Being Properly Humble

Preparation Wonda

What you experience during the week with the Lord most often will define your approach to worship on Sunday, so I would encourage you not to underestimate what it means to prepare for the Sabbath.  Here are just a few words and scriptures that you can meditate on throughout the week that will help bring about an atmosphere of rest as we gather together next Sabbath. 

      1) Mercy.  Those who show mercy will be shown mercy.  Matt 5:7

      2) Forgiveness.  Those who forgive will be forgiven.  Matt 6:14

      3) Compassion.   Jesus, filled with compassion, reached out His hand to the unclean leper. Mark 1:41

      4) Patience.  A patient man has great understanding.  Prov 14:29

You will have opportunities this week to practice some or all of these few words and scriptures in your relationships or in your counsel to others.  If you meditate on them you will be more equipped when the occasion arises. 

Then on the Sabbath you can bring a full heart into the sanctuary thankful for the work of His Spirit in your life and give witness to His Grace. This is the atmosphere that we as a congregation want to facilitate.

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Trust kennetha

For many of us, 2008 was a difficult and worrisome year.  Wall Street lost 40% of its value, the housing market dropped; 2 million people lost their jobs, gas prices went over $4 a gallon, hurricanes, fires, mudslides and other disasters destroyed homes and lives.  2008 was a tough year and 2009 has the potential to be even tougher.   
But listen to the words of Christ, "Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in me” (John 14:1 NIV).
So what are we supposed to do?  Worry?  Fear?  Run?  Despair?  No… trust.  Not in ourselves or our government or our bank accounts but in God.   Nothing happened in 2008 that threatened to push God off His throne and nothing will happen in 2009 that’s so big God cannot handle it.  So trust.  Trust in His strength, trust in His ability, trust in His faithfulness, trust in His goodness, trust in His care, trust in His love and when you pray, let your words reflect that trust. 

Philip Yancey wrote that “Prayer invites us to rest in the fact that God is in control, and the world’s problems are ultimately God’s, not ours.”

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Renewal of Prayer RWA

Have you ever thought about giving up on prayer?  Certainly you have experienced a season in which you didn't feel as though your prayer life was really doing anything.  Maybe you just thought that your prayer was nothing more than empty words floating out of your mouth to nowhere.  If this sounds familiar, you might need to be refreshed.  It might be time to experience a renewal in this discipline.  Maybe you have started doing nothing more than reciting a wish list off to God instead of really talking to Him about your needs and the needs of those around you.  It might be time to refocus your attention.

In the book of Ezekiel, God brought a valley of dry bones back to life.  What was once dead had life again.  The bones were renewed.  Maybe your prayer discipline has been a little dry.  Ask God to revive it.  Maybe you have just been going through the motions and reciting the list.  Ask God to renew your passion to bring the needs of people before you.  God can bring you out of a dry season.  God can renew your prayer life and give it energy and enthusiasm.  God can give you a renewed passion for those persons in need and for those who are living far from Him.  If you want a renewed prayer life, communicate that to God.

Pastor R.W.

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Praykena

Something funny my two-year-old daughter, Eileen, does from time to time when she’s hurt or displeased and begins to cry is that she not only cries, but she also tells us she’s crying.  In the midst of shrieks and moans, she shouts, and declares, “Mommy, I’m crying!”  In other words, “Are you listening?  Do you hear me?  Do you understand what’s going on here?  Stop the world; I have a problem here!” 
 
How many times have you prayed and felt like your prayer never made it past the ceiling of your room?  The Bible assures us that He does hear us (1 Peter 3:12)…and since he hears us, let’s talk to Him this week. 
 
Taken from Tommy Walker’s book, He Knows My Name. 

Letting the Son of God be Formed in You kenb

Oswald Chambers - “God always hears the prayers of His Son, and if the Son of God is formed in me the Father will always hear my prayers.”  (My Utmost for His Highest August 9th)

God hears your prayers!  When we call out to God as our father and allow the life of Jesus to be lived in and through us, God hears us.  That’s fantastic news.  But is there enough room in your life for God?   Is there enough room in your life for God when things are going well?  Is there enough room in your life for God when things are bad?  Is there enough room in your life for God when it’s filled up with so many other things?  Let Jesus be formed in you and when you call out to Him, not only will He listen, He’ll respond. 

Action Steps:

1. Ask God to form Jesus in you fully. 
2. Ask God to identity any “things” that prevent Jesus from being formed in you fully. 
3. Ask God to give you the courage and strength to remove those things.
4. Ask God to speak to you. 
5. Listen.

Pastor Kenneth

A Constant Supplicationkenc

A few weeks ago, Joy and I had to take Madeline to Texas Children's Hospital for an emergency examination.  A clinic had diagnosed the symptoms that Madeline was having as being consistent with meningitis.  It was a really frightening experience for us.  There was a lot of uncertainty about what was going on in Madeline's body.  And the clinic had really scared us with the potential disease.  I recall fervently talking to God and asking for His healing touch to be upon Madeline.  It seemed like I was in a constant conversation with God that day.  I really wanted Him to know what I was asking for at that very moment.  After a long day at the hospital, it was determined that there was no meningitis: just a sore neck and headache. 

We are good at raising our petitions to God in moments of distress.  The question is how often do you raise your petitions to God in normal circumstances of life?  Are you one who only comes to God during those stressful times of life?  Do you regularly raise your petitions to God?  I would encourage you to be proactive instead of reactive in regards to your petitions before God. 

Pastor R.W.

How Long Has It Been?kend

You are bound to have heard the commercial, "How long has it been since you had a bowl of steaming _____ chili?  Well, that's too long!"

Do you remember hearing the once popular song that asks:

         How long has it been since you talked with the Lord
         And told Him your heart's hidden secrets?...
        
         How long has it been since you knelt by your bed
         And prayed to the Lord up in heaven?...

         How long has it been since your mind felt at ease?
         How long since your heart knew no burden?
         Can you call Him your Friend?
         How long has it been since you knew that He cared for you?

Don't let the Lord say to you, "Well, that's too long!" 

Why don't you talk to Him right now.

Harold Key

Supplicationkene

Have you ever seen the Disney movie Aladdin?  Since we have two little girls I have seen it about a hundred times.  When Aladdin releases the Genie from the bottle he is granted three wishes.  He can ask for almost anything he wants. 

