The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Colossians 3:12-16, “So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience;

13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you.

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.

15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful.

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”

Thanksgiving Day is upon us. It is, for many, the most delightful celebration this side of Christmas. The precise origin of the day varies somewhat but is historically traceable to A.D. 1621, subsequent to the time the early settlers arrived from Europe. Having made friends with Indian tribes, the Pilgrims celebrated with a time of prayer and a huge feast with the Indians.

We all have experiences for which we ought to be thankful. For my part, I am thankful for my parents, Eugene (Bud) Jeffries and Velma Elizabeth Anderson, who lived the Christian faith before me and led me to a saving faith in Jesus Christ when I was but seven years old. Further, I am thankful for my grandparents, who led my parents to trust Jesus as their Savior, and I am exceedingly thankful for my late wife, Rose Marie, and for our three children, Richard, Teri, and Robert, each of whom she led to profess Christ at an early age, and for their continuance to follow and picture Him in the face of their children. Further, I praise the LORD for my nine great-grandchildren and those awaiting to burst on the scene at any moment!

I am exceedingly thankful for the Word of God, for His saving grace, and for the privilege of sharing Jesus Christ with many thousands throughout the far-flung areas of our world. I am also grateful for the many faithful men and women who have befriended and helped me in multiple ways throughout the years. May they, too, ever receive His blessings!

Heartily yours in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

We will never know that Christ is all we need

Until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom