Valerie Rae Hanneman
1 Peter 1:15-16 “Just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." (NIV)
In the week before Christmas, while I was at work, I got a phone call from my mother. In addition to stopping at the grocery store she wanted me to go to Dollar World and pick up the makings of the Christmas stockings for my niece & nephew. “Why do we have to do the stockings?” I asked, “They have a mother. Why isn’t she doing it?” “”She doesn’t believe in Christmas.” “She doesn’t believe in Christmas?” I asked incredulously, “since when?” “It’s just part of her beliefs now - she says Jesus wasn’t born on Christmas Day so she doesn’t acknowledge it.” “Well, duh! Everybody knows Jesus wasn’t born on Christmas Day! But tell me, if she doesn’t believe in Christmas, what is she doing over at our house eating Christmas dinner and opening Christmas presents?” I said, (a little snottily)(I know that is a surprise to you) “She participates, but makes believe that it isn’t a Christmas celebration.” “How convenient her faith is! (I was still acting snotty - it was a bad day all around) She gets all the fun of Christmas - but none of the work!”
In the end - of course - I got the stuff for the stockings. Although her convenient faith irritates me - I am not responsible for my sister’s faith - just for mine. I am not responsible for her behavior - just for mine.
Convenient faith isn’t just restricted to my sister, it pervades all of the Church. To be honest, even as I write this, I think of the many compromises I have made in my faith. Compromises made simply because it was more convenient to give into the world than to hold strong to my faith. I give myself excuses as to why God will understand and accept what I am doing - even as that small still voice tells me that I am just lying to myself. “Just this once won’t really matter,” even as I pave the road for the next “just this once”
From “little white lies” to sexual immorality to the heresy of false beliefs - our Christian walk becomes more and more convenient. We lie on our taxes because everybody does it, we are in sexual relationship outside of marriage because we have “needs”, we allow the Word of God to be watered down because it is politically correct, The problem is that God is not an “everybody does it” God. He is not an “I have needs so it is okay” God. And He is certainly not a politically correct God. He is a holy God, a never changing God, a just God - and He calls us to be holy as He is holy.
God is not a convenient God - and when we practice convenient faith - at the very least we grieve Him - and at the very worst - we make Him angry with us. But when we stand firm and say, “No! I don’t care if everybody else does it! I don’t care if it meets my “needs”! I don’t care if it is politically correct and I don’t even care if it is more convenient. All I care about is if what I am about to do is holy before a Holy God. And if it isn’t - I am not going to do it!” And when we make the inconvenient choice and choose God first I believe that Heaven is filled with His joy. I believe that He laughs with delight and sings with joy and points us out to the angels and says, “That’s MY kid!” (like any proud parent).
We have three types of plates in my house. We have paper plates. We use those paper plates when we have picked up Chinese food, or when we are having hot dogs with greasy french fries. They are convenient because we use them and throw them away. Then there are the everyday plates. They are not as convenient as the paper plates because we have to wash them in the dish washer when we are done eating. A number of them have chips in them because we use them most often. They are a little less convenient than paper plates, but they are also more durable. Then there is my mom’s “special plates” These plates are pure white china with a platinum border. You don’t even want to know how much they cost! Personally I think that my mom has owned them for a larger number of years than the number of times we have used them. She treasures those plates. We have to wash and dry them by hand before we use them - and of course again when we are done using them. No dishwasher for these plates! Heaven help you if you chip one of those plates! These plates are not convenient at all - but when we use them it is because we are celbrating something special.
If your faith were a plate - what would it be? Is your faith like a paper plate? Always convenient - but not very strong. Used when you need it - but then thrown out when you don’t? Or would your faith be like an everyday plate? Not at convenient as paper - you do take some care of it so that it can be reused. It is more durable - but you are sometimes careless with it - so it has it’s fair share of chips and cracks. Or is your faith pure white china with a platinum border. Are you ever mindful of the price paid for your faith - not by you but by Jesus? Are you willing to be inconvenienced by your faith because you treasure it? Do you strive to make sure it is never chipped because it is so special?
Just as we value the special plates over the everyday plates and definitely over the paper plates, Father values our special faith over the everyday faith and definitely over the convenient faith. He calls us to be holy as He is holy, He calls us to an inconvenient faith that chooses Him over the convenience of the world.
Choose wisely.
Holy Father, all to often I chose paper plate faith when it is more convenient for me. All to often I settle for everyday faith with all of it’s chips. What I desire is to be Your special pure white china faith with a platinum border. Help me to choose more wisely. Help me to be holy as You are holy.
Contact Valerie or subscribe to our e-Ministry at valerie@fresnofirst.org
Larry and Jan Martin, International Ministries Ban Luang, Thailand January 2005
Dear Partners in Ministry,
Happy New Year!
As we watch TV and keep up with the happenings in the region we know that many people in Thailand, neighboring countries, and around the world are not having a Happy New Year. The devastation caused by the Tsunami is phenomenal. Please join us in prayer for those affected. We and the others in our mission were all a long way from the disaster area. Thank you for your prayers and concern.
Christmas is over
For us this year it involved telling the nativity story in the schools we go to on a regular basis There are certain advantages to working in the countryside where most things are low tech. The latest advantage we discovered is being able to tell the story using flannelgraph figures. The kids were mesmerized.
Some of our high school kids were treated to a puppet presentation of the Christmas Story given by a visiting team. The 12th grade class asked for the script so they could do it as a play at the end of year party at school. The party was cancelled as the country is in mourning for those who died in the Tsunami, but we did have opportunity to go over the story with the students over a number of nights. Seeds sown, please pray that they will develop and grow.
We have lived in Thailand for many years now and believe it or not, we are still prone to feeling homesick at Christmas which can rob us of the Joy of knowing that, Jesus is God’s gift to us. This year we celebrated a few days early with some missionary friends. We brought in the right things from the big city and created a Christmas dinner that was almost as good as mum’s.
On Christmas day itself Jan found herself getting up early and baking a birthday cake with some of her students. Then we put on a Christmas party for our Saturday students and after that traveled to Payameng Rai to join our old church there for their Christmas celebrations. This year each of the church families invited two other families to a dinner / party. A delicious meal was served outside and the entertainment was provided by the youth group and various people giving short testimonies to the goodness of the Lord in their lives. It was a very special time. It was all about Jesus.
As we go into 2005 we pray that you will know the joy of God’s presence.
With love and thanksgiving for your partnership,
Larry and Jan
Prayer points
Pray for those affected by the tsunami around the world.
Pray too that there may be opportunities to really share God’s love and concern with people at this time
Pray for our students many who have heard the real Christmas story for the first time. Pray that as they have now heard of the ‘Saviour’ they will realize their personal need for Him.
We have a number of mission teams visiting Thailand in January. Pray for safety for them as they travel and that their time here would see their heart for the Kingdom of God grow. Pray too that their presence with us would be a catalyst for the gospel.
God does not exist to answer our prayers,
but by our prayers we come to discern the mind of God.
O. Chambers
It is hard to believe that we are sharing prayer for the last time this year. Next time we pray together will be in 2005. What an incredible year we have shared! We have seen those we have prayed for come to a saving knowledge of Jesus, we have seen healings of bodies and spirits through Father’s unrelenting grace and mercy, and we have celebrated the lives of those who have left us to go home to Father.
2005 is just around the corner with all of it’s bright promise, hopes and possibilities. Who knows - maybe this will be the year that Jesus comes back for us and we will hear our names in His mighty shout.
But for today, we are all in grieving as the death toll from the tsunami in Asia continues to climb. I remember hearing about the disaster for the first time on Sonday morning and being so saddened by the initial death toll of 4,900 - and now, just 4 days later, the death toll is 77,000 and the estimate is that it could go as high as 100,000 from the tsunami - and the grim probability of even more death from diseases. I know that we have all been praying since Sonday and I would ask that we continue to pray for the people, families and communities devastated by this disaster, for the rescue workers and the relief organizations who are working tirelessly to help. If you are interested in receiving a list of organizations that are providing relief to Asia, please contact me at valerie@fresnofirst.org I would urge all of us to visit their websites and choose one to contribute through.
Thank-you to all who contacted me this week asking about the well-being of our extended family at Reaching Hand Society in India and Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand. I heard from Remo earlier this week and our brothers and sisters at Reaching Hand Society are fine. They are more north of where the tsunami struck. I have not heard from Jan & Larry Martin - but I believe that their mission is located in inland Thailand - so they should be okay. Virginia - have you heard from them?
We have received an update on Laura, JT & Patty Tapney’s nephew’s wife who has leukemia. Laura’s leukemia is in remission making her an excellent candidate for a bone marrow transplant. There are about 11 possible donors for Laura. Please pray that a perfect donor can be found for her.
The Tapney’s are requesting prayer for the granddaughter of a friend/colleague of Patty’s in Mariposa. The granddaughter was abducted by her father out of the friend's home. She (and the father ) were found in South Carolina. South Carolina does not have parental abduction laws, so there is still no clear word on what will happen. The baby is only about 9 months old. The family requests prayers for calmness, support, getting that baby back, etc., etc.
Joni Willis was in services recently looking great!
We continue to pray for the following: Dr Iris and her grandmother, Valda Evans, Bobbie Gould and Mary Dorland who are recovering from falls, Chuck Johnson, Kelli Hastings’ father, Brandon and his leukemia, Patrick & his brain tumor, Danette’s parents Dan & Sandy Austin & their struggle with finances, Gabriel, Ruth Delgado’s nephew, recovering from wounds received in Iraq, Dan Hansen & his new employment opportunity, Carola Poythress’s recovery from her stroke, George Martin with cancer in his bones, John Rogers & his cancer, Jim Hildman with the staph infection & cancer, Ray Rahn & his kidney dialysis, my friend who is drifting away from Father, Johnnie Sowell & her chemo, Cheryl Balestra & her chemo, Lois Winters & her cancer, and Robert Kammer & sleep apnea. If anybody has any updates - please pass them on to me.
Please continue to pray for our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer - Life House in Reedley with Horacio and Cheryl Aleman and the Flipside Church of Rio Mesa with Karl & Shelly Roth. The Flipside church will be having their first preview service on Sonday, January 9th! It is going to be such an exciting day in the long history of service to Jesus that this new church will have! Isn’t it exciting to think that the first service for the church in Rio Mesa is being held - and they haven’t even broke ground on that development yet! Is God awesome or what? Services will be held at Valley Oak Elementary at Friant & Champlain.
Pray for our wonderful pastors, the leadership of our churches, our ministries and Father’s provision for the Church.
Pray for our country, her leadership and all who serve her in the military around the world.
Father God,
To You, Who sits on the Throne of Eternity be blessings and honor and glory and power forever and ever. We praise you will our songs, with our words, with our actions and with our thoughts. You are exalted above all others as our LORD and God and You will forever reign.
Holy Spirit, bless us as we enter into this new year. Empower us to live more fully for You, strengthen us as we continue to build Your kingdom.
LORD of All, we cry out in grief at the terrible loss of life this past few days in Asia. The devastation is so horrendous, LORD, that it is almost incomprehensible. We ask that Your mercy be poured out on those whose lives have been shattered by the loss of their loved ones. We pray that relief and comfort can reach these people quickly and the medicines necessary to stop the spread of disease can be distributed quickly.
Great Healer, we pray for Laura, that a perfect donor can be found and that the bone marrow transplant will be successful.
We pray for the family and for the granddaughter of Patty’s friend. Father, hold on to them tightly, strengthen them and comfort them as they strive to get this little baby back.
Abba, we thank You for this time we get to spend with You. You draw us close to You, You envelop us in Your amazing love, You renew our spirits until we rise up like an eagle - free to soar within You. We are where we belong when we are with You.
LORD Jesus, we continue to pray for those who are on our prayer sheet and ask that the power of Your love continues to reign in each situation and in each person’s life.
Light of the World, we ask Your blessings and power be with the Reaching Hand Society, Jan and Larry Martin, Dr. George Pe Myat, Bounkham & Khamla, Laurie Bethall, Judy, Faye & Miisaw, and all the missionaries worldwide. Father, protect them and keep them safe. Provide for their needs and give them Your strength.
We pray for the continued growth of the two church plants - the Life House and Flipside. We ask Your vision continue to be strong in Horacio, Cheryl, Karl and Shelly. Pour Your blessings on the Flipside Church as they hold their first preview service on the 9th.
LORD God, You have blessed us and blessed us and blessed us. But never more so than with the pastors that You have placed in our different churches. Our hearts overflow with love for them and we ask, Abba, that You be with them, strength them, provide for them and help them to realize how they bring us closer to You. Bless the leaders and the ministries of all of our churches. Help us to support them and show us how to be involved with them as they reach out to the families, the neighborhoods, and the communities that surround us.
LORD God, we thank You for the prosperity of our country that allows us as a nation and as individual citizens to reach out in compassion to the victims of disasters. We pray for Your protection and guidance for all of our leaders. We pray in agreement for the safety of our military around the world, and ask a strong wall of protection for those who serve in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Mighty God, this new year will bring many changes to us, but there is one thing we know for today and all of eternity. You love us and in Your mercy You pardoned us, broke sin’s chains off of us and set us free. When we sing, “I once was blind - but now I see” it is the cry of our heart. We see You and You are so beautiful to us. You are the desire of our hearts and You are all that we have ever needed. You are our God and we are Your people. Forever with You.
There was once a man who did not believe in either the virgin birth of Christ or the spiritual meaning behind it, and was skeptical even about God. He and his family lived in a farm community. His wife was a devout believer and diligently raised her children in the faith. He sometimes gave her a hard time about her belief and mocked her religious observances.
"It's all nonsense -- why would God lower himself and become a human like us? It's such a ridiculous story," he said.
One snowy day, she and the children left for church while he stayed home. After they had departed, the winds grew stronger and the snow turned into a blinding snowstorm. He sat down to relax before the fire for the evening. Then he heard a loud thump, something hitting against the window... And, still another thump.
He looked outside but could not see anything. So he ventured outside for a better view. In the field near his house he saw, of all the strangest things, a flock of geese. They were apparently flying to look for a warmer area down south, but they had been caught in the snowstorm. The storm had become too blinding and violent for the geese to fly or see their way. They were stranded on his farm, with no food or shelter, unable to do more than flutter their wings and fly in aimless circles. He had compassion for them and wanted to help them. He thought to himself, the barn would be a great place for them to stay. It is warm and safe; surely they could spend the night and wait out the storm. So he opened the barn doors for them. He waited, watching them, hoping they would notice the open barn and go inside. Nevertheless, they did not notice the barn or realize what it could mean for them. He moved closer toward them to get their attention, but they just moved away from him out of fear. He went into the house and came back with some bread, broke it up, and made a bread trail to the barn. They still did not catch on. Starting to get frustrated, he went over and tried to shoo them toward the barn. They panicked and scattered into every direction except toward the barn. Nothing he did could get them to go into the barn where there was warmth, safety, and shelter. Feeling totally frustrated, he exclaimed, "Why don't they follow me? Can't they see this is the only place where they can survive the storm? How can I possibly get them into the one place to save them?" He thought for a moment and realized that they just would not follow a human. He said to himself, "How can I possibly save them? The only way would be for me to become like those geese. If only I could become like one of them. Then I could save them. They would follow me and I would lead them to safety." At that moment, he stopped and considered what he had said. The words reverberated in his mind: If only I could become like one of them, then I could save them. Then, at last, he understood God's heart towards mankind...and he fell on his knees in the snow. Author Unknown
IF YOU LOOK
FOR ME
at
C H R I S T M A S,
you won't need
a special star -
I'm no longer just in Bethlehem,
I'm right there where you are.
You may not be aware of Me
amid the celebrations
You'll have to look, beyond the stores
and all the decorations.
But if you take a moment
from your list of things to do
And listen to your heart, you'll find
I'm waiting there for you.
You're the one I want to be with,
you're the reason I came,
And you'll find Me in the stillness
as I'm whispering your name.
Love,
Jesus
"You will see me and find me
when you seek me with all your heart."
JEREMIAH 29:13
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given.” (NIV)
When I was a kid there was nothing better than when my Aunt Bev and Uncle Denny came to visit with all their kids. When mom would tell us that they were coming we would get so excited! Days suddenly stretched out long as we waited with expectation for the day that they would finally be there. We must have driven our mom to distraction as every day we would ask, “Are they going to be here today?” Mom, well she just went nuts with the cleaning and cooking as she prepared for their visit. Floors were scrubbed, furniture polished, cakes, pies and cookies were baked. Finally the day came when they were to be there. We would watch anxiously out the window for them to arrive. Finally their car would pull up in front of the house and they would come spilling out of the car as we came running out of the house. Shouts of joy would fill the air as we hugged and kissed each other. The days that followed were filled with so much love - the love that is found best in families. Even after all these years those visits remain cherished memories. But eventually the dreaded last day would come and Aunt Bev, Uncle Denny and all our cousins would head out for home. The walk to their car was a little slower, the hugs and kisses were a little more somber. I remember once telling Uncle Denny, “I don’t want you to go!” and him laughing and saying, “We have to go home now, but we will come back - I promise.” And I knew that he would keep that promise and through the years he did.
For 400 years Israel waited in expectation for Messiah to come and on this night above all nights God kept His promise to them through a tiny baby in a manger. The wise men travel towards Bethlehem following a star with their hearts prepared to worship the newborn King of the Jews. God kept His promise to them through a tiny baby in a manger. Shepherds left their flocks in the mountains as they hurried with great joy to see the Christ of whom the angels sang. God kept His promise to them through a tiny baby in a manger. A brilliant star filled the night sky as a declaration of God’s extravagant love for His Son and for His creation. God kept His promise to us through a tiny baby in a manger.
When the first humans were sent from the Garden of Eden God gave them the first promise - the seed of the woman would crush the head of satan. God promised Abraham that through his children the entire world would be blessed. The older testament is filled with God’s promises of a Messiah.
That is what Jesus was as He lay in that manger. He was God’s promise fulfilled.
Throughout His walk here on earth Jesus gave His followers promises “I will never leave You or forsake You.”“I am the resurrection and the life, he who believes in Me will live.”“Because I live you also will live”“In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” And as I daily walk my life in Christ I hold tightly to those promises knowing that He is ever with me as I face what the troubles that this world has for me. Sometimes the promises He gave us are the only thing that gets me through my day.
That is what Jesus was as He lay in that manger. He is God’s promise fulfilled today.
There are even more promises that have been given to all believers and that is the promise of eternity with God. “In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am.”“People will come from east and west and north and south, and will take their places at the feast in the kingdom of God.” These are the promises every believer has for their future - the very best of the promises.
That is what Jesus was as He lay in that manger. He is God’s promise to be fulfilled..
Throughout the spans of eternity Jesus is God’s promise that was fulfilled, that is fulfilled today and that will be fulfilled. We can trust in the promises to be fulfilled tomorrow because He has kept the promises of yesterday and today.
As we e celebrate the Christ Child tonight and on future nights let us never forget....
He is the promise and He is on His way.
LORD God, I join John the Revelator as we say, “Even so, come LORD Jesus!”
Twas the night before Christmas, when all thru the abode
Only one creature was stirring, & she was cleaning the commode.
The children were finally sleeping, all snug in their beds,
while visions of Nintendo 64 & Barbie, flipped through their heads.
The dad was snoring in front of the TV,
with a half-constructed bicycle propped on his knee.
So only the mom heard the reindeer hooves clatter,
which made her sigh, "Now what is the matter?"
With toilet bowl brush still clutched in her hand,
She descended the stairs, & saw the old man.
He was covered with ashes & soot, which fell with a shrug,
"Oh great," muttered the mom, "Now I have to clean the rug."
"Ho Ho Ho!" cried Santa, "I'm glad you're awake."
"your gift was especially difficult to make."
"Thanks, Santa, but all I want is time alone."
"Exactly!" he chuckled, "So, I've made you a clone."
"A clone?" she muttered, "What good is that?"
"Run along, Santa, I've no time for chit chat."
Then out walked the clone - The mother's twin,
Same hair, same eyes, same double chin.
"She'll cook, she'll dust, she'll mop every mess.
You'll relax, take it easy, watch The Young & The Restless."
"Fantastic!" the mom cheered. "My dream has come true!"
"I'll shop, I'll read, I'll sleep a night through!"
From the room above, the youngest did fret.
"Mommy?! Come quickly, I'm scared & I'm wet."
The clone replied, "I'm coming, sweetheart."
"Hey," the mom smiled, "She sure knows her part."
The clone changed the small one & hummed her tune,
as she bundled the child in a blanket cocoon.
"You're the best mommy ever. I really love you."
The clone smiled & sighed, "And I love you, too."
The mom frowned & said, "Sorry, Santa, no deal."
That's my child's LOVE she is trying to steal."
Smiling wisely Santa said, "To me it is clear,
Only one loving mother is needed here."
The mom kissed her child & tucked her in bed.
"Thank You, Santa, for clearing my head.
I sometimes forget, it won't be very long,
when they'll be too old for my cradle & song."
The clock on the mantle began to chime.
Santa whispered to the clone, "It works every time."
With the clone by his side Santa said "Goodnight.
Merry Christmas, dear Mom, You will be all right."
Sometimes we need reminding of what life is all about. Especially at times
during the Holiday season, when all we seem to do is clean and bake and
shop and and and and and and and.... You get the picture, I'm sure.
So stop for a moment and hug that little one so special, whether he/she is
2 or 22, or even older than that. For they are the Gift that God gave us
in life...and what a gift to be treasured, far above any other!
CHRISTMAS - - 2004
I had no Christmas spirit when I breathed a weary sigh,
and looked across the table where the bills were piled too high.
The laundry wasn't finished and the car I had to fix,
My stocks were down another point, the Bronco's lost by six.
And so with only minutes till my son got home from school
I gave up on the drudgery and grabbed a wooden stool.
The burdens that I carried were about all I could take,
and so I flipped the TV on to catch a little break.
I came upon a desert scene in shades of tan and rust,
No snowflakes hung upon the wind, just clouds of swirling dust.
And where the reindeer should have stood before a laden sleigh,
eight hummers ran a column right behind an M1A.
A group of boys walked past the tank, not one was past his teens,
Their eyes were hard as polished flint, their faces drawn and lean.
They walked the street in armor with their rifles shouldered tight,
their dearest wish for Christmas, just to have a silent night.
Other soldiers gathered, hunkered down against the wind,
To share a scrap of mail and dreams of going home again.
There wasn't much at all to put their lonely hearts at ease,
They had no Christmas turkey, just a pack of MREs.
They didn't have a garland or a stocking I could see,
They didn't need an ornament-- they lacked a Christmas Tree.
They didn't have a present even though it was tradition,
the only boxes I could see were labled "ammunition."
I felt a little tug and found my son now by my side,
He asked me what it was I feared, and why it was I cried.
I swept him up into my arms and held him oh so near
and kissed him on the forehead as I whispered in his ear.
There's nothing wrong my little son, for safe we sleep tonight,
our heroes stand on foreign land to give us all the right,
to worry on the things in life that mean nothing at all,
instead of wondering if we will be the next to fall.
He looked at me as children do and said its always right,
to thank the ones who help us and perhaps that we should write.
And so we pushed aside the bills and sat to draft a note,
to thank the many far from home, and this is what we wrote:
God Bless You all and keep you safe, and speed your way back home.
Remember that we love you so, and that you're not alone.
The gift you give you share with all, a present every day,
You give the gift of liberty and that we can't repay.
"...this is an open and grateful tribute to the men and women
who serve every day to keep our nation safe."
The ABC’s at their best!
Although things are not perfect
Because of trial or pain
Continue in thanksgiving
Do not begin to blame
Even when the times are hard
Fierce winds are bound to blow
God is forever able
Hold on to what you know
Imagine life without His love
Joy would cease to be
Keep thanking Him for all the things
Love imparts to thee
Move out of "Camp Complaining"
No weapon that is known
On earth can yield the power
Praise can do alone
Quit looking at the future
Redeem the time at hand
Start every day with worship To "thank" is a command!
Until we see Him coming
Victorious in the sky
We'll run the race with gratitude
Xalting God most high
Yes, there'll be good times! and yes some will be bad, but...
Zion waits in glory...where none are ever sad!
The shortest distance between a problem and a solution is the distance between your knees and the floor.
The one who kneels to the Lord can stand up to anything. Love and peace be with you forever, Amen.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Luke 1:68“Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and has redeemed His people. (NIV)
I was up this evening until 11:30 doing my Christmas cards and - praise be! - I am finally about half done with them. I mail a lot of Christmas cards - I have so many people who touch my life, and a Christmas card lets me tell them how much I love them. As I worked on the Christmas cards I started getting a little stressed thinking about the Care Fresno Kids Klub sleep over on Friday night. It is our Christmas party this year - and there will be over 40 of us spending the night at the church. I had to take Friday off from work for it - I am so busy with Christmas stuff I haven’t gotten a chance to shop for the sleep over, and I have that meeting with Steven’s counselor tomorrow also. I am going to be running like crazy tomorrow. And then during the sleep over I need to take a break and go to the sanctuary because we are having a dress rehearsal for the Christmas Cantata that we will be singing Saturday night and twice on Sonday! I love singing in the Christmas Cantata - even though I know that I am the part of the choir that is making a joyful noise unto the LORD. But there is no doubt that the Cantata is a lot of work. In fact - as I sit here and think about it - Christmas as a whole is a lot of work. It is a constant stream of having to do this, that and the other. When I look at all that I am doing during this time as separate activities - I love each and every one of them. I love to shop for gifts. I love to ring bells for the Salvation Army. I love to write my cards. I love to go to Christmas gatherings. I love to sing in “Songs for a Season.” I love to sing in the cantata. I love Christmas Eve services. I love the Kids Klub Christmas party. I love to go with my family to see the Christmas lights. And on and on.
But when you lump all the Christmas activities along with my regular activities of job, family and church - it is a bit overwhelming. Just this evening as I was writing my cards I was thinking that instead of singing “O Come all ye faithful, joyful and triumphant” I ought to be singing “O come all ye shoppers, sore feet and stressed out!” I was a little “bah-humbug!” tonight as I headed for my bedroom. But then I stopped in front of the one of our Nativity scenes. It is my favorite - because it is so simple. Just a Baby in the manger, His mom, His stepdad and the stable. As I ran my finger over that little Baby I remembered that the birth of Christ was really a very simple thing. We took it and made the big fuss out of it.
As Willie says often during this time of the year, “All this fuss about Jesus.” And truly all of this fuss is about Jesus. Granted the secularists are trying their dead level best to get Jesus of Christmas taken out of everything that they can - and unfortunately they have some success in their efforts, but they can try all they want - they cannot take the Baby in the manger out of Christmas - because Jesus is what Christmas is all about.
So let us be “joyful and triumphant” during this time. Let’s write our cards, bake our cookies, stuff the stockings, shop, wrap, hang lights, drink egg nog, go to parties, sing carols and visit Christmas Tree Lane. Let’s hustle and bustle and run around like crazy. Let’s make all the fuss that we can - but let’s keep our fuss centered in Jesus.
And in the midst of all the fuss about Jesus - let’s go in our hearts to visit the simplicity of Christmas as well. Take some time - just by yourself - to rejoice at the simple message of Christmas.
That message is -
He created us - because He loves us.
He left heaven’s glory - because He loves us.
He was born of a virgin and laid in a manger - because He loves us.
He lived among us as a human - because He loves us.
He died a horrific death in our place - because He loves us.
He lay in the grave for three days - because He loves us.
He rose again - joyful and triumphant - because He loves us.
He has gone to prepare a place for us - because He loves us.
He is coming again to take us with Him - because He loves us.
We will be with Him forever - because He loves us.
Simply put - Christmas is because He loves us.
In all the fuss, stress and busyness of Christmas - let us not forget the simplicity of Christmas.
Oh come let us adore Him - Christ the King.
A little piece of our heart has gone home. Shirley Cutright went home to Abba on Wednesday morning. Please pray for family & friends who will miss her.
Shirley’s Celebration of Life begins on Friday, December 17th, with a viewing at Lisle Funeral Home. The viewing will be between 10:00 am and 7:00 pm.
Shirley’s services will be held at Lisle Funeral Home on Saturday, December 18th, at 2:00 in the afternoon. Lisle Funeral Home is located at 1605 “L” Street, in downtown Fresno on the corner of “L” and Calaveras.
Father God,
We thank You and praise You for the testimony of Shirley’s earthly life. She’s a short, little woman - but her heart for You is huge. We know that You welcomed Your child home with joy and with great joy - Shirley beheld You.
Comfort those of us who are left behind to grieve her passing. We know that she is with You, Father, and we rejoice for her - but we miss her already
You are the Faithful and True, the Rock of our Salvation, we know that our earthly lives are held by You and that our eternity will be spent with You. Thank You, Abba.
Rest for His Soul
At first Santhosh was angry when the missionary came to his home to tell him about the God of the Bible. What right did this man have to visit and tell him about this new God?
Years of despair had taken their toll on Santhosh. His village gods had done nothing to soothe the ache in his heart-why should he believe in this God?
Yet as the faithful Gospel worker continued to visit and patiently share the hope of God's love shown through Jesus, Santhosh began to wonder. There
was something to this God, he thought. Perhaps He could bring hope to his
family and fill his aching heart.
Opening up to the missionary, Santhosh disclosed the despair he had felt for so long. "Believe in the Lord Jesus," the missionary told him, "and He will solve our problems." Santhosh accepted his invitation to attend church. Drawn by the comforting presence of the Lord in the worship service, Santhosh gave his heart to Jesus. He began to grow as a Christian and publicly proclaimed his new faith.
Rejoice with us for a man who has found hope and comfort in Christ Jesus. Let us pray together that Santhosh will live his life is such a way that other weary souls will be drawn to Jesus, the Prince of Peace.
One night alone in prayer might make us new men(and women),
changed from poverty of soul to spiritual wealth,
from trembling to triumphing.
C.H. Spurgeon
There are a few Christmas songs that I cannot hear without starting to cry. One of them is “O Come, O Come Emmanuel - and ransom captive Israel” I cry at that song because it touches my heart so to remember that when He came He came to ransom not only Israel - but He came to ransom this captive as well - and because of Him - I am free. The other one that brings tears to my eyes is “Mary, Did You Know” On that special holy night, Mary more than any other person knew Who this Child was - but not even Mary could conceive of what He was going to do to deliver us. We thank You, Abba God, for the gift of Your Son and for His willingness to shed His precious blood to ransom our captive hearts. May we never forget.
This past Sonday was a bake sale for Care Fresno Kids Klub. I would like to thank everybody who brought and/or bought a baked goody. The bake sale was very successful - and when totaled with the rest of our funds - we now have 25 of our kids funded for our trip in the Spring to Marine World. We are 40% of the way there! Father, Your mercy and grace to this ministry continues to amaze me.
Marilyn, a good friend of our sister, Lynette Johnson, went home today. Marilyn, who had been a 14 year mentor and friend to Lynette suffered a stroke that left her completely incapacitated. Unable to do anything - including speak - Marilyn’s only reaction during this time was that she would open her eyes when the Word was being read to her. We praise You, Jesus, that Marilyn closed her eyes here on earth and opened them in eternity to see You, Whom she loved so much. Please pray for Lynette and Marilyn’s family and friends as they grieve her passing.
We continue to pray for the following: Dr Iris and her grandmother, Joni Willis and her pneumonia, Valda Evans, Bobbie Gould and Mary Dorland who are recovering from falls, Chuck Johnson, Kelli Hastings’ father, Shirley Cutright, with a broken hip and congestive heart failure, Brandon and his leukemia, Patrick & his brain tumor, Danette’s parents Dan & Sandy Austin & their struggle with finances, Laura with her leukemia, Gabriel, Ruth Delgado’s nephew, recovering from wounds received in Iraq, Dan Hansen & his new employment opportunity, Carola Poythress’s recovery from her stroke, George Martin with cancer in his bones, John Rogers & his cancer, Jim Hildman with the staph infection & cancer, Ray Rahn & his kidney dialysis, my friend who is drifting away from Father, Johnnie Sowell & her chemo, Cheryl Balestra & her chemo, Lois Winters & her cancer, and Robert Kammer & sleep apnea.
Please continue to pray for our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer - Life House in Reedley with Horacio and Cheryl Aleman and the Flipside Church of Rio Mesa with Karl & Shelly Roth .
This past Sonday at our business meeting we approved a new budget and voted in new members to the Board of Managers and several of our ministry teams. Please pray for our Pastors, our new and returning leadership, our many ministries and that God will provide for His church.
Pray for our country and our leadership. Pray for our military around the world.
Great and Glorious God,
In awe we fall to our knees and declare that You are God of all the heavens and earth. Great is Your name, LORD God, and worthy to be praised. The creation declares Your Glory, the heavens declare Your power, and we declare that we are Yours.
Faithful and True LORD, we thank You and praise You for the decades long testimony of Your servant Marilyn. Because we know that You are faithful and true to all who believe in You, we know that Marilyn is with You right now. She has done what we can only dream of - she has looked upon You. We ask that You be with her family and friends as they grieve her passing.
Holy Spirit, we lift up the many names and situations of those that we have been praying for. LORD of All, You know what the needs are. LORD God, with open hands we lift each of our friends before You and ask that Your will be done in each situation.
