Christmas Eve

Wow, it's finally here! Christmas Eve. We can see the finish line and soon we can slow down and celebrate Jesus - our God with us. Do you ever stop and allow your mind to think about what Christmas really means? Usually what would follow would be my answer to that question. But as a gift to you, I invite you to ask yourself that question. And continue thinking until you reach a place of wonder!

Merry Christmas

Christmas Eve Service 7PM

Laugh a Little

Wow, it's been a month since I posted to my blog...what have I been doing?

In reading e-mails this morning and then logging onto our site, I have had some good laughs. Maybe you need to laugh this morning so here goes.

See how blessed you are to have my concise, bottom-line sermons!

So I have very little voice today...which some will count as a blessing as well. Working from home always allows me to catch up on things...like this!

Have a blessed day and take some time today to prepare for Jesus...He is coming!

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

Christmas is right around the corner and now is the time to consider celebrating the birth of Jesus in a way that will truly honor His birth. The first thing to consider is why we give each other gifts at Christmas instead of giving gifts in Jesus name? Sure, we make Christmas baskets and participate in Angel Trees but that's just a drop in the bucket compared to what we give to each other.

The average American family spends $750.00 on Christmas. With the bad economy that figure may drop to $500.00 but still that will mean hundreds of billions will be spent on gifts no one really wants, gifts that will be returned the day after Christmas, gifts that only a few will remember at this time next year.

There is a more excellent way. This is the third year our church is participating in Advent Conspiracy. Last year our offering to Living Water actually dug a well so a remote village now has clean drinking water...many cups of water given in Jesus name!

So before you make your list and check it twice I ask that you pray about what God would have you do this Christmas. Consider changing the way you celebrate the birth of Jesus and help us provide clean drinking water so those who need it most. For more information go to

www.adventconspiracy.org

You can make a difference and together we can make a big difference. If Christians will make this change in Christmas we can make sure everyone has clean water within ten years! What a gift of love that will be!!!

Wednesday Night - The Other Side of Pride

We just finished a week long celebration of Pensacola Pride. It was indeed a great time. Tonight at 7PM I will be speaking on "The Other Side of Pride". The Bible has a lot to say about pride so come out tonight as we balance last week with this look at the downside of pride.

Saturday, in the Park

There we are, me and Ray Boltz, chatting in the park at the festival on Saturday. What a great time we had there and then in both services on Sunday. Franco and Ray loved our church and told me they will be back to see us when we least expect it. One day I will look up and see them walking in the door. I warned Ray that if I see him he will have to sing!

Pensacola Pride was a huge success. And we had many new visitors on Sunday that met us in the park on Saturday. So for all of the hard work it took to work the week, it was will work it.

I especially want to thank Doug and Donna and of course Tami for handling the Kids Korner.

All in all it was a great weekend.

Life, Abundant Life and Eternal Life

It's sad that so many people think that our time on earth is all there is to life - when just the opposite is true. The Bible says our days on this earth are but like a vapor. Yet we spend most of our resources on living in the here and now with little if any thought about eternity.
The last few weeks have been filled with death. We had three people in our church who had a parent die in the last two weeks, as well as a member who died very unexpectedly. And today a member sits by the bed of her mom who is dying.
Why do we see death as such a tragedy when in fact it is death that takes us back to God? Perhaps we need to focus more on eternal life. We are created to not only serve a purpose while we are on this earth, but more importantly to spend eternity with God.
So enjoy each day for truly it is a gift from God. But live with eternity in mind. Jesus came that we might have life...abundant life...and eternal life. May that truth make a difference in how you live your life today.

The Age of Accountabilty

When I was a kid the magical age of accountability was 12. One could be baptized and even though I did not understand how being dipped in that dirty Trout river was going to make me clean, I put on that while robe and down to the river I went with others who had turned 12.

It's a different world now. Ryan turned 12 yesterday, but Ryan has baptized when he was just months old. He cooks and cleans and can do his own laundry. He has a laptop, a Wii, a Play Station 2, a PSP and of course a cell phone. Just think how the world will be when Ryan has children...and I'm a grandma.

The cycle of life continues no matter what. Praise be to God!

Now that Summer is officially over, we prepare for a busy Fall. There's a different energy in the air. So before you get too busy find a place in nature, take a few minutes and breathe in and out. Then you will find your mind drifting to pleasant thoughts of colored leaves, apple cider, pumpkins, footballs games and getting together with family and friends.

Love, joy and peace are found in the moment.
Let go of yesterday
Do not worry about tomorrow
Enjoy this day that God has made for YOU!