I am part of a big family - the family of God, and according to Scriptures, my Father is proud of me! Me! How cool is that? I see so many flaws in myself that it is often hard to remember that in Hebrews 10:14 it says, “By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified.” But, it’s there. And, it’s the word of God. And it’s talking about me. Yes, I know I still have faults and shortcomings. But by the offering of Christ on the cross, I have been made perfect. It’s a positional thing. God has “imputed” perfection to me. It’s not in myself. It’s in Christ, and that’s where I am.

When Satan attacks and reminds me of all my flaws and failures, I retreat to the knowledge that God has perfected me forever. That is an awesome truth. And if you’re a Christian, “He has perfected” you, too. Rejoice in that thought! Meditate on it. It will change your life as it becomes real to you.

Santa was good to me this past Christmas. I had let it be known that I’d like a Keurig coffee maker. A few people at work have one and they just rave about it. I have not been disappointed. It is so nice to be able to brew one cup of coffee instead of having to make a whole pot. And the coffee is always the same, always just the way I like it. The machine comes with a sample package of the coffee pods and has a good selection of different styles. My wife, aka Santa, also purchased a couple boxes of coffee pods when she got the machine. I had purchased some coffee last year to use in the machine one of the women at work brought in. It’s called Sleigh Ride, and is a seasonal coffee made by Gloria Jean’s Coffee Company. It is totally awesome with a taste of vanilla and just the slightest touch of mint. So far, it’s my favorite. What a great way to start the morning! I look forward to trying all the flavors and finding which are favorites and which are best left to other coffee lovers. They have everything from light to bold, both regular and decaf. As for the price, it’s less than 50 cents a cup — more than it costs by the pot, but no waste. Ton’s cheaper than Starbucks! And, this machine doesn’t only brew coffee, it also makes an awesome cup of tea, and does hot cocoa, too.

I’ve found a place to buy the pods online called CoffeeForLess. There’s other places online, but this one has the Sleigh Ride coffee that I like so much — and you can even buy it by the case, saving even more! Not only that, but if you read the ad before clicking on it, you’ll see a code that can get you a 5% discount.

I can’t recommend this coffee brewing system enough. If you love coffee, but either don’t have the time to make it, only want a cup or two, or just want a consistently good cup, this is the coffee maker for you! By the way, it’s available at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and we all know that they are famous for their 20% off coupons! You can’t go wrong.

It’s a sad day, indeed. Andrew Dezio, a local 15 year old, had a disagreement with a family member on December 23rd and stormed out of the house. January 8th his body was found not far from his home. The medical examiner says Andrew committed suicide and thankfully has given no details to the public. We don’t need everything. What’s important is the fact that a child chose to end his own life. We need to be shaken from our complacency and see that there are people around us who are hurting. Some may even be hurting enough to want to die. (There may even be someone in your church like that.) Some may be so afraid of what life has in store for them that death seems like a better alternative. Some may be so angry that they choose to hurt others by hurting themselves. We, as Christians, know that death is not the end. We also know who it is that can deliver us from the pain and fear that the world (an its inhabitants) throw at us. Let us learn to see the hurting people around us and with God’s help and strength let us reach out to them with the Good News of Jesus Christ. I pray God teaches us how to love those who are hurting.

Join me in prayer for the family. May God reveal Himself the them as they grieve and show them the wonderful depth of His compassion. Nothing can replace the loss this family has, but God can give a peace that we can’t explain. I especially lift up the one with whom Andrew had the disagreement. Let that one know that it’s not their fault that Andrew is gone. Let the friends and family support one another with deep compassion. Cause the Holy Spirit to move in each of their lives in new ways and may God draw them closer to Himself. I pray for angels and workers who will comfort those who knew him as they come to grips with the reality that he is gone. May God have mercy on each of us.

We all must daily lift up our young people in prayer. Life is difficult. The devil is working to steal, kill, and destroy. The world encourages our youth to forget about their maker and to live for the moment. Our schools work hard to teach our children that there is no God — only the god of self. Don’t ever let up! Protect our young. Teach those in your care that God is real, that He does care, that He does have a wonderful plan for their lives. And back it all up with love, the love that includes actions - not just words. Be an example. Be a friend. Be the ambassador for God that you are called to be. And may God work in us to be a difference in this world.

Part of a teaching by James Crowley at New Testament Christian Church in Greece, NY.