Jehovah, my God, we lift before You all of the missionaries who serve You so faithfully in places around the world. They face such challenges in these countries - in too many cases, Father, their very lives are in danger. Bless them LORD God, from Your abundance. Renew their spirits and give them a fresh vision.
LORD God, you are the song of joy that our spirits readily sing. We will sing praise to You forever. Amazing love - that is what You are.
Bless Horacio, Cheryl, Karl and Shelly as they continue to work so faithfully in building these new congregations to serve You. Keep their spirits afire for You.
Precious Savior, You have called the Church Your bride and have declared Your love for her time and time again. We ask that You bless Your Church in her many different congregations. Help us to put aside those things that divide us and concentrate only on those things that unite us. Provide for the needs of your Church and her ministries. Bless our pastors as they dedicate their lives to You in service. Help us to support them. Bless our leadership with wisdom as they guide the steps of our congregations. Bless our ministries as they work the fields of harvest - LORD, we pray for more laborers in the fields.
Bless our country, Holy Spirit and bring her back to You. Bless our country’s leadership and guide them into wise decisions. Protect our women and men in the military as they serve us.
My LORD and King, I try to imagine what You look like and what it is going to be like to first see You. There is so much we don’t know - but we know that You are going to be the most beautiful thing we have ever seen. We know that You are so bright that Your glory fills the universe. We know that You are strong because all power is Yours. We know that You are wise because You hold all knowledge. We know that You are holy, perfect and everlasting. We know that when we look into Your eyes we will see love that fills eternity and willingly sacrificed everything to bring us home to You. Your touch is gentle and loving, Your voice rings with the truth, Your joy fills every corner of the universe. Yesterday, today and tomorrow - You are God. We love You and we long for the day when we no longer imagine You but rather we get to see You and be with You forever.
Note From Valerie: This puts Christmas stress into perspective - made me realize (again) that I am not poor at all!
I'M NOT POOR AT ALL
By Michele T. Huey
DEAR LORD, I'M FEELING DOWN TODAY
THE BILLS ARE STACKED UP HIGH
WITH CHRISTMAS JUST TWO WEEKS AWAY
OUR BANK ACCOUNT'S RUN DRY.
THE KIDS HAVE ALL PRESENTED LISTS
OF THINGS THEY WANT TO SEE
I HOPE AND PRAY THERE'S NOTHING MISSED
BENEATH OUR CHRISTMAS TREE.
BUT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY FOR
EXPENSIVE CLOTHES AND TOYS;
MY CREDIT CARD CAN'T TAKE MUCH MORE,
LORD, WHERE'S MY CHRISTMAS JOY?
PERHAPS IT'S WRAPPED UP IN THAT HUG
MY DAUGHTER GAVE THIS MORN
OR STACKED WITH THE WOOD MY SON DID LUG
TO KEEP US NICE AND WARM.
PERHAPS IT'S IN MY ELDEST'S EYES
WHEN HE COMES HOME ON BREAK,
AND SEES I'VE BAKED THOSE PUMPKIN PIES
HE WANTED ME TO MAKE.
A FAMILY WHO BELIEVES IN ME
IN ALL THINGS GREAT AND SMALL;
DEAR GOD, I THINK I FINALLY SEE--
I AM NOT POOR AT ALL.
Valerie Rae Hanneman
Luke 2:7 a "and she gave birth to her firstborn, a son. She wrapped him in cloths and placed him in a manger" (NIV)
Because of my insurance, Fresno Community Hospital was the only place that Fawn could be born even though I lived in Madera Ranchos at the time. Knowing that I was looking at a long drive before I ever got to the hospital I did everything that I could do to be prepared for my big day. I went into Community and got all the necessary forms. I went over them with the admissions office to ensure that I had them all and that they were filled out correctly . When I left it was with the admissions office assurance that I was good to go. As my due date got closer I made sure that the nursery was clean, that I had all the little clothes my baby would need, plenty of diapers, all the paraphernalia that accompanies the birth of a child. I had my bag for the hospital packed, the car was kept full of gas. I even called the hospital to double-check that everything had been taken care of. Finally the big day arrived and I learned the meaning of the saying "best laid plans of mice and men oft go astray." Labor pains woke me up in the morning. We timed the pains and found that they were just over two minutes apart. I called my doctor’s office and was told that he was delivering another baby so they would call Community and notify him. I was to relax, walk around - and call them back with the labor pains were 5 minutes apart. "W-e-el-l-l-l". I said, "my pains are already two minutes apart." There was a bit of silence then the nurse asked, "And you are out there in the Ranchos?" When I confirmed that I was indeed in the Ranchos her urgent suggestion was that we get going to the hospital and we had better hurry. We arrived at the emergency room, expecting to be taken right up to the maternity ward, only there were two forms that had not been given to me and they weren’t admitting me until they were filled out. I sat in a wheelchair with a death grip on the handles, tensing up out of the chair every time a labor pain came while my partner worked on the forms. This little old grand motherly lady, either sensing my discomfort or getting tired of my contortions in the chair, leaned over, patted my knee and gave me her advice. "Honey, if you want to get upstairs - scream." So I did - loudly. And that lady was right, they had me in that elevator and upstairs in record time. They examined me and immediately rushed me into the delivery room. My doctor had not gotten his office’s message and he was not in the hospital. It was already too late for me to be given any pain medication- so like it or not - this was going to be a totally natural birth. (I was not thrilled). The nurses kept telling me not to push until they could get a doctor up there. (Yeah right!) Finally my doctor came rushing in and about 10 minutes later Fawn was born. After they took Fawn to the nursery they told me that, because I had been so fast, my room wasn’t ready so they were going to wheel me into a spare room until my room was ready. They left me in the room, still on that hard stretcher. An hour & a half later my partner went out to find out what was going on. He came back with an embarrassed and upset nurse. They had forgotten about me! I will tell you flat out that this day had NOT gone like I planned! But once I was in my room with my daughter in my arms - it just ceased to matter.
The birth of Jesus didn’t exactly go like Mary had planned either. In Nazareth she had all the little clothes she had hand sewn. The cradle that Joseph had built was full of soft and warm blankets to receive the Son of God. The house was kept spotlessly clean. Joseph had gotten extra water jars and they were kept filled in preparation for the birth. The midwife had been over several times to discuss the birth plans and to make sure that there were enough towels and bedding. Everything was ready in Nazareth.
Only when Mary went into labor she wasn’t in Nazareth, she was in Bethlehem - in a stable. There were no little clothes, no cradle. Just some swaddling cloths and a beat up manger that Joseph had filled with clean straw. There was no spotless house - not even a room in an inn - just this dirty little stable with the smell of manure and the buzzing of flies. The water was fresh drawn from the well in the courtyard, but there was no way to warm it up in time. There was no midwife - just animals and a husband as frightened as she was.. This was not what she had planned.
