I’ve recently finished reading through this neat little gift book, The Gift of Psalms. I’ve thumbed through dozens of similar gift books and quite frankly, usually think of them as think slices of sentimentalism with no real substance, wrapped in leather and foil and sold to the highest bidder. This book, however, is a cut above the rest.

(more…)

John 17 is referred to as the high priestly prayer of Jesus. It’s the real “Lord’s Prayer” (the other one is Jesus’ model prayer for His disciples). In John 17, we hear the heart of Jesus. He’s purposely praying out loud in front of the disciples on His walk from the upper room to the garden of Gethsemane. It’s an amazing glimpse into the intimate and holy conversation between the Son of God and the Father.

(more…)

I’m convinced there is a vast shower gift conspiracy operating in our culture. Think about it. For a wedding shower, she has all the fun. Nobody buys the sweet “couple” golf clubs or pocket knives. And then the babies, the poor little babies. They don’t get anything fun – it’s all about Mom! What a sham!

Here’s the funny thing… God is behind this conspiracy! The Bible says that every believer has been giving some special ability by the Holy Spirit, and that we are given these gifts not so that we can look or feel good, but wholly for the benefit of… others! I hope you sense my sarcasm. This is the nature of God’s gifts, and if you want to enjoy life, you’re going to have to forget about all the benefits you want to receive and start thinking about your relationship to other people.

(more…)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

Download the MP3 file

Christmas Sermon Series: Good Times
Based on John 1:11-13

ONE GREAT TRUTH: Receiving is more humbling than giving, which is perhaps why so many have never received the free and wonderful gift of eternal life.

(more…)

The economy has tanked and we’ve elected a Democratic President, but things could be worse (just a joke, folks). I love Christmas and it’s one week away from my posting this little blog. I wanted to pass along some tips for making Christmas interesting this year. You may already do these things, and I don’t do all of them, but they’re worth trying for the fun of it…

1. Read the Christmas story on Christmas morning with your family – Luke 2:1-20.
2. Bake a “birthday cake” for Jesus.
3. Try boiled custard – it’s a Kentucky favorite!
4. Don’t drink and drive. Don’t drink at all. Remember Christmas this year.
5. Give a small gift to someone you don’t know.
6. Let your kids see, in some visual and personal manner, what poverty looks like.
7. Go to the Mall on a crowded day – it’s part of the season.
8. Wear PJ’s all day… don’t shower or shave. Hey, it’s Christmas! (warning: your family may object)
9. Overeat just a bit, enjoy the feast. It’s a celebration!
10. Pray for men and women in military service.
11. Put some cocoa puffs on the lawn – tell the kids its reindeer poop.
12. Watch “the Santa Claus” on Christmas eve and put an empty Santa suit on the lawn – wake the kids up early.
13. Don’t “shoot your eye out.” If you shoot yourself in the eye, work up some tears and blame it on an imaginary icecicle.

Have any to add? Comment below!

Well, you missed it if you didn’t find us today at Pinnacel Hills Promenade. We had a lot of people donating wrapping materials, money (thanks to Sam’s Club), and time to allow us (Bethel Baptist Church) to offer free Christmas gift wrapping to shoppers, no strings attached… just bows!

It was a blessing – we had a good time and got to serve some people. We could not be overtly evangelistic, but we were able to build a few bridges with folks who wondered why we would not accept donations. One thing that really excites me is that it helps put us in the frame of mind that we simply ought to be serving in the name of Christ expecting nothing in return.

Well, that’s a wrap!