Today's Turning Point; David Jeremiah

Tuesday, December 25
Service Stars
Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.Luke 1:68

Recommended ReadingMatthew 2:1-11

A story is told of a man and his son who were walking slowly down the street one night, observing all the service stars hanging in the windows of homes to proudly proclaim the fact that a son was serving his country in war. The little boy clapped his hands excitedly each time he saw another star and was very impressed to see some houses had more than one star. Finally, they came to an open area where there were no houses, and the evening star shone bright in the velvet blackness. Suddenly the little boy said, "Oh look, Daddy. God must have given His Son, for He has a star in His window!"
When you see the star atop the Christmas tree, let it be a reminder to you of the immeasurable sacrifice God made when He sent His precious Son to earth so that we may have eternal life with Him. Offer a word of praise and thanksgiving to God for His gift that came "wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger" (Luke 2:12).
More light than we can learn, More wealth than we can treasure, More love than we can earn, More peace than we can measure, Because one Child is born. Christopher Fry

What if ...

I like presents, don't get the wrong impression form the previous blog that I don't like presents. I got to thinking, what is my gift to Jesus? It is after all, His day of celebration. What if this year I choose to actually live out the Casting Crowns song ""If we are the body"?
"But if we are the body Why aren't His arms reaching?
Why aren't His hands healing? Why aren't His words teaching?
And if we are the body Why aren't His feet going?
Why is His love not showing them there is a way? There is a way."

What would happen if I actually lived this out? How can I do this?

• I make dinner for my sick neighbor
• I visit my friend's mother in the hospital and share Jesus
• I pour myself into my kids
• I show honor to my husband AND fervently prayed for his godly leadership in our family
• I hang a JESUS stocking on the mantle along with the others and started a tradition where each family member places a note describing their own gift to Him for the new year. What a great conversation starter for the visitors!
• I am swift to hear and slow to speak
• I place a mini table-top christmas tree somewhere special all year. I write the names or initials of those I love who are lost on bulbs and hang them on the tree. Through the year I can add names as well as remove those who got saved. Great visual to help remind me the harvest is plentiful
• Be a harvest worker!
• I handed out PD4 cards with a glad heart!
• I let Jesus inconvenience my timetable with His!!
• I spent the 24 days in December leading up to Christmas in dedicated prayer about..well whatever God wants to talk about. I hush and listen.
• I learn new things so God can use me in ways beyond MY capability. Yield and obey!
• I sincerely thank those who minister to my kids...
• ...and in turn, minister to theirs.

Wow, there are tons of ways to give our King gifts. How about just one?

"Are you ready for Christmas?"

I have been asked this question, as have you, alot! Even today I was asked twice. For some reason that question disturbs me. It is an innocent enough question and I understand everyone's meaning. Have I bought all the stuff yet?! (no, I haven't) Grocery shopped? (Sam's last week!) House clean? (It was on Friday)...

I am ready for Christmas, and have been for over 4 years. See for me, this Christmas is something more personal. It isn't a happy holiday. It is the day God expressed His extreme love for me in that His Son chose to leave His glorious kingdom and become a human like me- for me. Born in humility and to die in humility. Because of what He did, not because of who I am. The Bible tells of His virgin birth, His sacrifice of death because of our sin, and His resurrection from the dead. If it weren't for the sin of man (yours and mine) there would be no NEED for Christmas. Do you get that?

Satan uses something fun and good (sharing gifts) to divert the real meaning of Christmas. Have you ever seen a cat staring at a bright and shiny christmas bulb or ribbon? Their eyes are so transfixed! They don't even blink. Satan has done the same thing. He has tricked us into staring at the shiny thing instead of the Saving thing..The Word! Jesus! The shiny bulb on the tree isn't bad...but it can be when that's what we fix our focus on the stuff.

Jesus' holy spirit put on flesh that day, Christmas Day. Why would He leave glory and splendor and come to Earth knowing His path would end at the cross, covered in my sin, seperated from His Father for the first time? To offer a gift so utterly unbelievable. Are you ready for this? He became like me, flesh, so I could become like Him. I asked forgiveness of my sin and asked Him to be my Lord. See, I accepted the greatest gift of all.

So, sorry if I hesitate when you ask, "Hey Karen, are you ready for christmas?". My heart's desire is to ask you...Are you ready? If you don't have evidence in your life that Jesus transformed you..completely rocked your world and made you NEW, then you're not ready. His word is very clear on this. Jesus came once and He promised to come again for His own.

So Iask with all sincerity, Are you ready for Christmas?

