Merry Christmas - 12/25/07

To all of you, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year. The birth of our saviour Jesus Christ has brought peace and love, compassion and forgiveness, salvation and eternal life. All of these are yours because of your believe in Jesus as the Son of God. What a miracle! And, this miracle happens each and every time the name of Jesus is called upon and claimed as your own personal saviour. Hallelujah, Christ is born indeed! Praise the name of God our Father.
His love to all of you,
Doris

Christian Cliques

A Clergy Spouse spoke to me yesterday about feeling left out. She said there are other clergy spouses in her area who are so cliquish. They seem to be aloof, with an air of superiority or "greater Christian spirit." I talked with her about cliques and how they create a smaller group for those who do not feel comfortable competing in the larger environment, even when the larger group are other Christians. If they can define themselves as the "elite of God" they don't have to interact with those who would taint their perceived position. But remember, the truly "elite of God" - His own son, never set himself off but ate with the sinners and made His friends among the imperfect. Have pity on those who need cliques in order to feel safe in the world. They have a fearful spirit. They are more concerned about how they will be received by others, than they are of bringing the love and peace of a compassionate God and the salvation offered by His son Jesus. Love those, who are in cliques, into the fellowship of Jesus Christ. Pray for them, that their fear will be lifted and their self-absorption will be healed. They are deceived. As someone told me, "But you don't understand, my family is in the upper-class of Christianity." To that I responded, "In Christianity, there is no class system. It is impossible to be in Christianity's upper-class." Again, pray for their delusion of self-greatness and self-importance. They are loved of God, they just don't realize it unless they can exclude others. Bless and forgive them Father, "for they know not what they do."

Peace Came Down and Flooded Our Souls

I know, peace at Christmas time is one of the gifts God sent to us. But we fail to claim the prize. Holiday time can become very hectic. Still, within the glow of God's love is peace and calm. "Oh Father of all there is and ever will be; father of our Lord and Saviour the Christ child, we claim the peace you promised in your Word. Forgive us when we forget the source of our calm and the creator of Love and peace. May we, with your help, bring peace to those around us and to a hurting, chaotic world. We thank you for your gifts and blessings. May your blessing fall down like a gentle rain and quench a dried and parched world. In the name of, and by the power of your Son, Jesus, we pray. Amen"

December 4, 2007

Praise God, He is coming again. Christmas is a time when we remember that Jesus is coming again, that He is here and that he lives within each one of us who claim Him as our Saviour. Do we live as if Jesus were alive and the Holy Spirit has taken up a dwelling place in our heart?
Someone recently asked: "How can I get through to people that their Sunday expressions of belief are not lived out during the week?" I tell you. no amount of scolding, preaching, or correcting them will do it.
If you want to help people to change, one has to catch the person doing the desired behavior or using desired language and praise them for their efforts in doing so. "I heard you talking with those men. They were really using 'blue' language weren't they? I so appreciated your sticking to words that are pleasing to God. That really takes dedication in today's society." They will be more likely to strive to use better langauge in the future.
"Oh Father God, we praise your Holy name. It is Holy and should not be misused. May your kingdom dwell in our hearts as it is in Heaven because we want so much to please you with our language and behavior. We pray that you will honor us with your presence as your scripture says you will, for when we are weak, you are strong. Forgive us for past misbehavior and words and we pray we will not be tempted again. We will give you all the praise and glory oh Father. In the name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen"