Dear Christian Believers,
  
  Holiday Greetings and God bless you and your families in the name of Jesus Christ

  Recently I received an e-mail from someone called, "Be Somebody!" It was written by Hazel Stone. Her name is all I know about her. I got so blessed by what she shared, and thought I would share of it with you along with my comments. It is concerning a 1955 graduation commencement speech. I'm sure all of us remember a little of our graduation commencement speeches except that they were the exhortations about the world's doors were open to us, and that if we work hard we will be successful in life. Commencement is defined as, "the act of beginning." When we graduate from high school, or college, it is a new beginning for our lives. When we start a new job or career, it's a new beginning. When we marry and have children it is a new beginning. In these new beginnings we make decisions and we take actions that will affect our lives and the lives of others; We commence! The speaker at the commencement shared the record of Dorcas and makes some interesting observations.

Acts 9:36-42
Now there was at Joppa a certain disciple named Tabitha, which by interpretation is called Dorcas: this woman was full of good works and almsdeeds [charitable deeds] which she did.
³⁷ And it came to pass in those days, that she was sick, and died: whom when they had washed, they laid her in an upper chamber.
³⁸ And forasmuch as Lydda was nigh to Joppa, and the disciples had heard that Peter was there, they sent unto him two men, desiring him that he would not delay to come to them.
³⁹ Then Peter arose and went with them. When he was come, they brought him into the upper chamber: and all the widows stood by him weeping, and shewing the coats [tunics] and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.
⁴⁰ But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.
⁴¹ And he gave her his hand, and lifted her up, and when he had called the saints and widows, presented her alive.
⁴² And it was known throughout all Joppa; and many believed in the Lord.

The three main points the speaker made from this record were:

• First, Dorcas WAS SOMEBODY. (She was benevolent, she was compassionate, and devout. She was generous in giving of her life)
• Second, Dorcas DID SOMETHING (her life's description was summed up in six words, "full of good and alms deeds" Dorcas GAVE of her life)
• And Third, Dorcas, LEFT SOMETHING. Her acts of charity that she preformed lives on 2000 years later, because of the "Dorcas Societies" that the world wide continue to do acts of charity and good works. I thought about WHEN we became born again sons and daughters of GOD, we became SOMEBODY, not because we did anything, but because of what GOD had done though our Lord Jesus Christ. And now we DO SOMETHING because of our love for GOD and thankfulness to HIM for making us somebody. And finally we are to LEAVE SOMETHING behind, so that others might have examples to follow, and the knowledge of the truth to speak and live in their generation and the generations to come. If we truly desire to celebrate the birth, life and ministry, the sacrifice, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ and show our thankfulness to GOD; then we need to manifest the SOMEBODY that GOD made us, DO SOMETHING for HIM and LEAVE SOMETHING for the generations that follow.

Happy Holidays!!
John & Mary Lou