I think Mary was anxious as the birth drew closer and closer - as anxious as any first time mother is. But I don’t think she was in a panic. Mary knew that what she carried within her body was God’s child - His Son - and although things weren’t going the way she planned, she knew that she could trust God to keep things going the way that He had planned. Although she could not see what God’s plan for her and this birth was she knew that the safest place for her to be at that time was in that stable because that was where God wanted her to be.
God has the big picture of my life. He had it as he watched me grow within my mother’s womb. He knows my comings and my goings for today, for tomorrow, for 20 years from now. He doesn’t let me see to much of it in advance - probably because He knows it would scare me to death. Sometimes He doesn’t show me any of the plan even as it seems my life and my plans are going south fast. That is when I have to be like Mary and have faith in Him and His plan for me. Even as the world seems to be crumbling around me, I have to believe that I am in the safest place I can possibly be - because I am where He wants me to be.
All of us have had times like this - when things seem to be out of kilter - and God’s plan is not readily visible. The great thing about God though, is that He knows the plans He has for our lives and the plans are to prosper us and not to harm us. Trust God to know the big picture of your life. We can trust Him, even when we cannot see the plan He has.
Lord God, my life often seems to be in chaos with no plan to make it right. When I am fearful, remind me of Mary and her acceptance of Your plan for her life - even though Your plan was a stable and a manger.
Prayer is something deeper than words. It is present in the soul before it has been
formulated in words. And it abides in the soul after the last words
of prayer have passed over our lips.
O. Hallesby
Wasn’t last Sonday’s service just extraordinary? What a joy it is to celebrate the many retired (sort of) missionaries and pastors that Father has graced our congregation with. I put the (sort of) after the “retired” because each of the people honored on Sonday continues to actively serve God and our congregation. I got chills when Willie said that these honored servants represented more than 700 years of serving God. Next our young children gathered with Willie for prayer then rushed out to Kid Mo’ to learn of how much Jesus loves them and how they can love Him back. Then we got to celebrate communion where we remember Jesus’ love for us and recommit ourselves to Him. Finally to watch 6 young people follow Jesus’ example in baptism and commit themselves to Him. I can only imagine a day sometime in the future (should our LORD tarry)(even so come LORD Jesus!) when there will be another platform and some of the children who rushed out to Kid Mo’ or were baptized on Sonday will be standing there being honored for their decades of full time service. Father God we praise You for the generations that were in Your service, that are in Your service, and that will serve You in the future.
Little Madison has gone home from the hospital and is recovering from the fall from her horse.
Ann Mead’s grandniece, Bethany, is doing much better with her pregnancy.
Christine Rollins is home from the hospital - they were able to break the kidney stone without them backing up or doing any more damage.
Kris Baiz, my friend how had the opperation on her foot, will be returning to work on Thursday! She has recovered well from her surgery.
Last week, Julie requested prayer for her friend’s mother, Lorraine Reuter. Lorraine passed on this last Sonday. There was no clear indication that she took the opportunity to ask Jesus into her heart. Please pray for her family and friends as they grieve.
Joni Willis has been very ill with pneumonia and has been missing work because of it. Please pray for her recovery.
Valda Evans, Bobbie Gould and Mary Dorland are all having to spend some time at home recovering from some bad falls. Please pray for quick recovery and that these three dear ladies will be up and about soon.
Chuck Johnson, Kelli Hastings’ father, has been blacking out and the doctor’s are unable to determine the cause of it. Please continue to pray for Chuck & the whole family.
We continue to pray for the following: Dr. Iris and her grandmother, Katie with her swallowing problems, Shirley Cutright, with a broken hip and congestive heart failure, Mike Kelley and his family as they grieve the loss of his wife’s sister, Brandon and his leukemia, Patrick & his brain tumor, Danette’s parents Dan & Sandy Austin & their struggle with finances, Lisa & substance abuse problems, Laura with her leukemia, Gabriel, Ruth Delgado’s nephew, recovering from wounds received in Iraq, Dan Hansen & his new employment opportunity, Carola Poythress’s recovery from her stroke, George Martin with cancer in his bones, John Rogers & his cancer, Jim Hildman with the staph infection & cancer, Marisela & her family, Ray Rahn & his kidney dialysis, my friend who is drifting away from Father, Johnnie Sowell & her chemo, Cheryl Balestra & her chemo, Lois Winters & her cancer, and Robert Kammer & sleep apnea.
Please continue to pray for our missionaries - Jan & Larry Martin in Thailand, Laurie Bethall in Prague, Judy, Faye & Miisaw as they work at the New Life Center in Thailand, The Reaching Hand Society in India, Dr. George Pe Myat & the hospital in the Congo, Bounkham & Khamla’s mission to Laos, and all the missionaries worldwide.
Please keep our two church plants in prayer -the Flipside Church of Rio Mesa with Karl & Shelly Roth and Life House in Reedley with Horacio and Cheryl Aleman. The Flipside Church is having a meeting on Sonday, December 12th out at Karl’s home in the Madera Ranchos - it is a combined Christmas party and a planning meeting for the January 7th preview service. Check out Flipside’s web site at www.acts176.com
Please pray for our Pastors, leadership, ministries and that God will provide for His church.
Pray for our country and our leadership. Pray for our military around the world.
Father God,
There is so much in our lives that is constantly changing. Some for the good and some for the not so good. We praise You and thank You that You are unchanging and constant in our lives. You are the same today as You were when You spoke the creation into existence. You are the same today as You will be when time is brought to the end. Glorious on Your throne - You are God.
We praise You for how You have worked in Madison’s, Bethany’s, Christine’s and Kris’s lives and have healed them. We ask that You continue to watch over them.
Holy Spirit, we ask that You bring comfort to the family & friends of Lorraine as they grieve her passing.
Great Physician, touch Joni with Your healing hand. Restore her to full health so she can go back to work.
LORD of All, we pray in agreement for Valda, Bobbie and Mary as they recover from their falls. Knit their bones together and bring them back to our church family.
LORD Jesus, intervene with Chuck Johnson’s physicians and help them to discover why he continues to black out. Grant peace to Chuck and his family.
Everlasting Light of the World, we lift up all of those who continue to be on our prayer list, knowing that they are safe with You and knowing that You will care for them as Your beloved children.
We pray for the security and provision for all of our missionaries. We thank You, LORD God, for them and for the kingdom work they do while they are so far from us.
Continue to guide the pastors of our two church plants, LORD God. Pour Your blessings on Karl & Shelly Roth and on Horacio and Cheryl Aleman.
Gentle Shepherd, we thank You for those You have set in our congregations to lead, teach and mentor us. We ask an abundance of blessings be poured on our pastors and their families. Help us to always show them our love and support. Bless our leadership and our congregation. Help us to always keep our hearts turned to You. Provide for the needs of our ministries.