Unfortunately, we can all sometimes treat prayer as a conversation between us and a god-like-Genie.  We think about what we want and the clever words we might use to get what we want.  In essence, our prayers become a laundry list of wants.  If this is the nature of our prayer communication with God, then something is wrong and out of balance. 

Here is what 1 John says:

“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” – 1 John 5:14  

We should have confidence in approaching God and we should know that He deeply cares about what we need.  He wants us to ask Him to meet our needs.  The test is whether or not our request is in accordance with His will for us. 

And you can know your request is in God’s will if you go through a few simple tests:

1. Is it in accordance with Jesus’ primary commands to love God and neighbor?
2. Is it in accordance with the general teaching of God’s Word?
3. Will granting this request give God glory before others?
4. Will granting this request aid in making you more like Jesus?

If you can answer yes to these questions, then ask away.  Do so with humility and trust God to do what’s best.  And no matter what, trust in faith that God’s will is the best way for your life.   

Pastor Jim

Prayerkenf

      In prayer we present requests, sometimes repeatedly, and then put ourselves in a state to receive the result.  We pray for what God wants to give us, which may turn out to be good gifts or it may be the Holy Spirit.  (From God’s viewpoint there is no better response to the persistent prayer than the gift of the Holy Spirit, God’s own self.) 
Like Peter, we may pray for food and get a lesson in racism; like Paul we may pray for healing and get humility.  We may ask for relief from trials and instead get patience to bear them.  We may pray for release from prison and instead get strength to redeem the time while there.  Asking, seeking, and knocking does have an effect on God, as Jesus insists, but it also has a lasting effect on the asker-seeker-knocker. 
 
Taken from Philip Yancey’s book, Prayer. 

Prayer is Priceless!keng

I don't think that anybody could ever attempt to put a value on prayer.  It is something that costs a person nothing.  And yet, the words that are spoken are worth a whole lot to the One on the receiving end.  Think about that for a minute.  The Almighty God, maker of heaven and earth, is listening to every word that you speak to Him.  Whether it is a specific need, a petition for something, an intercessory thought on somebody's behalf--God is listening.  And every word that you speak to Him is cherished.  That, my friends, is an amazing thought.

Sometimes people get stuck thinking that the only thing that hears a prayer is the ceiling.  But God is listening!  And the fact that He is listening is worth more than any dollar amount imaginable.  So, keep praying!  It will be heard!

Pastor R.W.

NOW THEN, WHO ARE YOU? kenh

“For the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9)

 My mother once said that she was right (Wright) until she married Charlie Key, and she was never right (Wright) after that.  But, get this: her mother was a crook (Crook) until she finally got right (Wright). 

Now if you were asked to make a complete sentence stating your basic identity, in all likelihood you would say, “I am…” and then add your full name.  Like I did as a child when I woke up in a hospital room after three months of amnesia and said to the woman beside my bed, “I know who I am.  I am Harold Key.” 
I didn’t know when I made that statement that, while the last word was recognizing the name of my earthly father, the first  actually recognized the name of my other Parent—the Almighty heavenly Father. 
Do you realize that is what you do also when you state your true identity? 
What is the name of your heavenly Father?  Don’t you remember what God told Moses (at the burning bush scene in Exodus 3:14) what His actual name is?  He said His name is literally “I AM.”
 From Moses onward, God’s personal name was considered too sacred even to be pronounced.  In Hebrew “I Am” is written in four sacred letters.  And so in the Old Testament part of the Bible, God's name does not appear as “I Am” but as “LORD.”  A different word was written in capital letters so that everyone reading would know that those letters stood for the sacred name of God, but out of reverence it was not to be pronounced.
Think how startling it was when Jesus said that when praying to the LORD, whose name is too sacred even to be pronounced, Jesus' followers could actually address Almighty God as “our Father in heaven.” 
No wonder we believers like to sing, “I Am a Child of God.” 
             Let’s remember this not only when we sing or pray but everywhere we go. “For the LORD (I AM) is with you wherever you go.”

           Now, who are you?

Harold Key

A Conversational Relationship with God keni

Why is prayer valuable?  Great question.

Prayer is important because it is one of the most important ways that we are transformed to be like Jesus.  It’s not an exercise where we just talk and talk, but one where we talk and listen and converse with God.  This ongoing conversation is mysterious and dynamic and a life-long adventure.  Dallas Willard writes, “The literal truth is that Christ through his word removed the old routines in the heart and mind . . . and in their place he puts something else: his thoughts, his attitudes, his beliefs, his ways of seeing and interpreting things, his words.” Our life becomes His life in us and we can have the “conversational relationship” He designed us for.  A “conversational relationship” is the “sort of relationship suited to friends who are mature personalities in a shared enterprise, no matter how different they be in other respects.”  While we are not God and never become God, the longer we engage in the relationship quest the more we become like God.  Prayer, over time – a life-time – makes us more and more like God.  That is why its so valuable.

Pastor Jim

God Hears Your Prayers!kenj

In October, 1983, a man named J.U. was painting the house of a friend. They had a small black dog that would go to the back door and bark and bark until someone finally got the message and let it out. One day J.U. was there, painting the outside of the home, while everyone else was gone. Their little dog, however, took up his station at the back door and barked incessantly all day. The sad thing was that it never dawned in his little brain that all his barking was totally useless—no one was home to hear!
I feel badly for the dog but aren’t you glad that God hears our prayers?  In the midst of the most painful times, when we can’t even force words to come out, God hears and that makes all the difference.  So remember, God hears and is powerful enough and cares enough to act. 

Have you talked to God today? 

“Unanswered” Prayerskenk

            Actress Pamela Grey once commented, “For one soul that exclaims, ‘Speak, Lord, for thy servant heareth,’ there are ten that say ‘Hear, Lord! For thy servant speaketh.’” 

            Anyone who has made the journey of prayer a regular part of their spiritual diet has at one point or another run into the wall of silence.   It’s a wall that’s hit when a prayer is raised but the heavens are silent…when prayers don’t seem to make it past the ceiling.  Times when you experience what St. John of the Cross called the Dark Night of the Soul.  Times when you read about God’s presence while wondering where He is.

Jesus also felt the chill of silence, of “unanswered prayers” (prayer for unity in His Church, prayer at Gethsemane and at the cross).  But He still hoped, He still prayed, He still trusted.  That’s a good lesson for us when we experience unanswered prayer: keep hoping, keep praying, and keep trusting. 

Have you prayed today? 

Have you talked to God today? 

Kenneth J. Spiller

Prayerkenl

It is always amazing to me to think about human side of Jesus.  This was a man who was 100% God and yet 100% man.  And because Jesus was a person like you and me, He experienced struggles in His life.  I know, some of you may be thinking that I am out of my mind for saying that, but the facts are all too present in scripture.  In Matthew 26:36-46, Jesus and His disciples have retreated to the garden of Gethsemane after the conclusion of their meal together.  Jesus is taking some time to prepare Himself for what is ahead.  Jesus has full knowledge of the plan that God created in order to bring redemption to people.  And the plan included Jesus' suffering prior to and leading to His death on the cross.  Jesus is fully aware of what is going to take place. 

On the human side, Jesus is struggling with what lies ahead.  He knows that there is going to be pain ahead--and lots of it!  He knows that He is going to be abandoned by His closest friends.  Despite all that is going to take place, Jesus realizes that following God's will and way is the most important thing.  Jesus prays that God's will would be done.  The human struggle for Jesus would not be enough to overcome the divine plan that God had for mankind which included Jesus' sacrifice.

            Jesus constantly prayed to regain His focus on God.  The incident in the garden of Gethsemane is just one example.  There are numerous times mentioned in scripture in which Jesus retreated from everybody else to refocus His attention on God.  How is your focus on God?  I know that in my life, I have had to take some time every so often to refocus my attention on God's will and way for me.  Perhaps you are in the same boat?  Perhaps you need to refocus your attention on God.  Take some time to get away from people and do just that.  This may require that you get up earlier in the morning and go to a quiet spot.  It may require you to spend a day in a park.  It may require you to just lock yourself in a closet without the possibility of any distractions.  Whatever it is that you have to do, go for it!  Now is the time to get your focus back.  Jesus had to do it.  And so do you!

Pastor R.W.

The Value of Prayerkenm

 Back in a college class studying religion, my professor declared that the essential value of prayer is psychological.

 But think what that implies.  If “prayer works,” it is simply because we are praying to ourselves.  And there either is no God "up there" or He doesn’t respond to our prayers.  Whatever benefit from prayer is in stimulating our thinking of means to improve our situation or in our auto-suggested resignation to the outcome that would be the same regardless of our prayer.  

Perhaps that concept prevails in today’s society.  But does it also prevail in today’s churches?  If it does, it’s because we aren’t reading our Bible, or we no longer believe what it teaches about the God and Father of us all who continually tells His children:
     “Pour out your heart to Him” (Psalm 62:8)
     “Cast all your anxiety upon Him because He cares for you” (1 Peter 5:7)
     “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). 

So, what is the value of praying?

Harold Key

Are You Trying Too Hard?  kenn

  Anthony Bloom tells the story of an elderly woman who had been working at prayer with all her might but without ever sensing God’s presence.  Wisely, the archbishop encouraged the old woman to go to her room each day and “for fifteen minutes knit before the face of God, but I forbid you to say one word of prayer.  You just knit and try to enjoy the peace of your room.” 

The woman received this counsel, and at first her only thought was, “Oh how nice.  I have fifteen minutes during which I can do nothing without being guilty!”  In time, however, she began to enter the silence created by her knitting.  Soon, she said, “I perceived that this silence was not simply an absence of noise, but that the silence had substance.  It was not absence of something but the presence of something.”    As she continued her daily knitting, she discovered that “at the heart of the silence there was He who is all stillness, all peace, all poise.”

She had let go of her tightfisted efforts to enter God’s presence and, by doing so, discovered God’s presence already there. 

 Do you know that as you read this sentence, the God of the whole universe is with you?  Have you spoken with him today?  Why not talk to Him now.   

Anthony Bloom taken from Richard Foster’s Book, Prayer (available in the LRC). 

What you are doing? kenp

Psalm 11:3 sighs, “If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”  Do you say “Amen”?  We just observed Mothers Day, calling attention to the first responsibility of moms (and fathers) is to train their children in the right way.  To those of us who grieve over the moral degeneration of our day, does it seem that the very foundation of our culture has been washed away?  Is our hope so destroyed that there seems to be no point in trying to be righteous any longer?

Or, do you say, “Oh, come on, Harold, it’s not quite that bad.  At least, not yet.”

Then we need to hear Ralph W. Sockman’s version of Psalm 11:3.  His version reads, “If the foundations are destroyed, what have the righteous been doing?”

And in that lies our problem.  What have we been doing?  Has our attitude been, “But I can’t do anything.  I’m just one person.  And, anyway, that’s the responsibility of ….” (the church, the leaders, somebody else).

Good heavens!  What are we doing?  How am I actually engaged, how are you actually engaged, in a battle that (according to Ephesians 6:12) “is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

This gets right back to the Holy Spirit’s sufficient direction to the first Christians who were to regard themselves not as weekend warriors but as full-time soldiers of Christ Jesus:

“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.  In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.  Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.  And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”

Is that what you are doing?

Harold Key

Unanswered Prayerkenq

The conviction that God answers prayer does not mean that every prayer is answered as we would like.  Unfortunately many believers hold very immature ideas about prayer.  They see it as a magical way of overcoming adversity, or of getting what they want or think they need.  God promises to hear our prayers, but not to grant every little whim.  “I must often be glad,” writes C.S. Lewis, “that certain past prayers of my own were not granted.” 
            It is unrealistic to think that we will get everything we pray for because “if an infinitely wise Being listens to the requests of finite and foolish creatures, of course He will sometimes grant and sometimes refuse them.”  Prayer is more like a child addressing requests to a wise parent than the waving of a magic wand.
 
Have you spoken to your heavenly Father today? 
 
