Friday, December 25, 2009



4 Kids

It is Christmas! I am in Iowa with my daughter Sarah, her husband Tim, Asher and little baby Eva. I put a picture of them up above for you to see. We didn't have church today because of the snow storm. We did watch a puppet chapel video and played in the snow. I took this picture of a Christmas tree out in a field. I thought you would like it. I pray that you have had a very nice Christmas and that you remember all that Jesus did when He came to earth.

4 Others

It is still snowing. The wind is blowing. The snow if drifting. My son-in-law Tim just came in from shoveling again. We thanks God for a warm house, hot turkey dinner, and family to spend Christmas with. When flying here, I talked to a young soldier who was going home to spend Christmas with family before shipping out overseas. I have been praying for him. At this time when we are so blessed, remember to pray for those that are suffering or serving that we might live in freedom. God bless you this Christmas and give you wisdom when sharing that blessing.

Monday, December 21, 2009

I love the snow!




4 Kids

I love the snow. When I was a kid, we used to dig tunnels in the snow, build snow forts, and go sledding. We just had a big snow storm. Allot of adults got all upset about it. The streets were hard to drive on and the whole city slowed down. I liked it. The Bible says, "Though your sins be as scarlet, they will be whiter than snow. Every time it snows, I am reminded of the great sacrifice Jesus made so that we could be saved from sin. Have a great Christmas and if it is white, thank God.

4 Others

We did Christmas on Saturday with Aaron and Tim and their wives and kids because Darlene and I are going to spend Christmas with our daughter Sarah and her family. We had a record setting snow storm here on Saturday. 23 inches in Philly. I think we only had about fifteen to twenty inches in my neighborhood. The wind was supposed to come in and drift it, but we escaped that. I loved the snow. The neighborhood looked like God threw glitter on it. I got to serve my neighbors by snow blowing the ends of their driveways. What a blast! I am doing final packing for our trip. Got to go. Have a blessed Christmas. Did I mention that I love the snow?

Friday, December 18, 2009

The Shoes


4 Kids

Hi! First, I want to wish you a very merry Christmas. Kids call me PG. That stands for Pastor Gruber. When I was a children's pastor in Minnesota, two girls started calling me PG as a joke. Others picked it up and I have been called that ever since. I wear red Chuck Taylor high tops everywhere I go. I do have other colors that I wear, but most people know me for the red ones.
My office is even decorated with high tops. I am pretty sure someone will get me a new pair for Christmas.

So now you know, I am PG and I wear red shoes. These are both ways you can identify me. Another way is that I love Jesus and live for Him. I trust that at this Christmas time, you will be identified as a believer in Jesus. Sure, people identify you by your name or the kind of shoes you wear, but wouldn't it be nice if they also knew you were a Christian? Show that you love Jesus by serving others, obeying your parents, and playing nice. Some kids only do those kinds of things in order to get better presents on Christmas day. I know that you can live right just because you love Jesus.

4 Others

This year, at our faculty Christmas dinner, our college president and his dear wife gave everybody a high top Christmas ornament. (Each year they give us an ornament representing a place they have visited or something special that has happened at the school that year.) The high top was to remind everybody that our first Master's degree was awarded this year. Why the high top? Because I was the student that earned that degree. How cool is that? We all have a cute little high top as a memorial to this achievement. I am blessed.

The ornaments given each year have become a tradition among our faculty and staff. Christmas is a time when families, churches, and businesses practice a variety of traditions. Everything from sleigh rides to bonuses to acting out the Christmas story before opening presents is represented in these traditions. Before you get wrapped up in the tinsel of the day, stop and think about your traditions. Perhaps this is a good year to start a new one. Or maybe you should just reinforce the value of the long-standing ones. God bless you and your family this Christmas.

A shout out to Miss Maggie who is home from Africa for Christmas. God bless.

PG

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Ah, Christmas

Our Daughter Sarah and Eva Marie

4 Kids and Others

Ah, Christmas. It is a time of excitement that far outweighs any other time of year. As the day approaches the excitement builds. For most it is simply excitement about giving and receiving gifts. There is much more to Christmas than that. Christmas is the celebration of God's great love for us. He loved you so much that He sent His one and only Son to this earth.

The Baby Jesus grew and lived just like you. He was tempted to do wrong, but never did. One day about 33 years after He was born, Jesus died on a cross for all of our sin. He was rich but became poor so that we also might be rich. I once heard somebody say, "Jesus came to this place, to take our place, so that we could go to His place."

Some would say that there are just 16 more shopping days until Christmas. I would say that you can celebrate Christmas every day. Jesus can be your Savior and friend. When you open presents this Christmas, think about opening the greatest gift of all. The Bible says that this gift is eternal life in Jesus Christ our Lord. You open this by admitting you have done wrong, asking God to forgive you, and accepting Jesus as your Savior and Friend. Believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.

I am also excited about visiting my children and grandchildren via Skype and in person. Sarah and her Husband, Tim just had a baby girl. Her name is Eva Marie and she is a beauty.

Merry Christmas.