WITHOUT FEAR

Today is Christmas Eve. Tomorrow we celebrate the birth of Jesus!! For some reason this year I have tried to focus on Jesus more, make Him more a part of MY Christmas…specifically in my heart. I think it’s because so many are trying to take Jesus out of Christmas. It’s made me want to make Him MORE part of mine.

Jace preached this past Sunday evening. One of the questions he asked is “What does Christmas mean to the world?” (That might not have been the exact wording.) The world thinks of parties, presents (what to buy, what they want to receive), shopping, food/eating, decorating the house. That’s not really any different from what we think about, is it? It’s so easy to get caught up in all of that. But it doesn’t stop there. We know it’s so much more. Can you imagine not knowing Jesus now? Will you be around friends and family who don’t know Him personally? I know I will. How can we share Him? How can we help them see how important He is to us? How can we help them to see they need Him too?

It’s hard to share with those whom we’re closest to, isn’t it? I pray that God, personally, gives me boldness. I pray that somehow I make Him a part of my conversation. I want those around me to know how important He is to me. Will I be considered a fanatic? Will they think that’s all I think about? Gosh, I sure hope so.

Lord, help us, your servants, to speak your word without fear. Acts 4:29b (New Century Version)

Then, Lord, help me to live in a way that lets them SEE your word - alive in me.

YOU ARE CORDIALLY INVITED TO...

A BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION!!!

Guest of Honor: Jesus Christ

Date: Every day. Traditionally, December 25 but He's always around, so the date is flexible...

Time: Whenever you're ready. (Please don't be late, though, or you'll miss out on all the fun!)

Place: In your heart.... He'll meet you there. (You'll hear Him knock.)

Attire: Come as you are... grubbies are okay. He'll be washing our clothes anyway. He said something about new white robes and crowns for everyone who stays till the last.

Tickets: Admission is free. He's already paid for everyone... (He says you wouldn't have been able to afford it anyway...it cost Him everything He had. But you do need to accept the ticket!!

Refreshments: New wine, bread, and a far-out drink He calls "Living Water," followed by a supper that promises to be out of this world!

Gift Suggestions: Your life. He's one of those people who already has everything else. (He's very generous in return though. Just wait until you see what He has for you!)

Entertainment: Joy, Peace, Truth, Light, Life, Love, Real Happiness, Communion with God, Forgiveness, Miracles, Healing, Power, Eternity in Paradise, Contentment, and much more! (All "G" rated, so bring your family and friends.)

R.S.V.P. Very Important! He must know ahead so He can reserve a spot for you at the table. Also, He's keeping a list of His friends for future reference. He calls it the "Lamb's Book of Life."

Party being given by His Kids (that's us!!)!

Hope to see you there! For those of you whom I will see at the party, share this with someone today!

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

I can't take credit for this. I received an email with this attached. I thought it was really cool. We've been talking about Evangelism in Sunday School. Something as simple as this can be used to share. Pass it on...

WHAT'S IN A WORD?

*evan·gel - bringing good news; gospel
*gos·pel - the message concerning Christ, the kingdom of God, and salvation
*evan·ge·lize - to preach the gospel to; to convert to Christianity
*evan·ge·lism - the winning or revival of personal commitments to Christ
*evan·gel·i·cal - emphasizing salvation by faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ through personal conversion, the authority of Scripture, and the importance of preaching as contrasted with ritual; protestant
(taken from www.webster.com)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Matt. 28:19-20

Are we? Do we? We don't have a choice! He commands us to!

Do we really care? If so, share these verses:
Romans 3:23
Romans 6:23
Romans 10:9
Romans 10:13
Romans 5:1
Romans 8:1

PATIENCE OR IMPATIENCE

My brothers and sisters, when you have many kinds of troubles, you should be full of joy, because you know that these troubles test your faith, and this will give you patience. James 1:2-3 (NCV)

Someone just said this comment to me..."I hope this whole thing isn’t frustrating you." Later, as I was waiting on the sun porch for Minor aka Mean Dog to come back inside I was flipping through a devotional magazine I subscribe to and came to a page titled Patience. About six months ago I was in a situation that was very frustrating to me but that was because I was impatient. My frustration now is for the same reason - once again - I'm impatient. (Let me also clarify that I am not having many kinds of troubles as the passage I chose in James might imply. Just wanted to clear the record on that...) Anyway, it dawned on me why I'm feeling frustrated again is because I'm impatient. Why's it taking so long? It shouldn't be this hard. You know how it is. The devotional I was reading said the following: "Patience is all about waiting and persevering through trying situations...We must exercise patience in order for it to grow. Just like a muscle that will remain immature and weak without sufficient exercise, so is our patience." Well, my "muscle of patience" is getting a work out right now, can I just say?? Yes and it needs to be!! The situation may or may not turn out as I hope but I give it to God and know it's His situation. He will choose what's best, and I accept that. My prayer is that I will learn to relax and just...be patient. I'm trying...I'm trying.

WELL, DO YOU KNOW NOW?

