At our church every Advent, the congregation takes part in writing an Advent devotional booklet to read during the season of Advent. I thought that I'd share with you the devotion that I wrote for Wednesday, December 10th.
Scripture Reading - Mark 12:28-31
Christmas is the season when most of us are given cause to remember to be charitable to those who are in need. Many of us give to the food banks, Operation Christmas Child, the telethon…there are many charitable organisations in need at this time of year. It's so very important that we do what we can for our neighbours around us, regardless of their needs. Many people would say that this is the true meaning of Christmas. We read in Mark that there are two commandments greater than all others: Love God, and Love your neighbour. By this, to love our neighbour is to love God, in that we are expressing the Love of God to them, and obeying Him by it. Truly, Christ is the reason for the season, but think carefully what that implies. We have a picture of the nativity that is warm and happy and safe, and we often forget how very great the sacrifice that has been made in the birth of baby Jesus. To be born a man, our Saviour came to live among us. This act alone was a great sacrifice, to culminate with the ultimate sacrifice of His death and resurrection. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ began at His birth, which we celebrate at Christmas.
So often we get caught up in the business of Christmas, in seeking desperately to achieve that warm fuzzy feeling. Christmas is a celebration of Christ and should serve as a reminder to each of us that we too, as followers of Christ, are to sacrifice every day to His glory. Loving our neighbours and selflessly seeking to share the light and love of Christ. Let's make this Christmas more about love and less about wrapping gifts. Don't miss out on the opportunity to share true Christmas Spirit.
Prayer
Dear Lord, this year help me to keep from getting caught up in the selfish Christmas of the world. May this be the Season of Christian love in Your name. Amen.
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Monday, November 17, 2008
Windsor United Baptist Church
Howdy all,
It's been a busy week or two - Liz and I had the opportunity to share at our home church, Windsor Baptist, just yesterday. We have been very much looking forward to sharing with our friends and church family. It was very exciting for us to be able to finally answer everyone's questions about just what it is we're up to.
Liz had the opportunity to share with the kids during the childrens' story. She talked about what it means to be a missionary and how we can all be missionaries every day. When we spoke later in the service, we each shared our personal testimonies and talked about how the Lord shook us up and called us to attention of Him. We were able to spend a long time chatting with people after the service. People are excited about the ministry and that is exciting for us. We've been moved by the support and encouragement that we've received from our Church family.
And for those of you who have been on tender-hooks waiting for our next prayer letter... the second edition has just been put in the mail - so you should be receiving that in the next week or two. If you're not receiving our prayer letter and would like to - we'd be happy to send it along, just drop us a line.
We're both still busy working, anticipating the time when we will be able to move to Cumberland Bay and get settled in. I have a line on a possible new job - my current job will be ending on December 5th. This had been a great concern for me initially, but there is a strong possibility of a job doing insulating work for a few months over Christmas and possibly until we move. So Praise the Lord for his provision once again!!
Liz talked with the kids during the Children's Story about what it means to be a missionary.
We shared together for the message portion of the service... and may have run long by a few minutes... oops.
As our new partners in mission, our friends at WUBC
took the opportunity to commission us in prayer.
It's been a busy week or two - Liz and I had the opportunity to share at our home church, Windsor Baptist, just yesterday. We have been very much looking forward to sharing with our friends and church family. It was very exciting for us to be able to finally answer everyone's questions about just what it is we're up to.
Liz had the opportunity to share with the kids during the childrens' story. She talked about what it means to be a missionary and how we can all be missionaries every day. When we spoke later in the service, we each shared our personal testimonies and talked about how the Lord shook us up and called us to attention of Him. We were able to spend a long time chatting with people after the service. People are excited about the ministry and that is exciting for us. We've been moved by the support and encouragement that we've received from our Church family.
And for those of you who have been on tender-hooks waiting for our next prayer letter... the second edition has just been put in the mail - so you should be receiving that in the next week or two. If you're not receiving our prayer letter and would like to - we'd be happy to send it along, just drop us a line.
We're both still busy working, anticipating the time when we will be able to move to Cumberland Bay and get settled in. I have a line on a possible new job - my current job will be ending on December 5th. This had been a great concern for me initially, but there is a strong possibility of a job doing insulating work for a few months over Christmas and possibly until we move. So Praise the Lord for his provision once again!!
Liz talked with the kids during the Children's Story about what it means to be a missionary.
We shared together for the message portion of the service... and may have run long by a few minutes... oops.
As our new partners in mission, our friends at WUBCtook the opportunity to commission us in prayer.
Monday, November 3, 2008
Fairview
Hi all, The journey continues :0)
This past Saturday evening Liz and I enjoyed sharing in Halifax with our friends Nick and Bev Philips and some of the believers at Fairview. It was a blessing for us to have the opportunity to give our testimonies and share about our call to ministry as well as to chat with some folks after the service. Later in the evening was youth group - and we were invited to hang out for a while... and for some reason there was an inordinate amount of surplus candy floating around...
For all those of you who receive our prayer letter, this week we will be preparing and sending out our next issue - you should receive that in the next couple of weeks. If you aren't receiving our prayer letter and would like to - just drop us a line - we'd love to add you to our mailing list.
Our brand new NCEM and Arrowhead materials table.
We had the opportunity to share some pictures and video from this past years summer camps.
This past Saturday evening Liz and I enjoyed sharing in Halifax with our friends Nick and Bev Philips and some of the believers at Fairview. It was a blessing for us to have the opportunity to give our testimonies and share about our call to ministry as well as to chat with some folks after the service. Later in the evening was youth group - and we were invited to hang out for a while... and for some reason there was an inordinate amount of surplus candy floating around...
For all those of you who receive our prayer letter, this week we will be preparing and sending out our next issue - you should receive that in the next couple of weeks. If you aren't receiving our prayer letter and would like to - just drop us a line - we'd love to add you to our mailing list.
Our brand new NCEM and Arrowhead materials table.
We had the opportunity to share some pictures and video from this past years summer camps.
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