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Unwrap Christmas – Gift of Life

By Encouragement, Faith, God, Jesus

When Jesus spoke again to the people He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12

Merry Christmas!

This week we have unwrapped some of the real gifts of Christmas. (If you missed any of them, see the suggested links on this post.)

When we think of Christmas, we might think only of the baby that was wrapped in swaddling clothes and laid in a feeding tray. We often forget that the child grew. Jesus grew to be a man; a sinless man who would bear the sins of the world, be beaten and hung on a cross, placed in a borrowed tomb, and rose to life on the third day.

Jesus came, not simply so that you and I might have new life, but that we might enjoy it to the full! One of the gifts of Christmas is that you and I are no longer doomed to a mediocre existence! You and I, the children of God are no longer confined to the darkness! We have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ…the Light of the world!

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December 23, 2010
Love0

Unwrap Christmas – Gift of Love

By Church, Encouragement, God, Jesus, Life Plan

For God so loved the world, that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16

This might not be part of the Christmas story you share with your family as you sit around the fireplace, but maybe it should be!

As we unwrap the gifts of Christmas this year, we can’t help but mention God’s love. It was because of His great love for you and me that we even have a Christmas to celebrate!

When God created the heavens and the earth, the world was a perfect place. Man was in union with nature. Man had a committed relationship with his Creator God.

Then sin entered the realm of mankind. Sin separated man from God. What once was a perfect relationship was scarred forever. Men and women were subject to death, because of the plague of sin. Mankind could no longer reach a Holy God.

But then…

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December 22, 2010
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Unwrap Christmas – Gift of Peace

By Culture, Encouragement, God, Jesus

The Jesus born on Christmas day was God’s gift to the world, but if that’s true (and it is), then what exactly are we getting for Christmas?

This week we are going to unwrap Christmas looking at a different gift each day…

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace to men on whom His favor rests.” Luke 2:14 NIV

Peace! It’s an amazing word. In the cluttered life in which we live, peace is a word we strive to achieve. Peace is something we all need…and the faster the world gets…the more peace we need…

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December 19, 2010
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Growing Service in Your Kids at Christmas

By Children, Church, Culture, Encouragement, Family, God, Parenting

Tim Elmore is an incredible leader. He has one of the best understandings of how to reach the next generation of anyone one I know. I recently had dinner with Tim and can attest to this man’s incredible heart for people. I’m blessed to have Tim share his thoughts with us here today as a guest post.

In our recent work with students, Growing Leaders has drawn some interesting conclusions. We have seen a shift take place among the young people in Generation Y. (The kids born in the 80s are different than the kids born since then.) The research is in a new book called: Generation iY: Our Last Chance to Save Their Future.

One of the shifts we’ve uncovered is that kids have moved from “activists” (who want to change the world) to “slack-tivists.” They still want to change the world — but sort of. They often don’t really want to work hard or make sacrifices. They’d rather sign a petition on a website, get a wristband and then return to a video game or YouTube. They’re more self-absorbed than their earlier counterparts. So, how do we grow a heart for service in our kids today?

Try this.

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December 9, 2010
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A Week Of Thanksgiving: The Top People on My List

By Children, Family, God, Marriage, Parenting

I’ve been writing about people I’m thankful for this week, encouraging you to do the same. Obviously our greatest thanksgiving should be for our personal relationship with the Living God, but I’m thankful He allows us to have people in our life to love and help shape us. We’ve shared about people who have helped us professionally, been consistent friends, and helped us grow spiritually. You can still do that in the previous posts HERE, HERE AND HERE.

Today, I want to share the group most of us would put at the top of our thankful list….our immediate families. The people in my life I’m most thankful for are my wife and two boys. I’ve previously shared most of these points about them, but they are still true today.

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November 25, 2010
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Week of Thanksgiving: Who Helped You Grow Spiritually?

By Church, Encouragement, Faith, God

We are sharing a week of Thanksgivings; celebrating people who have made a difference in our life. Read the previous two days HERE and HERE.

Today, let’s talk spiritual talk.

Who is the person who helped you most to grow spiritually?

Obviously, as with the other days, you could answer God or Jesus or the Holy Spirit, and of course those answers would be correct, but thankfully God uses other people in our life to make a difference. He shapes our life through the influence of people. So, in terms of your spiritual growth, who is the person who helped you or is helping you the most.

As I’ve done the previous days, I’ll go first.

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November 24, 2010
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Just Be Glad It’s Not a Pumpkin

By Christians, Devotional, Encouragement, Funny, God

I don’t know where this story originated. If you are the author, let me know and I’ll give you proper credit. I heard it years ago and was reminded of it again today. It may seem a bit corny, but lately I’ve been in a corny mood.

Sometimes we are tempted to question God. I think that’s okay…I even did a whole sermon about that yesterday. I’ll post it later on this blog. In the end, however, we have to realize that God has answers we do not have.

This cute little story illustrates that principle well:

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November 15, 2010
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The Speed of Light

By Christians, Devotional, Encouragement, God

How great is God–beyond our understanding! The number of His years is past finding out. Job 36:26

I remember some time ago reading that a scientist believes they have actually sent light faster than the “speed of light”…or …at least what they thought to be the speed of light. I read the article and I have to admit, although I didn’t understand it completely, I was impressed with their research.

Do you know, however, what the story didn’t tell me?

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November 14, 2010
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