In my last post I talked about Spiritual Gifts. I had taken a survey probably 20 years ago so I did it again to see if I could learn anything new about my Spiritul Gifts. I did learn a couple of things. I learned that you don't have to like to entertain in your home to have the gift of hospitalty. It helps but it's not totally necessary. Those with that gift have the ability to make visitor, guests and strangers feel at ease. I have the desire to do that. In fact, last Sunday I saw Kevin Buckner escort a visitor into the church. She was by herself so when I saw that, I quickly told the person I was sitting by, who was a member, that I needed to go sit with her, which meant I left the member sitting by HERSELF but I was more concerned about the visitor. Then this week I look at the list of gifts and their desriptions. Hey, I have the gift of hospitality!!! It's not one of my strongest gifts but I've always said I don't have it...but I do. Now, I will begin to excercise that gift more often. That's what God wants us to do...when we discover what He has for us, what His plans are for us - He wants us to join HIm. Don't sit by and let someone else do it. Here's the link to LifeWay again to find the description list. (http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_SpiritualGifts_List.pdf) Look for "Discover Your Spiritual Gifts!" But you need to do the survey FIRST. Had I not done the survey and taken a look at the descriptions I wouldn't have known about the hospitality thing.

Another one I'm not sure I knew I had was Shepherding. I've always known I felt a strong sense of responsibility for the ladies in my class but I just thought that was because I was the teacher. Don't all teachers feel the responsibility to connect and take care of their class? One would hope but I'm not so sure. Some are content in just showing up every Sunday and teaching. I guess that's ok. I don't know. Just not for me. That's why it is so important to find out what your gift is so you can get busy using it. Don't leave the gift that God has given you unwrapped. Unwrap it!! Pull it out!! Put it on!! And start using it!!

WHATS YOUR SIGN?

If I was into astrology, I would care but I'm not - so I don't. What I really want to ask you is WHAT'S YOUR GIFT? In Sunday School we've been studying out of a book called What Every Christian Ought to Know by Adrean Rogers. For two weeks we talked about Spiritual Gifts. (Oh!!! That's what she's talking about.)

So...what's your gift? Do you know? Are you using the gifts that God has given you? Do you even know what your gift is? I know He gives us all at least one gift but I truly believe He gives us more than one but at least know what one of your Spiritual Gifts is, ok? If you don't know, here's a link where you can print out a survey to find out. (http://www.lifeway.com/lwc/files/lwcF_wmn_SpiritualGifts_Survey.pdf)

FYI - in case you didn't know - I co-teach a ladies Sunday School class. Boy, it is so hard not to compare yourself to other ladies who teach. When I start to do that Terri Brooks, Susan Reinhardt, Stephanie Shott all come to mind (I've heard them most often.). They are all such wonderful teachers. When I think of myself one word comes to mind - SIMPLE. I just teach in a simple way. I study in a simple way. I am simple. But I've come to accept that and realize even though God may give the gift of teaching to other people, the gift He has given me is unique and specially made for me. I can only teach the way He has gifted me. I accept that. So what's the problem? When I started reading blogs of friends, I've started comparing the way I write. (Can I tell you that comparing ourselves to other people is such a waste of time? I know this and yet, I still do it occasionally. I think Satan wants us to do that so we feel inadequate.) Anyway, blogs that come to mind are Karen Buckner, Karen Ketchie, Nesia Campbell. I teach simple, and I write simple. Well, my good friend, Stephanie, has reprimanded me and told me never to use the word simple to describe myself any longer. So, I asked her to come up with "other" words that would describe how I teach. Her words were relevant, real and practical. (I think that's what they were.) :-) So...I accept that. Truly, there's really nothing simple about God except His love for us, and even that goes so deep. SO...WHAT'S THE MORAL OF THE STORY you ask? Accept who you are in Jesus. Find out what your spiritual gift is. Get busy using your spiritual gift.

Thanks, Stephanie, for the encouraging words. It has inspired me to write today and to write more often.

MRS. SPICER'S BLOGGIN'

I've been talking to Kevin C. about twitter, blogging, etc. I need lessons! I need time and I'm not sure I have that much to say. If you know me and you just read that, I'm sure you're thinking "yeah, right" but it's true.

Well, it's been a month since our trip to North Georgia. Did I say I love it up there? Terry would only have to say once "we're moving." No looking back, I'd be gone. I'd miss Florida. I'd miss family. I'd miss friends. I'd miss PLBC but you know the saying "Home is where the heart is" and Terry's my heart so as long as we're together, it'd be good. I've never lived anywhere but Jacksonville but I'd sure like to move up there where you have four seasons and beautiful scenery. We've got the river. We've got the Atlantic but I'm sure just partial to the hills. I'm not much of a beach person. Give me the hills any day of the week. Ya know, America has such diversity when it comes to the scenery. Terry and I were talking about traveling the other day. I would be content in just seeing the good 'ole USA. He wants to travel oversees. Hmm! I'm not so sure I'm that brave right now.

We're having a day at church tomorrow honoring our service men and women. I appreciate those who make sacrifices so I can be safe and enjoy the freedoms we have today. Tommy's been preaching a lot lately about our nation and how blessed we are and why we've been so blessed. I am so blessed to be able to live in such a beautiful country. I'm beyond being amazed at how fortunate I am to be an American. But...we are very spoiled, aren't we? Right now, it's pretty scary to think about what may be on our horizon as a county. Keep trusting in Jesus! That's all that can be said. God is always in control. Everything that can happen and everything that will happen will be completely according to His plan and purpose. Oh, I'm so glad I know THE risen Savior.

Tomorrow's SS lesson is on faith/the power of prayer. (I'm not teaching.) Do we really believe that? If so, we better get busy putting that into action, and we better get busy sharing our faith with others. Without Jesus, there is absolutely no hope. I cannot imagine facing the times we are in without knowing Him.

Well, so much for not having much to say. I'm watching the Gator-S. Carolina football game. It's so one sided, I can easily turn my back to the TV and know the outcome will still be in as expected. IT'S GREAT TO BE A FLORIDA GATOR!! IT'S BETTER TO BE A CHILD OF GOD!!