Once or twice a month the local newspaper here in Bryson City publishers one of my articles.  As we approach Christmas I hear mixed reviews concerning the "commercialization" of Christmas.  I thought I would share with you an article that is going out in the next Smoky Mountain Times newspaper.  Perhaps it will lift your spirit.

I STILL LOVE THE CHRISTMAS SEASON!

        I do love this time of the year.  It is “The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year.”  Of course, doesn’t everyone love this season?  Actually, no, not everyone does love the Christmas season.  There is very vocal element of our society that demands Christians just, “Shut up!”  Companies, afraid of offending customers often tell their workers, “Don’t use the term “Merry Christmas” or “God Bless You.”  The reality is that regulation likely offends more people than saying Merry Christmas.   Well, I regret that anyone may be offended but I still say “Merry Christmas.”  It does not seem that many are worried whether I am offended with their language.    

        Even some Christians cast a pall over Christmas by continually bemoaning the fact that His birthday has been so commercialized.   Well, it has, but I am still delighted that His birth is mentioned in such a prominent manner at this time of year.  The Apostle Paul rejoiced that the gospel was preached even when it was done by those who desired to cause him problems.  I rejoice in the mention of the name of Jesus Christ throughout this season.  I love hearing Christmas carols played in the stores that speak of the birth of the Savior.  I love the bright colors and decorations that are up at this time of the year.  In spite of all the “hustle” and “bustle” of the crowds most people are very pleasant and friendly.  It is a time of the year when even unbelievers speak openly of the birth of Jesus Christ.  I believe, according to the scriptures that “the Father is always well pleased to hear His Son well spoken of.” 

        When I was a young preacher my pastor was holding meetings in our church.  I, like Martha of the New Testament, was much bothered by keeping schedules and making sure that things operated properly.  We were about to enter the auditorium with the choir for the service when he turned to me, seeing that I was thus bothered, and said, “Brother Larry, don’t lose the blessing.”  I have tried to remember that simple caution.  We can become so “bothered” by the negatives in our lives that we miss the blessing and joy of the season.  One form or another of the word “joy” or “rejoice” is prominent in the Christmas story in the Scriptures.  We should take that as a clue to how we should respond to this wonderful time of the year when the world, even many who are not believers, at least recognize the significance of His birth. 

Let’s be careful that we do not allow ourselves to become so occupied with the commercialization of Christmas, the stress of finances, the loneliness of being away from family or any of the myriad of negatives that impact our lives and “lose out on the blessings of the season.” Matthew 2:10, “When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.” 

Larry Spencer

Plans continue or the the conference next fall.  We have three confirmed speakers that will all bring messages that are exciting and challenging. 

Brother Doug Sehorne was a student "wwwaaayyyy" back when I was in the late 60's.  He has spent a lifetime of pastoring and in evangelism. 

Pastor Bob Griffith has been on staff of Southland on two occasions.  Once back in the seventies and then for a year just a couple years back.  He has also been responsible for dozens of young people attending Southland and other Bible Colleges.  His pastoral teaching is always challenging and repleat with practical guidance for maintaining a close walk with the Lord.

Pastor Dave Aumiller is someone with whom only a few are acquainted.  However, I believe that he will be a great blessing to us.  He pastors the Maranatha Baptist Church in Weaverville, North Carolina and is an old personal friend for whom I hold a great deal of admiration.  God has given him a wonderful ministry to young people throughout his many years.  "TRUST ME" that his preaching will be a blessing and a challenge. 

We have approached a couple of others about speaking at the conference and we are waiting to hear from them.  I urge you to ask the Lord to give you the opportunity and means to attend the conference next fall--October 20-21.

Larry Spencer

NEW "WANTED" LIST

I am listing the names of alumni for whom we still have no address or contact information.  It is now November 28 and my computer was in the hospital receiving a "heart" transplant.  This means I lost all information previously given.  I hope my list is up to date.  Should you see someone for whom you gave me an update then I need to hear from you again. 

