Uplook - December 13, 2025

Dear Saints,

Last week I wrote about birthdays and this week I am reminded of anniversaries.   I was born on December 7 and in American history that date is the anniversary of one of the most terrible attacks thrust upon our country (before 9/11).   We used to joke when I was growing up about bad things happening on that day.   I was reminded by an older sister recently that her brother was born on that date and turned 18 in 1941, the same date of the tragedy.  I have recently learned that another of our beloved younger saints shares my birthday and so I am reminded that good things also happen on that date.    

Lori and I also celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary this week.  Now that is a good way to celebrate a date, I think.  We were in college when we married, serving the Lord, and very much in love so when I figured out, we could afford to marry (barely I now realize),  I proposed and she said yes.  Unknown to her was the consecration I had made to the Lord that without her parents and our pastor's blessing we would wait.  Thank the Lord they all gave their blessing and the rest is history.    We bought our first Christmas tree ornament on our honeymoon and have over the years purchased another ornament each year during our travels.  This year is the 50th ornament and they now fill our entire tree.   We are indeed blessed.  

I write about this anniversary because I was reminded of another this morning when I read the Apostolic Faith HQ daily devotional.  I wrote it a number of years ago on a text from Mark 10 which is Jesus quoting the Genesis account of the creation of marriage.   The slice of life I chose to share was a very personal story about the love of my own mother and father through the years and the example of love and commitment they showed.  I would encourage you to read or listen to it if you have time.  

We are thankful for the goodness of God all year long but for us...this time of year we're especially thankful that the Lord has given us a loving and lasting marriage by His grace.  We are so appreciative of those who have invested in us through the years and desire to return that same to others in the days ahead.  

God bless,

BB

Rev. William E. McKibben
Senior Pastor