Taken from Terry Glaspey book, “C.S. Lewis, His Life and Thought”

Prayer and Worship kenr

A while back I bought my daughter a couple of little goldfish.  I’ve never really been one for keeping pets, but I figured that these tiny creatures were probably quieter and tamer than most.  So there they swam, up on the mantelpiece, apparently forgetting everything every one and a half times around the bowl.  The very next day I found myself watching a documentary about creatures of the deep sea.  Right down in the depths of the ocean, the camera was capturing the most fascinating images of wild fish and other strange sea creatures.  I sat glued to the screen-so many varieties, so much untamed beauty.  And there in the back ground were Maisey’s tame little goldfish, doing yet another lap of the bowl.

            Sometimes in the Church, I worry that we’ve settled for “goldfish bowl” worship.  We convey a tame and domesticated God, and then find ourselves stuck in the endless pursuit of the ordinary.  But the call is to venture out into the ocean, to encounter the extraordinary and to explore the mighty depths of God. 

Prayer and worship go hand in hand and can take us into the depths of the mystery of God.  In worship we respond to the invitation of God…in prayer, we get to know God.  Have you talked to God today?  Have you worshipped Him? 

Goldfish story taken from Matt Redman’s book, Facedown. 

Kenneth Spiller

Worship & Prayer kens

How much time do you spend doing the things that you enjoy doing?  I am sure that you spend as much time as possible.  I know that for me, when it comes to Scouts, I spend a lot of time thinking about how to challenge my boys better, how to relate to their families better, how to plan the next great event.  I like to think about every little detail and how it might turn out.  It is a lot of fun for me.  I enjoy it very much.  The same is true for those things that you enjoy doing.  Whether it be scrapbooking, reading books, etc. chances are good that you spend a significant amount of time doing it.

How much time do you worship God in prayer?  I think that so many times, I am guilty of this as well; we approach prayer as our time to simply state our concerns to God.  We don't take the time to worship Him.  We forget to worship God for who He is.  We don't take time to worship God for what He is doing.  We get stuck in the rut of telling God our concerns and that is it.  We need to change our mindset.  We need to set aside some time to worship God for who He is and what He is doing through our prayer lives.  I would bet that if we started worshiping God on a regular basis through prayer, that He will absolutely reveal Himself to us.  Take 3 minutes everyday this week to worship God through your prayer life this week.  You do enjoy spending time with Him, right?

Pastor R.W.

ACTS for More Effective Prayer kent

             A few of you may guess where I’m going when you learn the theme for the prayer thoughts this month is “Worship and Prayer.”  But if you don’t have a clue, just keep reading.  Are prayer and worship two different activities?  Or could there be an important connection that explains why many of our prayers seem in vain? 
             Let the simple acronym ACTS explain that connection. “A” stands for adoration.  “C” stands for confession.  “T” stands for thanksgiving.  “S” stands for supplication.            
            But (alone or in a group) aren’t those the very activities involved in true worship?  So when I begin my prayer with supplication rather than adoration, I have it exactly backward, because the prayer that God hears and responds to must be worshipful—you know, “in spirit and in truth” (John 4:24).
             If you haven’t been praying ACTS, start your prayer expressing adoration of the Lord God.  Then confess to your heavenly Father both your shortcomings and His assurances of forgiveness to those who do confess.  Thank Him for His grace and His many instances of mercies.  Now, tell Him what you need.
             If you worship Him in prayer, you’ll be amazed (and adore Him even more) at how He responds to your prayers.

Pastor Key

Steps in Prayer kenu

Brennan Manning, in his book, The Signature of Jesus says some very helpful things in regard to prayer:  Brennan Manning,

1. The most important is: one learns to pray by praying.

2. Pray as you can; don't pray as you can't.

3. Don't just pray when you feel like it.  Showing up and shutting up is a discipline.

4. When a man or woman has an intense desire to grab a hold of God, they move and act, they respond and pray.

Quoting Abraham Heschel, "God is of no importance unless he is of supreme importance."

What can these ideas teach you?  They sure can teach me a whole bunch.  I am not the best pray-er in the world and I never have been.  That doesn't mean prayer isn't important, because it is very important to me.  What I mean is that I have never felt like I am a very good prayer, at least in comparison to others - so many others.  Somehow, reading Manning's words helps me to gain perspective.  It’s not about how I pray, but that I pray.  It's not about being like someone else, but about being myself.  It’s about developing habits of prayer and it’s about responding to God out of my prayer, not just talking and then going away.

It's a life-long learning for me, but this helped me take another step.  I hope it helps you.

Pastor Jim

Stale Prayers kenv

Sometimes the best description I can give my prayer life is “stale”.  Sometimes prayer can be exciting and energizing and other times it can be redundant and tired.  But I’ve noticed an issue with my prayer life: usually, it’s at the same time and the same place. I pray at night, right before I go to bed, everyday.  Maybe that’s part of the problem.  I have a living relationship with God that permeates my whole life not just a time slot at night. 
            I don’t chat with my wife at the same time and same place everyday.  If I did, “stale” wouldn’t be the word I’d used to describe my marriage but “trouble”.  No, I communicate with Ari: I phone her up after school, she’ll stop by during the day, I’ll email her, and she’ll text me.  We communicate throughout the day.  If I have a relationship with God, shouldn’t I be communicating with Him through the day?  If I’m not, could that attribute to the staleness in my prayers?

So I began to pray in small, simply ways throughout the day.  A prayer for understanding before school, a prayer for guidance at Parkgate, a prayer of intercession when I hear of a need, a prayer that I would honor Christ this day.  And guess how I would describe my prayer life now?  Perfect?  No, far from it.  But I would say there’s a breath of fresh air to my prayer life…there’s newness there. 

Have you spoken to God today?  Why not pray right now?  

Pastor Kenneth

Prayer--A Necessity for Life kenw

            It is amazing to me how many people say that they are a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ yet do not spend time speaking to God on a regular basis.  That just amazes me.  I heard a story recently of somebody who admitted that they were spiritually dry right now.  When asked if they had been spending time with God in prayer, the response was an emphatic no.  That is mind-boggling.  If you are to be a fully-devoted follower of Jesus Christ, you must spend time talking to God.  Why?  Simply put, it was the example that Jesus set.  There are numerous stories in the Bible about Jesus taking off by Himself to connect to God.  And I would imagine that for every story mentioned in which Jesus prayed to God, there are most likely many more times in which it is not mentioned. But the fact is that Jesus spent time with God.  And you should too.

