'Tis the Christmas season and time to reflect upon God's grace in your own life.  Mine has been good.

On December 5th I underwent a second back surgery.  You can read about this in the Pain topic of this blog and also about my prayer requests in the About Jude Ministries section of this website.  I have fought back and leg pain for several years and had surgery in January 2003.  That procedure fixed most of my original problems but left me with new pains that ultimately caused me to stop working.

God eventually led me to a back surgeon who performed this second operation.  We are not yet three weeks post-op but have considerable optimism that the surgery will be of major benefit to my pain management.  However, as I reflect on a year of mostly laying around the house in pain and on strong pain medications, God's grace remains strong.

I was able to teach until October, so my passion of ministry has been fulfilled.  For that hour or two or three on Tuesdays and Sundays, God took my pain away and allowed me to serve His kingdom

In the midst of back pain, God gentlely guided me to a heart specialist who immediately sent me to the hospital for what turned out to be three heart stints.  This without any great advance pain and trauma.  Again, God at work.

My wife and daughter have been wonderful in helping to take care of me.  My daughter decided, almost at the last minute, to take two of her high school courses in summer school allowing her to graduate a year early.  She is now in junior college and has a 4.0 average at the end of the first semester.  This with a full load and working part time at a Christian book store.

My wife continues to lead the women's ministry at our church and to support the family. God has blessed her law practice so that we can eat.

The rest of the family remains well, as do most of our friends families.  There has been a great outpouring of love and support from our church family following my surgery.

Yes, life is good in the arms of God.  I pray your year has been equally exciting in God's grace and that we all have a blessed 2006.

Jim A