyed. Pauline took it upon herself not to follow the so-called path of political correctness, but to follow what she believed to be right. The Name, Christ, is too wonderful to be replaced with an X, no matter whether applied to a cake, a billboard, or in our heart. 

During this Christmas season we want to make sure that we keep Christ in Christmas. It would be very awkward to celebrate a loved one’s birthday by going out of town instead of spending time with him or her, or decorating our home with ornaments that spell out the loved one’s name but not inviting them to the party. Keeping Christ in Christmas is a powerful reminder of what He has done for us and where He has brought us from. There are many this holiday season that are without money, decent clothes, food, etc. Christmas is an opportunity to be reminded; let us spend some of our time, energy, money and love in order to brighten someone else’s day and life. Christmas is giving to someone who doesn’t have the funds or ability to return the generosity. Jesus said, “Verily I say unto you, in as much as ye have done it unto the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” (Matthew 25:40)

He is the reason for the season. Without Christ there can be no true Christmas. During this Holiday Season, let the Spirit of Christ shine through you and people will see that Christ is very much still in Christmas.

The Grisham’s have taken a post office box – their updated address follows…

Rev. & Mrs. Charles R. Grisham
P.O. Box 605
Ashland City, TN 37015

Bro. Grisham is Home!

After pressing through strenuous physical therapy and making good progress, Bro. Grisham was released from Hillside Center on Wednesday, August 13th. You can imagine his joy as his son, Mark and son-in-law, Ron did the honors and wheeled him right out the door!

Our hearts full of thanksgiving as we celebrate the goodness and mercy of the Lord and His kindness to our beloved Bishop, the Grisham family, and to us. With the determination and positive attitude Bro. Grisham has shown and with the strength of the Lord Jesus, we can, with faith and confidence, look for even greater things to come!

Please know that the notes, cards and letters you have sent have played an important part in bringing cheer and comfort and blessing the Bishop and Sister Grisham. Every one is appreciated and brings it’s own unique way of brightening each day.