2009 December 24

gingerbread folks and horses

It was a little crowded at my house last night. All these extra people, gingerbread people, and of course there were horses involved.

Can you guess what comes next?

awe and wonder and the Nativity Story

We recently watched The Nativity Story. I really like it, it was pretty true to scripture with some artistic license taken but nothing that hindered the story. Mary was believable, young, innocent, even if she did have a funny accent. Joseph, made me actually appreciate Joseph like I never have. There were several “God coincidences” and those knowing looks between folks who understand the hugeness of God at work. But what I appreciated the most was the incredible acting or maybe it was a real life miracle of when the wise men realized what they been seeking was God Himself in a non threatening meek human form. And they had found Him. That look of awe and wonder, that realization of who He is. That is priceless whether on screen or live. To see someone’s eyes opened is almost like being born again yourself. Again .

wish list for Jesus again

This is actually an excerpt from our ministry newsletter printed in 2000, but I hunted it down for you because it is worth repeating.

As we are now into the busiest time of the year for most people, I urge you to stop, take a moment,(or 5 or 60) and spend some time with Jesus. What does Christmas mean to you? Is it about Jesus, or tradition of man? For most of you, you’ll answer, “it’s about Jesus”, yet we can get so busy we forget all about Him. Have you spent more time wrapping presents than you have in prayer? Have you spent more time shopping than witnessing? Have you decorated your house but forgotten to put the “garment of praise” on yourself? Have you bought presents for everyone but the one whose birthday it is supposed to be? Is it time for a change? Am I really starting to get to you? To begin with Christmas really has nothing to do with the Lord, and if the original apostles were still around they would not distract from the Lord’s work to celebrate it. Most theologians will tell you Jesus was probably born in the fall not winter, but the time is not told us exactly in scripture for the very reason that we would make it the event it has now become. But, since in America we are already distracted, and have already made an “event” out of it, let’s use it to His advantage! This is one of the few times of the year people will listen about Jesus. Here is my year 2000 suggestion list for gifts for Jesus,

Our favorite!! Write a love letter to Jesus, keep them until Christmas day then read them as a family
give a Jesus video to each of your neighbors and family members
Find a busy shopping corner, get the children singing carols, read the Christmas story from scripture and then keep reading, go right through the crucifixion then ask the crowd if there are any questions or prayer requests, all this should be done loud enough to hear from a distance, but not obnoxiously
invite a few ‘lonesome friends” for supper and share the love of Jesus with them
write down your testimony, the whole story, then give it to your parents, grown children, and any unsaved family members
give a monetary gift (sacrifice, make it hurt) to a ministry, missionary, or homeless mission that really shares the gospel, not toys to needy children, but to somewhere that shares JESUS to the broken ones
give your time at a mission or other place that shares the gospel
spend a day fasting and praying for your community
write a love song to Jesus and teach it to your family
have tracts printed and pass them out
give the Lord that one thing He keeps asking you for (time, chocolate, cigarettes, t.v., your new truck,) whatever is getting between you and Him, your idols
buy bibles instead of other gifts
all of these ideas require some prayer before hand, that is giving Jesus the gift He most desires,