CHRISTmas

My family has always enjoyed the Christmas season, baking goodies, family time, presents, etc. My father would, as we became older, had us read scripture and pray before diving into the presents. Having a daughter has allowed me the opportunity to continue with the heart of a child at Christmas. While I have played up the "fun" of what can be had at this time of year, I've tried to instill within my daughter the heart of Jesus Christ. Not just during this time of year should she only see or hear about our Blessed Redeemer and Savior. Yes, we have all heard it and probably said it,'Jesus Christ is the reason for the season'. While this is very true, my paradigm has changed to Jesus Christ is the reason period! For all occasions/life, this should be my thought process. It is a lifestyle we should aspire to live daily-the example of Jesus Christ. Our lives really should not change during a particular day, week or month-ever how one would define the Christmas Season. I believe Christians can enjoy Christmas and should celebrate our Lord's birth, life, death and resurrection. The challenge, at least for me, is to keep the commercialization into perspective and live obediently and enjoy the reason daily.
C-Christ, the reason, period!
H-Holy
R-Risen Lord
I-Immanuel, God with us
S-Savior
T-The King of Kings
M-Messiah
A-Almighty God
S-Sacrificial Lamb.....................Merry Christmas, Blessings in your pursuit.......TO   

The Guest List

When having a party or special event, whom does one typically invite?  The guest list probably includes folks such as family, friends, co-workers, etc.  I’m not indicating this is wrong, however, if this is all we ever do in our outreach attempts and social gatherings, is there something missing? Confession time- I am guilty of this!  As I read the parable of the wedding feast in Luke 14:8-14.   Verse 13-14 really gets to the heart of living a serving life, reaching out to those in need-physically/physiologically and/or spiritually.  Jesus says, “but when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed-this should not be our motivation, but love for others should convict us.   Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous."  So, I challenge the collective body of Christ-all Christians, to re-evaluate our future fellowship activities and also include some of the following as invitees:  those we may not know very well, perhaps do not have much common interests, those that are hurting, lonely, poor, one’s the world considers  as social misfits. Christmas time is here, not that we should only express a giving/serving heart at this time of year, but 365/24/7.  Now is a great time to change our paradigm of our future guest lists for our social gatherings and daily walk. I recommend reading a book called 'The Hole in our Gospel', by Richard Stearns-  an awakening/compelling read on our true purpose in this blessed life provided by an Awesome God. Blessings in you future 'guest lists' and Blessings in your pursuit…….TO