Tag: Memories

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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.

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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.”

 

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Making Memories 02: Demotions

Life has a tendency to go differently than we expect, and it can be frustrating or disappointing for us when our expectations are not met. This message looks at how it is possible to be at peace when things are getting worse instead of better.

As you listen to the podcast you can follow along at you versions events here or follow along below.

   

Luke 1:26-27 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth…

Luke 1:26-27 In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God … to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David.  And the virgin’s name was Mary.

Luke 1:28 And he came to her and said, “Greetings, O favored one, the Lord is with you!”

Zechariah 4:10 Do not despise these small beginnings.
(New Living Translation)

Luke 1:29 But she was greatly troubled at the saying, and tried to discern what sort of greeting this might be.

Luke 1:11-12 And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.  And Zechariah was troubled when he saw him and fear fell upon him.

Luke 2:9 And an angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were filled with fear.

Luke 1:30-34 And the angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.  And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus.  He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. 

Luke 1:35 And the angel answered her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you;

Luke 1:35-37 therefore the child to be born will be called holy-the Son of God.
And behold, your relative Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son, and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren.  For nothing is impossible with God.”

Luke 1:38 And Mary said, “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”

Luke 1:52 he (God) has brought down the mighty from their thrones and exalted those of humble estate.

Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.

Demotion is the way to promotion.
Surrender is the way to freedom.
Less is the way to more.
Giving is the way to receiving.
Losing is the way to winning.
Dying is the way to living.

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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.

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