I would challenge you to start spending time with God.  Just spend 5 minutes a day to begin with.  From there, spend more time.  Whatever the amount of time you do, just do it!  God wants to connect with you.  Be sure to take time to connect with Him.

Praying with and for you!

Pastor R.W.

"Die” if You Want to be Powerful in Prayer kenx

Or are you ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?  Romans 6:3

Someone once asked George Muller (called "the great prayer warrior") what was his secret for serving God?  In his reply, Muller said, “There was a day I died to George Muller with his opinions, preferences, taste and will, and died to the world, to its approval or censure. Ever since I live to be occupied in God’s service.  To glorify Him is the object of my life.”  

We almost envy how God used George Muller.  But when we hear these words of his, we’re not so excited.  Death is the end of things.  At least it seems so to most of the world.  It means that all those dreams I have, those plans and all those things I still want to possess have passed away—they’re gone into the grave.  That’s what Paul is pressing us to understand.  We have no personal agenda!  We are dead to private plans and projects.  That’s why baptism is not regeneration.  It is a funeral.  I die under the water just as surely as if I had drowned.

When I come up from that watery grave, I am raised with Jesus Christ.  I am alive now because the Spirit has generated a new me.  Now I answer only to the call of my Master.  Now God can use me without a fight.

At least that’s the theory, isn’t it?  Unfortunately, most of us seem to have held our breath when we were baptized.  We really weren’t ready to die.  We just wanted a rinse cycle—to be cleaned up a bit—not that burial part.  Too often we are not quite willing to let out all the oxygen and trust that God will raise us from the dead.  That’s really what it comes down to, isn’t it?  It’s a matter of trust.  Of course, God might raise us from the baptistery to life, but we are afraid it won’t be the life that we wanted.

However, there is no rescue without dying.  There is no resurrection without the grave.  Our part is to die.  God will do the rest. Now let us pray.

By Skip Moen (condensed by Harold Key)

Praying Continuallykeny

1 Thessalonians 5:17 is a very short verse with a powerful spiritual punch.  It says, “Pray continually.”  Other translations would say, “Pray without ceasing.”  In each case, the issue is developing an attitude of constant connection with God, where our prayer life isn’t segmented to certain times of the day or at certain events like meals, devotions or worship services.  This attitude keeps us focused on who God is and what He would want for our life.  The hymn writer would say, “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face.  And the things of this earth will grow strangel dim in the light of His glory and grace.”

Brother Lawrence expressed this attitude when he prayed., “O my God, I’m obeying now Your command to pay attention to what I am doing here.  Since I know you’re with me, I ask You to please grant me grace to stay and continue in Your presence.  Please help me.  I give you the work of my hands and the fruit of all my affections.” 

I love that prayer.  I love that attitude.  It reminds me of what it means to pray continually, inviting God into every area of my life – sometimes in 5-30 second intervals. 

May your prayer not cease this week. 

Pastor Jim

The Confession of Limitations kenab
 
Confession is important in prayer.  But it’s not restricted to just confessions of sin, but extends to confessions of limitations or, identifying areas where you need divine help.
In one famous instance in U.S. history, the leaders themselves turned to prayer after reaching an impasse.  In four contentious weeks the Constitutional Convention had failed to write a single word.  Benjamin Franklin, a man not known for his piety, rose to address George Washington: “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth, that God governs in the affairs of men.”  He went on to state his fear that the various factions would argue their own interests and reach no agreement: “without his [God’s] concurring aid, we shall succeed in this political building no better than the builders of Babel .”  Franklin then made a motion, “That henceforth prayers, imploring the assistance of heaven and its blessing on our deliberations, be held in this assembly every morning.”  That practice continues in the U.S. Congress to this day.
 
They recognized their limitations and called on God to help.  I think He did.  Can you do the same?  Can you recognize those areas in your life where you need help and can you ask?  That’s the confession of limitations.
 
Story taken from Philip Yancey’s book, Prayer (available in the LRC).
 
Pastor Kenneth

Confession of Sin kenz

A few weeks ago, I flat out lied to a good friend of mine.  This person asked me a question about a particular subject that I didn't want to talk about.  So, in response to the question, and as a way of getting away from the subject, I lied to move onto something else.  That lie really nagged at me for the next 24-hour period.  Finally, I took the initiative and confessed to my friend that I had lied to them.  Now, I am not at all proud of that moment.  As a matter of fact, it was one of the worst moments of my life.  And I would not suggest that anybody follow that particular example.  But the confession of that particular wrong doing was a great moment for me.  Why?  Because I was able to let the truth be known.  I was able to sit and talk with my friend about the subject.  I was able to be as open and transparent.  It was a liberating moment for me.  I was liberated from the wrong doing and from the wall that the lie had created between me and my friend.  My confession liberated me.

Since that moment, I have come to understand a little bit more that confession is simply a liberating moment.  It liberates you from the weight of what you have done wrong.  In this example, I was liberated from the lie.  When you confess your sin to God who is deeply in love with you, it liberates you from the incredible weight of sin.  It is a liberating feeling.  Do you have something that you need to confess?  Take time to confess it.  If it is to a friend, schedule some time to talk with that person.  It might be risky, but it will definitely be worth it.  If it is to God, it might be risky too.  But I guarantee that it will be a life-altering moment for you.  It will liberate you from the weight of that sin.

So, here is a question for you: Do you want to be liberated? 

Pastor R.W.

Do Not Go Naked (nor Wearing only Fig Leaves) kenaa

Does someone say: “What an absurd title for a serious church message!”  But that's  what the world’s culture constantly is pressuring everyone to do—at least figuratively.   You remember the old story in the Bible of Adam and Eve disobeying God and being shamed at their nakedness, then trying to use fig leaves to appear respectable.
          “Well, the irreligious might try to cover themselves with the equivalent of today’s fig leaves, but religious people would never do that!”   Oh?  What about: “I fast twice in the week, and I give tithes of all that I get, and I go to church, and I do this, and I don’t do that…?”  Fig leaves?  Could be.

 “Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 13:14).
“Put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness” (Ephesians 4:24).
“Put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator” (Colossians 3:10).

