I’m writing this post just after midnight on Christmas Eve, or Christmas morning, whichever you prefer. I’m excited about what the morning will bring forth, but even as I sit in anticipation of tomorrow’s celebration, I can honestly say I’m extremely content.
I just finished packing gifts up from the basement to the tree, and some bore my name, but I really wouldn’t mind if I were empty-handed at the end of the day. Here is why…
Most people will never ponder that question, especially men. We’re too busy scrambling for romantic ideas. Jay Leno said men like to call February 14 “Extortion Day.” I think it’s nice to be able to set aside a day to be extra-sweet to that one who means so much to us. But have you ever known much of the history of the holiday?
Mark Driscoll has shared a pretty neat article about it that I wanted to pass along – I found the bottom line of it quite sobering. Go ahead and be sweet to your mate – it is a great opportunity to restore some chivalry to our animalistic culture. But also stop and think about a man who gave up his life for his greatest love – Jesus.
Valentine’s sacrifice was no great feat at all compared to the One who would ultimately “lay down his life for His friends.” You are Jesus’ greatest love! Is He yours?
photo credit: aprilzosia
Dear Family and Friends,
It seems impossible that three years have passed since we moved our family to northwest Arkansas. . We feel so overwhelmed when we think about all with which God has blessed us since coming home to Bethel.
Ella started the first grade and seems to be coming out of her shell a “little” bit-(she gets that from her daddy). One of our greatest gifts this year was Ella making the decision to place her trust in Christ and accept Him as Savor. We look forward to her baptism in January. Angie continues her work as a therapist with children and families. She faces unique challenges everyday with children and families that have been wounded by this world and it’s a constant reminder that there are hurting people all around us-in need of redemption. In addition to loving ministry as Bethel’s Pastor, Brandon has also taken up the hobby of graphic and web design. In Angie’s words, he “plays on his computer.”
Many of you are aware that we are continually praying and seeking God’s plan for our family- in particular “growing” our family. This year has not been without its difficulties; however a cute little furry dog name Beau was added to the Cox household and he has been sweet comfort for a little girl’s heart who has prayed daily for a brother or sister. Please keep us in your prayers that we will know and embrace the Father’s will for us as a family.
This year we will travel to St. Louis to be with Angie’s family for the Holiday. We look forward to her mom’s great cooking, singing Christmas carols around the piano (yes they really do that) and reading the Christmas story on Christmas morning! We won’t get to travel to Kentucky this year, and we will dearly miss our family and friends there.
This is a season to rejoice-to celebrate God’s great gift to us-Emmanuel! We pray for God’s blessing to be upon each of you this Christmas and throughout the coming new year.
We love you all-
Brandon, Angie, & Ella Grace Cox
These are tough times in many respects, but for the believer, they are also really good times in terms of some of the great opportunities God has brought our way. With our entering the holiday season, approaching the celebration of the birth of Christ, I wanted to present the really good news of Christmas in the midst of a world of scrooges. While most people are saying “Bah! Humbug!,” Christians ought to be saying, “Thank you God for being so good!”
So here is the series…
Brandon is first and foremost a follower of Jesus Christ. He's a husband to Angie and a Dad to Ella Grace and Samuel David. He's a Pastor to Bethel Baptist Church, Editor of Fuel Your Blogging and also a logo and web designer.
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