Why now?

Why Seminary, Why Now?

I came to seminary for several reasons one that sticks in my mind first is the desire for validation, people will judge you by what you know or what you don't know. They judge you for not having letters behind your name and put you in a group you don’t want to be in. I can be acknowledged in my calling in some settings and in others not even appearing as I exist. Spending years in pulpit supply ministry and being encouraged to go to school because somehow what I am is not enough. Being brown skinned and being woman, the deck is already stacked against me when it comes to my audience. I have been ignored because of both. I have been underestimated because of both. I have been discouraged because of both. It is in the discouragement, in the being ignored that I chose to do something for myself for the first time in a long time. I wanted to be well rounded in my studies and knowledge of Christ and I felt that seminary would afford me that opportunity. I would have done it sooner, but I felt that I could not financially. 

The doors began to open financially and it seemed to affirm to me that I was right where I needed to be and God would provide the means necessary to see this dream until the end. I needed a more solid form of consistent education and knowledge because for way too many years training under so many different pastors at my church we would start meeting as a ministerial team, studying together and growing only for something to happen that would ultimately end the progress and be non-existent. I wanted something lasting that I had more power and control over its direction. I would have the power and control to say when it would end.  

A desire to be more knowledgeable for those I serve was another reason that I came to seminary. I owe it to God, to the people and myself to be my best self and that can only be done by entering into a covenant to learn. I accept that I don't know and haven't been exposed to everything I need to know as a minister and the exposure that I will receive in seminary will challenge me, provide accountability as well as impart some great understanding of what I truly say I am called to do.

Knowing the direction you are to go in life, committing and walking in that direction is a whole different story. There have been those that have encouraged me in this direction and there have been those that I have lost along the way. I can tell you the exact moment when things began to change and I am thankful that God gave me little things along the way to help me stay the course. But I acknowledge that I did have a grieving period experiencing lost friendships. The gifts of God have been precious; he gave me a morning devotion time in the car on the way to work, which was originally spent with my best friend preparing for the day. God used a co-worker in my life as a new friend to talk to as I lost the best friend to change. God so graciously gave me time to grieve the loss of the friendship and slowly made the friendship with my co-worker more evident. God gave me my first church in confirmation that I am on the path that God would lead me. It was months that God prepared me for the moment because I went from not wanting to leave my home church to being in complete peace with it. I know that it was all God that I have peace. God gifting me by breaking every excuse I had why I could not begin this journey and the steps in faith have been a blessing. 

I acknowledge an anxiety and a moment of panic realizing I would have to leave the comforts of a home church where God has been writing the signs on the wall, it was time for me to move on. I acknowledge making excuses of why I couldn’t further my education. Every reason I grasped for God blew apart.

Excuses:

1.      I can’t go because I can’t afford to get my transcripts from undergraduate school. They won’t release them because I still have a perkins grant to pay.

2.     I can’t go because I don’t have the money for the application fee.

3.     I can’t go because I don’t have money for books or school.

4.     I can’t go because I can’t afford to lose weeks off work to go to orientation and more.

How is it that I was able to not only get my transcripts released from a school that claimed I owed them money, but I had the money to pay for them as well. I looked at the website for Phillips and it was no application fee if I applied by a certain time. I work at a textbook company and was able to borrow more than half the books I needed for school. Then to top things off I received four scholarships more than enough to cover my cost of school, the extra books and travel to school. Not only did I go to orientation, the sacrifice of a week’s lost wages is nothing compared to the journey I began in August. God is humorous I must say because this time in our lives have been the most financially stable that we’ve had our entire marriage (12) + dating time of 3 years.