 Pardon me, but unless I am dressed in the person of Christ Jesus, all that I put on are simply some fig leaves.  And no matter how pretty my fig leaf accessories, with no clothing underneath, my nakedness still shows through. 
             It is only when God strips off the fig leaves we snatch to make a cover, and He clothes you and me with the person of Christ Jesus, that we can stand unembarrassed in the presence of our Creator. 

So how do we put on the Lord Jesus Christ?  We must stand penitently stripped before our Creator and ask (that is, we sincerely pray) for God Himself to clothe us in the complete characteristics of His Son, for “he (Jesus Christ) is our righteousness.”  Our living Lord and Savior is our only, but always, appropriate clothing in the presence of the King.

“When he shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in him be found!
              Dressed in his righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne.”

             Do you and I earnestly and penitently pray daily to be clothed from head to toe with the Lord Jesus Christ?  We'd better (if we don't want to go naked or dressed only in fig leaves).

Pastor Harold Key

Times of Silence kenac

Psalm 46:10 - "Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth."

            I’ve been thinking about this idea of “being still and knowing God”, especially the “being still” part, but there’s always something to get done, there’s always something to finish, there’s always something to do”.  We’re busy, busy, busy.   TV, Radio, Email shout at us: shop here, go there, buy this, and see that!   And all too often, when I get busy, my prayer life suffers.  Does yours?             
Bill Hybels wrote in his book To Busy Not to Prayer, “The archenemy of spiritual authenticity is busyness.  We can’t become an authentic Christian on diet of constant activity, even if the activity is all church related.”  We need time to slow down and talk and listen to the voice God, or we run the risk of missing him, and our spiritual life suffers.   We miss out!
Jesus always took time out of His busy schedule to pray and so should we. Ralph Waldo Emerson summed it up for us: let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God.”   We need times of silence.  Times when we can hear the whisper of God.

Schedule Some Alone Time kenad
 
Let me ask you a question.  How do you get away from the busyness of life to spend quality time with God?  This is truly a fair question.  And one that you should really think about.  Most of us are busy with life.  Between work, school, family, and other activities, life gets pretty full.  So, how do you take time to be in solitude with God?

The first thing that you need to do is schedule the time.  Whether it is in the morning, afternoon or evening, start off by scheduling the time.  Try to find a time in which you will not be disturbed by other things.  For example, I have my time scheduled for the mornings.  I get up extra early so that I will not be disturbed by Joy or the kids getting ready for their days.  I go into the living room and spend some time with God.  You need to schedule the time.  Secondly, keep the appointment.  It is easy to schedule other things so that you allow time to slip by without spending it with God.  Don't let your daily appointment with God slip by.  Keep it!  Do everything possible to keep it.  Third, read, talk and listen.  Take time to read God's word found in the Bible.  There are incredible stories in between the covers--stories about His love for you.  Talk to God.  Let Him hear what is on your mind.  Speak those words audibly so you can hear them too.  And listen.  Listen for God's response to you.

Life should never be too busy for God.  Even Jesus took time to spend with God.  Jesus would get away from everybody to have some alone time with God.  So, when you spend some alone time with God, you are following the example of the person who you invited to be the Savior of your life.  Follow the example that Jesus set.  Schedule some time to spend with God.  It will definitely bless your life!
 
Pastor RW

“Do You Want to Be Saved?”kenae

 Of course, silly man!  Who doesn’t want to be saved? 
Oh yes?  Wait until you consider the actual question: “saved from what, and saved to what?”  That is the question you and I are asked to answer—because what we want will determine our eternal destiny.
Do you want to be saved from sin, or do you just want to be saved in sin?  Do you really want God’s way as He shows us in Jesus, or do you merely want to avoid the inevitable consequences of Satan’s way in the worldly lives around us?
 That’s the essence of the question Jesus asked the paralyzed man by the pool of Bethesda: “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6) 
             Jesus meant then and he means now that if he saves you and me, he is going to have to save us from living our way and save us to living his way.  “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46)
             Christians used to sing a very perceptive hymn, “Take Time to Be Holy.”  Maybe we don't sing it anymore because we aren't taking time but just hoping we can find time to be holy?  But we don’t find time in our busy, busy world.  If we really want Jesus to save us, we must take time to be holy.
             After all, our real identity is what we are on the inside—what our heart most desires.  That’s why as we begin each day you and I must take time in private to ask, “Lord, what will you have me do?  And we must take time to listen to what he says.

Harold Key

Listening kenaf

I am an extrovert.  I love crowds.  I am comfortable talking to lots of people.  I get energy from being around people, especially people that I like and love.  That is who I am and that is OK.  However, every strength in our life can be a weakness if taken too far.  In other words, for the big extrovert that I am, it can be hard for me to be quiet, to really listen, to be alone.  It's not that those things are impossible.  It's just that they don't come as easy to me.  That is where my extrovert tendencies can sometimes become a weakness.  See, I want to cultivate a relationship with God, a dynamic friendship, and that means there must be a two way dialogue.  I don't do ALL the talking.

I wish I could say I have mastered the art of listening to God or practicing solitude.  I haven't.  In many ways I am at the beginning.  But there are a couple things that have helped me:

1. If I read a passage of scripture that is meaningful to me several times and then focus even more on just one short phrase, repeating that in my mind or out loud over and over, my mind and my spirit can quiet down.  There is no right passage, just something that is meaningful.  Anyway, after going over this several times, my mind can be clear enough to just sit for awhile and listen.  As I listen I look for the Spirit to prompt me - maybe with thoughts about a decision I am facing, the name of a friend or anything really.  I take those promptings, those thoughts, and offer a short prayer about that situation or maybe I simply look for some kind of insight to help me know what I should do next.

2. Another thing I have learned is that listening and solitude don't have to be relegated to certain times of the day.  I can spend time listening to God in short bursts throughout the day for seconds or minutes at a time.  Sometimes, if I am open and intentionally looking, God can speak to me through another person's words as I listen to them.  To be honest, this happens to me a lot. 

Bottom line - our relationship with God is a two way street if it is really to be a relationship and that means keeping my mouth closed and my ears open.  The two way part takes lots of practice, but we can all do it. 