December 7, 1941: The Day of Infamy

http://switchboard.real.com/player/email.html?PV=6.0.12&&title=National%20Geographic%20Channel%20Pearl%20Harbor%20special&link=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.nationalgeographic.com%2Fngm%2F0106%2Fav%2Ff5m1.ram

http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq66-3b.htm

December 7, 1941. The day the Japanese military attacked Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, crippling the Pacific fleet and causing military and civilian casualties to reach a toll of 2388 dead and 1178 wounded. Even for those not present, the events of that day would forever change the lives of most americans.

Being a nurse, I have tried to imagine being on duty on that Sunday morning at the base hospital in Hawaii. In 1941 I'd be wearing a fresh starched white nurse's uniform complete with cap and stockings. If it were quiet at 0755, I'd have already completed shift change and would begin rounds on my patients. Within a hour that very uniform would be unrecognizable now being covered with battleships and plane fuel that covered my patients, but more so covered with the flesh and blood of servicemen who were burned and wounded. I wouldn't have near enough medication to quell their cries of pain and suffering. The injuried would just keep coming and coming. I'd hear the panic screams of "Nurse, over hear! Help!".

Sorry of its a bit graphic, but I think at times we forget the reality of an event, thereby not giving true appreciation to those who were there and were involved. Not only on Dec 7 but in all of WW II.

Please take the time to view and hear the recollection of men who survived the attack and the FDR speech. The second link is to a written interview with Lieutenant Ruth Erickson, NC, USN a nurse who reported to the hospital the day of the attack.

To all war veterans...thank you.

I like coffee.

I love coffee. I love strong, fresh coffee. I particularly love Starbucks coffee. I can smell it right now in my mind’s nose by simply describing it. My mouth is watering at this very minute as I recall the flavor, the aroma…oooohhhhwwwee!

Not living near a Starbucks we recently went to a nearby coffee shop. I ordered a latte. Hoping against all hope I tasted it and …..nope, not even close. (Dawn, this is like drinking Dr. Thunder after drinking Dr. Pepper). Sorry, had to hook up a friend there first!! It didn’t even taste remotely like Starbucks. Once you taste the very best it is very hard to accept a substitute.

For my co-connoisseurs of coffee it is similar to your first cup of coffee being a cup of “Choc-Full O’Nuts” brand. Decent. Hit the spot. Did the job. It grew hair on my chin.
The next cup you have is a fresh brewed cup at Cracker Barrel. Better. Smooth! Very tasty. Then weeks later, when at the mall for the first time grab a Tall NF SF Vanilla Latte. Wow. Elegant and yet intriguing. A fine complex example of a full body with satisfying walnut flavors. After that, you simply can’t drink “Choc-Full O’Nuts without always comparing it to Starbuck’s coffee.

Why do people accept substitutes? There are always people around us who have settled for a generic love because they haven’t tasted the love of Jesus. For if they did, the true love FROM Him they would never go back, accept anything less. God’s love is perfect. God’s love is ultimate. Flawless. Forgiving. Seeking us. He calls for us to taste of His love. “Come unto me” He tells us. When you do, no other love can substitute. All other expressions of love are limited, flat, generic and conditional.

Are you offering a cup of coffee with your life? Are you a coffee source they can tap into? Is it the BEST you offer or are they receiving a substitute version that leaves a bitter taste in their mouth?

Jesus, help my life to be an offering that is pleasing to you.

Romans 8:39neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Stay Vigilant!

So I’ve gotten into the habit now (see blog #1) of running for 2 miles on Monday, Wednesday and Friday’s. It takes me 28 minutes to do so then I cool off for about ¼ mile. Clyde (beloved mutt) is my companion and a good one at that, with a rare exception. This isn’t “exercise” as I have a negative connotation with the word, but actually a time of enjoyment and sensory rest for me. This morning I wasn’t paying too much attention to my surroundings partly because it’s the same route I run frequently or perhaps because I was listening to a sermon. I recently finished a six part Andy Stanley pod cast series called Break Away and have now started a 3 part called PAUSE. The series is Matthew’s account of Jesus’ time of temptation in the desert. Andy S. offers awesome application of those events for us now-it's good stuff.
Anyway, so here I was running this morning with my earbuds in and before I realized it I ran upon a snake in the road. I saw it just in the nick of time to run around it. I can’t believe I wasn’t paying attention. I always look ahead so I can watch my step, but got lazy this time. I let my guard down doing the routine.
God warns us of this in His Word, telling us to Be Careful! Stay Vigilant! Don’t Get Lazy! Why? The serpent will creep into your path to cause you harm, or throw you off track or accept what is less than God’s best. To make you fall and perhaps next time be more hesitant to go running because you might run into something that scares or intimidates you and me.