            I have peace in my decision, but not peace in my ability. I questioned my ability to rise to the occasion of the coursework that lay before me.  Excuses come to mind again! Wondering if I would not doubt my own ability if I had not over extended myself, if my platter was not overflowing at the beginning of seminary. The pattern of educational greatness has followed me all my life, so why question now.  In June I was called to fill the pulpit in a church 45 minutes from my home, in addition to serving them I was currently serving my home church as the Outreach Minister, working full time, married and wearing too many hats. So taking on 10 ½ hours my first semester in I would say was doing too much, almost sidetracking me at the start of what was to be the most exciting time of my life.  Struggling for weeks to find balance between it all I learned to set boundaries real quick and not apologize for them, I learned to do self-care and not apologize for it, I learned to spend necessary time with family when the opportunity presented itself and felt better for it. I can say like many other things in life that I learned from that. Going into enroll for the Spring semester I remembered the pain in August and enrolled in 6 ½ hours understanding that in the next couple of weeks I will be signing my letter of calling, meeting with the Commissioning Ministry Team and transitioning someone else into Outreach at my home church.

            I come to this established educational plan with the understanding that I bring a lot of knowledge, black girl magic, baggage, bad habits, obsessive tendencies and all will be embraced as I take this journey of faith. I don’t know how I’ll make it to the end, but I trust that I will be better for it. When I sit down and be still, God speaks to me. I can’t wait to tell you what has been said in writing my story, but I can’t begin to share until I step out on faith once again. As I empty my platter I learn to put down things that have no lasting meaning and I open myself up to God’s design.

My question for the group: As I begin to go deeper in my studies, how do I convey to the two people that I share space with that I’m not ignoring them? In my space I share with my husband and my mother in-law.

A Spiritual Advisor

One would think that having a conversation with a Spiritual Director would be a easy week, but that is not the case for me. I had a road block in this area and was not sure how to approach the conversation. I chickened out and invited my husband along for the conversation. He always has something to say and I felt within the safety of the room that I'd be able to say what needed to be said. Well that didn't quite work out in the beginning because he has so much to say, I couldn't talk if I wanted to. When the attention was placed in my court with a spot light, I wanted to run and hide. I think I wanted to flee because I felt that I was going to be told, yes its time for me to leave. To my relief that is not what happened, so now I feel like when it is time to leave it will be because God says its time and not because someone is trying to force me out. Bishop reassured me that Fifth Street will always be my home and that no matter where I go I can always come home. Whew, wasn't that a load off my mind.

Minority in Worship

In my worship setting I am a minority. There are several things that are similar to my experience in the African American church. Sacraments are observed with the same level of intimacy and respect. Some of the songs are very familiar in nature and some are even sung the same.
What I miss is having a choir to set the atmosphere. I also miss having the talk back during the sermon, so that you know that people are engaging. I think I miss that as much as I do not having a choir. I pray for balance, wisdom and the opportunity to be me in my skin.

Holding my peace

My spiritual ministry practice this week was going to be a day of silence. That did not work out so well as I had planned, so much of what I do requires me to communicate verbally. So I decided that as I served for the free community meal I would not get into any arguments with my family. I would allow everyone to serve in their area of expertise without interference from me. I almost was not successful because of my mother law counting the sacks. I had tried to explain to her  there was no need to count the number of sacks because I planned out exactly 100. I purchased exactly 100 bags of chips and 100 sweet treats to go into the sacks, we would clearly know when we were at 100 by when those items were gone.

Well that was not what she was trying to do, she was trying to count how many brown paper sacks could fit into the carrying boxes. So it was not her goal to get to 100, it was her goal to see how many she could fit into the boxes for delivery.  

What did I learn from this? Many of our disagreements stem from us not listening to one another. Both of us are so sure we're right that we don't take time to listen to one another. I think that this has become more apparent since she moved in with us. Its hard to have 2 grown women with strong personalities under one roof, with a male that loves us both caught in the middle. On my part I can do my best to live at peace with her. I can take more time to listen to what she is saying, instead of how she is saying it. I can take a deep breath and not get emotionally charged every time we have an exchange. Though I didn't get to spend my day in silence, I did learn that I need to be silent at times. I'd say that's a lesson that couldn't have been learned if I was in total silence as I had intended. 

