“Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints” (Psalm 116:15). Last Sunday afternoon we gathered together with family and friends to honor the life of our dear brother in Christ, Gene Bailey.  A group of Christians sang several songs under the direction of Mike  Moore  as family  and friends  gathered  into the  auditorium.    Brother Moore also led the audience  as we all  sang together  the songs selected by the Bailey family.   One of our elders, Brother John Dennison, read from God’s word (Psalm 23 and Romans 8) and spoke about Brother Bailey’s Christian life.  Brother Larry, Gene’s brother, stood before the assembly to share the story of 14 white roses. Brother Bailey’s second son, Terry, with his wife, Nancy, standing beside him shared a history of the Bailey family along with several stories about Brother Gene’s remarkable life.  They also shared two songs that Brother Gene often sang to his children and grandchildren. Sister Nancy  took a moment to say  “Thank you”  to a few special people who helped care for Brother Gene over the years.  Brother Clint Lawrence closed the service in prayer.  We drove to Bush Gardens  Memorial Gardens  where Brother Bailey  was laid to rest.   I had the privilege of saying a few words of comfort to the family and friends gathered around the gravesite.  After a few minutes of visiting among family and friends, the Bailey family returned to the St. Andrews Road fellowship hall for a meal prepared by the congregation. When the apostle, John, finished his gospel letter, he said this about Jesus, our Lord and Savior:   “And there are also many other things that Jesus did, which if they were written one by one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written.  Amen” (John 21:25). When you  think about  Brother Gene Bailey’s life  (and truly the life of every faithful Christian); and if you were to begin to write down one by one the thoughts, words, and deeds over a lifetime of 85 years, I, too, suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that would be written. May our Lord grant to  Brother Gene’s wife, Elda,  his sons, Terry and Roger,  and his brother, Larry, and sister, Lucy, along with the rest of the Bailey family strength, comfort, peace, and special blessings in the coming days. The holiday season is quickly approaching.  The Thanksgiving holidays are only 5 weeks away.   Christmas is “just around the corner.”  And can you believe it?  We’ll be saying,  “Happy New Year 2007” in only 71 days. Some say that the holiday season is the most stressful time of the year for many in our culture.   Why?  I can think of several reasons.  So can you!  Underestimating!  Overeating!  Overspending!   Overdoing!  I could go on! This  holiday  season  let’s  make a promise and keep it!   Let’s decide to rebel against the American  system of spending what you do not  have to buy what you cannot afford in order to please someone who doesn’t really care.  This year when it comes to traveling, eating, shopping, spending, gifts and giving, set a budget and stay within that budget.  This year remember that you have a mortgage or rent payment, utility bills, and other regular monthly expenses as well as your weekly purposed offering to the Lord on the first day of the week. This week I received the most beautiful gift in the entire world. You probably didn’t know that I appreciated art.  Faryn Claire Maxell, my 15 month old granddaughter, was the artist.  She took crayons and scribbled on a piece of paper.  Remember that the true value of any gift lies not in the gift but in the giver.