My jogging path cuts through the woods, I should be watchful for snakes and other creatures as it is their home. Why should the snake surprise me. I should EXPECT it's presence and be ready to act. We as Christians also run in a world that isn’t our home, so beloved, be watchful out there!
1 Thessalonians 5:6 (NIV) So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.
Hebrews 12:1[ Jesus, the Example ] Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,



p.s. the snake happened to be my favorite kind...come on..you know...:)

My December calendar

So today I'm finally putting together my December calendar. Are you kidding me?! This is fun and relaxation? To be honest, personally I can only handle so much fun in a month. I'm already looking for "break days" and it has't even started. Is this the propensity of our culture or is it just me? Go-go-go. I've penciled in parties, luncheons, dates of many varieties and a production. Don't even think, 'Wow Karen your schedule is packed'...look at yours! I've covered the kids, family, co-workers, friends, ministry partners, neighbors and then some. Did I schedule time for everybody? Have I missed scheduling time with someone this Christmas season?

In our busy schedules, lets make sure we don't overlook two important truths. This is a season to reflect on peace and the Prince of Peace. Peace as in a stillness. Quiet. Serene. This is what I feel as I run down my road. There is a crisp chill in the mornings, but not too cold. I'm stretched and am anticipating that sense of...quiet; to all my senses. A little fog hangs in the treetops and the road winds gently through the woods with the treetops arching over the roadway. Green, orange, red and yellow is the variety of color that awaits me. Beautiful, peaceful and quiet. Thats what I'm talking about. Or is yours sitting by the ocean and watching the ebb and flow of the water? Or maybe the best you can shoot for today is simply getting all the kids out of the house!!

The second truth we need to focus on this Christ-mas is well, staying Christ-focused. Lets remember to "schedule" our time with Him. Priority. First Choice. Prime time. My best to offer. Or, perhaps you struggling to fit Him in? Actions speak louder than words. Show Jesus that you offer Him your time, your schedule and your priorities, not that He get's the left-overs.

“Wash Away Your Sin” lip balm: $6.00 what a bargain!

I am a lip balm user. I prefer the chapstick cherry flavor brand and I also like Burt’s Bees lip balm. My least favorite is the green ‘mint’ flavor. In addition to me, an unnamed brother in our church is also seen frequently using lip balm. Did I mention frequently? I saw Jo... oops that was close, the brother use the stuff recently in church and it made me reflect on a gimmick lip balm I recently purchased. It is the “Wash Away Your Sin” lip balm.
I wish you could see the tube and packaging. The packaging on the front says: “Handy Salvation for a sinner on the go!” “Anointment Ointment” and the bottom front says it is “For liars, cheaters & wrong-doers”.

The back of the packaging: Wash-Away Your Sins lip balm: redemption in a stick. It moisturizes as it soothes guilty conscience. The warning: Re-apply balm frequently especially during prolonged sin exposure. And finally, the Directions for use:
1.engage stick 2. bow head 3. reflect upon wrong-doing 4. anoint thy lips with blessed balm 5. rub lips together to boost powerful sin-purging action and 6th, raise head and go forth cleansed from sin and ready to do it again.

No kidding! All this for a mere price of $6.00 per tube. What a bargain! Can you imagine? What a steal for six bucks! Six bucks can buy few things these days..One Starbucks Eggnog Latte Grande with change, Two happy meals (maybe), 2 hrs of garage parking at the airport, 1 ½ Diet-Coke at a Jags game! But for 6 bucks, you can buy a tube of forgiveness, repentance and redemption. All in one! Living in sin during the week and want some religion on for Sunday? Just slap some on!

You’re thinking one of 2 things: Where do I get this stuff or what craziness!! Sometimes we do, more indirectly and to a much lesser degree, have an attitude of such ingratitude...even as a child of God. We trample the grace of God. We forget the incomprehensible sacrifice of a Heavenly Father. To punish his one and only Son, who was not guilty? Not just punish Jesus, but to have him killed as atonement for my and your sin. Romans 5:8 (a verse in the Holy Bible) says “BUT God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The willing SURRENDER of a Son to be a sacrifice because he knew that in and of ourselves, we will perish. It is a choice we must make to ask His forgiveness of our wickedness and turn from our sin. To ask Jesus to be our Lord (surrender to Him) and Savior from the wrath we deserve and will surely receive without a personal relationship with Him.
All this for a mere 6 bucks? Not hardly. Maybe we need to spend some time thanking Him for his forgiveness and His sacrifice. It wasn’t at a $6 dollar cost but at a cost far greater than we can imagine.