Beyond what I see

How do I have faith, when I cannot see the end

When what I see is blurry and I don't know who to depend

Life is filled with uncertainty, life is filled with what ifs

And yet I get up each morning, willing to take the stiffs

The stiff climbs and low valleys, long streets and dark alleys

I grab my bible, reach for a prayer and rally

Just functioning outside the box, running from the old way

And yet I get up each morning, to kiss a brand new day

How do you have faith, when you cannot see the end

Test after test, medical is not my friend

So I depart from what I can see, its blurry anyway

When I get up each morning, thanking God and say

Whatever you will, let it be done

I hope to see, but I will not run

I have faith, that you'll take care of me

Even If when tomorrow comes I cannot see

I cannot see tomorrow, just as I couldn't see today

When I get up each morning, I'll thank God anyway

I don't know if it is a test of faith that I am walking in right now. 

The only thing I know for sure is I'll praise God anyhow. 

I'll praise him in the blurry sight, I'll praise him if I have none. 

I'll praise him always, until the setting of my sun

Don't Move

When you know who wins. Is it easier to Stand still? It began in Genesis and ends in Revelations. Do you know who wins? We win, so stand still. When God says move, you move. When God says Go, you go. I can hear my savior calling and as he moves me into position, why is he moving others too. I imagine it is because He is All-Knowing and all loving Father.  He is not a singular moving God, when He moves into action there are millions, trillions of moving parts. I won't get in the way of your Work.  I am a vessel you may use how you see fit.

What I love about my relationship with Him is how He speaks to me. When I am connected, I hear his voice so clearly. I hear Him now, calling me and He's moving me into position for Him. It is my prayer that as He purges things, people and places from my life that He fill those spaces ever so perfectly, ever so lovingly with His passion and purpose for Service.

I didn't understand or have any clue a few weeks back when Pastor was preaching and he read a passage about Mary saying," Behold, I am a servant of the Lord, let it be to me as you have said."  These words are found in Luke 1:38. I see now all too clearly, I feel it in my spirit. Lord, May it be to me according to your Word that You have said. Not as how a man might see me, NOT how women might see me, NOT how the World might see me. Lord MAY IT BE as YOU Have SAID.  Entering into a season of intercession for His church. IF I am found Faithful, He will answer. IF I am found lukewarm, inconsistent, asleep, He will answer. Lord, Find us Faithful in the things of Christ. Let every good and perfect gift come from You as You have declared. James 1:17

I declare healing over my mind, I declare healing over a hurting spirit. I declare and decree Freedom in this space.
Thank you, God, for trusting me enough to speak to me. The change I want to see must first begin in Me. I surrender Lord.

Off the Grid

 

 

So I have been missing in action a good three years on my writing. When I get down to

thinking about it in years, days and months, I can't believe I stopped.

I have missed having this type of conversational outlet.

 

I will start with an update overview of what happened to cause me to fall off the grid with my writing. It all started with the car accident that I was in February of 2011.  The car accident was the beginning of the end for several things in my life. I lost my writing and I lost my couponing. I just didn't have the physical ability to keep either one going. During 2012-2015 I was faced with some bone issues (Paget's Disease) that would lead me from seeing the top experts in their field in my location, then needing to travel to Rochester MN to the Mayo Clinic. Much like everyone else in the world I also experienced loss, loss of mobility and restrictions with my right hand and loss of family members that went on to Glory. My ministry expanded (I am a preacher) and I have been able to preach outside of my congregation these past years, which has really broadened my horizons.

 

Should you have any interest in learning more about my journey these years off the grid just leave a comment and I am sure I can revisit it.

 

Some people that live off the grid are not connected to the world at all. I was off the grid only in a couple areas, thank the Lord. I could not imagine going completely off the grid.

