A Letter From Jesus

A friend sent this to me in an email. It is one of the best Jesus SPAMS I have ever received!





It has come to my attention that many of you are upset that folks are taking My name out of the season. How I personally feel about this celebration can probably be most easily understood by those of you who have been blessed with children of your own. I don't care what you call the day. If you want to celebrate My birth, just GET ALONG AND LOVE ONE ANOTHER.


Now, having said that let Me go on. If it bothers you that the town in which you live doesn't allow a scene depicting My birth, then just get rid of a couple of Santas and snowmen and put in a small Nativity scene on your own front lawn. If all My followers did that there wouldn't be any need for such a scene on the town square because there would be many of them all around town.

Stop worrying about the fact that people are calling the tree a holiday tree, instead of a Christmas tree. It was I who made all trees. You can remember Me anytime you see any tree. Decorate a grape vine if you wish: I actually spoke of that one in a teaching, explaining who I am in relation to you and what each of our tasks were. If you have forgotten that one, look up John 15: 1 - 8.

If you want to give Me a present in remembrance of My birth here is my wish list. Choose something from it:

1. Instead of writing protest letters objecting to the way My birthday is being celebrated, write letters of love and hope to soldiers away from home...They are terribly afraid and lonely this time of year. I know, they tell Me all the time.

2. Visit someone in a nursing home. You don't have to know them personally. They just need to know that someone cares about them.

3. Instead of writing the President complaining about the wording on the cards his staff sent out this year, why don't you write and tell him that you'll be praying for him and his family this year. Then follow up... It will be nice hearing from you again.

4. Instead of giving your children a lot of gifts you can't afford and they don't need, spend time with them. Tell them the story of My birth, and why I came to live with you down here. Hold them in your arms and remind them that I love them.

5 Pick someone that has hurt you in the past and forgive him or her.

6. Did you know that someone in your town will attempt to take their own life this season because they feel so alone and hopeless? Since you don't know who that person is, try giving everyone you meet a warm smile; it could make the difference.

7. Instead of nit picking about what the retailer in your town calls the holiday, be patient with the people who work there. Give them a warm smile and a kind word. Even if they aren't allowed to wish you a "Merry Christmas" that doesn't keep you from wishing them one. Then stop shopping there on Sunday. If the store didn't make so much money on that day they'd close and let their employees spend the day at home with their families.

8. If you really want to make a difference, support a missionary-- especially one who takes My love and Good News to those who have never heard My name.

9. Here's a good one. There are individuals and whole families in your town who not only will have no "Christmas" tree, but neither will they have any presents to give or receive. If you don't know them, buy some food and a few gifts and give them to the Salvation Army or some other charity which believes in Me and they will make the delivery for you.

10. Finally, if you want to make a statement about your belief in and loyalty to Me, then behave like a Christian. Don't do things in secret that you wouldn't do in My presence. Let people know by your actions that you are one of mine.

Don't forget; I am God and can take care of Myself. Just love Me and do what I have told you to do. I'll take care of all the rest. Check out the list above and get to work; time is short. I'll help you, but the ball is now in your court. And do have a most blessed Christmas with all those whom you love and remember.



I LOVE YOU,

JESUS

Are You Walking?

Do you have confidence that God’s story can change lives? How many of you believe that the message in the Bible about Jesus' birth, life, death & resurrection is good news? Some say it is the "Greatest Story Ever Told!" Unfortunately, for most Christians it has become the greatest story never told!



Last week we wrapped up a 4-week focus on evangelism with our Just Walk Across the Room campaign. I am encouraged by the before/after (Holy Spirit transformation) stories that I have received from some of you. If you are still struggling to get a story in 100 words or less, then keep trying. This is a very important practice. Not only will it provide you with a clear and concise way to tell your with-God story, but it is always encouraging to reflect on the great things God has done for you.



Here's my story in 44 words...I was a self-centered, angry, insecure little boy in a grown-up body. I would blow up at the slightest provocation and got in fights all the time. Then, I rededicated my life to Jesus and He filled my life with love, acceptance and peace.



O.K. you have practiced God's story & your with-God story, now you need some "Walk Across the Room" opportunities. Here are some suggestions...



1. Come hang out during rec. basketball having “walking across the room” conversations with the parents who are waiting for the children. Offer bottled water? Etc.

2. Sponsor a simple dinner (take out pizza?) for the parents of the Kid’s Choir before the performance on December 12th with the intentional focus of mixing with the parents, learning their stories, etc. The dinner needs to be simple because the room will be set up for the performance and little room for tables, and we don't want to be tied up making and serving the food—we want to eat with them.

3. Come to Grandma's Kitchen and intentionally sit with people who are not members of HUMC in order to learn their stories.

4. Sponsor a clubhouse Family Dinner and/or game night—inviting Clubhouse kids and parents for an afternoon of fun, food, games.

5. Be a part of UnPlugg at the Brickhouse the first 3 Tuesday evenings in November & December. Help me make the people who come feel welcome and loved.



I am sure there are many more opportunities, but these are a few opportunities to enter the Zone of the Unknown and introduce people to the extravant love of God.



Blessings & Hope,



RevKev

Keep Making Right Turns

I overslept today, but I knew I couldn't skip my run because next week I will be at the United States Army Chaplain Center & School on Ft. Jackson, SC. I do not want to be away from my family nor my church family for 6 weeks, but this is part of God's call on my life. I am so blessed to have a family that loves & supports me, and a church family that supports me in this ministry with the men and women of our Ohio Army National Guard.

It may not seem ideal to share your pastor with soldiers, but I believe we are in a win-win situation. God called me to be a United Methodist pastor and a chaplain in the Army National Guard. I have many opportunities through the Army for continuing education, and being with my soldiers helps me overcome my shyness. Besides, when we run away from God's call, things tend to get messy--just ask Jonah! I tried to run from the call to be a chaplain for almost 10 years, but God made it clear that this ministry is part of His dream for me in addition to serving as your pastor. Therefore, if I were not a chaplain, I would not be fulfilling all of God's call and as I have already said--running from God tends to get messy.

I was thinking about all this as I was running at about 9 am (instead of 6:30 am as I had planned--it is much warmer at 0900 verses 0630!). I was deep in thought as I ran and I didn't pay too much attention to where I was going. Long story short, I found myself on a road I have never been on. I had a general idea where I was so I kept going and when the opportunity presented itself, I turned right. Because of my late start the sun was wearing me down a bit and there were times I was running uphill, but there were also times when there was plenty of shade, a cool breeze and the path even led downhill! Eventually, after a couple more right turns I had come full circle, I made it home.

In our life with God sometimes for whatever reason, we get going in a direction that takes us away from God & God's dream & purpose for us. When that happens, things tend to get messy, the heat can be oppressive, we may feel like we are trying to run up a very steep hill. In 2 Chronicles 7:14, God says, "If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways (A.K.A. repent), I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and heal their land." Thankfully, just like my run this morning, when we find ourselves "off track," God only asks that we make "right turns" to get back into His presence where there is blessing, healing, joy & peace. Sometimes it will be difficult, sometimes God will raise us up on eagle's wings, all the time we need to keep pressing on! Keep making "right turns" and experience the joy of the abundant life in Jesus Christ.