A Year in Review-Christmas Party 2016

Every Thursday during the month of January, we will be rewinding the clock back to highlight some important moments from 2016. 2016 was a great year for Halifax Linen and we hope you continue to take this journey with us into 2017 and beyond.

Our first year in review flashback goes back to our annual Halifax Linen Christmas Party! Our employees put in so much work day in and day out, it is a good feeling to give back and say Thank You! This year, family and friends came together at the Kirkwood Adams Community Center for some good laughs, great food and even better gifts!

Every year at our Christmas Party, we take time out to introduce the 2016 members of the Halifax Linen’s Presidents Club. The President Club acknowledges those team members that have went above and beyond the call of duty and aided in the success of the company this year. This year, we have 20 employees a part of the 2016 Halifax Linen’s Presidents Club from the various departments throughout Halifax Linen. Here is just a few of this years Halifax Linen’s Presidents Club recipients:

Bobby Schupp

Tom Skiro

Jeff Summers

Perrin Graham

Tony Engelking

Bruce Rose

Brandon Bailey

Kenny Boone

Carmelita Jones  

Dennis Bradley

Stephanie Rose

Along with the public recognition at the party, each member and their spouses have earned a spot on our Presidents Club Trip to Jamaica! We are looking forward to this Jamaica trip, just a little way to say Thank You for all that you do for Halifax Linen!

Halifax Linen is more than a company, we are a family. We are so thankful and blessed to have dedicated employees who are constantly striving to make this company great! We owe everything to you all, thank you for making 2016 a year to remember!!

Make sure you check our Facebook page every Thursday for a new edition of “A Year in Review”

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Sweet, peaceful, thoughts

Philippians 4:8-9 (NASB) 8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. 9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

 

Why is peace within our lives so elusive? The battle rages; however, this battle is the battle for your mind. If we were to step back for a day and listen to the influences of the world then we would see and understand their attempt to draw our thoughts away from Jesus. Maybe we do not have peace because we allow our minds to ponder things that do not please the Lord. It seems as if the television, radio, internet, and every other secular media outlet want to draw our minds into dark places. How are we to keep our minds thinking in the proper manner? Paul instructs us in 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NASB) “3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh, 4 for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses. 5 We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.” Paul is telling the Philippians to think or dwell on things that are of the Lord. If something comes into our life that is of the flesh as its desire is to draw one’s heart away from Jesus then that action, thought, or deed must be brought unto the obedience of Christ. Maybe we do not have a Biblical peace in our life because we have become comfortable and cozy with the things of the world. Maybe our minds are so full of worldly things that we rarely are able to think of spiritual things (Until there is a crisis and we expect God to show up and get us out of the mess we created). Do you have peace? Do you have a real Biblical peace where God covers your life? Maybe it is time to step back from life for a moment and check even our thoughts. Are my thoughts a place where the presence of the Holy Spirit resides? Think on “these” things and the God of peace will be with you!

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

Sweet Peace

Philippians 4:4-7 (NASB) 4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! 5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. 6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

 

Paul is illustrating two very powerful items in the Christian life, which are joy and peace. However, without peace it is very difficult to have joy. There is such a relationship between the believer and God that request can be made unto the Lord and God’s peace surrounds the believer’s heart. The idea that Paul uses in verse seven is that God literally stands guard around His child’s heart and gives sweet peace. However, if something is allowed to breech that peace then the joy in verse four will elude the believer’s grasp. Just think about it for a moment. When are you least likely to be in a good mood and happy? You lose your joy when you begin to worry and fret about problems and difficulties. It is is much like warfare because if the opposition can breech the battle line and infiltrate the enemy’s territory then the war could be lost. Think about D-Day as the Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy. It gave the Allied forces a foothold in Europe where they could begin to push back the enemy. How in the world am I supposed to live a life of peace in such a depressing world? Verse six is pivotal in this special relationship and living a life of peace. We all have problems; however, we must understand who is in control. We bring our difficulties to the Lord, leave them with Him, and TRUST Him. We trust Him because we know that He is the only one who is able to do anything about anything. So in reality peace comes from a life of trusting the Lord because we know that He is going to take care of His children. Then and only then can my heart rejoice because I know that even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil. How can I have such peace? Because I know that God is with me! Go ahead and rejoice in the Lord as you continue to trust the loving hand of God who literally guards your heart.

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

A Beacon of Light

Philippians 2:14-16 (NASB) 14 Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.