 

Todays topic we will look at Jonah or more specific Tarshish type living. You can read about Jonah in the book of Jonah. He received a Command, his life had purpose and meaning, he went the opposite direction that God told him to go. Once you know specifically what you are called to do in this world, you would think that it is quite clear how to proceed. This is not the case for many people. Knowing what you are called to do is only one piece of the puzzle.  It goes much deeper than that.  Acceptance of the calling, how to move forward and resources are some of the other key pieces that are necessary. It only complicates matters if you are not accepting the call on your life and you fall into Tarshish type living. Jonah went to Tarshish premeditated and determined not to go where he was called. Tarshish type living means that you are digging a ditch or more accurately you're in the middle of a storm on a sinking ship. Why do we waste time in Tarshish only to detour off the path? Is it a lack of confidence in our ability, or are we like Eve questioning did He really tell me to go to Nineveh?  Are we just that stubborn, hard headed and disobedient? Living outside the lines in Tarshish, outside the Will of God, leaves us empty and sitting in the belly of a fish wondering or better yet reviewing how did I get myself into this predicament.  How do I get myself out? Jonah experienced disobedience and anger. Jonah's Tarshish living was used by God to teach Jonah the preacher to be humble, to not be judgmental and to do What thus saith the Lord.

 

I don't know about you, but I do know that I don't want to live in Tarshish. We put ourselves at such great risk living outside the lines. God uses our living inside and outside the lines for his Glory. He teaches us and matures us through our fallible choices.

A peaceful dwelling place

My Father provides for me a peaceful dwelling place.  A place of rest, comfort and peace from my journey.

The 23rd Psalm is used many times in reference to those that have a Going home ceremony.  I would like to use its comfort for my day.

The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:
He leadeth me beside the still waters.
He restoreth my soul:
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name' sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil: For thou art with me;
Thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies;
Thou annointest my head with oil; My cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life,
and I will dwell in the House of the Lord forever.

When I think about the green pastures, the still water what joy and peace I find. The comfort in knowing that no matter the cause that my Lord restores my soul.

It has been a year since I have picked up my keyboard to write on this blog.  A lot has happened in the year.  I had great anxiety last time and had to look to the Word for answers.  I was in a car accident on that journey I took last year.  And that accident has lead me to the peaceful dwelling of the Father.  I remain amongst the living and I seek to do the will of the Father.

So to today, to yesterday and tomorrow I say: Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.

A great anxiety

Another day has come and gone, come and gone.  I am having great anxiety about whether or not I will survive travel food this weekend.  I am thinking that it is something I must plan for, if I fail to plan, I will fail at eating this weekend.  My Family in Q-city is known for Big family gatherings with lots of food choices.  This time will be no different, actually worse because it is a funeral.  People will be bringing food.  Lucky me!  My plan is to take my 100 calorie snacks with me, I am hoping that my father will be making my turkey bacon as usual, just need to let him know about the egg white.  Otherwise I will be hitting the Vee, Hy-Vee that is to get much needed items.  If I cannot figure out any healthy food choices I will be hitting the Vee for sure to get an awesome salad from the bar.  I know that Wendy's has 500 calorie meals.  I will also search in Q-City to see what other restaurants we have in common with Como, this will help me know what to eat.  So planning ahead will make this stay a lot better.  I am still unsure of where I am actually staying, but I feel confident as to where I will not be staying, so that helps some.   My other issue is that this is the first trip home without my hubby.  It has been ages, I mean ages since I have traveled down that road alone.

Anxiety... I think that will be the word for the day.  Anxiety is-feeling of worry: nervousness or agitation, often about something that is going to happen. 

So what is our answer to this anxiety other then being prepared?  Lets take it to the Word and see. 
We see in Matthew 6:25-34 ESV

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?

It also tells me in: Philippians 4:6 ESV


Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything

And one more scripture just in case I am not there yet would be:
Philippians 4:13 ESV


I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

Okay, I have my plan, I know the word and I am armed and ready for my journey.  Thank you Lord.