You want SCARRY? REALLY SCARRY?

If you want to be scare, be scared of this:

In 1991 a very large denomination had over 290 THOUSAND decisions for Christ in one year. In that very same year however only 14 thousand of those folks who professed a decision for Christ could be found in a local fellowship.(1) Do the math..280 THOUSAND could not be accounted for! Now, that is scarry and infuriating. Why infuriating?

Because people are being decieved and lied to..and accepting false teaching as the 'gospel truth'. Today in many churches the message is a feel-good, prosperity-filled show! When is the last time you heard words such as "purity", "discipline" and yes, here it comes.."sin". God makes His gospel very clear. He loves you, but absolutely HATES your sin. What is sin? Anything that seperates you from Him. Need a quick list? Just start with the ten commandments. Have you broke even one? Of course you have..we ALL have. (There are none righteous, no not one Romans 3:10)
Today people are deceived into believing they are "saved" because they say a prayer. Being saved, which is having a personal relationship with God, isn't about words you say, but a change in who you are..or more precise, in Who's you are!
In 1990 I said the prayer thing..and meant it..I did want the love of God in my life. It was a very emotional time for me. And there I was in church for the next 14 years with a false sense of security. I should have seen the signs...struggling to behave like those around me, struggling with the same 'ol habits, same thought processes, no constant desire to get to know God...there wasn't a new me. I assure you, when you truely surrender your heart to God, you are new indeed! 2Corinthians 5:17-18 says " therefore if anyone is IN Christ, he is a new creation, old things have gone (passed away) and all things have become new!..All this is from God who reconciled us to Himself through Christ..."

The other aspect to the astounding numbers of those who made a profession is that now, over ten years later..I think the situation is worse. This narsistic society we live in is incredibly blinded. People are creating their own gods because of what IT does for them...makes them comfortable and feel good. Confront a person with the ten commandments and hey..wait a minute! I'm losing my feel good here...lets not use that as a standard! Instead I'll go over here because they teach we should all accept one another..confusing loving one another with embracing the sin in their life. And now, instead of me be a great friend and sharing the truth, I'm perceived as being intolerant! Well, intolerant I am of anything that waters down God's Holy message to us. Want real? This is real: "But God, demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us" Romans 5:8. How much more of a display of love do you need?
(1)Hell's Best Kept Secret: http://www.livingwaters.com/listenwatch.shtml

For all to see

Yesterday in the Florida Times Union was an article on judges handing out unusual punishments for crimes such as stealing, shoplifting, property damage and such. It referenced the colonial times that those guilty would be placed in stocks in a public common area to shame them. A particular judge referenced offers a choice to the guilty to hold a sign in front of the store that thief stole from that said “ I am a thief who stole from this store” or something similar. The point of course is to embarrass this thief to death so as to not do it again and make others think twice before stealing.

The person’s sin (wrongdoing) being displayed to all wasn’t a first in the Colonial times. I read about it this morning in my daily Bible study in Colossians. In the 2nd chapter in the book of Colossians are references to two types of debt acknowledgement (such as the sign being held up for all to see).

Col.2:13 “ …. He had made alive together (you) with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.” (Emphasis mine).

Wiped out the handwriting refers to the handwritten certificate of debt by which a debtor acknowledges his indebtedness. Paul graphically compares God’s forgiveness of believer’s sins to wiping ink off a parchment.

The list of crimes of a crucified criminal was nailed to the cross with that criminal to declare the violations he was being punished for. Both wiping out the handwriting and nailing it to the cross express the forgiveness of Jesus. Because he took our sin upon Himself. He bore the shame of our sin as His own. Can you visualize it now? My sin of____________ was placed upon Him for all to see. How shameful. Through Christ’s sacrificial death on the cross, God has totally erased our certificate if indebtedness and made our forgiveness complete. Believer’s sin (this requires action on your part to be a believer, it isn’t automatic) were all put to Christ’s account, nailed to His cross, He fully bore the punishment for them all. Thank you Jesus for Your sacrifice.

I am thankful that my sin will not again be declared to the world. I asked Jesus to forgive me, and he did. I asked Him to restore me, and He did! I repented (turned away) from my selfish and wicked ways and turned to Him. God tells us (John 14:6) I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father but by Me.
Words in blue font (MacArthur Study Bible)