Pastor Jim

Healing Prayer kenag

During our Community Group the other night we had an interesting ice breaker.  I gave every person a piece of ice and told them to squeeze the ice.  Then I told them all to pray and ask God to take away the pain.  When they began to squirm a bit, I told them to “beg God to take the pain away… make a deal… do whatever you can!”  Finally they asked if they could let go. 
            The point?  Many times when we pray for God to remove the pain in our lives He does not.  But do you know what He will often do?  He’ll take the ice.  Often He’ll take or heal those areas that are causing you pain.  But we have to be willing to do two things.  First, ask. Pray for God to take away the “ice,” and secondly, open up, let go of the ice.  Many times God does not take the ice simply because we’re holding onto it too tightly.  
            I believe pain has its place and God can use it for His glory.  But often I see bad attitudes, unhealthy habits, bitterness, unforgiveness (ice) cause people so much unnecessary pain.  God wants to deal with and heal those things.  But will you ask?  Will you let go?  to deal and heal those things.  But will you ask?  Will you let go? 
 
Thanks Tom for the Ice Breaker
 
Pastor Kenneth

Healing Prayer kenah
 
I am sure that you have come across the question before about whether healing prayer really does work.  It seems to be a topic that comes up from time to time.  Especially when somebody is faced with a physical issue either in their own life or a loved one.  It has been my experience in life that healing prayer absolutely works.  I can't say that I have ever witnessed an immediate, miraculous healing.  But I do know that God has healed people because of the prayers of people.

There is a little boy that I have been praying about for almost 6 months.  His name is Daniel Zuniga. Daniel is just over a year old.  He is the brother of one of the boys in my Cub Scout den.  Daniel was diagnosed with Leukemia in May.  Since that time, his body has been under attack from the cancer.  But Daniel is a fighter.  There have been times in which hope seemed gone.  The doctors weren't giving the family much hope.  But God has been at work in Daniel's body.  Every time that I think about Daniel, I say a prayer asking for God to heal him of this cancer.  And I know that God hears those prayers.  About a month ago, Daniel's mother called me to tell me that a fungus had been discovered in Daniel's sinus cavity.  This fungus was caused by the chemo that Daniel had been receiving to fight the Leukemia.  Upon further investigation, the doctors noticed that the fungus was spreading at a rapid pace.  Daniel's mother, knowing that I’m a pastor, immediately called me to begin praying.  I passed the news to other families in the den and here at Parkgate who I knew would pray for little Daniel.  A few days later, Daniel's mother called to tell me that the fungus had been contained.  It had been stopped.  Now, some would say that this was due in part to the medical staff and medicines treating Daniel.  I tend to believe that God had His hand in it as well..  God was and still is in the midst of the healing taking place in Daniel's body. 

God wants to extend healing to those in need.  Actively seek out that healing when you pray.  There are numerous times in scripture where people sought Jesus out for healing.  And because of their faith in action, Jesus healed those persons in need.  Maybe there is a lesson for us to learn in all of this.  Maybe we need to seek Jesus in times when healing is needed.  Seek God first.  And all of these things will be added unto you.  That includes healing.

Pastor R.W.

Healing Prayer and Lawrence Grimeskenai

            For fourteen years I was pastor of the Lamar-Parkway church in Memphis, Tennessee.  Lawrence Grimes was one of the deacons.  In December 1952 the elders, deacons and I began a study of prayer.  Little did we know that God would turn that study into a laboratory.

            Within the month Lawrence had his first seizure.  Then it happened daily.  Medical testing disclosed the presence of a rapidly growing brain tumor.  Surgery was arranged at Kennedy Veterans Hospital with a team headed by the leading neurosurgeon of Memphis.

            In just an hour Dr. Shybert and an assistant came into the room where Kathryn and I were waiting.  He said, “Mrs. Grimes, I have bad news.  When we removed the portion of skull where we could see the tumor, we found it much more extensive than we thought.  We need you to make the decision as to whether we should proceed.”

            Kathryn fainted.  When she revived she wanted me to make the decision.  I asked Dr. Shybert several questions as to the prognosis.  He said further surgery would produce certain blindness and probably a vegetative condition.  Without surgery, Lawrence had possibly two months of life with medication to lessen the discomfort.  I asked Dr. Shybert if Lawrence were his son, what would he do.  He said, “Since you and I both believe in God, I would close the wound and pray.”

            So we did.  Not only did the seizures stop, but on the second checkup after dismissal, Dr. Shybert said, “We cannot find any signs you ever had a tumor.  But we know you did.  We have all our records confirming the tumor.  And besides, we saw it with our own eyes.  I know what you have been doing.  I also believe in God.  My advice to you is to get out of here and don’t come back.”

            Lawrence did just that for another fifty-one years, rising in his company to become general sales manager, making trips throughout the United States and Europe.  Whenever he and Kathryn would visit us in St. Louis and later in Pasadena, I always liked to point to Lawrence as living proof that there is power in our Almighty God who hears the fervent prayers of His children.

Pastor Harold.

Prayer kenaj

  There are times in my prayer life that I choose to use a prayer written by a church father or spiritual leader from history.  I use a prayer they have written as a foundation for my own times of prayer.  It's not that their words are better, more holy or that God listens to them more than He does mine.  It's just that the prayers they have written and crafted can be wonderful prompts for me to help me focus in prayer.  The famous prayer of St. Francis of Assisi is one of those prayers.  I offer it to you for your meditation:

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace;

where there is hatred, let me sow love;

where there is injury, pardon;

where there is doubt, faith;

where there is despair, hope;

where there is darkness, light;

and where there is sadness, joy.

O Divine Master,

grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;

to be understood, as to understand;

to be loved, as to love;

for it is in giving that we receive,

it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,

and it is in dying that we are born to Eternal Life.

Amen.

Pastor Jim.

Saying Thanks! kenak

I spent last weekend in the trees of East Texas at Camp Powers with the Cub Scout Pack that I work with from Deer Park .  It was a great weekend of camping, learning Scout skills, fellowship with friends, and wearing the Scouts (and Scout Leaders) out.  It was an incredible weekend!  Now, I have to admit that I was a little nervous about the weekend.  I had arranged for the Pack to go to Camp Powers for the campout.  So, I wanted it to be a great weekend.  But when the forecasters called for rain on Thursday and Friday, I began to worry.  The Nacogdoches area was saturated with water on Thursday.  It rained at least 5-8 inches that day.  But by the time that most of the families got there on Friday evening, it had dried up, the sky had cleared and Scouting was in the air.  It was a great weekend!