Miss	Mia	Adams
Mr. and Mrs.	Corbet & Ruth	Allen
Rev.	Rick	Allen
Mr.	David	Biehl
Mrs.	Ina	Blanton
Mr.	Doug	Bowser
Mr. and Mrs.	Charles & Kathy (Ditmars)	Carpenter
Mrs.	Nellie	Chastain
Mr.	Scott	Chatfield
Mr. and Mrs.	Darrell	Collings
Mr.	Jeremy	Conley
Mrs.	Phyllis (Goodrich)	Crisp
Mr. and Mrs.	John	Day
Mr. and Mrs.	Duane	Defoe
Mr. and Mrs.	Robert and Opal	Deline
Ms.	Eunice	Duncan
Ms.	Sandra	Elam
Mr. and Mrs.	Les	Frasure
Mr. and Mrs.	Brian and Stephanie	Fulcher
Mr. and Mrs.	Ian	Gilpatric
Mrs.	Jan	Gilreath
Mr. and Mrs.	Sanford & Nancy	Gregory
Mrs.	Rosemary (Hecker)	Hall
Mrs.	Amy (Burkholder)	Henry
Miss	Katie	Hill
Mr.	Larry	Ice
Rev.	Russell	Ice
Mrs.	Wilma	Kauff (Johnson)
Mr. and Mrs.	Robert and Ruth	Kelshaw
Mr.	David	Kimble
Ms.	Lisa	Larson
Ms.	Lois	Lebo
Mr.	Lee	Lewellyn
Mr. and Mrs.	Robert and Judy	Lewellyn
Mr. and Mrs.	Todd	Lockyer
Mr. and Mrs.	John and Ruth	Madson
Rev. and Mrs.	Douglas	McCaleb
Mr. and Mrs.	Daniel and Julee	McIntosh
Miss	Amy	Mershon
Mr.	Charles	Miller
Mr.	Charles	Miller
Mr.	Jeremy	Miller
Rev. and Mrs.	Stan and Priscilla	Miller
Mrs.	Pam (Campbell)	Morris
Mrs.	Marilyn (Varney)	Mullins
Mrs.	Sandy (Prohaska)	Olson
Mrs.	Lana	Pafford
Ms.	Judith	Pshenay
Rev. and Mrs.	Brad and Linda (Good)	Quackenbush
Mr. and Mrs.	James and Pearl	Sabinskie
Mrs.	Arlene	Sheldon
Mr. and Mrs.	David	Smith
Mr. and Mrs.	Martin	Stapleton
Mr. and Mrs.	Roger	Stevens
Mrs.	Judith	Swagler
Mr. and Mrs.	Rudy and Jeannie	Weidler
Mr. and Mrs.	Berry and Inez	White

I hope someone can help us with these names and addresses.

Larry Spencer

Conference plans are coming along nicely.  Pastor Doug Sehorne will be speaking along with former staff member, Bob Griffith.  I have asked a man to come and speak who is not a graduate of SBI but he has known of Southland for more than forty years and has been a strong supporter in urging students to consider SBI.  He has had a major impact on many of us and he is a great speaker.  Dave Aumiller will be a great blessing and encouragement to all.

Keep praying as we continue plans and as we work at keep up the communication with "all" alumni.

Larry Spencer

I had to remove a number of alumni from our mailing list because the letters came back.  I am listing those here in hopes that someone might know their updated address. 

If you have an updated address for one of these people please send it to me by e-mail.  Remember, it is possible that they would not want their address given to a "public" forum so only send it to my e-mail address at: Lspencer@mindspring.com.

Larry Spencer

Wilma (Johnson) Kauf
Rick Allen
Doug Bowser
Audrey Bruce
Charles and Kathy (Ditmars) Carpenter
Darrell Collings
John Day
Eunice Duncan
Sanford and Nancy Gregory
Lois Lebo
Lee Lewellyn
Robert and Judy Lewellyn
John and Ruth Madson
Douglas McCaleb
Charles Miller
Stan and Priscilla Miller
Judith Pshenay
Brad and Linda Quackenbush
David Smith
Roger Stevens
Rudy and Jean Weidler
Berry and Inez White

Daniel McIntosh was very helpful with his advice on how to do some of these things on this computer.  Nice to have some younger people who know what they are doing on these things. 
Cheryl (Meek) Johnson writes also:

Hi Larry, it was good to get the Alumni newsletter today. You can add me to the email list instead of snail mail, but I do need you to update your mailing list.
I lost my precious husband on March 6 of this year to treatment for lung cancer. The subsequent months have been very difficult, but I have stayed to take care of Mrs. Johnson. She is doing well for 90 years old, but is very frail and weak and is gradually going downhill. However, she doesn't have any of the major illnesses you would expect for someone at that age. Her mind is clear for
the most part, but she does forget and get confused more often than normal. I have committed to stay and continue her care as long as she needs me.
Cheryl Meek Johnson