Never Lose Your Motivation

So you see I am 9 days into my healthy living, self-control lifestyle.  And already I haven't been held accountable or posted until now.  What is the hold up?  Am I not doing this new thing wholeheartedly? No I am not.  I weighed in today at the dietician and gained 3 pounds, which is only a 1 pound difference from when I weighed in at church on January 29th, but an actual 3 pound difference since last visit.  Either way it goes I must move more and portion control.  I must change in my mind that I am actually missing out on something.  I can't be discouraged. So the word or thought for the day is to Never Lose Your Motivation.  No matter what you are doing new, focus on the motivation, not on the valleys and the mountains.  So I, in exercing self-control, will stop having such a lazy spirit in this area.  I will stop surrendering and giving in to that "Lazy Spirit".  A lazy spirit can filter its way into so many areas of life if we let it.  We can make excuses for why we don't do something.  But now I am accountable for my actions, for the way I look and how I operate.  As I said there will be setbacks, hiccups and road blocks. My hubby is a road block he has tried to influence me to stay in the condition that I am. Never Lose Your Motivation, not for fellowship dinners at church, not for special occasions and surely not for a loved one.  Keep focused on your goal, post it on the refrigerator, dig out that picture of yourself when you was a healthy size, make a collague of places you want to take the new you. I plan to lose this extra pound to 3 pounds before Sundays weigh down weigh in.

The Message for today is Never Lose Your Motivation

Weigh Down

The big Weigh Down begins February 1st, 2011.

What changes will be reported, what will be viewed by others, will their be a chance for change. I sincerely believe it is all about Self-control. I must exhibit self-control in all I do this year. Could that be why the theme that I am living my life by this year be, Rejoice Always, Pray Without Ceasing and In Everything Give Thanks. I look forward to sharing the progress and working through the good the bad the ugly of it all. All the while Rejoicing, Praying and Giving Thanks to the Father. And so the year begins a new on February 1st, 2011.

Will you be caught on the side lines or will you get in the game, be a participant?

The Strength to carry on

There is a truth about Christian living which, if people knew it, would make all of life easier for them. The truth is this: Whatever trial or task comes our way in life, we will receive the strength we need to face it. There are several promises that give this assurance.

One reads, “your strength will equal your days.” (Deut 33:25) This seems to mean that the help which God gives, varies according to the tasks and trials of the particular day. God fits His blessing to our days.

When we are weak, He increases strength. (Isa 40:29)
When we are sorrowful, He gives comfort. (2 Cor 1:3-6)
When we are in danger, He grants protection. (Ps 32:7)
When we are weary, He gives rest. (Mtt 11:28)

Another of Christ’s promises reads, “My grace is sufficient for you.” (Cor 12:9) Every word of this assurance shines with brilliant light.
“My grace is sufficient for you.”

It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. We know that He has all Divine fullness, and so we are sure that no human need can ever exhaust His power to give help!

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
It is Christ’s grace that is sufficient. If it were anything else but grace, it might not give us such comfort. Grace is undeserved favor, goodness shown to the unworthy. We deserve nothing because we are sinners, but it is Christ’s grace which is sufficient, and so we can claim it.

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
His grace “IS” sufficient. Christ is always speaking personally to the one who is in any need, and saying, “My grace IS sufficient for you.”

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
The word “sufficient” is one whose meaning expands and amplifies with the measure of the need. No need is so small that it can’t be included; and none is so great that it can go beyond the capacity of the blessing that is promised.

“My grace is sufficient for you.”
The grace is sufficient for each of His redeemed children. “For you” the promise is made..

Life lies before us, with its burdens, its duties, its responsibilities, its struggles, its perplexities. It does not come to us all at once. God breaks our years into months and weeks and days, and never gives us more than we can bear or do for the day.

If we take up the present duty or burden we shall always have strength to do it. If we do not have strength of our own, we don’t need to falter because even if the task is impossible to our ability He will sustain us by giving us all the help we need.

- J.R. Miller

Thought of the Day-2/4/2010

A lazy Spirit

For too long I have been living with a lazy spirit.

