For Christmas 2010 Do An Act of Kindness

Last year the way we celebrated Christmas with our grandkids was to give each of them one gift. Then we took the money we would have spent on them and we purchased gifts for two young girls who would not have gotten much. The looks on our grandkids' faces and the girls who received the gifts were the best gifts we could have received.

What we are planning to do this year is make up 8 boxes filled with new gloves, socks, various personal supplies and food that we will give to the homeless in downtown Kansas City.

No one can prove that Jesus was born on December 25th but that does not mean we cannot prove He lived. The example of giving at this time of year was provided by the men who visited Jesus sometime after He was born see Matthew 2:1-12. Now granted they were bringing gifts to the King of kings but the example is we give to others out of honor of that King.

Pinning down exactly when Jesus was born is not as important as having the heart of the Magi and of the child who grew to be the Messiah. We celebrate His birth because without that having taken place His death on the cross would not have meant what it did.

In 15 days we will celebrate Christmas and we will gather with friends and family to exchange gifts. I want to encourage you to take the time to find just one person who you can give something to that they would not have had unless you had given it to them.

I can promise you two things will happen: 1. The person will be blessed and 2. You will be blessed by what you do. Every time I have helped with Angel Tree or have given to another person and most of the time I do so anonymously God has blessed me.

I would like to hear about the times you have blessed others or when others have blessed you. By doing so you will be acting in Jesus place in the life of another and it would not be wrong to share with them why you are doing what you are doing.

The Pit revised

Last month I posted "The Pit" and I would like to bring you up-to-date about the Pit.

Soon after I posted that message I ordered a nice smaller smoker for $86 and I have been waiting for it to arrive.

The other day I walked into our store and to my surprise there was one of the Smoker/BBQ that I wanted and it had a big dent in the lid. I checked to see what the price was and it was only $34 more than the much smaller one. I talked with my wife, Kat, and she said get it!

Here I am with the new Smoker/BBQ just like the one that God used to teach me a lesson.

I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit convicted me of coveting this Smoker/BBQ and that later God made it possible for me to purchase it after I learned my lesson.

What is that one thing that are you coveting that keeps you from having what God wants you to have?

I encourage you to surrender it to God and see what He does in your life. I believe you will be very surprised at what He does.

Father, bless the reader with Your gifts and grant them the desires of their heart as they surrender to You. In the power, authority and name of Jesus amen

Ever wish you were someone else?

Have you ever wished you were someone else or had the things someone else has? I remember watching one of my neighbors and catching myself kind of wishing I was able to do some of the things he does. Then I was reminded of this story I read in a book:

In those days, and later as a young man, I used to try to picture in my imagination the feelings and ambitions of a white boy with absolutely no limit placed upon his aspirations and activities. I used to envy the white boy who had no obstacles placed in the way of his becoming a Congressman, Governor, Bishop, or President by reason of the accident of his birth or race. I used to picture the way that I would act under such circumstances; how I would begin at the bottom and keep rising until I reached the highest round of success.

In later years, I confess that I do not envy the white boy as I once did. I have learned success is to be measured not so much by position that one has reached in life as by the obstacles which he has overcome while trying to succeed. Looked at from this standpoint, I almost reach the conclusion that often the Negro boy's birth and connection with an unpopular race is an advantage, so far as real life is concerned. With few exceptions, the Negro youth must work harder and must perform his tasks even better than a white youth in order to secure recognition. But out of the hard and unusual struggle through which he is compelled to pass, he gets a strength, a confidence, that one misses whose pathway is comparatively smooth by reason of birth and race.

From that point of view, I would rather be what I am, a member of the Negro race, than be able to claim membership with the most favoured of any other race. -- Booker T. Washington

It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ,...he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone. Ephesians 1: 11 (The Message)

When I consider what Booker T. wrote and what Paul wrote in Ephesians I must stop and thank God for what I do have and not be worried about what I don't have. Be thankful for the life God has given me and the opportunities I have because of who I belong to and not be concerned about what God has blessed others with.

I have to admit that when I finished pastoral training I fell into jealousy of what some other guys and gals were being called to do. I forgot what God called me to do and what He has made me for. I have a calling that I am adequately equipped and gifted for. I forgot to be thankful for what I He has called me to do. One day I picked up "Up From Slavery" by Booker T. Washington and the Holy Spirit woke me up.

My question for you is: "Are you looking at some other person's blessing instead of yours?" God has gifted you for what He wants you to do. What is that special thing about you that He wants you to use in service to others?

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!