Hello There, 

NO PERSON REGARDS THE BEGINNING OF A NEW YEAR WITH INDIFFERENCE.

Leila N. (Mrs C.H.)Morris wrote words and music to over 1,000 hymns and 
gospel songs.
The themes of heart purity and world evangelism are prominent. The closing 
fifteen years of her life she had failing eyesight. The use of a special 28 
foot blackboard with a permanent music staff inscribed allowed her to 
continue to compose.

SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY

OF JESUS' LOVE THAT SOUGHT ME, WHEN I WAS LOST IN SIN;
OF WONDROUS GRACE THAT BROUGHT ME BACK TO HIS FOLD AGAIN;
OF HEIGHTS AND DEPTHS OF MERCY, FAR DEEPER THAN THE SEA,
AND HIGHER THAN THE HEAVENS, MY THEME SHALL EVER BE.
Refrain: 
SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY, SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY,
RICHER, FULLER, DEEPER, JESUS' LOVE IS SWEETER,
SWEETER AS THE YEARS GO BY.

HE TROD IN OLD JUDEA LIFE'S PATHWAY LONG AGO;
THE PEOPLE THRONGED ABOUT HIM, HIS SAVING GRACE TO KNOW;
HE HEALED THE BROKEN HEARTED, AND CAUSED THE BLIND TO SEE;
AND STILL HIS GREAT HEART YEARNETH IN LOVE FOR EVEN ME.

'TWAS WONDROUS LOVE WHICH LED HIM FOR US TO SUFFER LOSS,
TO BEAR WITHOUT A MURMUR THE ANGUISH OF THE CROSS;
WITH SAINTS REDEEMED IN GLORY, LET US OUR VOICES RAISE,
TILL HEAV'N AND EARTH RE-ECHO WITH OUR REDEEMER'S PRAISE.

"Neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under 
heaven given among men; whereby we must be saved." Acts 4:12

LOOKING BACK-Is simple on this computer. I have learned that I can view and 
read each word that was sent last year. You can do so by going to the site 
maintained for us by Mike and Linda Knibbs of Massillon. Ohio. Lingering 
deaths, miraculous births, good sermon ideas, bad efforts at humor, worldwide 
reports of great victories, pleas for prayers where missions work is really 
hard, marvelous healings, tragic suicides--in short, we have run the gamut of 
emotions and concerns. Thank you for allowing me to visit you by this means 
each week. LOOKING AHEAD-Is much more difficult. We all have a rough outline 
drawn for 2003. James 4:13 begins a short section that is pertinent. The 
conclusion in verse 17 is an abrupt halt that snaps us to attention. 
"Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is 
sin." It simply is not enough to restrain from wrong; we must chart a course of profitability. 

NOTHING BUT LEAVES-I asked you to help me find words to a song last week. If 
I ever wonder about serious readers, just let me do things such as this. 
Conclusion is that it is probably based on Mark 11:13. I got copies of 
sermons by Spurgeon. I got sheet music from the Library of Congress.etc, 
etc. The point to Ron Krantz is-do whatever might be perceived as good. I 
have jokingly said to the inactive, "Do something, even if it is wrong." I 
might have missed the point there.

CHRISTMAS LETTERS-You know, those "brag" sheets (I'll get mail). I got some 
really great ones this year. I went back and read the ones over again that 
touched my "Scrooge" spirit. Common denominator was in those where a special 
segment was claimed for Christ. Building an orphanage in China with bare 
hands, short-term missions service as a family, digging foundation trenches 
for a new church in The Ukraine (they had a degree in engineering, so were 
qualified), went to camp with their teens (as dishwashers and cleanup crew), 
physically unable to go overseas, but financially able to send their pastor. 
I know that you can see a beautiful, common thread emerging.

RANDOM THOUGHTS-Is my specialty here in this letter. Let me show you:

THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN ARE OPEN, THE BLESSINGS ARE FALLING TONIGHT.
THERE'S JOY, WONDROUS JOY, SINCE JESUS SINCE JESUS MADE EVERYTHING RIGHT.
I GAVE HIM AN OLD TATTERED GARMENT, HE GAVE ME A ROBE PURE AND WHITE.
I'M FEASTING ON MANNA FROM HEAVEN AND THAT'S WHY I'M HAPPY TONIGHT! 

NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS?-Of course. It is of utmost importance to check my 
personal direction and intention. A Christmas Day conversation was held with 
a very vital 90 year old friend. This man has faithfully served the Lord for 
decades. "I approach each year with a desire to improve my testimony." 

I have "nudged" you many times in 2002 on the subject of your area of a 
spiritual gift.
I realize that there are differences of opinion on this subject across the 
wide sweep of readers. That will only tend to encourage me to "nudge" you 
even more in 2003.

BOXING DAY-Is a special holiday in some nations on December 26. England, 
Canada, Australia and other nations of that influence. A day of relaxation 
with family and friends to make the spirit of the season last as long as 
possible. Practical too- as leftovers are eaten and the general mess from 
packages etc. is straightened. In some communities, the alms box of the 
local churches are opened and the truly needy are blessed. 

ADD TO THIS LIST-I thought that postal comments took on special meaning as 
God's great gift is celebrated each year. SPECIAL DELIVERY, OPEN AT ONCE, 
TIME AND DATED MATTER, PERSONAL MESSAGE, RUSH!!!, FRAGILE.

SHE GOT IT CORRECT-A young girl was asked if she got everything she wanted 
for Christmas. "No," she replied, "But it wasn't my birthday celebration."

THE DAY AFTER-If your reading in Psalms with me this month, 26-56-86-116-146 
were your readings. Did you note the upward direction to glorious freedom?

His,
Ron Krantz