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.
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
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...
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...
Saturday, December 13, 2008
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
*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
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
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.
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.
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