I am either too tired, too busy, or just don't want to.

Either way it goes, my lazy living has not been working

It does not work for my service to the Lord and

it does not work for my physical body.

Imagine someone running around these days

spiritually and physically lazy.

The results are almost catastrophic.

How did I come to this realization

By fasting and prayer

By checking in and tuning into the Lord

instead of my Tv, instead of my love of food,

love of distractions

With me awareness is key

now that I know better

I will do better

Practically I can/ I will / I shall

1) Be in Bible Study

2) Move more

3) Eat less

4) No seconds

5) No fast food

6) Honor God

Imagine the chains that were loosed in my life.

Imagine how great God is that he allowed me

to abide this long with this lazy spirit

just waiting on me to be ready

Ready to accept who I am

Ready to know whose I am

Ready to move beyond my lazy spirit

Thought of the Day-1/4/2010

Pruning

2009 was a pruning season. 2010 step into your blessing.

2009 was a pruning season because as my Pastor told us yesterday

God Is Not the Problem!

So if we were in a pruning season in 2009

a lot was cut off that was not good for us.

To Prune means:

1. to cut or lop off (twigs, branches, or roots).
2. to cut or lop superfluous or undesired twigs, branches, or roots from; trim.
3. to rid or clear of (anything superfluous or undesirable).
4. to remove (anything considered superfluous or undesirable).

I expect great things from myself and God in 2010.

I am ready for a complete, total commitment. I am done with

half stepping. I always knew God was not the problem, but

sometimes you need the word to be given from someone else in a different fashion.

I am ready to receive my training and for God to enlarge my territory.

Sure there is some residue left from 2009 that needs to be dealt with.

Awareness is the key to my change, so I trust with faith that a dedicated

fast will cleanse my system from anything that might not be of the Father.

I am claiming more financial stability as my husband and I go into

our year of increase.

I am claiming more peace on my husbands job as we go into our

year of increase.

I am claiming that I will walk totally and completely into

my giftings in our year of increase.

Unlike others I am blessed with the wisdom of years.

Unlike others I am blessed with an all-knowing Father.

Unlike others I realize and recognize that God Is Not the Problem...

Thought of the Day-12/30/2009

Revelation 3:20 (King James Version)

20)Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.

God invites us, he desires us to know him and for us to allow him to know us. Will you open the door before it's too late?

Thought of the Day-12/29/2009

Ever so innocently, we've let our English language distort the meaning of the word church. Sometimes, that word means a place (as in I left my Bible at church). Other times, it refers to an activity (as in What time does church start). Often church is used to describe an institution (as in His behavior was frowned on by the church). While such definitions are appropriate, they miss the meaning of what church is all about.

The essence of the church is your Christian family---those people around the world who flow Christ and commit themselves to Him and to each other. When the apostle Paul wrote about the church, he wasn't talking about a building, an activity, or an institution. For Paul, the expression of church meant a personal relationship among Christians. He most often compared the church to a human body.

In a body, all the parts and details are important,and they must function in harmony.

• If one member of the body is injured or sick, then the entire body suffers.
• The members must operate in unison, because if they try to go in opposite directions, they won't get anywhere.
• Some members are more visible, while others play a vital role on the inside, But both types are necessary. There are no small parts in the body of Christ.
• If every member were the same, the body would look really weird, and if wouldn't function very well. (Just imagine a five-foot, eight-inch ear. Oh, sure you would have excellent hearing, but try driving a car that way).

the next time you go to church , don't look at the building of think about the schedule of events. Instead, look at the people. Appreciate them for who they are, what they need, and what they contribute to the "body". Then think about yourself. What is your role in the church? How do you fit into the body? Are you making a contribution to the overall health and fitness of the body?

Being part of the church means a lot more than just attending a service on Sunday morning, tossing a few coins in the basket, and shaking the pastor's hand on the way out. Being a part of the church involves an interactive relationship between people with Christ as their common bond. With that definition, you can't "walk out of the church" on Sunday morning. You are part of the body all week long.