It seems that every month in 2007 brought a new story about Britney. And most of these stories weren’t about some success she was having. Instead, they chronicle one trouble after another. Here’s a young girl who has experienced worldly success like few others. Beautiful, popular, talented, and loved by millions of fans. At least that’s how we could have described her just a couple of years ago. Now, some other adjectives come to mind: sick, broken, desperate, crazed, and devastated are just a few. I know I sometimes have a difficult time feeling sorry for people who make millions of dollars, but not this time. I pray that she learns through this truly terrible time in her life that God loves her and has a wonderful plan for her life. It won’t be easy getting through to her, but our God knows how to break down any walls we humans can erect. He loves her enough that he sent His Son to die for her. Yes, even Britney is loved by God.

It’s not hard to believe that Britney is so stressed with the cares of life that she must be considered a suicide risk. We need to lift her in prayer. Help her get through the critical time she is in now. Help her to soften her heart and listen to the voice of God. Help her realize that she’s not alone and there is hope. As great as some of her life has been, the future can be infinitely better. Please join with me in praying for her. I trust God will raise up someone to speak godly wisdom to her. May the Holy Spirit quicken her spirit and give her both a hunger for the good news that comes only from God, and an open heart to receive it.

Even though most of us will never know Britney personally, we must understand that God loves her with all His heart. Because we love Him, we must care about those He loves.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. [Luke 2:10]

This angel brought news of joy not only for Israel, or for Christians, but to all people — and to each one of us individually.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
[Luke 2:13-14]

Jon Courson says this phrase could have been translated as “Peace on earth towards men of good will.” or towards men in God’s will. Jim Crowley teaches that if you believe in Christ as the one who the Father has sent, then you will have a peace in your heart that is not affected by any outward circumstances. If, however, you haven’t put your faith in Christ, then even if things seem to be going well for you, you really don’t have true peace.

It’s important to realize that as Christians, believing on Christ is enough. We can experience God’s peace not because of what we’re doing or have done, but by what He did coming to earth to die for us. There will be people who try to make you believe that you aren’t doing enough or that Christ didn’t do enough. They’re wrong! Christ did it all! Jesus declared on the cross “It is finished!” All that remains for us to do is to love Him with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength as a response to the loving, grace, and goodness he pours out to us every day.

My Christmas wish for each of you is that you learn to accept the gospel in all its simplicity. God has done it all. Live in the knowledge that he loves you so much that he did it all. Thank you, Lord, for being our Savior.

16 years old and pregnant. Rumors that she wants to get married. Whew! What a mess she’s gotten into. Yes, I know that it takes two to tango, but she’s responsible for her actions. I applaud her for not opting for abortion, the easy way out. She could have aborted the child and maybe no one would have ever known. But, she would have known. Her spirit would have been wounded. This way is definitely harder in a lot of respects. As much as she wants to still be a kid, she now has adult responsibilities. And she has a life to nurture and teach and raise in a way God is pleased with. Is she a Christian? I don’t know - not even a clue. But, I do know that God loves her and has a wonderful plan for her life, even now.

How could a 16 year old in today’s world, not know the dangers of unprotected sex? Why would she hook up with a guy who has so little respect for her that he wouldn’t protect her from an unwanted pregnancy? If he really respected her, he wouldn’t have had sex with her in the first place. Where were Jamie Lynn’s mother and big sister, Britney? Didn’t they take the time to teach her to respect herself in the most basic of way?

I read that she met the father in church. How sad is that. It seems that either the church hasn’t been reaching these two young people, or the message of that church isn’t the same one my church teaches. Or, maybe it was just a childish mistake. Is it too much to ask of our young people to resist sexual temptation in this day and age? I don’t think it is. I know a number of teens who have consciously decided to forego sex. While I can’t know for sure that they are living up to that standard, I see nothing in their lives that makes me wonder.

In any event, we, as the body of Christ need to remember to often lift our young people in prayer, support them in every way possible, and encourage them daily. May God bless the Spears family during this holiday season and may He reveal Himself to them.

I know of a funny little man,
As quiet as is a mouse,
Who does the mischief that is done
In everybody’s house!
There’s no one ever seen his face,
And yet we all agree
That every plate we break was cracked
By Mr Nobody.

‘Tis he who always tears our books,
Who leaves the door ajar,
He pulls the buttons from our shirts,
And scatters pins afar;
That squeaking door will always squeak,
For, prithee, don’t you see,
We leave the oiling to be done
By Mr Nobody.

The finger marks upon the door
By none of us are made;
We leave the blinds unclosed
To let the curtains fade.
The ink we never spill; the boots
That lying round you see
Are not our boots…they all belong
To Mr Nobody.

by
Anonymous