 

Are we supposed to be a mere storehouse of faith where we have Jesus in our heart and patiently waiting our turn for eternity with our Lord? Is our faith for our own life or those around us? Paul challenges us to not have a narcissistic outlook about life and only worrying about me but about those around me. Paul challenges us to live in such a manner that our life is like a lighthouse. The unusual thing about lighthouses is that they shine in fair weather as well as stormy and during the daytime as well as at night. They never stop shining their light. Jesus instructed us in this manner in Matthew 5: 14-16 (NASB) 14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden; 15 nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. 16 Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.” Paul tells us that we are supposed to be a light to the world so that my life will be always ready to meet my Lord and not turned away (v16). Jesus more pointedly tells me that I am a light to the world so that the world may see the working of God in my life so that they will be led to His loving hand and glorify is wonderful name. Be a beacon of light to embolden your faith for yourself but also for every person you come into contact. I challenge you to be bold, be courageous, be empowered to stand up for Jesus and tell the world about His wonderful love. There is no doubt that this world needs to see God’s wonderful love in my life as well as yours.

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

A new walk

Ephesians 4:20-24 (NASB) 20 But you did not learn Christ in this way, 21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus, 22 that, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and put on the new self, which in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.

 

I was talking to a friend the other day who stated that his wife came successfully through back surgery. He stated that they were walking down the hallway the day after the surgery and he knew she was no longer in pain because her walk had changed. She had previously been in so much pain that it affected the way that she walked. Now she was free from pain and walking differently. How should a Christian walk (live) after faith is placed in the Savior? Should a person life differently after salvation? Paul instructs us in a rather pointed manner that our walk should not be as the old self but the new life in Jesus, which is after the Lord and His holiness. If you were to continue to read this chapter then you would read some practical ways in which Paul instructs us and that should be evident in our lives. We must speak truth and not allow our speech to even have a hint of falsehood (v25). We need to bridle our anger and not allow it to lead us to sin, which is exactly where the devil desires for us to live (v26). A person must not be dishonest and steal from others, which could be blatant stealing or dishonest business practices but sharing with those who do not have (v28). The words of our speech ought to be so changed that they are used for edification rather than destruction (v29). And finally, we should be treating people with the same love and forgiveness that Jesus has given us (v32). How is your walk? Does it resemble your old self or your new life in Christ Jesus? A new walk is the greatest witnessing tool. The world needs to see the change in our lives so that they will understand the power and grace of our Lord and know that they need Him.

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

Every need supplied

Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ,

 

My wife and I used to like watching a show called “Chopped”. It is where four chefs battle it out making an entrée, dinner, and dessert. The host will exclaim the rules where he illustrates a fully packed pantry with literally everything you could think of to use in preparing a meal. This kitchen has every type of food but there is also machines, deep fryers, ice cream maker, blast chillers, and etc. to help them make a delicious meal. Paul in this chapter desires to tell us that God has also given us every needful spiritual blessing in Christ Jesus so that we might be able to complete the will of God in our lives. Have you ever been “trained” to perform a job; however, you were ill prepared to execute the job properly? It is almost as if they covered the bare minimum to state that you were “trained” so as to fulfill some paperwork. Paul tells us that every spiritual blessing is available to us and this is so that we might be able to fulfill God’s plan for our life. We have been redeemed (v7) and there is great power given towards His children (v19). We must understand that if we are not properly prepared or equipped to not only live for Jesus but also to minister for Christ then it is our own fault. Everything we need is found in Christ Jesus and all we need to do is plug into what God has for us.  Are you prepared for battle? Are you walking in victory in the midst of deplorable conditions? Know who you are in Christ Jesus as every spiritual blessing has been provided for us in Him. All we need to do is approach the throne of grace and ask for help in the time of our need (Hebrews 4:14-16).

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

Rise up!

Isaiah 40:27-31 (NASB) 27 Why do you say, O Jacob, and assert, O Israel, “My way is hidden from the Lord, And the justice due me escapes the notice of my God”? 28 Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth Does not become weary or tired. His understanding is inscrutable. 29 He gives strength to the weary,

And to him who lacks might He increases power. 30 Though youths grow weary and tired,

And vigorous young men stumble badly, 31 Yet those who wait for the Lord Will gain new strength; They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,

They will walk and not become weary.

 

Israel is in a very cruel place. They have been displaced as they are in captivity in Babylon. They are wearied because they are without the Temple, Jerusalem, and every other daily luxury since they have been carried away. What are they to do? How are they to respond? Israel thought that God had abandoned them, which could not have been further from the truth. God was right where He always abided, with those who call upon Him. Isaiah was trying to get Israel to understand the very nature of God and problems that we can face on a daily basis. We can trust in the loving hand of our Lord even in the midst of the greatest trial. Isaiah’s “waiting” is a beautiful picture because it is not simply looking at the clock and “waiting” for a specific time for refreshment but a constant confidence of God’s glorious presence and power to work in our situations. Those who wait upon the Lord are able to climb to greater heights because God is lifting them up. When a bird such as an eagle is in trouble they do not simply flap their wings harder to elude their problem. They simply turn into the wind and allow it to take them to a place of safety, which is far above the problems under their feet. I know that we are faced with problems on every side. How are we to respond? Turn into the wind of the Holy Spirit, which is God’s love and allow the hand of God to take you to a place of peace and rest. Wait I say upon the Lord because He is faithful! Trust Him!

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

Reaping a great spiritual harvest

Galatians 6: 7-10 7 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. 8 For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. 10 So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.

 

I used to have a garden, which I loved taking care of even though it was a lot of hard work. At the beginning of the season I would go to the store and purchase the seeds to plant. I can attest that I never got a plant that was different than the seed for which I buried. If I planted a corn kernel then I got a corn stalk. If I planted a pea then I got a pea plant. The same was for the okra, cucumber, green bean, squash, and zucchini. The same applies to life as well. If we sow to the flesh then we will reap things of the flesh. If we sow to the Spirit then we will reap things of the Spirit. Is it okay to sow just a little to the flesh because…well…we are just sinful creatures? Paul instructed the Romans in this area as he stated “shall we continue to wallow in sin because there is grace…God forbid! (Romans 6:1) How can we continue to live in such a manner since we are new creatures in Christ? I have heard ones state that we are just sinners and cannot help but sin every day in word, thought, and deed.  Paul teaches us differently in 1 Thessalonians 4:7 (NASB) “For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification.” I really think that claiming we can’t help but sin is an excuse to continue to do the things that are a part of sin and one loves doing them. I have heard it in this manner “A praying man will stop sinning and a sinning man will stop praying.” I am in no way saying that we can obtain perfection in this life; however, I can make sure that I sow to the Spirit rather than the flesh. What kind of seed are you sowing? I challenge you to sow to the Spirit and I will reap God’s blessings of His presence, love, and power.

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

Laying things before the Lord

Isaiah 37: 1, 5-6, 14, 30 (NASB) And when King Hezekiah heard it, he tore his clothes, covered himself with sackcloth and entered the house of the Lord. 5 So the servants of King Hezekiah came to Isaiah. 6 Isaiah said to them, “Thus you shall say to your master, ‘Thus says the Lord, “Do not be afraid because of the words that you have heard, with which the servants of the king of Assyria have blasphemed Me. 14 Then Hezekiah took the letter from the hand of the messengers and read it, and he went up to the house of the Lord and spread it out before the Lord. 30 “Then this shall be the sign for you: you will eat this year what grows of itself, in the second year what springs from the same, and in the third year sow, reap, plant vineyards and eat their fruit.

 

Assyria was attacking Jerusalem and Hezekiah knew that he was not adequate militarily. What should Hezekiah do in this situation? The Assyrians told him to just give up and that they would at least give them the necessities of life such as food. Hezekiah did the only thing that he knew would help the situation. He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and entered the house of the Lord. This is a sign of great humility because he knew that he was defenseless but God was his only hope. He could have employed the Egyptians to assist him; however, that would have been futile. Hezekiah sent word to the prophet Isaiah for direction but he also took the letter from the Assyrians and laid it out before the Lord. How are you handling your problems? If you are like most individuals then you worry, complain, and try to fix things to the best of your ability. I would suggest that we live in a different manner. How about we get our spiritual leaders to join with us in prayer and lay our our problems before the Lord? I would consider laying our problems out before the Lord would indicate a life of prayer and fasting so that God would move in our difficulties. Peter instructs in this manner in 1 Peter 5:7 (NASB) “casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you.” God did move in the situation with Hezekiah as God defeated the Assyrians in a supernatural manner. Is there anything too hard for God? Is there? Then take your problems to the Lord, cast them upon Him, and trust His hand of wisdom and power.

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs

Don’t forget

Psalms 59: 1 & 9-11 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; Set me securely on high away from those who rise up against me. 9 Because of his strength I will watch for You, For God is my stronghold. 10 My God in His lovingkindness will meet me; God will let me look triumphantly upon my foes. 11 Do not slay them, or my people will forget; Scatter them by Your power, and bring them down, O Lord, our shield.

 

I love the way that the psalmist looks unto the Lord as his deliverer. Is there really any other place that we need to look? I know that man has made great strides in technology; however, every institution of our society has and will fail you at some time or another. But God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us (Hebrews 13:5). The psalmist speaks in terms of victory as he looks unto the hand of God to bless and bring triumph to the life of the believer. However, the psalmist says something very odd. The psalmist states that once God defeats the enemy that he wants God to leave them and not destroy them. Why wouldn’t the psalmist want them to be totally destroyed? He states that we tend to have short-term memory loss as we forget what God has brought us through. We somehow think that we have done some great thing. This is why God commanded Moses and Joshua to set up memorials so that the people would not forget what God had brought them through. What has God brought you through? Think about it for a moment. It is good to remember where you have come from and what you have been through so that you will be thankful and glorify the name of the Lord. Thank the Lord for our weaknesses and struggles because it illustrates the power of Almighty God that has brought about great victories. Do you remember? Don’t ever forget so that you will know where your strength originates!

 

His servant,

Marcus Riggs