Father God, we lift our nation before You. We grieve as she seems to turn further and further away from You. We ask Your mercy upon her. LORD God, bless our leaders and guide them in decisions that honor You. Abba, project our men and women who serve this county in the military.
My God, my life’s Light, if home is where the heart is - then I am out of place. You have given me an incredibly wonderful life, LORD. I don’t have any complaints with how things are going here. But the simple truth is that this world is not my home - my home is where my heart it - and my heart is with You. And sometimes - I just get homesick. I hold tight to Your promise that - when the time is right - I will be home with You forever. We love You, LORD. We get to love You forever. Hallelujah!
Genesis 1:3 "God spoke: "Light!" And light appeared." (MSG)
John 1:4-5 "In Him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." (NIV)
Revelation 21:23 "The City doesn't need sun or moon for light. God's Glory is its light, the Lamb its lamp!" (MSG)
When my daughter Fawn was serving in AmeriCorp, she loved to call me up and tell me about her adventures. She would tell me about parachuting out of planes, extreme white water rafting and other things guaranteed to make a mother’s heart stop. Part of me wanted her to stop telling me about what she was doing but I also knew I would worry even more about what she was doing and NOT telling me about!
One time, while she was stationed in Tennessee, she and her friends decided to explore a cave. They got hold of all the gear, including those little lamps you wear on your head and off they went into this cave. They went underground about a mile to where the cave floor dropped off, then jumped from ledge to ledger going even deeper underground. When they reached the lower level they explored for awhile, then sat in a circle and turned off their lamps. I shuddered as Fawn described putting her hand up in front of her face, touching her nose with it, and being unable to see it in the absolute darkness. I shuddered again when she told me about the darkness feeling like a weight pressing on her. I cannot imagine the horror of absolute darkness.
I am a creature of the light. If it is overcast, raining or foggy for more than a few days I start physically feeling the lack of sunlight on me. I get a crabby and out of sorts. People have told me that I suffer from a vitamin D deficiency, that vitamin D is in the sunlight, and that is why I get crabby when there isn’t any sunlight. My response to that is, "Whatever!" I don’t care about why it happens! Just let me feel the sunlight on my skin! I am meant to be in the light.
God is a Being of light and He also means for me to be in the light. The first book of the Bible tells of how the soon-to-be-creation was dark and shapeless. It then records God’s very first word of creation "God spoke, "Light!" and light appeared" Did God need to create light in the universe first? No, He didn’t. I honestly believe that, had He wanted to, God could have put the stars and the planets in place, separated the land from the water, filled the seas with the fish, grew the grass and created the animals all in the absolute darkness. But He didn’t want to. He wanted the light first because He wanted His creation to be born in the light and to exist within His light.
Then something went terribly wrong and through Adam and Eve sin-darkness entered creation and human souls. Throughout the centuries that sin-darkness gripped the world. Atonement and reconciliation with God was only obtained through inadequate means - animal sacrifices that were temporary fixes to the darkness that separated the created from the Creator..
But God was determined to restore us to the light. So He sent the purest, love-light of Heaven to us to restore us to the light of relationship with God. He sent His only begotten Son to be born in a stable in the little town of Bethlehem. He set a bright light up in the heavens - a star like no other star - to guide the wise men to Bethlehem, marking where the gift of light lay. He split the darkness of the night with the light of His glory and with the heavenly hosts of angels to announce the birth of the Messiah, the promised light of God.
All of creation stirred with hope as the Light of the World was born as human flesh.
With the birth of this Child of Light everything changed. He brought God-light into the world and broke the grip that sin-darkness had on us. Jesus’ birth gives us the opportunity to live in His light, in permanent relationship with God. His birth gives us the promise of an eternity in the light of His presence.
Darkness is defeated in all who will seek the Light of the World.
Does sin-darkness still have it’s cold hold on you? Are you living in the darkness? That is not how you were meant to be. You were created to be a creature of the Light - God’s Light. God’s light is not far from you - even if you think you are in absolute darkness. Call out to the Light of the World - He is a whisper away from you. Call out to Jesus and confess that sin-darkness has it’s hold on you. Ask Him to take away the sin darkness and to fill your life with His light. His heart’s desire is to fill you with His life.
God is light. His first words of creation were to command the light. He sent Jesus to that stable to bring the light of God into the world to dispel the sin-darkness and to fill us with His light. But there is even more. Someday soon we will live in His presence for all eternity. Darkness will be permanently banished from the Holy City of New Jerusalem and we will truly live in the only true light - the light of His glory.
Father God, as much as I need the sunlight on my skin to be physically whole I need the Son’s Light even more to be on my eternal soul to be spiritually whole. Thank You for sending Your Son to be the Light of the World and to be my Life-Light. Thank You for the promise of an eternity in Your presence where the only light that we will need is the light of Your glory.
In the conflict between satan and the believer, God’s child can conquer everything by prayer.
Is it any wonder that satan does his utmost to snatch that weapon from the Christian,
or to hinder him in the use of it?
A. Murray
I have caught a pesky upper respiratory infection that has really knocked me for a loop. I am going to work because I am not infectious - but I am physically exhausted. Please pray for me - this weekend is Songs for the Season and I really want to be able to sing in it. (Right now I REALLY sound horrible) Please forgive the brevity of tonight’s prayer sheet - and the lateness of it. We will get it back to normal when I am back to normal (relatively speaking!)
Here is what is new for this week -
Danette Joos is offering the following praise: “I have a praise. My grandmother Ailien Austin is doing very well. She's been out running errands with my grandfather!!! Of course she's in a wheel chair, but she's out and about. (She was using the wheel chair before the stroke.) Praise God!!! Thank you for putting her on the prayer list. God does answer prayer!!!”
Our only other new prayer request also comes from Danette and it is “I have new request. My boyfriend, Rob asked me to add his father, Al Lewis, to our prayer list. He's having an angioplasty(sp?) this Saturday morning. (Note from Danette: He's not a believer so please pray for God to speak to his heart too.)”
Please continue to pray for those who are on last weeks list, for our missionaries, our two church plants, our congregations, ministries, finances, leaders and for our beloved Pastors.
LORD Jesus,
As we enter this holiday season that remembers Your birth, we are awed that You, our great and glorious God, would come down to us in human form.
As a human, You suffered all that we suffered - but I sure hope that You missed out on whatever has gotten hold of me and my lungs. LORD, I ask that You touch me and heal me so I can sing this weekend - and even more importantly - so I can breathe easily again.
Emanuel, we praise Your name for the continued improvement of Ailien and ask that You continue to heal her.
We pray for Your Hand of Mercy on Al Lewis and that the results of this procedure will be good. We ask that You use this situation to bring him home to You.
I thank You and praise You because You remember all the people, situations, church plants, missionaries, leaders, pastors and church functions that we pray for week after week. LORD, continue to move as You will in each of them.
Thank You for loving us. We belong to You.