Romans 15:13 NIV
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Making Memories 04: Heirlooms
As you listen to the podcast you can follow along at you versions events here or follow along below.
Luke 2:1-6 In those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be registered. This was the first registration when Quirinius was governor of Syria. And all went to be registered, each to his own town. And Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the town of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David, which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and lineage of David, to be registered with Mary, his betrothed, who was with child. And while they were there, the time came for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son and wrapped him in a manger, because there was no place for them in the inn.
Luke 2:15-16 the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go over to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.” And they went with haste and found Mary and Joseph and the baby lying in a manger.
Luke 2:19 But Mary treasured up all these things, pondering them in her heart.
Luke 2:48 And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.”
Luke 2:49 And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?”
Luke 2:50-51 And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in heart.
Matthew 6:21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Presence is the present.
Let’s have present hearts.
Let’s seek to be present over perfect.
Let’s treasure what matters.
Let’s love.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Making Memories 03: Comfort and Joy
Christmas is not the most wonderful time of the year for everyone. This message looks at how the “good news of great joy for all the people” in Luke’s Christmas story meshes with the dark aspects of Matthew’s Christmas story.
As you listen to the podcast you can follow along at you versions events here or follow along below.
Top 10 things people don’t like about Christmas
10. Cold weather
9. Over-commercialization
8. Awkward encounters with eccentric relatives
7. Excessive weight gain
6. Hearing songs like “Jingle Bell Rock”, “Holly Jolly Christmas”, & “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” over and over.
5. When kids don’t get what they want and throw a temper tantrum.
4. When adults don’t get what they want and throw a temper tantrum.
3. The pressure of trying to find the right gifts and wondering if you have enough money to buy them.
2. Over-crowded stores with long lines and irritable people.
1. The overall let down of unmet expectations.
Luke 1:14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth.
Luke 1:44 For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy.
Luke 1:46 “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior”.
Luke 1:58 And her neighbors and relatives heard that the Lord had shown great mercy to her, and they rejoiced with her.
Luke 2:10 “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.”
Matthew 2:10 When they (the wise men) saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Matthew 2:16-18 Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under, according to the time that he had ascertained from the wise men.” Then was fulfilled what was spoken by the prophet Jeremiah: “A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more.”
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice always.
Philippians 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.
Romans 12:15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
John Ortberg on the Strange arithmetic of sharing experiences:
When we share joy, it increases.
When we share pain, it decreases.
“I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“There is no peace on earth,” I said;
“For hate is strong,
And mocks the song
Of peace on earth, good-will to men!”
Then pealed the bells more loud and deep:
“God is not dead, nor doth He sleep;
The Wrong shall fail,
The Right prevail,
With peace on earth, good-will to men.”
Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Making Memories 01: Discovering Christmas
You have probably made a few discoveries over Christmases past that are now good memories. This message looks into how we can overcome potential disturbances and distractions that keep us from making good memories over the holiday season.
As you listen to the podcast you can follow along at you versions events here or follow along below.
Matthew 2:1-2 After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the One who has been born King of the Jews? We saw His star in the east and have come to worship Him.”
Matthew 2:3 When King Herod heard this, he was disturbed, and all Jerusalem with him.
Matthew 2:4-6 and assembling all the chief priests and scribes of the people, (Herod) inquired of them where the Christ was to be born. They told him, “In Bethlehem of Judea, for so it is written by the prophet: ‘And you, O Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah: for from you shall come a ruler who will shepherd my people.”
Matthew 2:11 And going into the house, they saw the child with Mary his mother, and they fell down and worshiped Him. Then opening their treasures, they offered him gifts, gold and frankincense and myrrh.
Matthew 4:19 “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.”
Matthew 6:33 But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness.
Matthew 7:7 seek and you will find.
Jeremiah 29:13 You will seek me and find me. When you seek me with all your heart.
Matthew 2:10 When they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Never Enough Christmas
Go ahead and fill in the blank: Never _____ Enough. What if Christmas is God’s answer to our struggle with fearing that we do not or will not have enough of what we need?
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Advent: Tiny Tim
We have a desire to belong, but sometimes we wonder if we have what it takes. This message looks at someone who is overshadowed in the Christmas story, and yet his story can help us have joy and give joy to others.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS
Advent: Joy
Christmas is a time when memories are made. As demonstrated in A Christmas Carol, past memories can give us a better perspective about the present. This message takes a look at what can be overlooked but has the power to make this Christmas unforgettable.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: RSS