Blessing Upon Blessing

Words cannot describe the blessings God showered on us yesterday. Nine baptisms! Jason and DeMarco, Daniel, friends from far away, people we had not seen lately, and the beginning of the new "Transformers" sermon series. In case you missed it, we talked about two kinds of transformation: instantaneous and initiated by God, and process in which we work in partnership with God to become more like Jesus; transformation from the inside out.

Here's the line-up for the rest:

Jan 23rd Transformed by Touch

Jan 30th Youth Sunday

Feb 6th Transformed by Focus

Feb 13th Transformed by Discipline

Feb 20th Transformed by Wisdom

If you are ready to go beyond change and all the way to transformation, this series is for you. Join us at 9:00 or 11:00 as we learn and grow together.

Let us rejoice in what God did for us yesterday! Have a blessed week.

Love, Love, Love

As most of you know by now, in two weeks we will celebrate the

34th Anniversary of Holy Cross MCC, and my 10th Anniversary. While I am honored that a Love Offering will be received for me, I would like to remind you that is does not have to be money. I know everyone is tight right now so think outside the box and give me some of those relational gifts. Write me a note telling me what my ministry means to you. Or take a picture and send it to me. Or pick me a wild flower - if you can find one this time of the year. Maybe those ideas will get you to thinking. Just know that whatever you do....and even if you do nothing, you are loved, appreciated and lifted in prayer. It is a blessing to me to serve as pastor of this incredible church and I could not have done it without all of you. Have a blessed day and enjoy the sunshine and warmer weather. And remember, Jason and DeMarco are singing two songs in each worship service tomorrow and then a full concert at 1:00pm. Invite someone to come and be blessed!!!

Perspective Makes a Difference

As I was looking for pictures of the magi who visited the baby Jesus I came across this one that shows the baby looking at the star. It made me think about perspective. To the real star (Jesus) that big star in the sky didn't look so big. Maybe when life seems too large it might help to look at things from a different perspective...from a place of truth about who we really are compared to the littleness of daily life. Do not shrink when you look at the things that would overwhelm you - just put them in the right perspective and they will not seem so big. What's the right perspective? The baby's of course! Happy New Year!!

Wow!

Today we had a taste of how wonderful the Choir's Christmas musical is going to sound. You have got to hear it! You will be blessed. It is very uplifting and the choir sounds fabulous. So be sure to attend either at 11:00 next Sunday and/or at 7:00pm.

And as Ty reminded us, Christmas is one of those times when non-church people are more likely to say yes to an invitation to attend. So look around your world and find someone to invite to join you next Sunday. Offer to pick them up or meet them in the parking lot. I believe that God is going to use this musical to touch and change lives...beginning with me!

Have a blessed week and I hope to see you Sunday!

Relational Gifts

Okay, now that we are not buying gifts for each other on the birthday of Jesus, we are giving "relational gifts". What are those? Gifts that cost little or no money....but show that you know and love the person who's getting the gift. I got two today already. One was an e-mail affirming my ministry. What a great way to begin my day!

The other gift was a visit from my friend Don. He brought me a pair of gloves, an apple fritter, and a delicious cup of coffee! In turn I gave him two old CD's I came across the other day....with Sax music on them. He's learning to play the sax. Those are relational gifts. I hope next year we have a workshop where people can come and make relational gifts for their loved ones. And then the money we would have spent on each other can be used to change our world - in Jesus name!

Remember, people all around the globe are praying for clean water. Help us dig another well this year.

Merry Christmas everyone!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year

What makes it most wonderful is God's greatest gift - Jesus! So why do we celebrate the birthday of Jesus by giving gifts to one another? How messed up is that! If you honestly ask yourself that question you will know in your heart that there has to be a better way. For many of us that way is to take the money we would spend on Christmas and give it so that people around the world can have the gift of clean water - in Jesus name!

Holy Cross has participated in Advent Conspiracy for the last four years and we have funded the drilling of four wells in remote villages around the world.I think that makes Jesus smile. It also takes the stress out of Christmas. No visits to the Mall, no gifts to select, no wrapping is needed. Just designate your gift "AC" or "Living Water"and drop it in the offering plate now through December 26th. For you folks out of town you can mail your check to us.

If you have time go on the Living Water site and check them out and you will see the good work they are doing. If Christians would change the way we celebrate Christmas we could solve the water crisis on planet earth. Then we could solve other problems in our world. Perhaps this is what Jesus meant as recorded in John 14:12, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I am doing, and they will do even greater things....".

None of us can solve the needs in our world on our own. But just think of what we can do as we come together as one! How will you celebrate the birth of Jesus this year? If you are worried about what your family and friends will think - fear not - it will make sense to them too. And then on their birthday go all out and buy them as many gifts as you want. They will feel more special than before. Try it and see for yourself. Merry Christmas to you and Happy Birthday Jesus!!!

Do You Need a Hug?

I just opened an e-mail with a drawing of a woman getting a hug from Jesus! I wanted to share it but couldn't copy it so if you need a hug today, find a private place and close your eyes and ask Jesus to give you a hug; then be still and allow yourself to feel those loving arms wrapped around you. Jesus is always there, by your side, and you can get a hug anytime you need one.

I remember when I was in Corpus, a lady who had been attending for a few months came to the office to talk with me; she said it seemed like when I prayed that I thought God was right there listening to me and she wanted to feel God that close to her. It was a joy to help her learn to experience God's presence right there with her too.

Give it a try; if you can lay down and close your eyes and pay attention to the outline of your body; it will begin to feel like warm electricity surrounding you.....guess what it really is?