Christmas Continues

All the decorations are down, there's no more Christmas music, and the stores are full of Valentine and Easter merchandise. By all appearances, Christmas is over. But is it? No.

The Christmas season is over, according to the man-made calendar, but we can (and should) continue all year to rejoice in the fact of what we celebrate. There is STILL Joy to the world, scriptures tell us to rejoice in numerous verses, and we STILL need to go tell it on the (mountain). Let's remember that Emmanuel (meaning God is with us) is true not just in the Christmas season, but every second of every day, all year. What a wonderful truth.

Lemonade, Anyone?

We've all seen the poster - "When life gives you lemons, make lemonade." The poster includes a drawing of a man being hit in the head with an avalanche of lemons, but lemonade is pouring out of his nose which is shaped like a faucet.

I get the message, but if it's alright with you, I'm not drinking that lemonade.

Paul's message in Philippians 2:17-18 fortunately makes more sense than turning the difficulties of life into nostril juice. Paul faced his share of challenges in life, but learned the secret of finding joy even in the midst of discouragement.

We can, too. Join us this Sunday to learn this vital truth (I promise, we won't serve lemonade).

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Merry Christmas!

This Sunday, December 25, join with us in a special family time of Christmas celebration and worship. We have altered our normal schedule so that you and your family can have those special Christmas traditions. We have combined all our services and ministries into one special worship service at 10:30 AM. The service will include the singing of favorite Christmas carols, special music, and a Christmas message. The earlier time will allow you and your family to be home in plenty of time for Christmas lunch.

Bring your family and friends to join us for this special celebration of the Savior's birth this Sunday, December 25 at 10:30 AM.

Inner Workings

A few months ago, Marsha and I visited America's only working tea plantation. For a half hour, we took the free tour and learned how tea is made. I returned home with the interesting factoid that green tea, black tea, and regular tea all come from the same plant. The different teas come from the length of time the tea leaves are processed.

Feel free to tell your friends.

Okay, so it's not the most important fact to know, but it is still interesting to see how things are made. Paul invites us into the factory to see how the church works in Philippians 2:12-13. Sunday we will learn the extraordinary truth: it is God working in us.

See you Sunday!

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No Debate

As far as I know, my high school did not have a debate team. I suppose our teachers thought we argued enough already. We did, however, have a history teacher who made us have a class debate as part of an assignment. He asked us what we thought about certain issues of the day, and then made us stand in front of the class and argue the case for the opposite side of what we believed. I understood the importance of seeing both sides of an argument, but I always wondered: If both sides are right, what's the point of the debate?

Philippians 2:9-11 describes a day when there will be no debate about the only thing that really matters - Jesus Christ is Lord. Join us this Sunday as we look forward to that extraordinary day.

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Flip the switch/Plug In

The power went off for awhile today at church. When that happens, it is always a reminder of how dependent we are on electricity. No computer, no light, and it quickly began to get chilly in the building. Nonetheless, as I entered a room, I would flip the light switch...and time after time, the same thing happened....NOTHING. I was still as much in the dark as when I entered the room.

Sometimes in life we feel in the dark and like nothing can be accomplished. We do what we think is best, even though we know better and we're still in the dark. The problem is generally the same...we aren't plugged in to The Power. 

Once the power came back on, I was still going to sit in the dark until I turned on the switch. Never mind that power was surging all around me....if I didn't turn the lights and computer on and UTILIZE the power, nothing would get accomplished.

God's power never goes out. It doesn't even flicker. And it is more than we can possibly imagine. But we have to use it and allow Him to be powerful in our lives. "I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints, and the surpassing greatness of His power to us who believe." Ephesians 1:18-19. 

Good Attitude

My seventh grade reading teacher told me I was cynical. After I looked it up, I realized that wasn't a complement. She thought I needed an attitude adjustment. Most seventh grade boys probably do. In fact, my attitude was pretty cynical through the course of my seventh grade reading class, but I decided I could survive anything for a year.

Nice plan, except that when class assignments came out in the eighth grade, I had the same teacher, this time for English. I quickly learned I needed the same adjustment in eighth grade that I needed in the seventh. Fortunately for both of us, she did not follow me to the ninth grade.

We all need attitude adjustments from time to time. The Bible gives us the target:

Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 2:5)

Join us this Sunday as we discover how to have the attitude of Christ, even as a seventh grade student (or teacher).

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