Thought of the Day-12/23/2009

The Grinches that Steal Christmas
Written by Muriel Larson

What do you think of as Christmas draws near? Do you eagerly look forward to shopping for presents — and the gifts that you will receive? Do you enjoy shopping at big stores, and seeing all the decorations everywhere? Does your mouth water when you smell the turkey and the pumpkin and mince pies coming out of the oven? Can you hardly wait to eat turkey, sweet and mashed potatoes, and corn?

Do you have any time to think of the real reason for Christmas — our Lord Jesus Christ coming as a baby, and how the angels heralded His birth — and how He came to give His life for us that we may join Him in heaven someday?

Did you ever see that animated film on television, “The Grinch That Stole Christmas”? Well, I think that there are at least three grinches that can steal Christmas from us and the Son of God.

*Number One Grinch is Santa Claus.

This one sort of makes a god out of Santa Claus. After all, “he knows when we’ve been bad or good”– just as if he were God. Younger children eagerly await the gifts Santa will bring. This tends to take their eyes and thoughts off the greatest gift ever given: Jesus. Fairy tales are nice and I enjoyed them as I grew up. But really, the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ is no time for a fairy tale that presents itself as true, is it?

*Number Two Grinch is the world.

The non-Christian world has twisted the meaning of Christmas. Plays given at school used to be centered around the coming of Christ, the manger scene. Other plays like “The Grinch That Stole Christmas” have taken their place. They have stolen the real meaning of Christmas.

*Number Three Grinch is activity.

We have so much to do during the Christmas season that we have little time to think about Jesus. We have gifts to buy, trees to trim, relatives to visit, food to eat–lots of enjoyable things not wrong in themselves. But if they keep us too busy to think about our Lord Jesus then they “steal” Christmas, don’t they?

Now is a good time for all of us to determine in our hearts that we will not let the grinches steal the true Christmas spirit from us. How can we do that? During the season — and all through the year too — we can spend a minute or two each day thinking of the loving, compassionate Lord Jesus and what a difference His coming into this world has made in it and in our lives. We can praise God for the greatest gift possible, our Lord Jesus. Paul said, “Thanks be to God for his indescribably gift” (2 Corinthians 9:15, NIV).We may not be able to give the Lord Jesus Christ gold, frankincense, and myrrh, as the Wise Men did. But we can give Him our hearts and our time.

Questions: How can you cut back on activities and centre you thoughts more on the real meaning of Christmas? Tell us about one of your traditions at Christmas time that emphasizes the birth of Christ.

Thought of the Day-12/22/2009

A Plea to Use the Bible Every Day
Dr. Paul Dean
How often do you go to the Scriptures when faced with a difficult decision, an ethical dilemma, or when in need of simple advice? Do you realize just how practical the Scriptures really are? Would you first consult the bible when faced with a co-worker’s question concerning a problem he’s having with his teenage son, or would you first consult an “expert,” a secular book on the subject, or another friend?
Christians no doubt are aware that the bible contains information and of course doctrine. Not only is doctrine a dreaded concept in our contemporary context, but for many, the information the bible contains, even the information with which believers are familiar, seems so disconnected from their daily lives. Few people are aware of just how practical the Scriptures really are and therefore just how useful they really are for helping us to answer every day questions or deal with every day situations.

We get a lot of bible content on Sunday. In other words, we get a lot of information. However, somehow, we are failing to connect that information to our daily living and we have not grasped the fact that the bible is something that should be with us for ready use every day and not merely put away so we’ll have it on Sunday. In his little book, What to do on Thursday, Jay Adams asks the simple question, “Can we know how to go to the bible to find help on Thursday?” The answer of course is that we can and we must.


We must be able to go to the bible to find practical help in our every day lives because if we do not, we will make major decisions without reference to God. Not only do we miss out on the wisdom that God has for us but we actually commit ourselves to futility in so doing. When we attempt to make decisions without reference to God we are actually acting independently from God in the areas of knowledge and wisdom. To do so is to have no ground or basis for what we believe in that particular instance which means we have no ground for the decision we make. The decision we make will be foolish in God’s sight in that we have gone the way of Eve: we have decided that His revelation is not good enough for us and that we know a better way. Even if we happen to make a decision that occasionally squares with Scripture, we still play the part of the fool in that we don’t know why our decision is a good one because we didn’t consult God’s wisdom for us. We merely stumbled upon a good decision in one instance by virtue of the fact that we have been created in God’s image and therefore run into His truth in our thinking from time to time.

Thought of the Day-12/21/2009

Receive forgiveness at Christmas
by Rick Warren



Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Knowing that Christmastime is God's chosen time teaches us that Christmas is the time for us to receive forgiveness for the wrong things we've done.

God didn't send us a salesman because we don't need a product. He didn't send us a politician because we don't need diplomacy. He didn't send a scientist because we don't need more information.

God sent us a Savior because we need a Savior. If we didn't need a Savior, God wouldn't have wasted time sending one. God sent a Savior so we could receive forgiveness.

Why do I need a Savior? The Bible says that heaven is a perfect place. There's no sin in heaven; there's no suffering in heaven; there's no pain in heaven; there's no sorrow in heaven. It is a perfect place. The Bible says only perfect people get to live there. Obviously, if imperfect people lived there it wouldn't be perfect. That means I don't stand a chance of getting to heaven on my own merit.

You may be a good person, but the Bible doesn't say good people go to heaven. It says perfect people go to heaven. Not imperfect ... perfect. And none of us measure up.

So we all have a big problem. Here's this perfect place, but none of us are perfect. So God came to earth in the form of Jesus, who was perfect. I can't get to heaven on my own, but Jesus says, "I will be your Savior."

How do I let Christ save me? It's real simple. You admit you need a Savior. That's hard for a lot of us because it hurts our pride. We think we're a good person. That may even be true but you're not good enough. You're not perfect. We must admit, "I need a Savior. I need help. God, I need Jesus in my life. I need Jesus to be my Savior."

I was a life guard when I was younger. One thing every lifeguard knows is that you can't save anybody who's trying to save themselves.

If you've ever watched a lifeguard approach a person who is drowning, you will see the lifeguard swim out to the person and then just tread water. The lifeguard will watch the swimmer flail around until he or she finally gives up and goes limp. At that point, the lifeguard can simply put an arm around the swimmer's shoulder and swim back to shore.

It's that easy! But as long as the swimmer is trying to save him or herself, then no one can save him or her. If you grab on to swimmers before they give up trying to save themselves, they'll pull you down with them. You've got to wait until they stop trying to save themselves, then you can save them.

In the same way, God can't save you until you stop trying to save yourself. You can't have Christ as your Savior until you quit trying to get to heaven on your own effort. You have to just relax (remember 'stop being afraid') and say, "God, I don't deserve to be forgiven. I just cast myself on Your mercy." And God says, "That's what I've been waiting for. You are forgiven."

God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:16-17 NLT)

Thought of the Day-12/18/2009

"He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful" (John 1:2, NIV).

Jesus spoke to His disciples and said, "I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If anyone does not remain in me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples." John 15:1-8, NIV


It seems kind of weird that we should want to go through the pain of pruning, doesn't it? It reminds me a bit of the old work out saying, "No pain, no gain." When you allow the Lord to expose dead branches in your life and to strip them away, a simple, radiant beauty remains. You become a more vibrant reflection of Him and become better equipped to bear fruit. Trust Him, friend...no matter what or whom He may call you to give up.

Are there any dead branches hanging on the tree of you?

Let's Pray
Dear Lord, thank You for Your perfect love that longs for me to be fruitful and beautiful in You. Please remove any life-less branches in my life. As the psalmist prayed: "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting" (Psalm 139:23-24, NIV).

In Jesus Name,
Amen.