Each and every opportunity that the boys in my den got, we thanked God for the great weather.  We thanked God in the midst of having fun working on Wolf achievements.  We thanked God while hiking in the woods to an old hunting cabin.  We thanked God before we ate.  We thanked God as we worshiped Him on Sunday morning.  We took every opportunity to thank God for the blessings of a great weekend.  I even recall Caleb mentioning his thanks to God when we returned home safely.

I tell you all of this to ask you this question:  are you thanking God for what He is doing in your life right now?  If you are, that is great.  If are you not, then now is the time to begin.  It is so important to say your ‘thanks’ to God.  Show that attitude of gratitude to the One who is with you through every moment and circumstance of life.  If you are thanking Him, He hears and will continue to bless your life.

So, be sure to say thanks to God.  It is a great spiritual habit to be in.

Blessings!

Pastor R.W.

Did You Know You Could Be Thanking God in French or Spanish? kenal

Instead of English, you might be thanking God in French or Spanish if it hadn’t been for a native-American Indian named Squanto.  In1605 Squanto was captured by traders and taken to Europe .  He was eventually sold to some Franciscan friars who taught him about Jesus Christ. 

             In 1616, after being a slave in both Spain and England , Squanto was allowed to return to his own people in what is now Massachusetts .  When he got home his people were all dead.

             But in 1620 when the Pilgrims on the Mayflower arrived at Plymouth Rock, to their surprise, in perfect English Squanto cordially greeted them: “Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.”  And, whereas the settlement in Jamestown of 1610 had already died out, the settlement at Plymouth Rock did not perish because Squanto taught the Pilgrims how to survive in their new world.

             No wonder that at the end of their first harvest season (1621), the settlers and the Indians gathered to offer special thanks to the Lord.  The same Lord who three thousand years earlier sent Joseph as a slave into Egypt to save his people then, had sent Squanto to Europe as a slave fifteen years before to save the Pilgrims in this land.

             “Now you know the rest of the story” concerning the origin of our Thanksgiving Day.  And we have even more reason to give thanks next Thursday (and every day) to our God who so marvelously provides.

Pastor Key

Prayer kenam

1 Thessalonians 5:17 says, “Pray all the time; thank God no matter what happens” (The Message).
 
I don’t know about you, but I have to burn that verse into my mind all the time.  Why? 
 
1.       Because I need God and His power in my life all the time.
2.       I never know what is coming next.
3.       Sometimes I am in over my head or feel overwhelmed and inadequate.
4.       Because even at my best, I am not sufficient.  But God always is. 
 
How does this translate in my life then?
 
Well, it means that many times my prayers are in short, heartfelt and very sincere bursts.  They are sentences and short utterances packed with a fervent desire and absolute need for God to show up.  In many ways, these short, spontaneous prayers are some of the most important and memorable prayers I ever utter.  They have no formula and are just so very basic.  But God is there!  And that is all that matters.
 
Pray that way.  Form your life around those kinds of prayers more and more and see what God can do.
 
Pastor Jim

Times of Silence kenao
  When was the last time you were quiet enough to hear the whisper of God? 
  French-German artist and Poet Jean Arp wrote, “Soon silence will have passed into legend.  Man has turned his back on silence.  Day after day he invents machines and devices that increase noise and distract humanity from the essence of life, contemplation, and meditation.“
  Sounds familiar, doesn’t it?   The problem is Jean Arp wrote it almost 100 years ago, before the advent of television and the internet!  Since then, we have made many more machines and devices that distract us. 
  But we need times of silence.  Times when we can hear the whisper of God. Look at the life of Jesus:

• After He was baptized, he went alone to the desert where he fasted and prayed.
• After He fed 5000, He went alone to the hills and prayed.
• After He healed the sick, he went alone to the wilderness and prayed.
• On the night before His crucifixion, He prayed alone in the garden.

  Jesus always took time out of His busy schedule to pray.  If Jesus did this, shouldn’t we?   
Ralph Waldo Emerson summed it up: "Let us be silent that we may hear the whisper of God."

Pastor Kenneth

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Times of Silence kenap
Have you ever found it difficult to sit in silence?  This is something that I struggle with quite often.  I have done so much to fill my life with “noise” that it is almost impossible to simply sit in silence.  And in those times that I have tried, it seems as though my mind begins racing with thoughts that the silence becomes cluttered with “noise” once again.
 There most certainly is value in being silent.  So many times, we fill our prayer times with the list of things that we have to say to God that we don’t take the time to listen to what He might have to say to us.  In missing God’s message, we might just be missing out on incredible opportunities intended to encourage, teach, or even direct our lives. 
 In Mark 1, we learn that Jesus went to a solitary place to meet with the Father.  I can imagine that Jesus did a fair share of talking to God.  Jesus wanted God’s direction for his life and ministry.  But I am almost certain that Jesus was silent as well.  You see, Jesus recognized that God had something to say to Him.  We need to be silent too.  God has something that He wants to say to us.  You will miss it if you are constantly surrounding yourself with noise. 
 Be silent before God.  Be still and know that He is God.  Start out with a couple of minutes of silence and build it from there.  You never know just what God will say.

Pastor R.W. Moody, Jr.
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Come Adore the King! kenan
 
This time of the year always seems to be busier than any other time.  There are a whole lot of gatherings to attend between church, work and other groups that you may be a part of.  This week, my family had a Christmas gathering two out of the five nights that we attended.  And the calendar just continues to be full.
 
I would like to challenge you with something.  Come adore the King!  Take time to visit with Jesus.  Go and see some Christmas lights and reflect on the Light of God that came to the world.  Go and see a Christmas program at a place of worship and meditate on the message of the songs.  Go and see a living nativity and try to put yourself into the shoes of Mary, Joseph, the shepherds or the wise men.  Think about how the Christ child affected their lives.  Above all, adore the King!
 
Christmas is the celebration of the birth of the Christ child.  Be sure to celebrate that arrival. 
 
Thank you Jesus for coming into this world.  Thank you for making a difference in my life and the lives of every friend who reads these words.  Continue to mold me into Your image.  Help me to follow you and be obedient to Your will and way for my life.  Happy Birthday Jesus!  I love you!
 
Pastor R.W.