a blessing this Christmas

Today I spent time with the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 and from The Message. These are powerful words. Spend some time with them. Read and think through each

You're blessed when you're at the end of your rope --- less of you & more of God and

You're blessed when you feel you've lost what is most dear to you --- you are embraced by the One most dear to you

You're blessed when you're content with just who you are --- then you have everything

You're blessed when you've worked up a good appetite for God --- He's fill you completely

You're blessed when you care, 'care-full' --- you will be cared for

You're blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right --- you see God in the outside world

You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight --- discovering who you really are, and your place in God's family.

You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution --- drives you even deeper into God

It is at the point we begin to see God's real blessings, not what the world says is the mark of success or blessing, and we find real contentment. The next step is to understand how we are leading those around us to see God. When we open our lives to let others see, we will make a bigger difference for God.

Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.

"Be generous with your lives" is what God called us to do. Are we doing that this Christmas? When we are, we prompt people or point people to see God and to have faith. That is awesome.

Who are the people we are living for? It is the ones we are just comfortable with with? Our lives ought to be leading people to know God in every way possible.

If all you do is love the lovable, do you expect a bonus? Anybody can do that. If you simply say hello to those who greet you, do you expect a medal? Any run-of-the-mill sinner does that. "In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you."

I pray we will make a difference and be a blessing this Christmas!

Have you heard of EDITH BURNS?

Edith Burns was a wonderful Christian who lived in San Antonio, Texas . She was the patient of a doctor by the name of Will Phillips. Dr. Phillips was a gentle doctor who saw patients as people. His favorite patient was Edith Burns. One morning he went to his office with a heavy heart and it was because of Edith Burns. When he walked into that waiting room, there sat Edith with her big black Bible in her lap earnestly talking to a young mother sitting beside her. Edith Burns had a habit of introducing herself in this way: "Hello, my name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Then she would explain the meaning of Easter, and many times people would be saved. Dr. Phillips walked into that office and there he saw the head nurse, Beverly. Beverly had first met Edith when she was taking her blood pressure. Edith began by saying,"My name is Edith Burns. Do you believe in Easter?" Beverly said, "Why yes I do." Edith said, "Well, what do you ...

wash feet, sharing hope

John 13:4-5,14 NLT So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, 5 and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him… 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. Jesus set the example we follow. He served. He valued and gave value to others. That is why we choose to serve. For 18 years our church has shared an outreach called back2school, and for 16 of those years we have chosen to give students brand new shoes and socks as well as washing their feet. It is one of the most important parts of this event. Washing feet is a humbling experience where both the give and the receiver learn how to share some moments that might change their lives. Jesus said we should do this. See the verse above. Follow His example, do what He did, and give far more than you will ever know....

Catalyst ticket arrived

My ticket to the Catalyst Conference, in Atlanta Oct 8-10, just arrived. I'm excited!

Michael Harrison's e-devotion

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