the story told to and written by: David Bash

This is a true story, told from the pulpit of a First AME church in Palestine, Texas, Christmas Eve Sunday by Pastor K Jackson. The minister said I could repeat it.
He, in his Southern-drawl revival-preaching tone [bye the way he is an excellent singer and lead guitar player] was making a point about the significant difference between Christ and Santa Claus.
The story began when he and his family visited relatives in another small nearby Texas town. Jackson was just an eight-year-old kid then. He looked forward with happy anticipation to Christmas. He came from a loving family “under the covenant” of the Church, he said. But in this town on Christmas Eve they practiced a different custom ─ a custom which was to “traumatize” young Jackson about Santa Clause for life.
Jackson said he was already having fun playing with some new hockey figures when some kids and friends from the neighborhood in the house said that Santa was coming to whip some kids, when the front door was soon opened to a big Black man in a full Santa outfit (white beard, red suit and all). But this Santa carried a big black belt and proceeded to ask the parents of the house which child needed to be whipped for misbehaving that year. Pastor Jackson said parents pointed out this child or that one and told Santa not to whip this or that other one, and Santa began whipping kids with that big black belt.
Jackson said he ran for cover, literally undercover behind a bed in a back bedroom in the relative’s house, and trembling with fear devised a plan to deal with this insane Santa if he approached the bed: if that Santa’s boots approached his cover he was determined to push the bed over and “crush Santa to death!” In short notice young Jackson sprang to the bedroom window and jumped out in a panic into the dark. In that Christmas Eve night he found the other boys (now his new allies) who had warned him about the approach of the whipping-Santa and they devised a plan to rid the community of this insane imposter: they each, all six of them, decided to get their bb guns and “wear him out.” He said they found the fake and did just that, raining down bbs from their trusted weapons until the red-suited nut took off running.
The next day the odd custom of that town’s Christmas Eve came under public scrutiny because of the boy’s determined resolution to change their community’s acceptance of what the boys had determined unacceptable sadistic behavior of a Santa Claus.
The adult Rev. K Jackson said he was forever traumatized by the frightening childhood experience and for him that’s why Christ is the reason for the season – “…not any Santa Claus!”

Rev. C. Floyd Emerson shares stories about dealing with joys
hurts when faith is stretched to breaking point

 In “Preaching from Over the Hill” (published by Xlibris), Rev. C. Floyd Emerson tells his stories and shares his ideas about how people, some with profound faith, some with debilitating doubts, deal with their joys and sorrows.

The book is about the Christian ministry, but according to Emerson, it is not a “how to do it” book, it is a “how I did it for over 50 years” book. Ministry deals with people, issues, doctrine and scripture. While preaching, sometimes he gets it right and sometimes not so much. Ministry can be heartwarming and it can be heartbreaking. The book talks about both. The overall theme is a statement of the author’s faith.

“Mankind’s struggle with obedience and faith is relevant to every society, going all the way back to Adam and Eve and the apple,” Emerson on his book’s relevance in today’s society.

Emerson hopes that readers will feel blessed after taking in the message of the book. “If they can see their own faith and their own struggles in a new light, that will satisfy me,” Emerson concludes.

“Preaching from Over the Hill”

By Rev. C. Floyd Emerson

Hardcover | 6x9in | 256 pages | ISBN 9781543422863

Softcover | 6x9in | 256 pages | ISBN 9781543422856

E-Book | 256 pages | ISBN 9781543422870

Available at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

About the Author

Rev. C. Floyd Emerson was born and raised on a wheat ranch in Eastern Oregon and planned on a career on the farm. He was a farm boy who was called into the Christian ministry. He was ordained in his home church, the United Church of Christ Congregational in The Dalles in 1965. He served as a pastor of nine churches.

Seattle Well-Being, a powerful approach to healing using the power of talk therapy and hands-on bodywork, has officially launched its all-new studio and website. Founded by Universal Medicine Therapies practitioner Deborah Savran, Seattle Well-Being aims to help individuals suffering from a myriad of life challenges. Savran previously owned a studio in Minneapolis, Minnesota that helped change the landscape of healing in the city. She now aims to bring that same approach to Seattle.

The life changing approach allows Savran’s clients to return to their natural selves. Universal Medicine Therapies help people reconnect and to wash away much of the stress, tension, and pain that resides in them. Founded in 1999 by Serge Benhayon, Universal Medicine Therapies targets such issues as depression, addiction, abuse, anxiety, and other challenging problems people encounter in their everyday lives.

“Deborah acts as a facilitator for you to dig deep within to find your true self and your own love energy.  Most importantly, I’ve been able to start the healing process from many pieces of my life that have manifested in daily anxiety,” client P.B. explained.

Seattle Well-Being is the first of its kind to open in the American city. Savran has over 20-years of experience in complementary health care and her expertise has led to thousands of clients who are now living free of the issues that challenged them. A native of Minnesota, Savran recently relocated to Seattle to found the first ever Universal Medicine Therapies healing arts practice in Washington state. Savran‘s healing arts studio is located in the Ballard neighborhood in Seattle. She hopes her studio will become a major part of the neighborhood and a destination that brings individuals to Ballard from all over the Seattle area.

Savran holds a degree in naturopathy and has an extensive background in therapeutic massage, advanced energy work, herbal medicine, nutrition, sound healing, Sacred Esoteric Healing and meditation. Her unique resume offers clients in the Seattle area something they have never had before. Savran is also a go-to practitioner for fertility, prenatal and postnatal care. She has been sought out by women for her unique approach to these areas.

Seattle Well-Being offers clients one-on-one sessions in person or online, personal development groups, and meditation classes. Each is specifically designed with the client in mind to get them to a place of healing. Savran has received praise for the work she has performed. Clients have been able to reach a place they never believed possible prior to working with her.

“Deborah has a unique and keen sense of the human body – she can read her clients’ bodies and energy. Not only did I feel physically at peace and grounded after each session but I also felt like I had visited a ‘body therapist’.  While visiting Deborah I was in a sacred space. I am forever grateful,” client W.D. said.

Her work has made it possible for people to live more like themselves and free of the problems that weighed them down.

About: Seattle Well-Being

Deborah Savran is one of the first practitioners of Universal Medicine Therapies in the United States. She is the first to offer this powerful approach to well-being in Seattle. Savran has over 20 years of experience in the field of complementary healthcare, both in Australia and the United States. Savran holds a degree in naturopathy and has extensive background and training in therapeutic massage, advanced energy work, herbal medicine, nutrition, sound healing, Sacred Esoteric Healing and meditation.

Website:
www.seattlewellbeing.com