We need to keep her and Mrs. Johnson in our prayers.  Cheryl is performing a much needed ministry for which all alumni who know Mrs. Johnson are, I'm certain, very grateful.
Larry Spencer

Larry,

Enjoyed the letter.
Here are new births that might be considered:
 Brian and Stephanie Fulcher a son - Noah  6/19/09
 Joe and Kara Marcum a daughter - Milleigh  12/22/09
 Trica Smith Beltran a daughter - Eliana  8/13/10
 Tim and Bethany Ferguson a son - Caleb   9/2/10
Randy

Thank you Randy for letting us know about these.  I did not know--just keeping up with my own grandchildren is exhausting.  This is one of the advantages to a blog like this.

Greetings from STRAWBERRY--Jane (Prohaska) Villalba. 

Blessings as you try to keep things together.       Holding the ropes here in our mission office for our missionaries in South America.  By the way, our daughter Deborah married two years ago is expecting triplets (all natural) next April..we are excited, our first grandchildren..     Love and prayers, Strawvberry, Jane Prohaska Villlaba         ps.  We were at Bob Jones in Oct for their missions conference and Mr. Hood came to see us..after how many years?

A word from Mike and Cindy Warner

Hi~
Thank you for the newsletter. It is good to keep up with other alumni. Since we live across the country, it is hard to make it to any alumni conferences.
Mike and I are doing well. Our three children are grown and married, serving the Lord in their respective churches, whether as lay people or on staff. We have our seventh grandchild due in March....what a blessing grandchildren are!
Mike is parttime (for economic reasons) music pastor at First Baptist of Lemon Grove and 3/4 time teaching choir, worship team for chapel, and two ESL Bible classes to international students at Christian High, here in El Cajon, CA....near San Diego. We have hosted international students off and on since 1987, but for the last six years, with our children being grown, we have hosted two students each school year. I am still teaching piano lessons and classroom music, besides finding and working with home stay families for international students.
We praise the Lord for the practical Christian education we received at Southland!!!!

Cindy gave their e-mail address but until I can check with them I thought it unwise to give that information.  That will come later if they want it included. This information seems acceptable to share so I hope you enjoy hearing from them as much as I did.      Larry Spencer

It will take a while to learn how to keep this new type of communication going as it should.  I thought I had already put these comments in but I did not see them.  Thus, I will try again.

Tell everyone you can about this new Southland Alumni Blog.  It is a great way to communicate and it is very convenient.  I hope to hear from many of you.  Some have sent me kind comments by e-mail.  I will attempt to get these on the Blog but I will not do so until I have some proficiency at doing so. 

Please add pictures to your comments or your file as you are able.  We would love to familiarize ourselves with your life and ministry.

Larry Spencer

Pray for these needs of SBI

• Regular support is always a need.
• Pray that God will supply the financial means to pay off the debt on the dormitory.
• There is a need for full-time stall and faculty.
• There is a speacial need for a music teacher.

2011 Alumni Bible Conference - October 20-21, 2011

The next Alumni Bible Conference will be on the campus of Southland  Bible Institute on October 20-21, 2011.

Put these dates on your calendar and come and see us!!

I believe that the purpose of the Alumni Bible Conference is primarily a time of encouragement and strengthening for our alumni and our friends who are scarred and bruised in the battle against Satan. Secondly, I believe it is intended to be a time to reach out to hte local community around SBI as an encouragement to them and to commend the school to their ministries. For this reason we are building a mailing base of area churches to communicate with them about the Bible Conference. Thirdly, I believe it is important to give the school help and encouragement. Students will see alumni, and they will discover that God can use them as well. For this reason, we want to adopt a specific project when we meet next year.

Already we have a confirmation for next year from a former staff member who has demonstrated his lover for the school for nearly fifty years. Pastor Bob Griffith has already told me he will be delighted to come. I have contacted another former staff member, but have not had cnfirmation at this time. I look forward to announcing who our speaker will be in the next newsletter.

If you will let me know as soon as possible if you plan to atend, I will share that in the next newsletter. That might encourage friends from your same years at SBI to come and renew old friendships. We say many old friends, and are always delighted to see those who have been unable to come in years past.

Larry Spencer