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Merry CHRISTmas

From our family to yours, and we are excited about all the celebration we get to be part of.

This past Sunday I shared the following with our church family.  Thought it would give you something to think about and some encouragement to love like Jesus loves:

First Corinthians 13   (Christmas version)

 If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, with strands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime: but do not show love to my family, I'm just another cook.                                                                                                                                             

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in the nursing home,  and give all that I have to charity;  but do not show love to my family,  it profits me nothing.                                                                                 

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse.   

Love is kind, though harried and tired and .                                                                                                 

Love does not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens.   

Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful they are there to be in the way.

Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return; but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things.

 Love never fails.

Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust;

BUT giving the gift of love will endure.


It is amazing to know the love of God, but it is awesome to be able to give it away.  Do that this Christmas in a big, big way.  

Romans 5:5 (nlt) --- And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love.

NOTE: the above quoted section came from Pastor Bob Ford and his wife Kathy. He is the founding pastor of the House of Prayer, the church that merged with us this past summer.  I am excited that they are moving back to Martinsville and will be part of our family.  Pray for their family and for their move (coming in March '09).

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